Marie Cookpad

   I love living where I do in Chester.  When we lived down in Kent, I really missed Chester. It is in a beautiful location, right on the border to Wales, with quick and easy access to the Coast, the Welsh Mountains, the North along with the Lake District, Lancashire, and the Yorkshire Dales. Once you get into that area we are also only an hour or so from Scotland.  Chester itself is a magnificent city filled with lots of things to see and do.    The area we lived in down in Kent was a prime fruit growing area and we were surrounded by orchards, and I do confess that at this time of year I miss having access to drops for use in pies and such. My Todd loves apple pies and desserts.  I don't make them for him often enough I don't think.    The recipe I am sharing with you today comes from this Pillsbury Cook booklet that I got in Canada, back in 1991.  In Canada they used to have (not sure if they still do) an area by the Til's in the groc...

  Todd has been busy picking blackberries these past few days.  They are coming fast and furious now!  Its a good thing we like them. I do try to freeze as many as I can for winter crumbles and such, but I also like to bake Todd a few tasty desserts with them as well!   Nothing could be easier than this Easy Blackberry Galette Recipe!  It has to be one of the quickest, simplest things to make, and its really delicious and tasty when done.   You can make your own pastry for it if you wish.  I highly recommend my Butter and Lard pastry. It is what I like to use for all of my pies and pastries, sweet and savoury.   I also keep ready made all butter short crust pastry in the freezer for use in last minute desserts such as this galette, which makes it even quicker and easier, literally totally NON-FAFF!   Just unroll it, and place it on a baking sheet lined with baking paper . . .   Pile your picked and cleaned fresh berries in the middle....

  I have a husband who totally adores custard in any way shape or form, but custard tarts are his very favourite way to enjoy it. He loves nothing more than a traditional British Custard tart, chilled and wobbly and heavily dusted with nutmeg.  These are not them.  These are Portugese Custard Tarts, and they are very different than the traditional British Custard Tart.  You can find my recipe for that here .   As I said Portugese Custard Tarts are quite different. Known officially as Pastéis de Nata, Portuguese Custard Tarts are composed of  a rich egg custard nestled in shatteringly crisp flaky pastry. I have never been to Portugal, so don't shoot me if you don't think these are authentic . . .  these are pretty close in my honest opinion, and yes I am a tad bit biased.   I will admit right now, all I have ever had are ones I have made myself.  They are fabulously tasty.  I can no longer remember exactly where  I got this recipe fr...