Monday, March 13, 2006

sweets for the sweet!

"The soul starves before the body does." - Sarah Ban Breathnach

I really wanted to post something insightful or slightly interesting, but I just can't seem to come up with ANYTHING. I had my first day back at work today and ended up both excited about the upcoming season (and to be brutally honest, THRILLED at the prospect of a regular paycheck) and nervous about my role within the museum. I'll post more when everything has been sorted out and calmed down but for now I'm all a-flutter and can't seem to focus. I'm also a bit sad to see the end of my unemployed stretch. Truthfully I prefer sitting in my office writing and creating to going out to work - but don't we all!!

I got home this afternoon and just couldn't do anything productive. I needed to break free and do something different to change my mind-set. So I pulled out my Canadian Basics Cookbook and spent a lovely hour baking!! I made Chocolate Banana Bread for Mark (not for me - bananas gross me out!!) and Butter Tart Squares for me. I thought I would send out the recipe because it only makes a small batch, and it's really REALLY yummy. Sometimes we all just need a treat now and then! Believe me, I would have you all over tonight for tea and yummy treats and good conversation if I could, but this will have to do instead. xo

Butter Tart Squares

Preheat oven to 350F/180C

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour

Base: Cream butter with sugar; blend in flour until crumbly. Press into bottom of an 8inch square cake pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until very lightly browned.

Topping: In a bowl, beat 2 eggs. Beat in 1 cup of brown sugar. Stir in 2 tbsp melted butter, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 cup of raisins (I leave these out and put in broken pecans instead - MUCH better!!) Pour over base and bake for 30 minutes or until set.

YUM. YUM. YUM. YUM. YUM. xo

15 comments:

HoBess said...

Sounds yum yum yum. Can't wait to try it. Is it traditionally served as dessert or as breakfast? (I have been caught more than once with leftover birthday cake for breakfast, so I have a hard time telling these two kinds of foods apart!) Thanks for sharing and good luck with the new adventure!

meghan said...

ha ha ha ha ha! I'd say it's pretty seriously a dessert - best served warmish with ice cream - if it lasts long enough to make it to dinner - but it's also nice cut into small squares... and for breakfast... why not!!

andrea said...

Finding inspiration for blog postings is like London buses: there isn't one for ages then four appear at once!

Laini Taylor said...

Hi Meg - wish we COULD come over for tea! I don't bake all that often, but I do love to. To be in my clean (sometimes), colorful (always) kitchen, preferably with the door to the garden open and dahlias blooming, or the door closed tight with snow falling and wind whipping, and the counter cluttered with bowls and beaters and sacks of sugar and flour, and those delightful smells, and then, to take things out of the oven, marveling at the simple science of baking powder and eggs, and put the goodies on one of my beloved cake stands... ah... yum!

Letha Sandison said...

I wish we could come to tea too!! I will have to try these, they sound yummmy so thank you for sharing.

Congrats on the new job (and steady paycheck), a museum would be a great place to work. I am looking forward to hearing more about it!

Jamie said...

Oh, my, my, my, that recipe looks dangerously delicious!

What a great way to celebrate your new job at the museum and the sweetness of financial gain.

I hope the flutters settle into a nice sense of ease and that you find you still have lots of time for inspiration, creation and sharing your gifts.

boho girl said...

mmm.

mmm.

delish...

hurrah for new jobbie job in museum! do tell more details...

Alex S said...

OopS! you reminded me I forgot to put up the tomato-orange soup on my blog! Thank you for this recipe. I also just read your Muppets post. I LOVED them too growing up. So endearing and loving and God I wish we had contemporary shows for children of such high quality instead of Barney and Teletubbies. The dumbing of America penetrates to every level and age group.

Claudia said...

Thanks for the recipe, I´m always looking for new lunchbox goodies to make for my continuously eating, continuosly growing boys!

Cate said...

Congrats. on the new job! Just think about all of the interesting things you'll see and hear (material for a book, perhaps?!). Oh, and the paychecks won't hurt--extra money for colorful writing utensils!

Thanks for that recipe! I'm going to make it soon for my boys! Oh, I just read Chest of Drawers comment--she's making it for hers, too!

M said...

Wow these sounds delish! And so easy as well!! Definitely going to give them a try. I'll have a cup a tea for you while I munch away! Loved your Muppet post as well...Animal was always my favorite. And Gonzo and his chickens!

Anonymous said...

I'll have to try these...they sound absolutely decadent. Thanks!

Rebekah said...

Thanks for the Canadian recipe. I'm sending you good wishes on your new job!

andrea said...

Speaking of Canadian recipes you should post something from the west: Nanaimo bars!!!

SC said...

I'm impressed!!! I know you don't like cooking, but I didn't know you're a closet baker!! That's awesome! PS...I want to chat with you about cooking!! I do all the meals now. I'm turning over a new leaf!