Friday, May 25, 2012

P. B. & J.-Cooking with Aiden

My grandsons came to my house yesterday, so of course, we had to cook together.
Aiden will be three in July, and his favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly.  I came up with three recipes to try out.  I hope you have as much enjoyment viewing this recipe as I did teaching him how to make it.

Peanut Butter & Jelly
  • Raisin bread
  • Peanut butter
  • Banana

Assemble the ingredients.

Get 2 pieces of raisin bread.

Spoon peanut butter onto bread with plastic spoon and spread evenly.
Cut banana in half. 

Slice the banana with a plastic knife.

Put banana slices on the bread.

Place top slice of bread on sandwich.

Cut the bread into triangles and take a drink of juice.

Enjoy!





Crust Free P.B.& J. Pocket Sandwich
  • Whole Wheat Bread  or your child's favorite
  • Strawberry Jam
  • Peanut Butter

Assemble the ingredients.

Get 2 slices of whole wheat bread.

Spoon peanut butter onto bread.

Spread peanut butter evenly onto bread with a plastic knife.

Spoon strawberry jam onto bread.

Put top slice of bread onto bottom slice.

Cut and seal with sandwich cutter.

Trim off  the edges.

Use fresh strawberries for the garnish.

Enjoy!



S'Mores Snacks
  • Teddy Grahams
  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Milk Chocolate Chips

    Assemble the ingredients.

    Measure 2 cups Teddy Grahams.

    Make sure to get them all.

    Pour into plastic bowl.

    Measure 2 cups mini marshmallows.

    It can get messy.

    You may have to eat some of the extras that missed the cup.

    Pour into bowl.

    Add 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips.

    Stir all the ingredients together.

    Enjoy!


    Thank you for a great day.


    Cooking with Camden.


    Mom (Liz) measures the water.

    Warm.

    Add formula.

    Shake well.

    Enjoy!






    Tuesday, May 22, 2012

    Lemon Tart-Cooking with Doug



    Boulangerie Cafe



    Tarte Au Citron











    When I visited France last year in August, I found a wonderful lemon tart when our tour stopped for lunch  at a charming cafe in Rouen.    At that time I was engaged, getting married in September.   Since then my husband has wanted to bake a lemon tart for me to remind me of my travels.   He came up with a recipe that takes the crust from one recipe and the lemon filling from another.  This is not the traditional lemon curd filling, but a delicious, nutty, almond lemon filling.  Thank you, my wonderful husband.


    Crust from Joy of Baking
    • 1 cup all purpose flour
    • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut in pieces


    Lemon Filling from France Today ...Tarte Au Citron
    • 3/4 cup blanched almonds
    • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 3 eggs
    • grated zest of 2 lemons
    • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
    • 2/3 cup butter, melted


    The perfect 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.


    Assemble ingredients.


    Measure 1 cup flour.

    Put into food processor.

    Measure powdered sugar.

    Measure salt.

    Process to combine.

    Add cubed butter.

    Pulse until pastry starts to come together.

    It will form clumps.

    It will look like this.

    Prepare 9 inch tart pan by spraying with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.

    Place pastry in pan, evenly press onto the bottom and sides of pan.

    Pierce the bottom of the crust with the tines of a fork.
    (This will prevent the pastry crust from puffing up while it bakes.)

    Cover and place the pastry crust in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill.
    (This will help prevent the crust from shrinking while it bakes.)

    When pastry is completely chilled, place the tart pan on a larger baking sheet.
    Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven until the crust is golden brown,
    about 13-15 minutes.

    While crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling.
    Assemble the ingredients.

    Measure 3/4 cup blanched almonds.

    Measure 3/4 cup granulated sugar.


    Use 2 tablespoons of the 3/4 cup of sugar to add to the almonds.

    Pulse the almonds with the 2 tbsp. of sugar in a food processor.

    Pulse until finely ground.
    Set aside.

    Get a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment ready to mix the filling.


    The crust is ready for the filling after cooked to a golden brown,
    and set out to cool.



    Crack 3 eggs.

    Add remaining sugar.

    Zest 2 lemons.



    Beat the eggs and the remaining sugar until light
    and thick enough to leave a ribbon trail when whisk is lifted.
    3 to 5 minutes.

    Add 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice.

    Stir in the lemon zest.

    Melt 2/3 cup butter and add to mixture.

    Using a spoon, stir in the ground almond mixture.

    Pour filling into pre-baked tart shell.



    Set oven temperature to 375 degrees.

    Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until filling is set.

    Bake until the filling is set and a golden brown.
    A toothpick inserted in the middle of the tart will come out clean.


    Let cool, then unmold the tart onto a platter.
    Serve at room temperature, sprinkling with powdered sugar. 
    Serves 6-8 people.


    The tart keeps well for up to 2 days in an airtight container,
    but will not be as light as on the day of baking.


    Bon Appetit

    Thank you, Doug.