Buttermilk Pear Tart

This is one of those random recipes in which I put in no effort and expected nothing in return.

I am sure you’re familiar with this type of baking. For example, you have a cup of buttermilk about to expire, 2 pears that need to be eaten ASAP, one stick of butter, and you’re dying to bake something. So, you start “googling” your ingredients hoping to strike gold with a recipe.

I found a buttermilk cake/tart over at 101 Cookbooks. (I really love this site. I love the sides and main dishes from Heidi. She’s amazing!) And I actually had all the necessary ingredients (except raspberries which were replaced by the pears) to bake the tart.

I mixed the ingredients, poured batter into the pan, and threw the pears on top. It was only until the tart/cake came out of the oven and I had a taste; did I start to feel guilty. The cake was unbelievably delicious. Which made me feel embarrassed for just throwing the pears on top. I should have fanned them out and added the extra touches that a great cake deserves.

I was even more remorseful the next day when I warmed up a piece in the toaster oven and realized how great the cake still was. In order to alleviate myself of the shame I was feeling; I packed up the cake and took it over to a friend’s house. My friend later in the day sent me note stating that everyone enjoyed the cake and that it was all gone. And when would I be baking another?

The next time I find myself in this situation; I will give the recipe 110% because you never know when you might find a “gem”.

Baked Doughnuts

I almost feel bad posting a photograph of doughnuts. Almost. I know most of you are trying to diet and start the New Year off healthy. And I will not be featuring any fat-free or butter-free baked goods here. This is because I usually eat whole grains, many salads, and a lot of vegan meatless products (even though I am not a vegetarian or vegan; I just like they way they taste & convenience). I try to eat healthy so when I do have a doughnut I am not riddled with guilt. And my friend T. has made me feel guilty because she has her heart set on dieting.

Last night, she requested a fat-free doughnut and I laughed and hung up on her. I know a bit harsh, but later on, I felt guilty and started my search for her doughnut. Which brings us to this wonderful stack of cinnamon sugar happiness that was not fried I might add. Yes, that is right, no oil involved. The doughnuts are fluffy, sweet, and partially whole wheat. Who knew you could get some fiber from a doughnut?

The recipe is from 101 Cookbooks and I chose to try the author’s suggestion of adding whole wheat flour. The recipe calls for 5 cups of flour and I replaced 2 ½ cups with whole wheat flour. I also used 2% milk, just because that’s what I always have on hand. Instead of dipping the doughnuts in butter, I used a pastry brush (used only half the butter called for). Then I tossed 2 doughnuts at time in plastic bag and shook to coat with the cinnamon/sugar mix. I wrote down the recipe and how many doughnuts it yielded. That way, she can figure out her WW’s points. Then I left the doughnuts on her porch next to her paper.

Gigi, what about the doughnut holes? Ah …the doughnut holes. My friend and I ate them with hot chocolate this morning.