Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Black & Blueberry Bourbon Crumble Pie and the New Music Bake Sale

Sunday marked the annual New Music Bake Sale, one of my favorite musical events of the season. Everyone brought their A-game this year - there was some serious baking going on in Brooklyn last week! I sampled chicken empanadasgluten-free goat cheese and tangerine tartscoconut jelly shooterskiller meatballs, and probably the best "feed" i've ever tasted. 

For Ensemble, Et Al.'s table, I made a few pies to accompany Charlie's outstanding mango salsa. I also brewed up an iced batch of Blue Lady Tea's organic ceylon, but I promise that's not nearly as exciting as the pie I'm about to share with you:

This pie is sinfully delicious - jam packed with flavor - just boozy enough to feel scandalous - i want to eat it every day!!! The best part is I made it up and I'm going to give away my recipe right here. Because sharing is caring :-)



Black & Blueberry Bourbon Crumble Pie

For the crumble:

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed muscovado sugar
1/4 cup sliced raw almonds
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2/3 cup chilled unsalted butter, diced into 1/2-inch cubes

For the Filling:

1 9-inch pie crust (that's a secret for another time...)
1/4 cup dried blueberries
1/4 cup bourbon
two 6 oz. boxes of fresh blueberries
one 6 oz. box of fresh blackberries
3/4 cup sugar
juice from half a lemon (about two TBSP)
zest from a whole lemon
3 TBSP cornstarch


Crumble - combine all but butter in a medium bowl, and then incorporate butter with fingertips until a crumbly meal forms. Chill at least 15 minutes before baking. 

Pie - preheat oven to 350*F
-In a small bowl, combine dried blueberries and bourbon
-In a large bowl, combine fresh berries, sugar, lemon zest and juice until sugar appears syrupy
-Roll out pastry dough, set in 9-inch pie dish and place in freezer
-Add bourbon/berry mixture to fresh berries
-Incorporate cornstarch into berry mixture just before you're ready to bake
-Pour berry mixture into prepared pie crust and top with chilled crumble
-Bake until crumble appears golden brown (approx 45-60min)

*let cool at least two hours before serving so the filling can set






Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Happy Hump Day



Today I dream of spring, and all the lovely things I'll be doing out of doors very soon...



A few links for your perusal:

Poly pong deserves a spot at all gaming bars starting now!

Since losing my butterprint Pyrex bowl I've been heartbroken. This helps fill the void.

My two favorite snack foods have joined forces. I can die happy now.

There was once a time when selfies were not ironic.

I have a nagging feeling that my coffee will taste better if I get this.

I can't believe it's not Parmesan!

and lastly -
If you like cupcakes and bacon and Brooklyn and new music, go here this Sunday.

Monday, March 10, 2014

The end is where we start from {TS Elliot}

I had the honor of attending the wedding of two lovely friends this past weekend in Bruceville, TX. 

This special couple radiates warmth and kindness in everything they do. The whole weekend designed around free wheeling fun intensified the close knit sense of community, even though those in attendance traveled far and wide to get there.

This being my first jaunt in the land of bluebonnets, I call it a success.
The photo journal below gives you a look through my eyes at what was truly an enchanting weekend :-)


The beautiful #newlyweds #natalieandross #latergram  (at URJ Greene Family Camp)

 Hello Lone Star #stairwaytoheaven #natalieandross  (at URJ Greene Family Camp)

#natalieandross ❤ (at URJ Greene Family Camp)

You are made of stars. #natalieandross  (at URJ Greene Family Camp) A thousand times yes. #texas #bbq
#natalieandross  (at URJ Greene Family Camp)

 
 


To the happy couple, #MazelTov #natalieandross  (at URJ Greene Family Camp)

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Back to Basics: weekending at the barn

This past weekend was spent back at the homestead celebrating Dad's birthday and praying that the predicted storm would skip us just this once (luckily it did not live up to expectations). Mom and I worked on our tea room and I'm excited to say that Blue Lady Tea will be up and running again in no time with an even larger selection and helpful recipes, too! Dad lead us on an inaugural hike through Griggstown Preserve and Hunting Grounds - don't worry, no hunting allowed on Sundays - Jeff and I built a pretty epic fire, and I tried out the fancy built in griddle on Mom's stove with steak from this awesome farm.

A good weekend all around.



 

ALPACAS!!!



 

MORE ALPACAS!!!!!!!

 


Can I put in a request to facilities and have one of these installed, please?

 



Also, if i was the sort of person that could afford to have a vacation cottage, this would be it:






The cats co-habitated nicely. Well, as nice as can be when you put a 6-month-old little rascal with an old man who's favorite past time is sunbathing.





Looking forward to more adventures once the remaining snow finally bids us farewell and we can take advantage of the canoe rentals down the road.

Happy Tuesday! <3