Nut Crusted Fruit Tart

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Nut Crusted Fresh Fruit Tart

Nut Crusted Fresh Fruit Tart

This Nut Crusted Fruit Tart was presented to me by my son who is home for the holidays; “Hey, Mom, I’d like to make this!”

“Did I mention I was dairy, fat, meat and caffeine-free in my diet now?” he asked. Alrighty now, time to adapt and modify the menus .

This is a tart he wanted to make for a while now, but lacking a food processor, he brought the recipe home so he could finally make it. Well actually, “we” made it. I helped with the crust and he did the rest.

It is quite simple and goes together rather quickly. It chills for at least an hour, overnight would be best. If you can wait that long.

We used a fluted tart pan with a removable bottom, but you can use a pie tin as well.

You will also need a food processor. There isn’t enough “stuff” for a blender to function properly, especially when pureeing the 4 ounces of strawberries.

Nut Crusted Fresh Fruit TartNut Crusted Fruit Tart

For the Crust:

  • 1 cup pitted dates
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/3 cup cashews
  • 1/3 cup pecans
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Filling:

  • 2-3 fresh bananas, sliced lengthwise
  • 8 – 10 ounces fresh strawberries:
    Puree 4 ounces; slice remaining strawberries. Set puree aside.
  • 1 – 11 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1 pint fresh raspberries, whole
  • 1 pint fresh blackberries, sliced in half lengthwise

Method:

Using a food processor, process the crust ingredients until chopped fine and sticky. After processing the crust, use the same bowl and blade to puree the strawberries. (Saves clean up!)

Press the crust into the pan, press firmly along edges and into the curve of the pan. Make sure the sides are thick enough to Nut Crusted Fresh Fruit Tartsupport themselves when removed from the pan.

Line the bottom of the crust with the bananas cut lengthwise, cut side down. Gently press the bananas into place along the edge and bottom.Nut Crusted Fresh Fruit Tart

Top bananas with sliced strawberries, then pour the strawberry puree over the top, filling in any spaces or gaps.

Place fresh raspberries along the entire outer rim of the tart; then place halved blackberries and mandarin oranges in a decorative manner.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour, preferably overnight, before slicing and serving.

This is fast, easy, delicious and makes an impressive dessert for anyone, even  vegans. It might work for those on a raw food diet as long as the friction from the food processor doesn’t count as “heat”. I don’t think it gets hot enough to qualify for that.

No added fat except what is naturally found in nuts, no added sugar, no baking! And it tastes delicious.

Try it, we hope you’ll like it!Nut Crusted Fresh Fruit Tart

Please let us know what you think.

Warm and Cozy Bedtime Beverage

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Warm and cozy Nutmeg Milk

Warm and cozy Nutmeg Milk

This warm and cozy bedtime beverage is quite lovely. It is only warm milk, honey and nutmeg. The nutmeg encourages a comforting sleep and the warm milk envelopes you in warming coziness that allows you to fall asleep easily.

Nutmeg is a relaxing nervine in the herbal world. Caution must be used as too much nutmeg may leave you groggy in the morning. Nutmeg has a way of “time-releasing” some of its qualities so it is best to use less than more.

The best nutmeg to use for this drink is, of course, freshly grated from a whole nutmeg nut.

Myristica fragrans Nutmeg. The picture was tak...

Myristica fragrans Nutmeg. The picture was taken in Zanzibar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)See that red bit? That’s called Mace and can be used like the nutmeg nut found underneath. It’s just a bit stronger and usually comes ground.

Lets talk a bit about nutmeg. We may know it from being sprinkled over the top of holiday eggnog and that might be about it. However, nutmeg is  a spice we should be aware of for many qualities. Add a pinch or two to tomato sauce to add a complex sweetness; I add it to my pepper mill for a great depth of flavor.

Take a sip!

Take a sip!

Personally I love the aroma and flavor of fresh nutmeg. You can use a nutmeg grater or in the absence of that, the smallest side of a box grater or a fine microplane will work to grate the fresh nut.

Nutmeg grater

Nutmeg grater

To make this cozy bedtime beverage, simply warm a cup of milk to warm, add a spoonful of honey and grate a teaspoon of fresh nutmeg over the top. For added luxury, steam the milk with a cappuccino steamer for lots of froth on top.

Sit back and sip, you’ll be yawning and heading for bed before you can finish the cup.

A nice benefit of nutmeg is that it also encourages sweet dreams and reduces stress.

Now who couldn’t use some of that right about now?

