Fresh Fig Shortbread Bars

Fresh Fig Shortbread Bars

scant quart of fresh figs, I used Adriatic variety
10 dried black mission figs
juice and zest of one lemon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water

2 sticks un salbutter room temperature
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 egg room temperature

2 cups 1:1 gluten free flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine pink salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup chopped nuts of your choice chopped well

 I found the fresh figs at the farmers market in Blairsville and couldn't resist. Figs are very nutritious. Cut fresh figs in half. Cut dried figs in small pieces. Juice and zest one lemon. Add figs, lemon zest, juice, and water to sauce pan. Cook till softened and mash to desired consistency. I kept mine slightly lumpy. Set aside and let cool.

Cream butter, then add sugar a little at a time and continue to cream, add vanilla and then egg and blend till incorporated. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a separate bowl measure dry ingredients and whisk till blended. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, a little at a time.

Divide dough in half. Press half of dough into bottom of 9x12 or 7x12 inch baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. Add nuts to remaining dough blending with a spatula. I used pecans. When bottom layer is baked. Remove from over, let cool slightly and spread fig mixture over the top. Next dollop nut flour mixture over the top. Bake in oven for 35 to 45 more minutes. Dry on a wire rack, Cut into squares when cool. Crumbly but so delicious.

Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie Ghost Town

Years ago Gary and I used to visit ghost towns
in the Western United States.

The thing about building there they dry heat
keeps them from deteriorating as quickly as the East.

One of the things I miss about the living in the West.
Ah, memories from the past.

Zucchini Casserole

Zucchini Casserole

3 very large zucchini sliced thin on mandolin
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, sliced thin and sauteed till soft
8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, hand grated
2 large red heirloom tomatoes sliced thin
5 eggs beaten

1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons original Mrs Dash
2 teaspoons ground thyme
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 ounces of asiago cheese, hand grated
1/2 cup gluten free bread crumbs
about 10 cherry tomatoes cut in half

Saute sliced onion, then remove from heat and set aside. While onion is sauteing grate sharp cheddar cheese and asiago cheese. Keep cheeses separate. Slice zucchini very thin on a mandolin. Brush 9 x 13 inch glass or ceramic baking dish with olive oil. In a separate bowl beat eggs and add sour cream and cream. Place one layer of zucchini slices overlapping on the bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle some of the onion over zucchini, Place half of tomato slices over the zucchini and onions. Sprinkle half of the spices. Then sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese over the top. Pour half of the egg and cream mixture over the top.

Start another layer of the zucchini slices, then remaining onions, tomato slices, spices, then other half of the cheddar cheese. Pour other half of the egg and cream mixture over the top of second layer. Place one more layer of the zucchini slices. Next sprinkle the asiago cheese over the top and then the bread crumbs. Add the halved cherry tomatoes over the top spread out evenly. Bake in preheated 350 F oven for 45 minutes. Let casserole cool for 15 minutes before slicing into squares to serve.

So very delicious. Takes a bit of time to layer the concoction but well worth it in the end. I am limiting my salt intake, hence the use of Mrs. Dash instead. Feel free to omit but decrease any salt amount. Mrs Dash is a blend of spices and I find the generous amount is great with zucchini because they are rather bland if not spiced liberally.

A Wedding Gift

A Wedding Gift

The two pillows at the head of the bed,
I made as a wedding gift for Gary 
when we were first married.

Our two cats at the time, Binky and Butter,
have long since gone to cat heaven.
They are taking an afternoon nap.

Once Gary said he like down pillows.
I remember special ordering actual down feathers

from a magazine ad I saw to make the pillows.
 The outer pieced covers, which I designed,

have a velcro opening so they can be washed.
There is an inner plain cotton cover containing the down.

At the time we moved to the California mountains 
from the San Francisco Bay Area.
We both loved the Sierra Mountains.
The two pillow symbolized that move.
We bought a house in the mountains,

and were married in the backyard
forty one years ago.