Potato-Crusted Goat Cheese Tart on a Weekday: Not Recommended, Unless You Really Cannot Live Without Goat Cheese Awesomeness

I've had this recipe in mind for at least four days and decided today was the day. It requires a ton of steps, including chopping, caramelizing, béchamel  making, deep frying, and baking. But the girls were off to t-ball with Laura so I had some time on my hands. Here's how it came together:
1. Caramelize the onions.

2. Add a bunch of thyme and red peppers and saute for a while. 

I took a quick break to check on the children, who were happily watching Pink Panther cartoons. Some of the onions got overly caramelized (burned). 

3. Pour yourself a glass of Chardonnay. 

4. Make béchamel sauce.

I used our largest saucepan for a half cup of sauce. Don't do this. 

5. Slice one gigantic potato into very thin slices. I used a mandoline slicer. And I didn't slice off any body parts in the process. 

6. Soak perfectly sliced potatoes in cold water for 15 minutes.

7. Watch Pink Panther create havoc (this step is optional).

8. Make your children dinner. Something easy, like hot dogs and left over green beans.

9. Dry off potatoes. 

10. Fry in oil until soft, but not brown. Some of my potatoes got brown, but I blame it on the children.

10. Layer potato slices in tart pans. Top with onion/red pepper mixture. Top with béchamel and crumbled goat cheese.

11. Bake for 20 minutes, at 375.

Here's the finished product:

With Cyd in bed and Fiona playing with mazes on the computer, we enjoyed this meal on the back deck. Laura: "This is so freaking good, it's ridiculous! This is the best thing I've ever eaten." Granted, she was hungry. But really, this was fantastic.

This meal was inspired by this recipe. 

Oh, and with the leftover potatoes, I made potato chips, because I'm Martha Stewart.

Breakfast in Bed and Other Good Things

I love this little family of ours. I love waking up on Sunday mornings knowing we will be together all day. With our busy schedules, this is really the only full day we have, all four of us.

This morning, Fiona decided she would bring me breakfast in bed. Laura got up with them and then yelled up, "don't come down." Sweet! I got to sleep in until 9:30ish, which is a freakin' luxury.

They brought me a whole wheat bagel slathered with goat cheese, a frothy cup of
cafe au lait (if I knew how to make the accent on the e in cafe, I would. Anyone?), and a glass of grapefruit juice. Plus, Fiona gave me her journal to read, in case I got bored. Her journal was the best part. She wrote a fictional story about how all televisions had to be turned off in the ENTIRE UNIVERSE. I believe she is getting the hint that we think TV is not all that great for her developing mind.

When it was time to get dressed for the day, Fiona helped Cyd choose her outfit.

Pretty sure this was more fun for Fiona than it was for Cyd.

We then proceeded to get a ton of things done. Laura bought approximately 10,000 native plants/shrubs/ trees. Not really 10,000, but at least a dozen. So we had to get busy with the planting of natives. Which is apparently really good for the environment, people, so start getting natives in your garden.

Sweet corn and crab cakes for lunch. Pretty good recipe from Epicurious, but not great enough to share.

An adorable tree frog just barely escaped the lawn mower.

I had a potato crusted, goat cheese tart in mind for dinner, but we settled on kosher hot dogs cooked by bonfire instead. And marshmallows. Of course.

I'm tired. Showered, happy, tired. That's me. It's a good place to be.

The children, on the other hand, are not tired at ALL.

 And now, Cyd is in bed, the bonfire is still burning, and Laura is reading to Fiona, which means I get a few minutes all to myself. These minutes are few and I treasure them.

It's been a great day and I have tomorrow off, so I'm planning on another glass of Chardonnay. Peace out.