Sweet Dreams!

Sweet Dreams!

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Crystallized Ginger and Ginger Syrup

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Crystallized Ginger

Crystallized Ginger

I love anything ginger and when it is crystallized ginger and ginger syrup, I can go overboard.

This is an easy way to make this as it is done in a crock pot, on low for 24 hours. There’s no chance of burning or scorching, just slow tender transformation of simple syrup and ginger into an amazing restorative treat.

Peel and slice the ginger into 1/4 inch slices. Cut it any way you want.

Make a simple syrup using equal parts of water and sugar. When the syrup comes to a boil, add the ginger and simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Then transfer the entire contents of the pot to a crock pot, set on low. Cover and let the magic take place for the next 24 hours.

Strain the ginger through a wire mesh strainer over a bowl to catch the syrup. Save that syrup!

Toss the drained ginger slices in granulated sugar,then spread it out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Place into a 200°F oven for a couple of hours to “dry” the ginger. If you don’t do this, the ginger will be wet and melt the sugar it gets rolled in to be stored.

Once dried, roll the ginger in granulated sugar to coat, cool completely. Once cool, bottle, label and store.

Crystallized Ginger is great for nibbling after a big meal

Crystallized Ginger is great for nibbling after a big meal

Cool the syrup and bottle it. Use it to make soda, pour over ice cream or flavor tea. One of my favorites is chamomile tea with ginger syrup. Try it! Ginger Martini, Ginger Champagne Cocktail. . .

Dice the crystallized ginger into small bits, add fennel seeds and dried organic orange peel (powder it) for a nifty digestive.

Nibble in a piece of crystallized ginger just before a trip where you may get queasy. (I always carry some when traveling!)

Digestive Blend is a combination of dried orange peel, powdered,fennel seeds and diced crystallized ginger

Digestive Blend is a combination of dried orange peel, powdered,fennel seeds and diced crystallized ginger

Use the ginger in cookies and baked goods; use it in a sauce for chicken or pork.

Crystallized ginger can be a bit on the pricey side and often, it’s not soft and tender. Make your own and not only save money, but have better quality crystallized ginger too.

Save the syrup! It's great to add to chai tea, pour over ice cream or make you own ginger ale

Save the syrup! It’s great to add to tea, pour over ice cream or make you own ginger ale

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Sugar Scrub!

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Sugar Scrub Stack

Sugar Scrub Stack

Gifting doesn’t get any easier than this: Sugar Scrubs!

They are super simple and quite inexpensive to make. Choose some nice jars to put them in, create a nifty label and you have a great thoughtful gift. Be sure to make a few extra for you to use too!

Basic Sugar Scrubs

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Up to 1/4 cup oil (See Note Below)

Use grape seed, almond, olive or jojoba oil. Don’t use coconut oil as it solidifies in the drain as it cools. Grape seed oil isn’t as “oily” as the others, with olive leaving the “oiliest” feel, which can be quite pleasant on dry skin.

Always be careful walking after using sugar scrubs as the oils can make surfaces slick.

Use your personal preference as to how much oil to add. I prefer only using enough to make the sugar damp and start to hold together as opposed to swimming in oil. I prefer the drier side.

Orange Vanilla Dream Sugar Scrub

Orange Vanilla Dream Sugar Scrub

  • 5-10 drops fragrance of choosing, I like to use essential oils, vanilla extract, almond extract

When adding peppermint oils, be careful about the scrubs coming in contact with sensitive skin, eyes and private parts. It can sting.

  • Up to 3 drops of food coloring, optional

Don’t use more than 3 drops because you don’t want to color your skin! Other choices for colors are raspberry juice, beet juice for a natural product.

Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Scrub

Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Scrub

Add the sugar to a bowl, add the oil, fragrance and color. Mix and bottle it up in pretty containers.

Make some labels, glue them on, tie some ribbon and you’ve got a lovely gift. I have several jars wrapped under the tree in “Stacks of Sugar Scrub” ready for the last-minute. Teachers, neighbors, hair stylists, manicurists, hostesses, dog walkers, your mail carrier, cat sitters, even baby sitters would enjoy a sugar scrub.

Lavender Rosemary Sugar Scrub

Lavender Rosemary Sugar Scrub

These are the scents I made:

  • Cinnamon Vanilla
  • Vanilla Orange Dream
  • Calming Lavender Rosemary
  • Peppermint Lift

What’s wonderful is the scent lingers on your skin.

