Friday, November 6, 2015

Butter Tarts~










It was not a great day a while back in October..Kitchen wise..photo wise..and art wise..
thank goodness the tea was good..I have the Dowager too♥
..but this day was a rosebud day:)

I decided to make butter tarts..from my best and longest 43 yr old recipe..

I tried a different dough,which is absolutely delish..but not right for butter tarts,because the dough is sweet and the tart filling is of course..sweet..I even cutely blind baked;)

plus I used my mom's old muffin tin..

Ohmygoodnessthosegirlsneverhadnonstick..

even w/ blind baking..a touch of that butter tart filling seeps in or over..

you're done.

Yet..Jacques ate them all..

so I started over the next day:)
with a different dough..  same pan..
my engineer husband said ..why don't you put parchment in the bottom of each?
Oy..really? Anyways not hard at all..just keep folding your parchment and cut the desired circle size in one shot..and SPRAY your tin..

overfows and all..perfecto..

La Recette~

Pastry of your choice..use a tried and true..cut w/ a cutter that is bigger than your cavity because the circle must fit inside and a bit above.

The Filling~

One big tbsp butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg well beaten
vanilla
4 tbsps corn syrup..SYRUP:)

walnuts and raisins are optional.I plumped my raisins.

Melt the butter..mix..fill cavities..not too high as this mixture puffs..bake in a 400 F oven until dough is golden and top bubbly..mine took about 20 minutes..remember every oven is so different.
I love wearing an apron on a miz day outside.. and baking.


and while everything was baking and cooling..I decided I was not busy enough and painted..

well ..you know what I mean..when I say ;" painted.."  painting - 101.
I have seen so many artworks w/ similar English crockery as my mom's..I tried..

I used Ronelle's splashes and splotches..TY..Ronelle..I am getting it a bit I think;)

I used Vivian's frame..at least I think I did..I think I remember Vivian mentioning this..if not..go and enjoy anyways:)

I am looking forward to her next book..I am grateful to have 2 already.

and Nancy's bookgift she sent me..Nancy ,my friend,with no blog.

The book has Ivory pages and bigger than what I am used to..

so I use the frame..and draw a rectangle and paint INSIDE the box:)

Funny side story to my butter tarts..so the recipe is ..my guess.. 45 yrs old and I am 61..and  it is handwritten  in my second cookbook when I was 21..

I had put corn OIL  ..there must have been a reason..the person must have said corn OIL..because I did not know the difference between corn OIL and syrup..back then..so for about 5 yrs..well my recipe.. left much to be desired..failure after failure...No kidding..

Finally..learning a bit more..I changed corn oil for corn syrup.
Et..la victoire~victory!
Quintessential Canadian Christmas Dessert table fare..
Fresh is best..but I have frozen to rave reviews too.
You don't have to wait for Christmas..   
Bon Weekend..

P.S.I just got a new book I am enjoying so much and I have not even put it to it's highest and best use yet..

I'll come back w/ a post and recommend it..the author has no clue who I am..it's just a book I thought I would love and I do♥
I do that a lot don't I?
Also..we have watched a few British Baking shows..and I had never heard of hot water pastry..can't wait to try something..

Marie..you must have made something w/ that:)?


59 comments:

  1. Love your paintings Monique and can see you in your apron. Butter? Think I'll have some for supper. I think those little pies sound delicious, like what we call pecan pie here. And you even used pie weights. That is impressive. I'm hungry if you can tell. Can't wait to hear your book review. I clicked on the one you are reading to see if it did anything. I just wrote down the books you suggested today to take to the city next week. I think I am reading a mystery right now - very British.

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    1. Can't wait to see your bed:)!!
      They have gorgeous ones..I even love the branches/twigs one..
      Did you ever read Ruth Rendell 's books?
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Rendell
      You may enjoy them:)

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    2. No haven't read her books but I will write that down too. At Barnes and Noble, they shelve the books by author. I am waffling on the bed. I know it's not terribly expensive, but I keep thinking it's a bed. I think I am just a cheapskate. I saw a few beds at Garnet Hill catalog this morning that were more expensive and I didn't like them as much.

