It's All in the Crust

It happens every holiday season. With all the tempting recipes out there, I get on these baking sprees. I even relish the long process of making homemade crusts. Here are my "kitchen notes:"

Pear-Plum Pie from Better Homes and Gardens

This is the most fabulous pastry crust I've ever tasted. Definitely a winner to keep in your recipe files!

Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake from Kraft Foods

Be careful not to bake this too long. Recipe says 1 hr 20 min, but I'd check it at 1 hr to make sure the crust isn't getting too dark. It was a little overdone, but still yummy.

End-of-Summer Watermelon Lime Slush

Earlier in the summer, we froze some leftover seedless watermelon that I've been meaning to make slushes out of. It was only appropriate, since we're still having weather in the 90s around here (despite the fact that it's officially autumn), that I'd choose this afternoon to break out the watermelon and create a cool treat.

Here's my recipe:

- 4 cups frozen watermelon chunks

- 2 cups flat Sprite (or simple syrup to taste)

- Juice of 3-4 limes, depending on how tart you like it!

Just throw all the ingredients in a blender and blitz it until smooth. You can strain out the small bits of watermelon, or--if you're like me--you can be a little lazy and leave them in for texture. My daughter certainly didn't mind either way, especially when I gave her a straw (her fave)! And Mommy got to pretend she was enjoying a mixed drink--it's all in the presentation, right? :)

Tequila Lime Tart

I never promised that my posts would be entirely original or even feature projects created by me personally. So, I have to take this opportunity to brag on my dear husband who baked a spectacular birthday treat for me. Craving the sweet-and-tart flavor of a summer lime dessert, I suggested this recipe (Family Circle, July 2009 issue) to him.

Does the photo not say it all!? I mean, the man even garnished the top with crust crumbs and lime slivers! It was delicious, and I highly recommend the recipe (but please note, the baker is already taken).