Easy , fun, and any leftovers, you get to use!

Peppermint Lift Sugar Scrub

Peppermint Lift Sugar Scrub

These make great additions to the Spa Basket you have in mind and make nice little thoughtful ditty for those people in your life who could use a little “Thinking of You” gift.

What kind of sugar scrub will you make?

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Solid Perfume Lockets

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Solid perfume lockets are a beautiful fashion accessory that the women in your life will certainly enjoy.

These are quite easy to whip up in your kitchen too.

I first heard about making these lockets from Rosalee de la Foret in the Learning Herbs Course I’m taking. It was a gift suggestion she thought would be better received than burdock tincture.

I fell in love with the idea and thought it would be rather hard to find lockets.

If you look around flea markets, yard sales and craft stores, you can find a variety of old and new lockets. I was lucky enough to find six of them! These are all new, but now I’ll be keeping my eyes out for lockets everywhere, especially when I get to hit the Parisian flea markets in May.

Oh, did I mention, I’ll be going to Paris in May? I’m taking students, but still, it’s Paris! I’ll have to take a perfume locket so I can smell Parisian and look fashionable too.

Making the solid perfume inside is easy. You can scent the base with your favorite perfume or scent. I like to use essential oils and included in this post is the formula I used to make these solid perfume lockets.

Solid Perfume Base

  • 2 Tablespoons white beeswax
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons jojoba oil

That’s the base. Melt it together over a double boiler.

Melting beeswax and jojoba oil

Melting beeswax and jojoba oil

Once melted add the essential oils or your fragrance.

Here’s the formula I used:

  • 15 drops sweet orange essential oil (EO)
  • 15 drops lemongrass EO
  • 15 drops Neroli EO
  • 10 drops Ylang Ylang EO
  • 10 drops Ginger EO

OR

Add 65-70 drops of your chosen fragrance. Yes, you have to use a dropper to measure accurately. So if you don’t have a dropper or plastic pipette, go get some.

Open the lockets and lay them out for easy and fast filling.open lockets for fast filling

Once the oils have totally melted and the fragrance added, work quickly so the mixture won’t harden before you can pour it. (If that happens, re-warm it!)

Once poured, allow the perfume to solidify before moving, usually 15-45 minutes.

Allow to solidify before moving the lockets

Allow to solidify before moving the lockets

Once the perfume is solid, you can find something to hang it on and enjoy it!

Perfume lockets strung on leather cord with black and silver beads

Perfume lockets strung on leather cord with black and silver beads

I’m giving these as gifts to some friends this year. I hope they like them.

Essential oils also have an aromatherapy effect and may not last as long as traditional perfumes. Being a natural product, if you use essential oils, you’ll just have to re-apply it more often.

So wear it around your neck and take a whiff when you feel stressed or want to refresh your mind.

The above formula encourages feelings of well-being and optimism. I encourage you to try it or make up your own. Lavender Rosemary smells real nice too; there are thousands of options.

I think this is a nice idea, thanks Rosalee!

The lockets, the tiny one only took 3 drops to fill

The lockets, the tiny one only took 3 drops to fill

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Painted Pumpkins

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It's so Orange

It’s so Orange

So by now, anything orange is out. In decorating for the holidays that is. I bought an armload of pumpkins with the intention of eating them before Christmas decorating began.

Lo and behold, I found five mini pumpkin stragglers stuck in on a side table centerpiece. They were so, well, orange.

My colors this year are lime green and burgundy. Quite traditional, don’t you think? These pumpkins, while still nice shapes, firm and pleasing to look at, they were still so orange.

So I painted them. I painted them gold and silver. The silver required a white base coat to cover the orange but the orange on the gold ones became an “inner glow”.

Getting the paint job

Getting the paint job

After the paint dried (three coats, thin ones) crackle glaze was applied and allowed to dry overnight. Then the next morning, I smothered them with Mod-Podge Gloss Medium to make them shine.

Painted Pumpkins Lined up to dry

Painted Pumpkins Lined up to dry

After they were dry, I put them in the middle of another table arrangement.

Personally, I think they dress up nicely for the holidays!

Silver Painted Pumpkin

Silver Painted Pumpkin

Part of the Painted Pumpkin arrangement

Part of the Painted Pumpkin arrangement

Peppercorn Blend

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Peppercorn Blend in a jar

Peppercorn Blend in a jar

Putting together a peppercorn blend is an easy and thoughtful quick gift for the holidays. You can add a peppercorn grinder and other bits and pieces to round out the gift also. But a nice jar of peppercorns is a nice small gift on its own.

