Almond ChocolateTart

Since I was visiting the Old Port, my daughter asked me to buy this dessert for her. However when I went to the bakery, I was told it was out of season. So, I thought I could get out of it that easy. I said to my daughter, "Sorry Sweetie but they didn't have any until this Fall." Well, my daughter than suggested for me to make it. Reluctantly, I told her I would. It is very good. To me, I love anything with chocolate and nuts. It is a very rich dessert.

Almond Chocolate Tart
One 9 inch tart shell
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup milk
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups almonds, toasted and finely chopped
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cups bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
3 Tbsp half and half
garnish: toasted almonds

Directions: 

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, milk, butter, vanilla, and salt. 
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. 
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped toasted almonds.
4. Stir to combine and set aside to cool.
5. Add the egg and mix well.
6. In a tart pan, line with the tart shell.
7. Pour the almond mixture evenly into the tart shell. 
8. Bake the tart for 20 minutes. Rotate the tart.
9. Bake the tart for another 15 minutes or until golden brown. 
10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
11. Add the chopped chocolate into a small heatproof bowl. Set aside.
12. In a small saucepan, heat the half and half to a boil. 
13. Pour the heated half and half over the chopped chocolate. Stir until smooth.
14. Pour the ganache evenly over the almond tart.
15. Garnish with the additional toasted almonds.

Recipe adapted from the Standard Baking Co. Pastries Cookbook.

One year ago............................I made Corn Salsa.
Two years ago..........................I made PB Brownies.

Did you already know.......................
-The Old Port is located in Portland, Maine by the waterfront.
-The Old Port has cobbled streets and historic, brick buildings.
-In the Old Port, there are an assortment of stores, restaurants, and cruises.

Blueberry Granola

I love granola but I really hate spending the money for it at the store. If is so easy to make that I just need to do it. Since I love blueberries, it was my dry fruit of choice. The best part of making granola is that it will last for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container.

Blueberry Granola
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup dried blueberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. 
3. In a large saucepan, add the oil, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt.
4. Stir the mixture and heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Its about 3 minutes.
5. In a large bowl, combine the oats and almonds.
6. Pour the warm honey mixture into the oat mixture. Stir until combined.
7. Gently fold in the dried blueberries. 
8. Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet.
9. Bake for 10 minutes. Stir.
10. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the granola is a deep golden brown.

Recipe adapted from The Pastry Queen cookbook.

One year ago........................I made Green Smoothie.
Two years ago......................I made Chocolate Caramel Shortbread.
Three years ago...................I made Vanilla Cake. 

Did you already know...................
-In 1863, Dr. James C. Jackson created granula made with graham flour.
-In 1874, Dr. John Kellogg created a recipe and called it granula. 
-Dr. Jackson sued the company and Kellogg changed the name to granola.

Mabel Sandwich

Lately, my children's favorite show is Gravity Falls. They seem to be watching it a lot. Alright, I will admit I watch it too but only sometimes. I think it's cute. Well, the kids wanted me to attempt another character sandwich. We picked Mabel from Gravity Falls. I planned it out.

The kids are really great. They told me I did a good job. My daughter helped create the nose out of bread. My son helped place the caraway seeds for the braces. My husband told me that she looked like a troll. I think it was her nose. The thing with food art is once my son gets a hold of it then the art is gone. I shouldn't have placed her on top of his sandwich.

One year ago..........................I made Vanilla Cupcakes.
Two years ago.......................I made Shortbread Cookies.

Did you already know.............
-The creator Alex Hirsch is the voice for Great Uncle Stan. 
-Mabel's brother Dipper is voiced by Jason Ritter.
-Jason Ritter's father is John Ritter of Three's Company.

Travel: Portland Art Museum

We thought our kids need a little culture. We thought our kids were mature enough for art with nudity. We learned a little lesson as parents. Don't bring a group of hungry kids to the art museum.

We even tried to play games like life imitating art. It worked for a short time. We tried asking what they liked about the piece of art. Sometimes they answered and other times they moved onto the next piece of art. The kids weren't impressed by any famous artist. Where were the art pieces of animals?

The museum has several floors. There are many oil on canvas pieces of art. The museum has pieces of art ranging from Picasso to Monet to Homer to Renoir and many others. I wish I had even an ounce of talent I saw at the museum.

When we were there, the museum had a Richard Estes exhibit on display. His painting looked just like photographs. I felt like I visited New York City, Maine, Italy, Paris, and England within minutes through his art. No photographs are allowed in the exhibit area. Some areas of the museum does allow cameras but no flash.

There were many different marble pieces and sculptures.

Yes, I may have been in the military but it is clear my kids haven't been. My nieces was the only one to salute President Grant with the correct hand. I think our President would have kicked my kids out of the military especially my son. Do you see his tongue?

Did you already know.....................
-In 1911, the Portland Museum of Art opened in the McLellan Mansion.
-The museum has since expanded and now McLellan Mansion is located at the back of the museum.
-The museum has many significant art pieces of Winslow Homer.

Blackberry Scones

We talked the kids into picking us some blackberries. My niece gave me a sandwich bag full. Then my daughter made the mistake of handing her bag to me so I combined them. She was not happy with me but I gave her the promise of scones. Now, I know she loved the scones but my son normally isn't a muffin/scone type of guy. He kept hounding me for more. I guess he really likes blackberries. These are really good.

Blackberry Scones
1 Tbsp grated lemon zest
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp sugar for the blackberries and additional for the top
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
6 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1¼ cups blackberries
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 cup milk
1 Tbsp heavy cream


Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
3. In a small bowl, toss the blackberries and 1 Tbsp of sugar. Set aside.
4. In a food processor, combine lemon zest, flour, ½ cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pulse about 5 times.
5. Add the butter and pulse about 8-10 times until it looks like course crumbs.
6. Add the egg, egg yolk, and milk to the flour mixture. Pulse about 10 times.
7. Generously flour working surface.
8. Add the dough to the flour working surface and form a ball.
9. Using a 2½ inch round biscuit cutter, scoop some dough into the cutter to form a 1 inch scone.
10. Repeat with the remaining dough about 3 inches apart.
11. Brush the heavy cream on top of the scones and sprinkle with sugar.
12. Bake the scones for about 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown.

Recipe adapted from here.  

One year ago................................I made Green beans with onions.
Two years ago..............................I made Asian Chicken Wrap.

Yes, I eat my scones with jam.

Did you already know..................
-Blackberries are also known as bramble because of the thorny stems.
-The plant of the blackberry is called the cane.
-A red blackberry will have the distinguishing white core and will not be hollow inside like a raspberry.