Patricia's childhood Maltese sandwich

Tomato paste, olive oil and olives on bread.

Apple pie #2

Post-meal results: WINNER! This pie uses special apples and I have to go find the name of them b/c they were ridiculously good. The crust was SO flakey. I learned that the best way to roll it out thin is to do so between plastic wrap. The recipe came from Cooks Illustrated.

More Cupcakes

Minis are FUN! So is the frosting of minis. I'm thinking that might be what I do for xmas presents. I need more practice with preserves before I give to others.

Another resource:

http://www.thecupcakecompany.blogspot.com/

Stout Cupcakes with Bailey's Frosting

What a perfect addition to a St. Paddy's day party. (which is what they were created for originally)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/chocolate-stout-cupcakes-recipe/index.html

Should our housewarming be St. Paddy's day? Can I still do the chili cook-off? Chili ain't Irish. Crap.

So much effort- So little progress

So, these (kind of) LOOK good. But they are not good. The apples are mush. The crust is chewy. DAMN. I did so well with the pecan pies and, since then, I've sucked it up. Going to try the Cook's Illustrated pie crust method. In the meantime, I had pie innards for a very unsatisfactory breakfast. And, sigh, I think I'm just going to toss the rest. Good news is, I'm not sick of trying. I will figure this out by T-Day!!!

You vex me, apple pie.

Sigh. Disaster!