Strawberry Crumble Tart

Ok, so I guess it's technically more of a pie than a tart but I say when you're making up a recipe you can call it what you want, right?  I was walking around farmer's market last week and all the summer fruits were just calling to me.  When I came across three basketsts of strawberries for $5.00 I knew exactly what I wanted to make for an evening with friends...a strawberry pie with a crumble top and shortbread tart crust. Is it just me or are some things just better with a crumble topping? 

Beautiful right?

When I got home I went through some of my favorite baking books, looked through my cupboards and farmers market finds and put this recipe together.  The strawberries were so sweet I knew I didn't want to use too much sugar, I hate when something is too sweet and you can't taste the fruit.  I also wanted used a bit of ginger and orange zest to give it a little deeper flavor. 


The tart was a hit with my friends and I think I may be making it again for my dad's 70th birthday party later this month. Give it a try, so simple!


Shortbread Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350


Combine dry ingredients and sugars mix in butter with a fork or by hand.  Dough will be slightly sandy.  Pres into tart pan or 9" pie pan.  Bake for 10 minutes then set it aside to rest while you prepare the filling and topping.  


Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup flour
• 2/3 cup oats
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter

Combine dry ingredients and sugar then work in butter until small lumps form.  Set aside.  


Strawberry Filling:

• 3 baskets fresh strawberries chopped (some of my strawberries accidentally fell into my mouth before making it in the pie)
• 2 tbs brown sugar
• 1 tbs white sugar
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• Zest of 1/2 an orange
• 1 tbs corn starch

Preheat oven to 400


Toss strawberries with sugars and orange zest, add in ginger and corn starch last.  Pour filling into tart shell then evenly top with crumble topping.  Bake the tart at 400 for 8 minutes then reduce temperature to 350 and continue to bake for 15-20 minutes or until the filling begins to bubble and topping turns golden.


Serve it up and enjoy all the yummy noises your friends will make!  

It didn't even last a day

Movie Night

Last night Mac and I had all kinds of plans for a healthy grilled dinner...fast forward to me taking too long at the gym, Trader Joe's is closed and so are most restaurants in the neighborhood.  So we completely changed our plans decided to get "skinny" pizza, a couple of beers, and have a Bourne Identity movie marathon.  Don't you just love when your plans go wrong and something different but better ends up happening?  

Summer Weekends

I am loving these summer weekends!  Reading in bed with my favorite baking books, relaxing at home with tea, fresh farmer's market produce and of course lots of time in the sun.  The last two weekends I've gotten to catch up with some long lost friends which for me is always a reason to bake something.  With so many summer fruits in season how can you not? So look for some recipes to come this week!  

First Orders

It's Official, I had my first Etsy order and just shipped these new designs to be sold in Home Arts!  I am so excited, Home Arts is a small boutique in Cambria and normally contains all the items on my wish list so I am thrilled that they want to feature Pillow Talk.  These two new designs will also be available in the Etsy shop within the week.  

Iced Coffee

Thank heaven for iced coffee!  I wish I could tell you I was one of those people who wakes up bright eyed and bounds out of bead, I'm not.  I wake up, stare at the walls for a few minutes, then I make a bee line for the coffee pot.  


Days like today with the heat slowly rising I am so thankful for anything cold.  With coffee ice cubes and milk anything is possible today.  Although, I have been drinking coffee for the last three hours...maybe it's time to switch to decaf.  What's your morning beverage, any summer coffee suggestions?


photo via

Trivia Night

Mac had a delivery to do yesterday evening so I tagged along and I have to say deliveries with Mac almost always end up being an adventure.  I never now who I'm going to meet or exactly where Mac is going to end up taking me.  


Our first stop was to pick up a bookshelf that ended up being owned by an artist who gave us a tour of his studio and shared all about life in Venice Beach in the 1970's.  I have to say that I love creeping in other people's homes, so many good ideas for decorating.  We made one more delivery, where we met an a-dor-a-ble little boy, then headed to Bigfoot Lounge.  After circling the area for about 10 minuets we ended up parking in front of a house that was giving away an old solid wood dining room table, exactly what I'd been looking for to put in my new craft room.  Providence, I think so! Then we caped off the night with Tuesday Trivia (cuz we're really cool people) and a champagne cocktail.  All and all a totally unexpected but wonderful night!

