Just Do It (Raspberries and Cream Tart)

Sometimes you gotta go for it.  You gotta take the new job.  You gotta have that second glass of wine.  You gotta say I do.  You gotta close your eyes, open the door and just do it.

Sometimes, you gotta buy raspberries in January.

I know, I know.  I believe in buying in season like all the organic earth mothers out there.  Usually summer fruit is reserved for summer.  But...but...there I was, buying carrots and potatoes, when across the produce aisle I spied these yummy berries.  They were so red, so plump and delicious looking that I caved in and bought them.

Traditions (Gluten Free Apple Tart)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Ours was full of family, food and relaxation, which in my book makes it about the best holiday you could have.  Since we've been a little busy, what with having a newborn and all, my mother in law offered to cook this year.  Our families gathered together over turkey, wine and applesauce.

Baby's first Thanksgiving - he was even sleeping excitedly.

It is a tradition in my husband's family that they have homemade applesauce for every family dinner.  Bob's grandmother would make a huge batch of it a few times a year and freeze it, so it was always available whenever the family would eat together.  Since she passed away in 2009, there has been a void where homemade applesauce once was.  My mother in law, now that she's the grandmother, has taken it upon herself to learn the secret applesauce recipe.  This recipe apparently requires a particular kind of apple, which she was able to order online.  And, since apparently it's cheaper to buy said apples in bulk, I now have a giant bag of apples sitting here staring at me.

Lots and lots of apples.  A plethora of apples.

Fridge Fun (Apple Crumble Mini Pies)

I was in the mood to bake the other day.  I was NOT in the mood to go to the grocery store.  

One of my New Years resolutions this year was to waste less, especially where food was concerned.  I try really hard to use up everything I buy, but sometimes I open the crisper to find a wilted crown of broccoli or move the eggs and discover a bag of grapes has turned into raisins.  This has happened more now that my belly stops me from bending completely over.

Chappel Pie and Bobby Flay (Chappel Pie)

After the turkey was carved and the plates were mostly washed, it was time for my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner - serving dessert!  I made two desserts for our Thankful Thursday:  Cherry Apple Pie and Bobby Flay's Pumpkin Bread Pudding. 

So much happiness on one little plate...

(I'm not going to post the recipe for Bobby Flay's, because my pictures don't do it justice and the recipe is pretty easy to follow.  The Pumpkin Bread Pudding was featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay:  The Pioneer Woman, and Husband decided he must have it.  So we did.)

Going to the Chappel and we're gonna eat piiiiiiieeeeee...

My dad coined the "Chappel Pie" name:

Me:  Do you want pumpkin bread pudding or cherry-apple pie?

Dad:  Do you mean cherry pie OR apple pie?  Or cherry-slash-apple pie?  

Me:  Cherry-slash-apple pie.

Dad:  So that makes it....chappel pie?

Oh, the shame... (Cherry Apple Tarts)

I cheated on this dessert.  There's no excuse for this.  I was looking for tomato sauce.  Instead, I found my weakness.  Sitting there, on the top shelf of the lazy susan, staring at me.

My nemesis...my love..

Cherry pie filling.

I brought it out onto the counter.  I stared at it.  You will not beat me, processed fake pie filling!  I will not use you!  I will not give in to your pretend sweetness!

But if The Pampered Chef says it's OK, well then, that's a different story.

The cherry temptress...

A different, delicious, "maybe just one more" kind of story.

Cherry Apple Tarts

(adapted from The Pampered Chef)

1 box refrigerated pie crust

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup cold butter

1 large Granny Smith apple, sliced 

1 can cherry pie filling

Let pie crust stand for 15 minutes, until malleable.  (I made miniature tarts, but you can make a whole pie instead, or really any shape you want.)   In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly.  Roll out the pie crust and cut into 4 inch circles.  Grease a cupcake pan with cooking spray and place each circle into a cupcake cavity.  

Line the bottom of each tart with apple slices, top with a 1/4 cup cherry pie filling.  Top with heaping tablespoon of flour mixture.  Bake at 400 for 25-28 minutes.  Eat warm.