In the Land of Food and Kitties : Do you Believe in Magic?

Today I want to talk about music. They say that it can tame the savage beast, soothe your nerves, and just overall put you in a better mood. I completely agree with all of that. You can be having a piss poor day and you hear a good song come on the radio and you jsut crank it up and dance in your car and sing to the top of your lungs... Its better than therapy. (I've never been in therapy...so I0 am just guessing).

There are just some songs that you can't not be moved by or let me rephrase, there are just some songs that you can't stay still through. Just off the top of my head Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight"...you can not tell me that, when the awesome drum part comes up that you don't pretend you are sitting at a drum set...and if you do tell me that I won't believe you. Journey "Don't Stop Believing" you know that you just sing to the top of your lungs on the powerful parts. It doesn't even have to be those songs that get to you. Those are just some examples that get to me during the day.

One of my favorite songs of all time is "Do You Believe in Magic" by the Lovin Spoonful. Such a happy little song that sums up the feelings I have for music, Its magic, doesn't matter what kind as long as it gets to you.

The main reason that I bring this up is because I had physical therapy and it is kicking my butt as usual. I have discovered that if I listen to some "power up" music that it helps me trudge through and make it without dying. All about the motivation!!!

Also, today my sister (super-woman) as usual took me to therapy and then we came home and rested and watched some television. Then afterwords I decided to make some Mini Lemon Tarts!! Yay baking!!

They turned out pretty good I am very surprised, During the making of them I had my doubts. The crust of them is made from a sugar cookie and then the filling is easy. Couple of helpful hints that I could add:
1) Don't freak out if your cookie crust dough is crumbly as all get out. Once it comes out of the refrigerator and you squish it in your hands it will be fine. Don't panic.

2) It helps to not have long fingernails when you are pressing the dough into the mini muffin tin thing. I know there is some cool tools out there that would make the indent into the middle for you, alas, I do not have one of those handy things. :-)

3) I would want the middle to be a little more sweet, and they are more delicious cold than warm. I am impatient lol and couldn't wait to try one!

I got this recipe from another blog and wanted to try it. If you want to visit the original blog here is the link. Her pictures are Wayyyyy better than mine let me tell ya!

Mini Lemon Tarts

Ingredients

For the crust:

8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 and ½ cup all-purpose flour
scant ¼ teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt

For the lemon filling:

2 eggs
3 egg yolks
¼ cup whipping cream
juice from 1 large lemon
¼ cup granulated sugar

For topping

4 Tablespoons powdered sugar, divided
½ cup whipping cream

To make the sugar cookie crust start by taking the butter and granulated sugar and whipping them together in a stand mixer or by hand. Whip until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add in your egg and mix together until fully combined. Add the Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt all at one time and mix together until there are no clumps of flour. It will be crumbly and look fairly dry (or at least mine did). Wrap in parchment paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 Deg. F. Lightly grease your mini muffin tin with spray or with butter.

while the oven is preheating make the filling by combining eggs, egg yolks, whipping cream, lemon juice and sugar. Whisking together until smooth.

remove the dough from the refrigerator and cut unto quarters (4 pieces) then cut each piece into 6 individual pieces (giving you 24 chunks). You will need to squish them into balls, then using your thumbs or whichever finger works the best for you, press it into the muffin cup covering the bottom and the sides evenly. don't freak out if it is thinner or thicker in some spots, It isn't that big of a deal.

Pour in the filling till it is just below the crust.

Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, don't overcook these, just when you see the crust start to slightly brown up take em out! Once they are out let them cool completely at room temperature then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the powdered sugar, take the other 2 remaining tablespoons and the whipping cream and blend together until stiff peaks form. Put a dollop on top of your tarts...YUMMY!