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    3. Remember that line.. this isn't a rehearsal?:) Am I talking you into it?
      You alone know what will look fab in the new bedroom..

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  2. Monique, your painting of the crock with filled with kitchen essentials. I've a fondness for just such a crock in any kitchen. Ours hold a favorite rolling pin, wooden spoons, and a vintage copper ladle. Always finding a vintage wooden piece I want to add. It all adds character!.
    I love to make mini pecan pies or tarts like this. They are the perfect ending for holiday meals. '-)

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    1. Minis work well in our home..these are almose bite sized..anxious to make more.
      I really love all your collections Sarah:)

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  3. Pretty, pretty and exquisitas.
    Besos

    lagalletarota.blogspot.com

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  4. I'd love to decorate my kitchen with all your watercolors!

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  5. I'll be glad to try your tarts anytime, fail or not. If Jacques ate them, then I know they had to be delicious! Bon weekend to you too :)

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    1. Truthfully Bev.. he eats anything I make.. he's always been very encouraging .
      Thank goodness..or I would have stopped..I needed that pat on the back..:)

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  6. Those butter tarts look amazing...the filling reminds me a little of my Pecan Tassies...
    Bisous xoxoxo

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  7. Butter and tarts, what could be better? It takes me lots of tries to get things just right, you did it the second time around, bravo! I do love old tried and true recipes...

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    1. I am certain you are tasting a lot of fab new things right now:)
      Lucky little ducks you 2.

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  8. You know me so well Monique. Hot water Pastry. It's here in Macaroni and Cheese Pies (a Scottish delight) : http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/macaroni-cheese-pies.html

    Your butter tarts look delicious. I have always made mine following a recipe which was a contest winner in Canadian Living many years ago for Runny Butter Tarts. I like raisins and nuts in mine, but then I am a glutton! Love that you plump your raisins first. Of course they are off "my" menu for now, although there is nothing to say I can't bake them for Todd and the Elders. (PS- I have that same muffin tin. It's very old. :-) )

    Love your little painting of your crockery. You amaze me.

    Looking forward to seeing what it is that you are reading!

    Have a fabulous weekend! xoxo

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    1. I think you will perhaps want it so I shall waste no time and email you the title:)
      Thanks for the link..
      Marie..you need to be on that show!

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  9. I have never heard of them but I know a few people in my family that would enjoy them (Butter is BIG here). I googled them, are yours runny or firm? Don't you love baking or using cooking utensils handed down? Love your water color. Still have not ordered anything yet but I will. Bon Weekend.

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  10. PS if you want to eat w/ a fork on a plate you can perhaps add a bit more cons syrup..then it would be runnier..

    Just a thought:)

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  11. Hello Monique What a time to post this delightful recipe, just when I'm trying to lose a few pounds, lots if I'm truthful... I'm sure your butter-tarts are delicious, I have piled on the weight since the summer ended.so I must be strong. A recipe to save to try later. Loved your paintings, I think you've mastered Ronelles technique of splashes & splotches , I've yet to master the technique of splatter painting.

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    1. Good morning..Brabara..I found I needed to use one of my Chines paint brushes..it has a loop at the end ..and chinese calligraphy on it..it soaks up water so well..and then just follow Ronelles great tutorial..the Chinese brushes are soft soft the ones I use .
      Under $10.00..way under if I remember correctly as I have had them for a number of years..
      I am sure you can do them.Going to peek at what you have been up to..your posts still don't arrive..

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  12. Hi Monique, your butter tart looks wonderful, love the watercolor, it's so whimsy and sweet.

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    1. Thanks Cheri..you do know I am sure that here in QC..Cheri means darling..dear..:)

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  13. yummy butter tarts sound perfect for fall and your little watercolor is so perfect, just like vivian swifts work, i love her two books also, i didn't know she had another one coming soon, what is the subject of it do you know?

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    1. Yes Gardens..if you go to her site..through the link you will see:)
      Oh she's good..really good:)

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  14. Yammie....happy sunday....love Ria x

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  15. LOVE the watercolor and the splotges. So pretty!

