So Nice - Bebel Gilberto

So Nice!

C'mon, Get Happy

I typed out "Happy Days are Here Again" in my most recent post, and when I did, it totally reminded me of the existence of this little clip.

If you're not happy already, this clip will help get you there. So cute! Why isn't TV still like this?

Humble Pie: Recipe

I don't know any Republican politicians, but if I did, I'd serve them up a nice big slice of this recipe... Humble Pie... to mark the one week anniversary of the best political event of the past decade. (On the other hand, you might find this way too delicious to ever share with Republicans.)

It's a great "winter pie" in that there's no expensive fruit or nuts to buy. You probably have everything you need to make this pie already sitting in your kitchen, just waiting patiently for you to mix them together and turn them into something totally delicious.

The main ingredient is ... TEA. This, of course, gives you tons of leeway to flavor it with your personal favorite. Some favorites of mine are Earl Grey, orange Peekoe, and Jasmine.

The possibilities are endless... so make the celebrations endless, too! Happy days are here again!

Humble or Iced Tea Pie

One recipe for a one-layer pie crust (below or use your favorite)noi
1 cup butter (2 sticks, softened)
2 cups sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
8 egg yolks
3/4 cup warm, strong tea
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tsp cornmeal

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Roll out the pie crust and put into your pie pan. Put the pie pan in the freezer while preparing your filling.

3. Beat the butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar, then gradually add lemon zest and egg yolks. Allow each addition to incorporate and scrape the bowl a lot.

4. Slowly add the tea, vanilla, vinegar and lemon juice. Add flour and cornmeal. The mixture will look weird but don't panic. Just mix to combine.

5. Pour filling into the pie crust and bake for 50 minutes or until set and jiggly in the center. Cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate till well chilled before serving. Serve with paper-thin slices of lemon (or candied lemon) and whipped cream. Yum.

Pie crust

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup shortening and 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter (both fats should be ice cold or even frozen and cut into small chunks)
ice water

1. Mix the flour, sugar and salt together in the bowl of a food processor. Process for about 10 seconds.

2. Add the fat with the machine off, scattering over the flour. Pulse in short bursts until the mixture resembles cornmeal and/ or the fat is in pea size chunks or smaller.

3. With the machine turned off, drizzle about 3 1/2 Tsbp ice water over the flour mixture and then pulse until evenly mixed together and the dough begins to ball up (Do NOT overwork the dough or your crust will be tough). Add an extra Tablespoon of water if necessary to bring the mixture together.

4. Wrap the mixture in wax paper and store in the fridge for 30 minutes (or up to 2 days) before rolling out.