Head out to your big box store and buy large containers of black, pink, white, Szechuan and air-dried green peppercorns. equally measure some of each into a large bowl, mix it up.

A variety of peppercorns

A variety of peppercorns

Add a unique element by choosing whole allspice berries, whole cloves, crush a bit of nutmeg or star anise with a mallet and mix this in with the peppercorns for a unique blend.Peppercorn Blend

Package the peppercorns into a nice jar or container, make a cute label and attach to the jar.

There you have it, a quick, simple useful gift.

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Soothing Lip Balm

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Lips All Natural Soothing Balm, my own lip balm!

Lips All Natural Soothing Balm, my lip balm!

Soothing lip balm is a must have, simply must have it available all the time.

Addicted? To lip balm? Really? Personally, I don’t think that using lip balm can be addicting. The behavior can be compulsive, but lip balm is not a substance you get addicted to. I  talking about the natural products, not the Carmex, Blistex and other chemical crap storms whipped up into a lip balm like substance. In my opinion, since the balm is going onto the lips, the ingredients shouldn’t be petroleum or chemical based.

Since I use it all the time, I am very aware of what the ingredients of my lip balms are. Additionally I also realize the premium lip balms also cost a pretty penny. But now, I make them at home and have a huge supply of soothing lip balm for the cost of what one of the other tubes used to cost.

Some balms have things that make your lips tingle. These can be more drying than they are hydrating. Lips have a thin skin, and they do not have sweat glands. This means lips need to be moisturized. Licking your lips, as everyone knows, is commonly reserved for drooling over food. It is one action that can chap your lips quicker than anything. Stop licking your lips!

Supposedly, using peppermint and other mints in balm, attracts more blood to the area thus causing a “plumping” effect. Not quite as much as jabbing a needle full of plumping materials into your lips. But you certainly won’t end up looking like a platypus or have duck-bill lips. Just nice fresh, kissable lips that would taste good too.

Who doesn’t want that?

(Sorry Burt’s Bees, I’m moving on to Lips!)

A note about tubes: buy the ones that have the “elevator screw” in them so the balm is easy to use.

Buy the tubes with the elevator screw inside them.

Buy the tubes with the elevator screw inside them.

Simple Formula for Soothing Lip Balm

Over a double boiler, melt the beeswax. Once melted, add the remaining oils and butters, not the essential oils.

Melt the beeswax. Add the remaining ingredients. The wax will firm up again. Just keep warming everything until it all melts together. Add essential oils after removing from heat.

Melt the beeswax. Add the remaining ingredients. The wax will firm up again. Just keep warming everything until it all melts together. Add essential oils after removing from heat.

Fill lip balm tubes to the top. Allow the tubes to cool, then cap, label and enjoy!

Fill lip balm tubes to the top. Allow the tubes to cool, then cap, label and enjoy!

Stir until everything is melted. Remove from the heat, stir in the essential oils; mix well.

Pour into tubes or tins, allow to cool before moving it around too much.

Steady lip balm tubes in something to keep them all standing upright

Steady lip balm tubes in something to keep them all standing upright

This will make about 10-16 tubes of balm that will keep for about a year in a cool dry place.

This formula comes from Rosalee de la Forêt of learning Herbs.com, LLC

Hints and Tips:

When you melt the beeswax, use a dedicated stainless or glass bowl or mason jar. The reason is, it is very difficult to remove all the beeswax from the melting vessel.

If you dedicate tools and utensils for making balms and salves, you won’t have to worry so much about ruining things you use for food.

I bought a small hand mixer to use for lotions and body butters so I don’t have to use my stand mixer.

Line your filling area with parchment or a paper towel to catch any spills or drips. It makes clean up so easy!

Getting ready to make lip balm

Getting ready to make lip balm

Add the essential oils after melting everything. This is so the oils aren’t released by the heat and are retained instead.

Use a glass measuring cup with a pour spout to fill tubes and tins easily.

This balm with Eucalyptus and Lemon Balm is a soothing, healing formula. Perfect for those dry winter days ahead. If you want to change-up the properties a bit, use peppermint essential oil, vanilla extract or any other flavor or scent you would like.

Keep in mind these go on your lips so you be tasting it too. I find adding honey makes the lip balm sticky and while I love honey, I’m not so fond of it, either flavor or feeling wise, on my lips.

Where can you buy tubes or tins?

