Blind Baking.....part three in a series

Blind Baking : the process of baking a pie crust without the filling

"Sometimes, when you're dealing with a fragile dough, it will collapse in spite of your best intentions. For this reason, some pie crusts and tart shells must be baked before the filling is added.  The best method is to line the tart pan or pie plate with the rolled-out dough and place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.  When you are ready to bake, prick the crust in several spots with a fork, line the pie plate or tart shell with foil or parchment paper, and fill it with rice or dried beans.  Bake as directed, than carefully remove the foil and the beans - the shell will have retained its form because of them.  I like seeing how a substance that weighs heavily can, in the end, be lifted; I like the feel of the beans, like trouble that slips through your fingers.  Most of all, I like the proof in the pastry: it is the things we have to bear that shape us".

* from Jodi Picoult

Handle With Care

Personalities are like pastry. 

Some are flaky. 

Some tough. 

Some you wouldn't want to meet again. 

Some you just can't get enough of. 

No two people quite exactly the same. 

Although we are all created in His image, it is lifes lessons that shape us.  Lessons learned from parents.  teachers.  friends.  mistakes.

Things that weigh us down are truly helping us to form.

I need to remember this. 

*get the recipe here

Folding.....part two in a series

Folding: a gentle process in which one mixture is added to another, using a large metal spoon or spatula.

"Most of the time when you talk aobut folding, it involves an edge. You fold laundry, you fold notes inhalf.  With batter, it's different: you bring two diverse substances together, but that space between them doesn't completely disappear - a mixture that's been folded the right way is light, airy, the parts still getting to know each other.

It's a combination on the cusp, as one mixture yields to the other. Think of a bad hand of poker, of an argument, of any situation where one party simply gives in".

*from Jodi Picoult

Handle With Care

Our family is like this.  Folded together.  His. Hers.  Two diverse families folded together by us.  There have been edges, some rougher than others.  Different parenting styles, bedtimes, rules, expectations.  Some defensiveness.  Many discussions.  Fortunately through the years no large spoons or spatulas have been used as diciplinary devices - yet.  Twelve years later the space still hasn't disappeared between the kids.  One who is a loner.  Four who are on their own.  Two who are sorta like twins.  For how young they were when our families combined none of them really joined forces.  An invisible line remains.  Maybe that line is loyalty to "the other parent".  Maybe they are still getting to know each other and will combine as adults when they have children of their own.  All in all our family hasn't folded together quite the way I had thought.  Ultimately I have been the one to fold, to give in.  Mostly my expectations.....life is not bad.  But, it is not what I had imagined either, and finally I am okay with that.  But I am still holding out (just a little bit) for that perfect combination.

*find the recipe here

Tempering...first in a series

Tempering: to heat slowly and gradually.

"Most of the time when we talk about a temper, we mean a quickness to anger. In cooking, though, tempering is about making something stronger by taking your time. You temper eggs by adding a hot liquid in small increments. The idea is to raise their temperature without causing them to curdle. The result is a stirred custard that can be used as a dessert sauce or incorporated into a dessert.

Here's something interesting: the consistency of the finished product has nothing to do with the type of liquid used to heat it. The more eggs you use, the thicker and richer the final product will be.

Or in other words, it's the substance you've got when you start that determines the outcome".

 * from Jodi Picoult

Handle With Care

Marriage is like tempering.

Two different people. 

Two personalaties. 

Combined.
A little at a time.
Slowly.
Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.
Strengthening each other.

My marriage is like this.  With an exception.  We are more alike than different.  Which means less tempering has been required.  We combined (at least the two of us) rather effortlessly.  Less arguments.  Not many fights.  Really.  I hope and pray that we are made stronger, over time and thru trials.  Unlike making a custard we haven't been able to choose how "hot" our trials are, what they will be or when they will come.  But we have endured (more than our share in my opinion).  What we have now almost 12 years later is sweet.  A perfect custard to savor together.  Because we started with the right ingredients in the beginning.......

*find the recipe here