Pecan Tarts

1 cup AP flour

4 oz butter (1 stick)

4 oz cream cheese

2/3 cup chopped pecans, plus 24 halves for topping

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

1 egg

pinch salt

2 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You will need enough mini-muffin tins for 24 tarts. Soften stick of butter and cream cheese. Add flour and beat with hand mixer until incorporated. Cover and chill while making filling. Soften the 2 Tbsp of butter and beat with sugar, vanilla, and egg until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans. Take dough out of fridge and drop 1 tsp. dough into each muffin slot. Make an indentation with your thumb or knuckle (or a fancy tool from one of those home gourmet places). Put a teaspoon of filling in each slot. Top with pecan half. Bake 20 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool in pan, then remove by swirling teaspoon around the edge of each tart.

Variation: Can fill center with a teaspoon of jam and top with a berry. Custard and fruit would probably be good too, although I haven’t tried it yet. I would also think this dough would work for a savory filling, like a spinach quiche. Great dessert for parties where you just want to serve finger foods.

Pasta Bake

This is an easy, weeknight dinner.

3/4 lb. pasta of your choice (I used raditore)

1 can tomatoes (I like Muir Glen organic)

1 can tomato sauce

1 tsp Italian seasoning blend

1 can tuna packed in water (do not drain)

1 cup grated cheese, some sort of Italian blend is good

3 cups water.

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large, oven-proof skillet with lid, saute some onion and garlic in olive oil. If you aren’t cooking for kids, you could add 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes and some anchovies too. Add tomatoes, sauce, tuna w/ water, and the water to pot. Bring to boil, add pasta, then turn down to a simmer and cover. Cook covered for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add half a cup of cheese during last 5 minutes. Take lid off, sprinkle additional 1/2 cup cheese over top and pop the whole thing in oven for 10 minutes.

Variations: You could do this with ground beef, cubed chicken, or sneak in a bunch of shredded veggies and make it a little cheesier. Could probably substitute a can of cr. of mushroom soup for the tomatoes and some milk for the can of sauce and make an easy tuna casserole.

BEES AND NUTS POPCORN

1/4 cup air pop popcorn,  please pop in your air popper

1 cup peanuts, you could try another nut

1 stick butter

1 cup honey

melt butter and honey together. toss with popcorn and nuts. Bake on a cookie sheet with a Silpat sprayed with pam at 200 degrees for 1 hour.

Catnip Bubbles

1/4 Cup Dish Soap (phosphate-free, get one you can see through)*

2 teaspoons catnip herb

2 cups boiling water

1 Tbsp vegetable glycerin

Couple drops of catnip essential oil (optional)

Pour boiling water over catnip in heat safe container and steep for ten minutes. Strain well (coffee filter inside a fine mesh strainer would work well). Mix all ingredients together and store in container large enough for a bubble wand to fit in.  Because of the use of herbs, I would store this in the fridge and discard after a couple of weeks. Blow bubbles as you normally would.

*Do not buy a citrus scented dish soap. Cats tend to like mint, not citrus.

 

This recipe is just for fun. Use at your own risk.

KID’S “SUSHI”

Multigrain or veggie tortillas

peanut butter

jelly

bananas

ranch dressing

grated cheese

roasted turkey or ham

spinach leaves

grated carrots

Lay out several tortillas. For sweet ones, put on a layer of peanut butter, then jelly, then long thin slices of banana. Roll up and cut accross in about 1 inch sections.

For savory ones: spread on ranch dressing, then a layer of spinach leaves. Put a row of carrots, shredded turkey or ham and cheese down center of tortilla. Roll up and cut same as above. 

Cover and chill until ready to serve. Would be good with some cut up fruit or veggie stick for a complete lunch. Makes a nice picnic.

Scenting Liquid Soap

Looking for other people who make their own liquid soap. Anyone notice a problem when scenting their soap? Why do some fragrance/essential oils make the soap thicker or thinner? Is there a pattern? Maybe fragrances with perfumer’s alcohol make it thick? Citrus oils make it thin?

EASY GRANOLA

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup pecan halves

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

1/8 cup pumpkin seeds

1/8 cup flax seeds

1/3 cup honey

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Toss all ingredients together in large bowl. Spread evenly onto Silpat lined baking sheet (can line with parchment if you don’t have a Silpat). Bake at 200 for 1 hour. Turn off heat and allow to sit in oven 1 additional hour. Store in airtight container.

Other ideas: Dried cranberries, orange zest and walnuts

Dried pineapple, coconut and macadamia nuts

Dried blueberries and walnuts

Banana chips and peanuts