Baked

The week has flown by. Where did it go? Hope you've had a good week so far!

Since we're heading into party season, thought I'd share one of my fave appetizer recipes. It involves a nut crust, as I prefer that over a traditional crust (a little healthier too, unless you're allergic to nuts!), and it has way more flavour as well.  Party snacks are my favourite way of eating, but sadly not everyday is a party ;)

Mediterranean Tarts with a Nut Crust - makes 24 mini tarts

Crust:
3 cups almond meal
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water

Filling:
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1- 5oz container of baby spinach
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes (if you use jarred tomatoes in oil, drain oil first)
3 large eggs, lightly beaten

To make crust:
Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Lightly spray a mini muffin tin with oil and set aside.
Whisk together the almond meal, salt, baking soda and parsley in a large bowl. Stir in the oil and water and mix together until well combined and clumps together without crumbling apart. Break off small pieces and press into each muffin cup. Bake for about 10 minutes until just starting to brown. Allow to cool before filling.

To make filling:
Saute the onion in a little oil, over medium heat, for about 5 minutes until starting to brown. Add the spinach and tomatoes and cook for a few minutes until spinach is wilted. In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs, then stir in cheese. Stir in the spinach mixture and combine well. Spoon into each crust and bake for about 20 minutes, until lightly browned on sides and cooked through. Try to save some for your guests. They're so good.

Do you prefer a traditional crust? Have you made a nut crust? Let me know! 

janis

Weekend Observations

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had a great weekend.

It was the perfect weekend (nothing but rain), to stay in a finally get some things done. This is some of what went on around here...

I think our outdoor furniture should come inside now. Summer is over. 

Finally painted out the dark brown (why did that happen?) wall, and made a blind for my office. Makes 

working a whole lot more pleasant now. I've had this Hawaiian bark cloth languishing in my closet for a years, so thought I'd do something with it. I can only sew uber basic things, so when I say this blind was easy...take my word for it ;) For the how-to, click here.

That was my weekend, along with a project for Poppytalk to be posted this week. What did you get up to this weekend? 

Have a great day! 

janis

Hello Weekend

Back from Palm Springs, and trying to catch up! Hope you all had a good week. 

Since the east coast of the U.S. has been on my mind all week, I'll wrap it up with a pic of the Staten Island Ferry. To all of you affected by the hurricane, I hope things are getting just a little calmer. 

Have a nice weekend, everyone!

Take care,

janis

A Little PS for Wednesday

I'm still here in beautiful Palm Springs, so I thought make a collage of bits of the shoot. I'm shooting such a pretty home. Can't wait to show more soon.

Happy Halloween, if that's your thing!

Have a lovely day!

janis

Hello Weekend

Love this house. Look at the happy yellow door with the fantastic sputnik light fixture. Makes me smile. I'm heading to Palm Springs this weekend, so I may do another drive by this house. Perhaps they've tired of their sputnik ;) I'll be shooting Sarah Bancroft's home, in PS, heading back next Wednesday. 

Have a fun weekend everyone! Anyone have Halloween parties on their agenda? 

janis

Baked on Wednesday

How's your week going so far? I'm finding myself attached to my computer, editing heaps of images for a few stories. I made some quick and easy crackers that are a little healthier than the minty girl guide cookies I've been eating (thanks Annika! xo).

Nut & Seed Crackers - makes about 4 dozen 1.5" square crackers

1/2 cup raw cashews (or any nut you prefer, really)
1/2 cup almond meal
1 tablespoon coconut flour (find it in specialty grocery shops)
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon grape seed oil
3 to 4 tablespoons water
pepper and coarse salt to sprinkle on tops

Preheat oven to 300f/150c. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a food processor pulse the cashews, almond meal and coconut flour until finely ground. Add seeds and the pinch of salt and pulse until partially ground.

Add the oil, then water and mix until the dough starts to form a ball. Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap, to about 1/8" and cut into shapes. I used a pastry cutter to cut squares. Place on baking sheet and sprinkle tops with a little salt and pepper. Bake for about 20 minutes, or just golden in colour. Try not to eat all of them in one sitting. It's hard.

Have a great day!
janis

Pretty for Monday

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend! What did you get up to? I worked a little, then hung out with a niece and nephew and took them to Fright Night.  Anyone been to "Fright Night" at the PNE? Yikes (and not because it was remotely scary) ;)

On to the pretty....

I shot Stephanie Vogler's home for this month's issue of Style At Home. Stephanie is co-owner of The Cross, a beautiful home store here in Vancouver. Here's a few pics that weren't included in the story. So pretty. For the entire dose of prettiness, click here.

Have a great day! 

janis