The Final Straw....berry ;)

Hello Sweets,

I know I've been MIA that last couple days, but I am super busy lately.  Between spending time with family members, to trying to get organized and packed.  Yup that's right in just two short days I'll be with the love of my life once again, I will have already landed and will be enjoying the Texas sun :)  So Tuesday's post maybe just be a quick check in as I will most likely not be cooking that night, but who knows maybe Nathan and I will collaborate for a dinner. Eeekk, I can hardly wait it already feels like it's been months lol.

So this is it, the last tiny tart post lol and for my grandmother this is her favorite.  You remember that sneaky squirrel who was stealing our raspberries?  Well he also like strawberries, which made my grandmother very unhappy lol.  I haven't had too many strawberry pies that I enjoyed, but I also hated strawberries sprinkled with sugar as a kid lol.  I like fruit all on its own, but I wasn't going to let my personal preference get in the way of a new endeavor.  However, with that being said I was quite careful in selecting a recipe that really let the sweetness of the strawberries shine through.  With minimal sugar I was able to achieve exactly what I set out for, and considering these were gobbled up pretty quickly I think it was a good choice.

Strawberry Pie Filling

Ingredients

5 1/2C strawberries, washed/cored and quartered

1/2C sugar

3Tbs cornstarch

Directions:

1)  Place strawberries in a large bowl.

 

2)  Whisk together sugar and cornstarch to combine.

 

3)  Toss with strawberries until evenly coated.  Allow to sit for five minutes prior to adding to your pie pastry.

 

Same as with the earlier tarts, place a spoonful into each pastry cup.  Baking at 325F for 15-20 minutes, allowing to cool on wire rack before serving.

 

I know this post is on the short side, okay the really short side, but I still have more packing to do.  I also have a couple of letters I need to write and I have some thoughts swirling around in my head that I want to give a few minutes of my time.  Until next time.....................................................

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxoxo

Strawberry Fields

Hello Sweets,

Spring is finally here, to anyone other than a Canadian you've probably already been experiencing warmer weather but we just got ours.  I love spring time (but not as much as summer), the smell of rain and fresh cut grass to fresh fruit and veggie stands from local farmers.  Although nothing is better than going berry picking, and here in south western Ontario we have some wonderful berry farms!  I know it's a little early in the season to be picking (actually WAY too early), but I couldn't help but start dreaming about all the wonderful treats that can be made with farm fresh produce :)

My roommate bought too many strawberries and told me to help myself to them, and you know what happens when I've been day dreaming of creative treats and a present like that is drop on me?  You guessed it, I wanted to bake with them!  I recently came across this really cook foodie website where they share all sorts of recipes and tips called Mr.Food.  So I started looking at the different strawberry recipes and came across one that I thought sounded pretty interesting.  I add a few extra ingredients of course, but they were my inspiration!

Fast Strawberry Cobbler

Ingredients

1/2C butter, melted

1C self rising flour

1/2C white sugar, divided

1/4C brown sugar, divided

3/4C milk

2C fresh strawberries, quartered

1/2C water

1Tsp cinnamon

as you can see the additional ingredients were an in progress thought :)

Directions:
1)  Preheat oven to 350F.  Pour melted butter into a 1 1/2 quart glass baking dish.

2)  In a large bowl, combine flour, 1/4C sugar (half of each), and milk pouring evenly over the butter.

3)  In a separate bowl combine strawberries, remaining sugar, and water; spoon evenly over the flour/milk layer.  DO NOT STIR.

4)  Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until golden.  Serve warm or cold.
*side note*  I ended up with more liquid than I would have liked once it was done baking.  I simply drained it off and simmered in on the stove top to make a simple syrup to go with the dessert, it turned out perfectly!

I think the next time I make this I will try a different berry and possibly use brown sugar only, but who knows what else I'll have dreamed up by then right?  Either way remember to have fun, and if something has gone not according to plan think of a way to make it work for you instead of against you.

So I have now began the cookie research phase and I think I'll be trying a batch tomorrow of one of the first three cookie, after all I need the first three chosen before creating the third!  So be prepared for cookies, cookies, and more cookies!  I am both looking forward to and dreading this all at the same time, since I like things like this to be perfect it will take some time.  I know this has been a fairly short post but I started with a mild migraine and now it is full force, so it is time for this girl to relax.  Until next time............................


Stay sweet,



Jennifer xoxo