Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Egg custards, tea & a good old chin wag...


Hello there... yes, I'm still here... just!
So, I would love to report that the kitchen cabinets have been painted, hung, and dutifully adored, but, alas, I am a fickle girl... easily tempted by the beautiful Spring sunshine and the promise of warmer days... So, instead of painting this past weekend (as intended), I went for a bike ride... and it was lovely... so no apologies! The kitchen update at this point in time is they are all cleaned, sanded, and eagerly awaiting that first lick of paint... that, and the new kitchen dresser I procured the other day... Did I not mention that??

Picture taken from Craigslist
'It needs a lot of TLC, but I think it will fit in like a charm in my little kitchen'... These were the exact words I used to the hubby, as he rolled his eyes at the prospect of me taking on yet another project... Oh, and just in case you were wondering, the prints on the front will be going... Watch this space to see it transformed into something spectacular (cough, cough)...


Anyhoo, this week has entailed sanding kitchen cabinets, doctors visits, trailing across the Jersey Shore in search of the kitchen dresser, parents' evening at my eldest daughter's school, the usual Mummy duties, and a much needed cup of tea and natter with my ex-Pat chum...


She'd just been home to Blighty, and so, I needed filling in as to what is happening in my beloved home country... Are the shops all decked out for Spring and the Royal Wedding? What food did she eat? What was on the telly? Did she get the current issue of Country Living?? I bathed in her English experiences, hoping that, somehow, they would rub off on me... and, as I can't go to see a friend empty-handed, I also whipped up a batch of Egg Custards to go with the tea, and to help us pretend that we were having a good old chin-wag back in Blighty...

Egg Custards were one of my favourite desserts back home (England), but I've not been able to get them here in the States. So, my mum passed me the recipe, and, really, I don't know why I never made them in the past... they're so easy! As I'm super busy at the mo', I did cheat and buy the ready-made Graham Cracker cases (instead of making my own pastry) and, I have to say, they were quite yummy... I guess they were a little Americanised... just like me!
Take care all... I'm off to paint, sew, check Craigslist or something...
 Lx
 A Cheat's Egg Custard Tarts
Ingredients
2 Eggs
250ml milk
2 tablespoons of sugar (vanilla sugar if you have it)
grated nutmeg
6 small tart cases

Method
Preheat oven to 350F (180c)
To prepare the custard filling, whisk eggs separately, and bring the milk and sugar to the boil in a pan. Pour milk mixture onto the eggs and cool.
Pour the custard mixture into the tart cases and grate nutmeg on top over the tarts.
Pop the tarts in the oven for approximately 20 minutes or until the tarts have set.

I cheated and brought Graham Cracker cases (which were delicious), but if you're wanting a traditional Custard Tart, then follow the recipe above using shortcrust pastry tart cases.

16 comments:

  1. Gosh, these
    sound lovely!
    Next time I
    have virtual
    coffee, I'm
    asking YOU to
    bring the treats!
    xx Suzanne

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  2. Looks delicious! Thanks to you, I am hooked on Country Living. Is their fair worth going to?

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  3. I have a weakness for custard tarts and yours look amazingly good!

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  4. So many lovely things to miss about England. Glad you had a nice visit and a delicious tart. Did she bring you any surprises?

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  5. Yummy egg custard ~ I often indulge whilst partaking in a fine cup of tea in Cole Bros Sheffield. Was there last night but had a cherry scone. I was very brave and I hexed in public as I was alone waiting for Nellie as she was taking photos of Sheffield for her Photography GCSE. It was great fun though and, yes, I did get her to take a photo so I can pop it on my blog.

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  6. love love love these.....
    you are a little americanised & i am a little english-gentrified...tee hee!!
    any hoo i am in love with these.....!!!!!!
    i've not made them myself yet...but maybe now that you've convinced us sweet that they are super easy and you can fit them into a busy day...i no longer have an excuse!!
    &
    on the topic of all things english...yes the new Country living is gorgeous of course...i have orders stacking up for royal bunting!!
    we are having a party here - so far we have bunting, gold trays and old gold frames to put menus in...a throne in the making for audrey {as her 6th bday on day of the wedding!}...AND a long red carpet to lead up the garden path!! tee hee!!! such fun!

    so our village is getting excited!
    how about your two little princesses- do they know about it yet?
    M xx

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  7. Hi Laura, I will have to try that recipe out...looks yummy...my hubby loves custard tarts! Can't wait to see your finished kitchen...what fun...love having a project...hate renting! I'm telling all my friends in Aus that I'm going to the royal wedding...they all laugh and ask when did I get my invite...my hubby just rolls his eyes cause he's not happy it's been declared a bank holiday and that means a days loss of production and extra wages not in the budget. I just say...too bad...how often does a little Aussie girl get to go to a royal wedding! I have a real soft spot for this one though, as it makes me a bit weepy thinking about Diana...we were born the same year and married the same year...when I saw her ring on Kate's finger my bottom lip trembled a bit (had to pull myself together or be laughed at by hubby)...what a wonderful day for a little girl's birthday party! Also I noticed Laura from Happy Homemaker, asked about the value of the Country Living fair...I am wondering the same thing as I just got the mag (sorry to rub it in) and I thought that I might get tickets and go. Let us know what you think. Sorry for such a long comment. Robx

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  8. Those custard tarts look yummy - I've never made them - only eaten them! Love the new cupboard - it'll look great painted up. Far better a bike ride than cabinet painting! Enjoy the rest of the week:)

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  9. Your new Craig's List find is going to look beautiful once you have fixed it up...I can't wait to see it!

    I have copied your custard recipe. It looks delicious! It may be my breakfast!

    XO,
    Jane

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  10. oooooh, Laura, yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe; I can't wait to try it. I'm looking forward to seeing your kitchen remodel. I would have taken the bike ride too!

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  11. Your cupboard is so cute, Im sure you'll do a great job on it, can't wait to see the finished pictures.

    I love egg custards too and will definately try your recipie, I can eat it with a cup of tea and my Country Living magazine when it drops through the letter box!

    Bee happy x
    Have a delicious day!

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  12. My daughter and I love custard tarts and we also love Lionel from "As Time Goes By" who loves custard tarts. I will try to make them. Thanks for the recipe.

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  13. Laura! Those egg custard tarts look absolutely yummy! I will try to make some. Thank you for the recipe. And I adore the wire egg basket and will keep my eyes peeled for a similar one for my kitchen. :)

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  14. Ooh I'm not an egg custard fan *shudder* but my Mum loves them so I shall store that recipe away for Mother's Day, thank you! I love your egg basket, and that little dresser has such potential. I can't wait to see the finished makeover x

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  15. Hi Laura!
    These tarts look so yummy! Thanks for the recipe.
    When I think of custard tarts it reminds me of my favourite british sitcom As Time Goes By! How Lionel had to have his custard tarts everyday!

    Can't wait to see what you do to the dresser!!

    Pamela :)

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  16. Hi, now you are making my mouth water, I am going to have to bake some egg custards after seeing this post, it is funny what you miss from back home. For me it is chocolate, real bacon and sausages, oh and a warm sausage roll from the bakery. Sam

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