By Teri Cayton
The Parsons Advocate
I know the world is coming to an end when a 10 year old child is arrested for texting of a school shooting. This is insane to think a child of this age sits around and thinks of such things. Where are his parents that they do not see the signs of disruption in this child’s life? You just don’t wake up one morning and decide to send a text that you are going to shoot up a school. Momma Said, “People take an active role in your children’s lives, they need you to act like parents not friends.”
I wouldn’t have had a thought of this nature when I was 10 years old. But things like mass shooting were unheard of when I was that age. We were too busy playing outside with our real friends, not just a face on a screen. We would not have had to be arrested mom would have put our lights out for sure, or better yet lit one on our backsides.
I miss the days of carefree abandonment when I was a kid. School was out and so were we. At the crack of dawn we were always outside doing something, riding bikes, swimming, picking berries, fishing, playing basketball. Summer was a time of endless bliss. We didn’t sit around figuring out ways of killing people.
I would wish for the good ole days but that wish may come true if things keep going the way they are. It feels like the second Great Depression is just around the corner. Prices of everything just keep going up, food, gas, diesel and hospital costs. Momma Said, “Be careful what you wish for the government just might make it come true.”
Portuguese Custard Tarts
Dough:
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cold water
1 stick high quality unsalted butter, fully softened, divided
Sugar Syrup:
¾ cup white sugar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon water
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
1 lemon, zested in large strips (optional)
Custard Base:
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups milk
6 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional
Directions
Combine flour, salt, and cold water in a bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until dough just comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Dough should be sticky; adjust with more flour or water to achieve.
Transfer dough onto a well-floured surface. Dust a little more flour over the top. Knead for 1 to 2 minutes to form a round. Cover and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
Roll dough into a square about 1/8-inch-thick, dusting with flour as necessary; dough should still be sticky.
Spread 1/3 of the butter over 2/3 of the square using a silicone spatula, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Flip the unbuttered side over the middle of the square and fold the opposite end over it like a letter. Straighten the edges as needed.
Turn dough with a bench scraper to unstick it from the counter; dust with flour. Flip and sprinkle more flour on top. Roll dough into a 1/8-inch-thick rectangle, carefully stretching edges as needed. Spread another 1/3 of the butter over 2/3 of the dough. Fold into thirds. Transfer onto a lined baking sheet and freeze until butter is slightly chilled, about 10 minutes.
Sprinkle dough with flour and roll into a square a little over 1/8-inch-thick. Spread remaining butter over the dough, leaving a 1- to 1 1/2-inch border on the top edge. Dip your finger in water and lightly moisten the unbuttered edge. Roll dough into a log starting from the bottom edge. Dust with more flour and polish the ends as needed. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Combine sugar, 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, cinnamon, and lemon zest in a pot. Boil over medium heat, without stirring, until syrup reaches 210 to 215 degrees F (100 degrees C). Remove from heat.
Preheat the oven to 550 degrees F (288 degrees C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
Whisk flour, salt, and cold milk together very thoroughly in a cold pot. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until milk thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 10 minutes.
Whisk egg yolks into the cooled milk. Add sugar syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. Strain custard into a glass measuring cup.
Unwrap the dough and trim any uneven bits on the ends. Score log into 12 even pieces using a knife; cut through.
Place a piece of dough in each muffin cup. Dip your thumb lightly in some cold water. Press your thumb into the center of the swirl; push dough against the bottom and up the sides of the cup until it reaches least 1/8 inch past the top. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way with custard.
Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is browned and bubbly, and the tops start to blister and caramelize, about 12 minutes. Cool tarts briefly and serve warm.
