Let's Get Fresh!

Sometimes, women are so hard to figure out. For instance, the other night smokin hot wife and I were sitting on the couch while I worked on the computer and she watched the Casey Anthony murder trial when, suddenly, she says: 'Luv Muffin, let's get fresh'. I said: 'Now?' she says:'MmmHmm'. Well, I was engrossed in my work, but I do my best to be loving and accommodating, so I logged off the computer, slipped on my flip flops, grabbed my mini-mag flashlight, and headed to the garden. As the bugs swarmed to my flashlight, I remember thinking; 'She better appreciate this!' Soon I was in the midst of tomato bushes and cucumber vines picking whatever ripe treasures I could find to satisfy her late night fresh craving. It wasn't long before I was regretting my decision as wave after wave of mosquito descended in swarms of Kamikaze furor. I believe them 'skeeters' in my backyard somehow crossbred with falcons because it felt like they were not only sucking my blood, but trying to carry me away to the comfort of their own home. I'm sure the neighbors wondered what was happening as I ran back to the house with a flashlight in my mouth, one hand holding my shirt full of veggies, the other waving frantically over my head, and screaming AHHHHHH.  I busted through the door feeling like the first ever survivor of a Stephen King horror film; 'Skeeter's of Sparrow Swamp'.

Now, here's the part that confuses me. After risking my life harvesting fresh veggies and turning them into a delicious snack, all she did was pout and tell me odd things I could do with my salsa. Yep, women are just so hard to figure out.

Obviously, we all have different ideas of Fresh.  For some, fresh brings thoughts of clean sheets and clothes doused in fabric softener. For others, it means fruit from the garden at the peak of ripeness. Maybe some hear fresh and flashback to glory days of past when they were slapped (or slapped someone) on a date. When you hear fresh, what pops into your head?

For me, as summer swoops in with heat waves and parched throats, fresh means baskets of delicious fruit, locally grown and picked at the peak of flavor.  Fruit for ice cream, smoothies, granita, sorbet, etc. You've seen the posts and drooled in envy, just like me.  Well, I decided to make some individual treats that would showcase the flavor and freshness of seasonal fruit and give it a little elegant touch and eye appeal. They make great snacks, gifts, brunch items, or just regular ole family dessert.  They're simple and tasty, yet are sure to impress your company. I hope you enjoy these 'Sugar Cookie Tarts'.

Sugar Cookie Tarts:

Sugar Cookies 3"-4" round- Use your favorite recipe or slice and bake for super simplicity
White Coating Chocolate
Pastry Cream, Vanilla Yogurt, Whipped Topping, etc.
Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Apricot Jelly- Warmed and thinned to brushing consistency

These are the easiest 'Fancy' treats you'll ever make. I was rushed so I bought slice and bake sugar cookies. If I had made them from scratch, I would have used a scalloped cutter for a slightly fancier look, but I'm sure noone will complain about these =)  I can't remember the last time I bought slice and bake cookies, but since the focus here is the fruit, I figured let's make it easy enough for even a rank beginner.

Step1:  Slice and bake the cookies.

Step 2:  Melt white chocolate coating and apply to cookies and allow to harden. This prevents the cookies from getting soggy from the pastry cream and fruit.

Step 3: Apply Pastry Cream, Vanilla Yogurt, etc. Then apply fruit as you desire.

Step 4: Use a pastry brush and apply warmed and thinned apricot jam to the tops of tarts to create a nice shine and lock out air which turns them brown!!

Step 5: Eat and enjoy!

I had a cookie left so I decided to get off track a little and made a Nutella, banana, whip cream, and toasted coconut tart.  I haven't had this much fun getting fresh since the senior prom. Of course, I got slapped then!