Cooking with ADD

It might be the new moon this month, or the fact that I scored a new writing gig, or perhaps because I have adult ADD and don't enjoy Ritalin milkshakes- but this week I have  been going in a million different directions.
Which, if you have ADD, you know it's what we live for- woo-hoo!

But let's get to the food- (Hint- if you cook and you have ADD, it's helpful to carry around a timer so you don't burn the kitchen down.)

The view outside my kitchen window is of the north Cascade Mountains here in Washington, and the snow has started to cover the peaks. It's G-D inspiring, and comfort food is on the mind. Along with a bunch of other stuff...

Anyway, I was going to post the recipe of my Autumn Chicken Pot Pie*, but then, ADD came-a-calling- and I read my friend's blog- J & C's blog- http://candjdinearounddc.blogspot.com/2010/10/teds-bulletinread-all-bout-it.html that they were given yummy, apple butter Pop Tarts to make up for a so-so dinner, and I thought, "You know, I need to clean my car, and write that chapter and wash...oh hey, I want to make Apple Butter Pop Tarts!"

And so I did. Because I have about 10 quarts of apple butter I made over the weekend, and because I didn't want to clean out the car.

Apple Butter Pop Tarts

makes 9 tarts

For the Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 large egg (for brushing the dough)

For the Filling:
1 cup of quality apple butter- preferable home made.

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons milk

To prepare the Crust:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar and salt.  Add the cold butter and break it up in the flour mixture using your fingers, a pastry cutter or a food processor.  There may seem like there’s a ton of butter in your flour.  There is.   Work it in until only pea sized lumps remain in your mixture.  The mixture should also hold together when squeezed into a ball.
In a small bowl, beat the egg with the milk.  Add the mixture all at once to the dry ingredients and stir to make sure that moisture is introduced to all of the flour mixture.  Lightly dust a clean counter with flour and knead the dough on the floured counter for a few turns until it really starts to come together.  Divide the dough in two, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

On a well floured work surface, press dough into a 3×5-inch rectangle, roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness.  The dough should be slightly larger than 9×12-inches.  Trim dough with a pizza cutter, creating a rectangle that is 9-inches tall and 12-inches long.  Using the pizza cutter, cut each side into thirds, creating 9 squares.  Place dough squares in the fridge while you roll out the second piece of dough in the same way.
Brush one set of 9 squares with beaten egg.  This will act as the glue for the top layer of dough.  Spoon about one tablespoon of apple butter into the center of each brushed dough square.  Top with a piece of dough and use a floured fork to crimp the sides closed.  Use the tines of the fork to create vent holes in each tart.
Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.  Let tarts rest in the fridge for 30 minutes while the oven preheats.
Remove tarts from the fridge and place in the oven to bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
While the tarts bake, whisk together ingredients for the glaze and set aside.
Let baked tarts rest on a cooling rack to cool completely before glazing.
*Chick Pot Pie recipe next. If I remember.

I Love You June Cleaver!

Yesterday couldn't have been more like a day back in 1955.

I spent all day, and I mean ALL DAY in the kitchen. The husband watched college football all day..and yes, I mean ALL DAY!

But that was fine by me. Although the sun was shining and the sky was a ridiculously gorgeous color of blue, it was pretty cold. It seems that autumn is rushing us into winter- so cooking and football seemed pretty apropos for the day.

I jumped out of bed in the morning, put on an apron, filled up the crock-pot for dinner, brought out the canning equipment and channeled my inner June Cleaver. Not sure if June ever made salsa for the Beaver, but what the hell, she probably always wanted to spice up the show just a little.

The view out of my kitchen window is of the Cascade Mountains, so I felt the need for a little heat.

HA! 20 pounds of tomatoes from a farmer in Wenatchee, 7 hours later turned into 12 quart jars of CaliWa Salsa and 10 quarts of Gone Fruity Salsa. ( Ahem, I've written for advertising, can you tell?)

The kitchen was thrashed, my hands were stained red and the husband was afraid to enter, but I was happy. Another day living in the boondocks and I haven't gone crazy...or have I?

   

" Se me olvidó mi cuaderno en la biblioteca." Candice Reed

Just One Jar of CaliWA Salsa

1 diced jalapeño pepper or 1 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper seeds

1 chopped brown onion 2 Tablespoons diced assorted mild peppers  3 Tablespoons of fresh pepper

6 ripe tomatoes- any kind you want
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic,
24 Tablespoons diced, fresh cilantro

1 chopped brown onion
2 Tablespoons diced assorted mild peppers
3 Tablespoons of fresh pepper
1 diced jalapeño pepper or 1 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper seeds
3 oz or 1/2 can (half of a 6 oz) of tomato paste - if you like a richer thicker flavor and texture
Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (Cumin makes the husband's throat close up so I don't use it...I don't think I used it!)

1 pinch salt
3 oz or 1/2 can (half of a 6 oz) of tomato paste - if you like a richer thicker flavor and texture 4 Tablespoons 5% apple cider vinegar  (or 4 Tablespoons of lemon juice) Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (Cumin makes the husband's throat close up so I don't use it...I don't think I used it!)


Cut everything up and toss together in a bowl. (If you notice, I cook mine but that's because I am canning it and stocking up for winter. Like a squirrel. Or a bear.)

If you like wetter salsa, toss it in a blender for a second or two.

For Gone Fruity Salsa, add half a fresh pineapple or 1 large can of pineapple chunks. Add peaches and or mandarin oranges. One Tablespoon of fresh ginger and one green onion. Chill, enjoy and serve up with a margarita- Salute Mrs. Cleaver!