Motivation

Darlings I don't know about you but every now and then I need a little extra motivation when it comes to the whole gym/eating healthy routine.  I do normally workout 5-7 days a week but it can also be really easy to find excuses not to.  In the past I've used upcoming trips to Europe, pool parties etc. as motivators to loose those last five pounds this time though my motive is eating an onion blossom.  


We've all seen them on the "worst foods" list and because of this I've never eaten one and have always wanted to.  So yes, to get my butt in motion (and make my pants a little looser) I'm motivating myself with one evening of greasy food.  Sad right? 


Don't get me wrong, I love my body the way it is.  I have finally come to that place in my life where I 100% love and accept that I will never be a size 0 and 5'9", but I also know less cheese and more fruit smoothies probably wouldn't hurt.  


Anyone else looking to tone up?  And for that matter who's had an onion blossom, are they as good as they look?

Just A Smidge...

Well as you can see we've had a banner change around here.  When I started the blog a year ago a lot of the posts were inspired by Mac.  You can probably tell from yesterday's Lavender Shortbread post...it's mostly about me now.  So the time has come the walrus said to update our banner.  A lot of my friends from childhood call me "Smidge" so "Just A Smidge..." seemed perfect.  For the time being though, we'll still show up in you feed as the Fleming Files.  Thanks for watching the blog grow over the past year.  XO!

Lavender Shortbread Happiness

What better to do on a sunny afternoon then make fresh lavender shortbread?  There are a few lavender bushes around my apartment and with the smell wafting in my windows I just couldn't resist the temptation of making a batch of cookies.  They are absolutely delightful with tea and so, so simple to make.  Give them a try, recipe below!

 Beautiful fresh lavender chopped and ready to go.

 This stand mixer is the second love of my life!

 Love the look of the lavender in the rolled out dough.

 I prefer to use a floured water glass to shape my cookies.

I couldn't resist dipping a few in dark chocolate, I mean why not?

Lavender Shortbread:
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup(2 sticks) butter at room temp
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1-1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2-2 1/2 tbs fresh minced lavender (can substitute dried lavender as well)

Preheat oven to 350

Combine flour, salt, and lavender set aside.  Beat butter until pale and fluffly then beat in sugar.  When combined add vanilla extract then slowly beat in flour mixture.  

Roll out dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick and cut out with water glass, cookie cutters, whatever you have on hand that makes ya happy.  

Place cookies on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes until bottoms are slightly golden.  Allow to rest on the baking sheet for a minute or two to avoid crumbling and you're all set to eat as they are or dip in chocolate.    

Grab a cup of tea or glass of champagne and enjoy!

Ready For Summer

Can you tell someone is ready for summer?  It is by far Mac's favorite season and the way the weather has been lately I'm all ready too.  Last night we made kobe burgers and a big spinach salad and Mac finally got to break in his vintage barbecue tools. With his beer in hand he was ready to take on the grill and I must say he did an amazing job!  


We're keeping our hopes for warm weather going this weekend by sailing with my brother and his wife.  I am so excited to get out on the ocean, feel the sun on my skin, and completely relax!  Anyone else have fun weekend plans?

Tufted

Darlings my latest project craze is to work on a tufted chair or ottoman.  I fell in love with the chair from my last post and have decided I need something tufted in my new book nook.  Mac actually brought home a great mid-century chair yesterday that would be perfect to reupholster and tuft but I have the feeling he's not going to sacrifice it. Anyone ever done any DIY tufting?  I found these little tips from Little Green Notebook as a starter.  

In The Swing Of Things

After a lovely visit with my parents for Mother's Day, I'm back in Southern California and back at my desk.  While it does feel nice to get back to my routine I'm already missing my runs along the coast, our champagne afternoons, and waking up in the pines.  But I guess we all have to get back to reality at some point.  


And what better way to get back in the swing of things than with a new project.  It looks like Mac may give me the back room at his place for a project/craft room!  Anyone with DIY office ideas throw them at me and keep an eye open this week for office inspiration to come! 




P.S. how great is the office space above?