Go here; Bulk Apothecary and search for your favorite tube or tin. They also sell supplies so stock up while you’re browsing!

Please let me know how you like the balm. It is my new favorite!

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Making Spiced Chai at Home

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Making spiced chai at home is so rewarding in many ways. I remember the first time I tasted  warm spiced chai tea at Starbucks one bone chilling cold wet and rainy day in Washington DC. It warmed me to the bone in a single sip.

However, being loaded with fat at sugar and who knows what else, I decided to brew my own at home. First I used the Spiced Chai bags from the tea store. Then, I got a recipe and decided to try it out.

I am a total sucker for anything that makes my house smell great, naturally. Once I placed this mixture in the crock pot, my house smelled like heaven for hours. Then the best part was getting to drink that amazing aroma in a nice warm cuppa tea.

Here’s what you need to make Chai at home:

  • Gather these things to make Chai. include black tea or burdock root or another herb if you prefer.

    Gather these things to make Chai. include black tea or burdock root or another herb if you prefer.

    2 tablespoons dried orange peel OR use the peel from 1 fresh orange

  • 2 tablespoons ginger root
  • 1 cinnamon stick, crushed into bits
  • 3-4 green cardamom pods, crushed
  • 3-5 whole cloves
  • 1 tablespoon peppercorns, (I use a variety of peppercorns, it doesn’t matter if you use only one kind)
  • As a base, choose 2 tablespoons black tea, green tea or burdock root.
  • Additionally you can choose to add 1/2 vanilla bean and or a teaspoon of grated nutmeg
  • 2 quarts fresh cold water

Put it all in pot, bring to a boil and then simmer for 1 hour. Strain, add honey and milk to taste if desired.

Or you can bring it to a boil, then put it into a crock pot on low and let it simmer overnight for an intoxicating aroma and delightful tea in the morning.

If you are the kind who has cold hands and feet, try this. It will warm you completely and wonderfully. It’s sure to make you smile.

If you make Chai at home, please share  in the comments how your recipe may be similar or different.

Chai is like curry, so many possibilities!

Homemade Chai Spiced Tea

Homemade Chai Spiced Tea

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In My Kitchen, December 2013

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Amazing how quickly this year has passed. I want to express gratitude to Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for hosting this wonderful series of In My Kitchen glimpses from around the world. It is fascinating to see what is different and what we all have in common.

Being the first of December, it is time to start using the “holiday china”.

Lenox Holiday China

Lenox Holiday China

I  use it the entire month of December and put it all away on New Years Eve. Actually, the china gets pulled out while putting away Thanksgiving dishes. That’s because we seem to use every dish in the house for Thanksgiving and while everything is out of the cabinets, it’s easy to reach the holiday stuff before replacing everything we just used.

I’ve been studying “The Taste of Herbs” course and have been ordering many herbs for the exercises. The ‘homework’ has resulted in making some of my favorite lip balm. I’m one who can’t leave home without lip balm. It’s always in my pocket. Since it is something that goes on the lips, it is also ingested so I prefer using all natural products.

Lips All Natural Soothing Balm, my own lip balm!

Lips All Natural Soothing Balm, my lip balm! Yes, I actually made it.

And wouldn’t you know, it can get expensive and not always ‘perfect’. So one of the assignments was this lip balm. I ordered the tubes online and made a small batch. This stuff is amazing. It is my new go to solution for all my lip balm emergency needs.

Ever made Chai  at home from scratch, rather than bought tea bags?

Homemade Chai Spiced Tea

Homemade Chai Spiced Tea

Well, if you want a home with an amazing aroma, and an entire body warming that feels like a great big bear hug, you’ve got to try making your own. I simmer the concoction in a crock pot on low either overnight or during the day. If you simmer it on the stove top, it is ready to sip and feel dreamy after an hour.

We’ve been enjoying using my tea pots and tea cups. They were in storage for so long, it’s nice to be using them again.

Cups and pots on the shelf

Cups and pots on the shelf

Each day we make at least two pots, one traditional orange pekoe black tea and an herbal tea. We sip them both hot or cold, sometimes we need to make more, depending how cold it is outside.

I am gearing up for Christmas with gifts and cookies from my kitchen.

A plate of Christmas Cookies

A plate of Christmas Cookies

I’ll be doing posts on ideas and things as the month progresses. I refuse to be part of the shopping hoards, just refuse. I need to be practical though because how many would actually appreciate a bottle of Burdock Root Tincture?

A pile of herbal supplies

A pile of herbal supplies

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