Berry Tartlets and Weekend Tasks

This past weekend I had it all planned out (to the half hour).  I have been building my "to do" list for my friend Felicia's upcoming visit to Colorado.  As you know...I'm a planner, to a fault.  I'm not going to show you the list because A). I'm embarrassed as to how extensive it is and B). I don't want Felicia to read this and ruin her upcoming surprises...

At any rate, my husband and I were debriefing Friday night and discussing our weekend plans.  I don't know about him...but I certainly had my tasks planned out...(or so I thought).  He proceeds to tell me about a large office building they are getting ready to demo and that the previous tenant left all their office furniture there.  Everything there was available and free to pick up before demo day.  He saw a couple desks that he thought I would like and wanted to know if I could go with him Saturday morning to look at them and possibly bring home.  Sure, I can squeeze that in first thing....no problem.

Saturday morning, we get to the office building...really more of an office "city".  It was 2 stories and I actually don't know how many tens of thousands of square feet...a giant maze of offices!!  I look around and I think I have gone to furniture heaven!  It was like someone placed me in the middle of Furniture Town, U.S.A (if there is such a place). and said to me, "have fun shopping...you're welcome"!

Well, to make a very, very long story, as short as I can.  2 days and 3 trips to the office later, we end up in a full blown basement remodel.  I know by the end of the first day my husband was thinking "why did I open my mouth".  Not only did we get the most beautiful desks with upper hutches (for each of us), we also walked away with a large craft table and chair, console table, coffee table, 2 rolling carts, a large french bakers rack and 2 lounge/casual chairs.  Such a gift!

So, the end of the story is...nothing got done on my to-do task list, however (thanks to re-purposing of lamps, fabric and artwork), I now have the most serene, meditating, quiet, "she shack" niche for me.  Good thing, because I am so stressed about not being on schedule for Felicia's visit, I'm going to need a moment in my new special area to breathe and relax.

I did however, squeeze in enough time to make these quick, delicious tartlets for breakfast. Delicious I tell you!!  I think next weekend I'll make another batch and hide in my new niche with them and my coffee!

Berry Tartlets

For Tartlets:

1 sheet (1/2 pound puff pastry)

1 egg, beaten well with fork

1/4 pound fresh raspberries

1/4 pound fresh strawberries

2 Tbl granulated sugar

1 Tbl all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/4 cup sliced almonds

For Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbl milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Thaw pastry 30 minutes at room temp, or until you can unfold the pastry.  Cut into 9 equal sized squares and place on parchment lined baking sheet, spacing 1-inch apart.

Beat 1 egg in a small bowl with 1 Tbl of water and set aside.

Slice strawberries and place in a medium mixing bowl with the raspberries.  Sprinkle with 2 Tbl sugar, 1 Tbl flour, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp lemon zest, and 1/4 tsp vanilla and gently fold together with a spatula.

Layer berries over the center of each pastry square.  Brush pastry edges generously with beaten egg.  Sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Bake on the center oven rack at 400 degrees for 17-19 minutes or until puffed and golden at the edges, turning the sheet halfway through baking.  ** Keep an eye on it to not over bake, it browns quickly at the end.  Remove from oven and let cool on the pan for 10 minutes.

While pastries cool, make the glaze.  In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 Tbl milk.  Drizzle over warm pastries and serve.

One Year Ago: Mexican Pizzas

Two Years Ago: Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Three Years Ago: Grilled Halloumi Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

Four Years Ago: Nutella Cookies

Traeger Beef Tenderloin Steaks and Date Nights

I think I speak for many when I say that sometimes the best date nights are the ones at home and executed at the very last minute without any planning.

We recently found ourselves home alone as both our girls were working their jobs late.  It had been a long weekend day of chores and errands and we were both wiped out.  The next thing I knew, it was 6pm and I hadn't even thought of dinner.  To make matters worse, I had already been at the grocery store twice that day and never thought of dinner.  We looked at each other and didn't have a clue what to eat.

Off to the store we went...for the 3rd time...to get inspired.  He suggested one thing and I would turn it down...I suggested something and he would turn it down.  This went on for a few rounds (and aisles), as nothing sounded good or appetizing.

Our back patio with bistro lights, fountain, tiki torches and firepit sets the ambiance.

Finally, we stopped at the butcher counter.  I must have stared at it for 10 minutes...gazing left, then right, then left again...like watching the U.S. Open Tennis.  I looked down again and saw beautiful beef tenderloin steaks...on sale nonetheless!

That's it, I decided...we are treating ourselves to a beautiful steak night dinner date on the patio (trying to take full advantage of our wonderful nights outside before winter hits).  After a 5 minute drive home, we were back in business.  Forty minutes later, a perfect candlelight dinner outside, complete with a salad, rice and Bearnaise sauce! Our steaks were cooked to perfection and melted like butter on our palettes.

Beef Tenderloin Steaks

Courtesy of Traeger Grills

4 Beef Tenderloin Steaks, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches thick

Olive Oil

Prime Rib or Steak Seasoning (for rub)

When ready to cook, start the Traeger grill on Smoke with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes).

Brush the outside of the steaks with olive oil and season with your favorite rub/spice blend.

Arrange the steaks directly on the grill grate and smoke for 30 minutes.

Transfer the steaks to a plate or platter.  Increase the temperature to 450 degrees and preheat, lid closed for 10 to 15 minutes.

Return the smoked steaks to the grill grate and finish cooking to the desired degree of doneness, turning once with tongs.

Remove from the grill and top with your favorite butter compound, sauce, blue cheese/gorgonzola cheese or sauteed mushrooms.

**If you don't have a Traeger or smoker, you can prepare these on a grill, charcoal BBQ or even grill pan on your cooktop...however you like to prepare your steaks.

One Year Ago: One Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Two Years Ago: Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Three Years Ago: Gorgonzola Grilled Chicken Salad

Four Years Ago: Nutella Cookies