Berry Tart

This is what the boys do when I go out on the weekend.  It's a "bad habit" I started when Thatbaby and I were both sick.  I asked if he wanted to nap on the couch with me.  I wasn't expecting it to actually work.  But he took it seriously, covering his little eyes with his little hand and taking a nice nap snuggled up against me.

When I told Thatboy how well it worked, he decided to give it a shot himself.  And now the two of them take "couch naps" together.  Of course, when Thatbaby naps with Thatboy the naps are incredibly long, lasting over 2 hours.  Not so much with me, or by himself.  This picture was taken when I got home from a picnic with my running group.  I had been gone for hours!

As for that picnic, I wanted to bring something sweet and easy - something I could toss together quickly, since I've been so busy as of late.  And since there is so much running around on the weekends, I didn't want to have to slave over something I was bringing to a park.  With the arrival of spring, a fruit tart was calling my name. 

Berry Tart

The easiest pie you can make.  Perfect for unexpected company, or a last minute invitation.  And really, with sweet, plump berries, you don't need much else to make it a treat.

Crust:

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup shortening

3-4 Tbsp cold water

1. Preheat oven to 375.  Mix the flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Cut the shortening in with 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.
3. Sprinkle water over the flour mixture, mixing with a fork, adding just enough for the dough to hold together. 
4. Roll out the dough and place in a tart pan.  Prick the bottom with a fork and bake for 10 minutes. Let cool.

1. Toss 3 cups of berries with sugar and add to cooled shell.
2. Melt 1 1/2 cups currant jelly in a pan over low heat.
3. Pour the currant glaze over the berries.

And when the boys woke up, the shared a slice that I brought home for them.  After all, when you're two, you need all the strength and energy you can get.