Dave and I enjoyed a fairly relaxing day. No meetings or appointments. No conference calls. We read this thing called a "newspaper", drank coffee, ran a few miles and enjoyed another sunny Oregon afternoon.
I may have baked an empty tart shell (using my basic butter pie crust recipe) and filled it with lemon curd (diluted with whipped cream because I find lemon curd just a bit over-whelming... is it just me or does anyone else agree???).
A half cup of heavy cream, whipped til nearly firm - then a half cup of purchased lemon curd blended together - is a perfect base for a fruit tart. Easy too... because I am basically a very lazy RV Goddess... and no one will ever know you are lazy because the tart is so lovely. And pretty. Use raspberries. Use strawberries. Use blueberries. Use a combination. No one will care, as the flavor of sweet lemon and berries are so perfect together.
Our guests this evening were Kim and Gary. Gary was on the University of Oregon track team with Dave in the caveman days. Gary was an 800m man.
DT and I planned a fun menu - filled with easy make-ahead dishes. This afternoon I put-together a twice-baked potato casserole. This dish takes a little planning (as it requires baked potatoes to be cooled prior to shredding), but it goes together in just a few minutes and can be prepared early in the day for baking just before serving. I will share this recipe on September 1st in the RV Goddess newsletter, so be sure to sign up for our monthly email.
We also served an Israeli Salad, this time with a bit of radish. This salad is never the same - I always add what I have in the veggie bin. The only rule is that everything is chopped small and sumac or Zatar is sprinkled over all - with olive oil and lemon juice.
It is Shabbat, so you will not be surprised My Driver grilled a chicken. I butterflied this 6 pound bird yesterday and marinated it overnight in rosemary, garlic, white wine, olive oil, salt and pepper. It was so moist and tender!I should hire My Driver out for parties.
I did not bake this Challah. I could have baked this Challah... but our New Seasons market does such a fine job...French Toast tomorrow?
Until my next update, I remain, your happy correspondent.