A Canadian Tradition

Last week I wrote about a baking mishap involving butter tart squares. Donn asked if I would post the recipe, so here it is.

Butter Tart Squares

½ cup butter
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
¼ cup butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Lightly grease and line an 8” x 8” (2L) baking dish with parchment paper*, letting paper hang slightly over two sides of pan to use as handles for easy removal of squares.

To Make Base: In a small mixer bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter or margarine and confectioners' sugar. Blend in flour. Pat into pan. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes.

To Make Filling: In a large bowl combine brown sugar, melted butter or margarine, beaten eggs, vinegar, vanilla, and raisins. Pour over base and bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until set. 

* A tip I learned from Jamie Oliver: Take the sheet of parchment paper and crumple it into a ball. Then smooth it out and line the pan with it. The crumpling will make the paper press into the corners easily. 

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Vintage

Today I'm roasting sweet red peppers from our garden. For many years I was unable to let the green peppers mature and turn red because the slugs would snack on them before they were ripe. We haven't had slugs for several years now -- I don't know why they suddenly disappeared -- so I can let the peppers ripen. I freeze the roasted peppers for use during the year in various recipes.

Speaking of recipes, do any of you remember the good old days when gelatin salads were a staple at family gatherings? Jell-o was used in a variety of ways back then. My grandmother often served Jell-o and cream as a dessert. If you were as really good cook, you would follow these guidelines:

I think I'll pass on a serving of the last ones.

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Losing the Food Lottery

My plan for today is to whip up a big batch of borscht using the beets I grew in our garden this summer. I assume everything will go according to plan and we'll enjoy a nice bowl of soup for lunch tomorrow. But not everyone is so lucky. These people lost the food lottery.

 

All rind and no juicy watermelon.

Now that's a seed!

A light and airy loaf

 

Where did that cheese go?

 

Now you see it, now you don't

 

SpongeBob? More like a minion.

 

This is no yolk.

By the way, Blogger wouldn't let me upload my pictures in the usual way. I had to drag and drop then from my folder. Bug of the day, I assume. 

Happy hump day!

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Say What?

Some interesting warnings, and menu translations that make you wonder if you should order something else.

 

 

 

Bon appetit!

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Fun with Food

 

Is anyone hungry yet?

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

In the Kitchen

While I rarely have cooking mishaps, some people aren't so lucky.

Wait! Where's the yolk?

The early breakfast eater thought this was Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Turns out it was a bowl of Cheezits crackers.

Oops!

How's that working out for you?

 

Finally, a recipe from a reader that you're sure to love.

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Strange Translations

At the grocery, the buffet, and a pretentious menu item. 

 

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Fun with Food

The holidays are a busy time in the kitchen, but sometimes things don't go as planned.

Shopping for the ingredients can also be a challenge.

Happy cooking!

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Turn on the Heat

I'll be in the kitchen baking today. Sure, it's 30 degrees C outside and the air conditioner is blasting away, but needs must. we're out of cookies! So the oven is preheating and I have a few moments to spare before the first batch goes in. Enjoy these past baking fails with me.

A bum-shaped loaf; very creative.

That dough has proofed way too long.

Oops! Forgot to roll up the crescent rolls.

Plastic in the oven is a no no!

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine