Serve and indulge

French Rhubarb Pie

1 unbaked pie shell (recipe in previous blog - January 11, 2011 "Never Fail Pie Dough")

1 egg 

1 cup unrefined sugar

1 TBSP flour

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups diced rhubarb 

3/4 cups flour 

1/3 cup butter 

1/2 cup brown sugar

       Whole living demands a few indulgences. This pie is one of them Rhubarb is plentiful right now, so in staying with recipes from the season, here is a wonderful, custardy, tart, dessert.  It is perfect for the summer.  

     Combine the egg, sugar, flour, and vanilla.  Fold in the diced rhubarb.  Spoon into the unbaked pie shell.  Combine the 3/4 cups flour, butter and brown sugar.  Crumble with your fingers.  Spread over the rhubarb mixture.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 and cook for 40 minutes.  

So now, from this mad passion

Which made me take art for an idol and a king

I have learnt the burden of error that it bore

And what misfortune springs from man's desire...

The world's frivolities have robbed me of the time

That I was given for reflecting upon God.

- Michelangelo

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones

among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found

how to serve.

-   Albert Schweitzer

Everything has significance

Barbecue your salad!



Prepared polenta (as mentioned in previous recipes)
Whisk:  2 TBSP whole grain mustard
             2 TBSP red wine vinegar
             1/4 tsp minced shallot
             1/4 cup olive oil
One head of romaine lettuce, halved

Cut the chilled polenta into thick slices. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Grill until lightly charred, about two minutes on each side.   Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.  Grill the lettuce, cut sides down, until wilted slightly, about one minute.  Cube the polenta and arrange over the romaine.  Drizzle the whisked dressing over the salad and enjoy!





     Every ant knows the formula of its ant-hill,
     every bee knows the formula of its beehive.
They know it in their own way, not in our way.
     Only humankind does not know its formula.

                               Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Do not forget that the value and interest of life in not so much to do
conspicuous things... as to do ordinary things with the perception of their
enormous value.
                               Pierre Teilhard De Chardin

"I was brought up in a Christian environment where, because God had to
be given pre-eminence, nothing else was allowed to be important.  I have
broken through to the position that because God exists, everything has
significance."
                               Evangeline Paterson

Walking up a flight of stairs

Vegetarian Potato Puffs

2 large sweet potatoes, or potatoes of any color other than white
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup flour (whole wheat or other)
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste

     Peel and slice the potatoes, then boil them for 15-20 minutes, or until tender.  Mash the potatoes until smooth, then add the rest of the ingredients.  This mixture can be placed in the refrigerator for as long as you want, but must be chilled for at least one hour.

     Heat 2 inches of oil to 350 degrees.  Rolling the mixture into small balls resembling about 1 inch around, roll through flour and then drop into the oil and heat until crispy and golden on the outside.  I tried these in the oven as well (450 degrees) and found that they did not turn out as crispy but were still very good.  My kids loved dipping potato puffs in homemade dressing or hot sauce.

Wedged

by Hal Sirowitz

You were the one who followed me
into the elevator & asked
for my phone number, she said.
I didn't lead you on.  In fact,
I tried discouraging you.
I told you I had lots of problems.
I was used to being alone.  But now
that you've wedged yourself into my life,
don't think leaving me will be as smooth
as our first elevator ride.  It'll be
like walking up a flight of stairs.