I've begun

One of the items on my to do list for this summer is to learn to make pie crusts, which includes making sweet pies, quiches, savory tarts, and sweet tarts. After my inspirational trip to Mama's Apple Pie in Leesburg, VA, I am motivated to master this all-american tradition.

Now that I am home in La Cañada, I have begun this endeavor. I made a tart this week, drawing on inspiration from a chocolate & zucchini recipe for a zucchini tart. I followed her recipe for the tart crust, hazelnut and thyme (I substituted oregano), and then I topped it with browned onions, steamed carrots, bacon, jarlsberg and dubliner cheese and a touch of parmesan. When I pulled it out of the oven, my Dad didn't really know what to think, he asked, "what is that?"

My Mom doesn't cook as much when us kids aren't around, so he is happily enjoying my culinary adventures. It was a solid initiation of my project to learn crusts, and I think I have a long way to go on mastering this skill. But it was tasty and I would make it again, with a bit more time for the crust to sit in the fridge before rolling it out.
And I had to attach a picture of the kitchen that I work in here in Frame garage, where we currently reside, while waiting to move into the chateau. I rather enjoy the industrial feel of the cement floor and one stretch of counter space. It's a functional kitchen, and I might miss it when we move into the new one. Who knows.