Why is the last day of vacation so sad? For the last two and a half weeks I have been visiting friends and family in the US, with two teenage nephews in tow who had never been to the States before. It’s been interesting, and at times depressing, to see my homeland through their eyes. Overall they had a great time and I just need to remind myself that teenagers the world over are… well… teenagers, and I need to not be too offended by the fact that of all the places we took them and of all the sights we showed them, their favorite aspect of american life seems to be the concept of free refills on soda. Sigh, c’est la vie.
So, on Monday it’s back to work, but today I am up in Vermont soaking in my last day of laziness. My only plan for the day is to sneak in one more maple ice cream from Bragg Farm before I pack my bags. If you are ever in the Montpelier area and do not take the opportunity to get one of their maple creemees, you are missing out my friends!
Before I left for vacation I did manage to make this week’s French Fridays with Dorie recipe, Caramel-Almond Custard Tart. If memory serves, the baking of the tart did not go so smoothly because I was trying to do too many things in the kitchen at once and ended up doing everything which I could to screw it up. First off, instead of a tart pan I used a pie dish. Then I put the almonds on to toast and forgot about then. Then I forgot to take my cream out and let it come to room temp, holy cow did it spatter! What else? Oh, this and that.
Possibly because of some of these little slip ups it also took much longer in the oven (I think about an hour in total) before it puffed up. Good grief.
Luckily for me, the recipe resisted my best efforts to screw it up and came out delicious! Really, I LOVED this one. Both with and without cream it was absolutely perfect. Come to think of it, I bet it would have been even better with some of that maple ice cream. Oh how I wish I could bring some of that back with me.
one expat's life 
Oh I more than messed up too! I didn’t bake my pie crust before I filled it and it never ever got baked. Sigh. I will make this again sometime because the flavours were pretty good. Yay for yours turning out anyway!
PS: I sent you an email (I know you’re still in vacation mode!) re the famous spreadsheet 😉
Yes, the ideals of teenagers are a world unto themselves!
Hope you had a great time stateside – I love Montpelier 🙂
I hope you enjoyed your time in the States! We really enjoyed this one, too.
I’m glad you enjoyed this tart!
This was a winner for sure! Glad you enjoyed it! Teenagers are a breed unto themselves…the good news is they do grow up! Sounds like you have had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends! Safe travels back home, Rose!
Mine took over an hour to puff up and get firm — in a tart pan. It was tasty though. Hope you are enjoying your visit “home”.
Oh I can’t believe you are in the same state as me and I missed you !!!! I did a surprise trip up north and write this from just outside of Manchester Vermont. I am here till next week but sounds like you are en route home. If you are around this weekend or visiting southern vermont please contact me !!!! Ph my gosh we could have met half way at the King Arthur store…..And you had me laughing first about the mac (I complain similarly about my two Windows machines and have been threatening to get a Mac 🙂 and the kids liking the free refills. Yup – teens are teens. (triciasattic@gmail.com)
That crust begs to be ripped off! This recipe seems to be a runaway hit with everyone.
Any chance you were able to bring back maple syrup (or can you get some good one in Germany without it costing an arm and a leg)? It shouldn’t be too hard to find a good maple ice cream recipe to tame the cravings.
This looks AWESOME! especially so after all those mis-happenings!
They wake up in a new world every morning. But one day they will look back and remember more than you think.
Pie, tart. Different shape same flavor. GOOD!!
LOL, well I think making it in a pie dish and doubling the custard might be in MY future! 🙂
I loved the Montpelier area when my fam and I went for a visit years ago! I’m sure your nephews will remember more and appreciate more about their trip back to the States in the future, who doesn’t appreciate a free refill on soda? 😛
I loved this too. Cudos for getting through the issues to produce a beautiful tart.