This weekend has been a rough one.
We received some very bad news that we lost someone in our close circle of friends. Then we got another bad phone call that a family member had been injured in a hunting accident. It was the kind of news that makes you lose your breath.
For the rest of the weekend, I have felt a bit lost, not quite sure to do with myself. I hug Little B a little longer than usual. Memorize the freckle pattern on David's arm so that I will never forget it. Commit my friend's laugh to memory. My heart is hurting.
So I focus on the basics while my mind whirls around trying to make sense of things. Cook dinner. Fold laundry. Take care of my girl. I was looking for something to anchor myself to.
When I found myself with a few minutes to myself, I found myself being to pulled into the kitchen in order to find my comfort. I pulled out the big bowl, made an almond crust, peeled some apples and began to feel that old sense of calm come back over me.
And while my heart is still incredibly heavy, sometimes it only takes the smell of cinnamon and an apple tarte to help you find your balance and sense of place in this world.
This is a humble little tarte. Not the most elegant and it crumbles a bit when you eat it. But the taste... Oh, the taste is comforting and warm and familiar. Just what is needed to feed this tired soul.
For everyone out there reading this, love on your loved ones a little more today for no other reason that you can.
We received some very bad news that we lost someone in our close circle of friends. Then we got another bad phone call that a family member had been injured in a hunting accident. It was the kind of news that makes you lose your breath.
For the rest of the weekend, I have felt a bit lost, not quite sure to do with myself. I hug Little B a little longer than usual. Memorize the freckle pattern on David's arm so that I will never forget it. Commit my friend's laugh to memory. My heart is hurting.
So I focus on the basics while my mind whirls around trying to make sense of things. Cook dinner. Fold laundry. Take care of my girl. I was looking for something to anchor myself to.
When I found myself with a few minutes to myself, I found myself being to pulled into the kitchen in order to find my comfort. I pulled out the big bowl, made an almond crust, peeled some apples and began to feel that old sense of calm come back over me.
And while my heart is still incredibly heavy, sometimes it only takes the smell of cinnamon and an apple tarte to help you find your balance and sense of place in this world.
This is a humble little tarte. Not the most elegant and it crumbles a bit when you eat it. But the taste... Oh, the taste is comforting and warm and familiar. Just what is needed to feed this tired soul.
For everyone out there reading this, love on your loved ones a little more today for no other reason that you can.
Almond Flour Apple Tarte
The crust:
1-1/2 c almond flour
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 c coconut oil
1tbsp water
Preheat the oven to 350F and position rack in the middle. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Grease a 13x5 rectangular tart pan and form the crust with the dough. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes.
Topping:
1-2 medium apples
1 tbsp sugar
1sp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
zest of half a lemon
maple syrup
In a small bowl, rub together the sugar and lemon zest. Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Arrange the apple slices over the baked crust. Drizzle maple syrup lightly over the apples.
Put the tarte back into the over at 350F and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the crust is a lovely golden brown.