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  16. I've learned so many wonderful Canadian things from you. One of the was Michael Buble - before many of us here had even heard of him! Butter tarts and engineers - who'd have thought ;). Love the spoons and splotches!

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  17. I have learned so much from you:)
    I think my first molten chocolate lava cake too:) Minis..so cute..like you.

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  18. Your pastry looks relish! Too funny the confusion with oil and syrup :) I made the potato dish from Kate Bett's "My Paris Dream" last night. It was delish. I never expected that book to have good recipes too!

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    1. I enjoyed that book thanks to you..I bet the dish was good:)

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  19. Those tarts look sooo good!! I like mine runny!!
    Your painting is so sweet...and I love that you cherish your Moms things...♥️
    Enjoy your week!!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Runny is good too..just saw Anna Olsen's recipe on a blog..may try those too..
      Enjoy yours too Linda!

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  20. Love the look of your little tarts, Monique. Going to make them soon. I have several batches of old hand-written recipes and the ingredient lists are often confusing. Usually I Google things and come up with answers. I wish I had asked more questions of my mother and grandmother, but getting them to even write anything down was an effort!
    Your watercolor is so sweet, I wish I had an iota of talent. My grandmother did, but it never got passed on to any of us. (Or perhaps it was expected/demanded of that generation)

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    1. I am going to mention a book you might like to get your hands onto to paint or color..I knw I am relentless..

      Just saw an Anna Olsen butter tart recipe that looks super tempting:)

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  21. I have two of those "old" tins and everything sticks. I don't know why I keep them.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. Lol..I know why I do;)

      But I so get what you just wrote!

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  22. Another new treat! I guess I have been living under a rock...LOL You display so many wonderful goodies and your water colors are lovely.

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  23. I love the photos, the recipe and the art! Looks like a day well loved. The tarts really sound great. I love my moms old pans - some of my favorites!

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  24. Yo have such talents, my dear! How do you pack so much into one day? I get too distracted and never feel I accomplish so much.

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    1. A little Jack of some trades..master of none ...
      I don't work outside the home anymore and am catching up for lost time;)
      I just love being home Abbe and all things home..
      You seem to do tons!

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  25. Oh, boy - your tarts look dangerous to me:) Seriously hungry, with a houseful of bedridden strep patients who are eating soup, soup, soup. I love your blue and white striped utensil pot, and the way you painted them inside the frame - I have a pale green and white Italian one that is stuffed with rolling pins and spoons, spatulas and ladles, whisks - too many.

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    1. NEVER too many..of those..yes too many of a lot of other things..but not those..you have to post it!
      I hope that strep leaves town..soon;)

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  26. Oh Monique you make me laugh with this post and I know sometimes happens things...
    And my hubby is an engineer too lol
    And sometimes he say " why you don't ...
    And Im a little upsept cause usually he has reason :))
    Hugs!

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    1. So true!
      Things happen..
      So you know what engineers are all about;)
      And yes they often have reason..well said!

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  27. Your watercolors are lovely, Monique. They have so much feeling in them and I love the little drips and drop that add so much charm and texture. I've never made butter tarts but can tell I will like them. I'm very fond of little tarts.

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    1. Maybe also try the Anna Olson recipe:) I am trying that one next:)

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  28. Your little tarts are so cute...I know I couldn't eat just one...or two....I see trouble coming here.... Your watercolors say" happy' to me....It looks like a nice way to spend the day and a repeat, in October.

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    1. I love to just be quiet..I have no idea when that happened but it did..I had spurs of it..often..now it is here to stay:)

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  29. These look delicious. I can already think of a special guest who would love them :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  30. I never had a butter cup before, looks very tempting. I love sweet bakes, very special part of tea or coffee-))

    Hugs,

    Yelena

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  31. Beautiful little painting!! And wonderful little tartlets, perfect with tea in the afternoon (which watching Downton Abbey, of course). And funny thing - I have the same muffin tins that were my father's which I brought back to France with me. And, yes, parchment all the way.

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