4.16.2010

Courage, Beauty and an Artichoke Sun-Dried Tomato Tart

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." 
Maya Angelou

This quote cheered me so much today. :-) The past month has been a doozy, one gutting situation after another. It's been rough but liberating, a healing letting go of toxic people, memories, experiences, and an embracing of true friendship, love, and a beautiful life.

Mums brought me these. :-) Aren't they lovely?!

My friend Marie has been an inspiration. She wrote me the other day: "If I'm gonna feel lousy, I might as well enjoy it as much as I can!" I love her for that. :-) I love watching how others practice making a beautiful life right in the midst of pain, rejection and other sufferings. It takes such courage to peer through the gloom and find something shiny and bright to hold onto until the fog lifts and sunshine streams in. My friend T listens to Michael Buble and Louis Armstrong to brighten her day, M gardens and goes for long walks, C and T write, write, write, then dance like mad, R takes glorious pictures of everyday things, and S sings at the tops of her lungs. :-)

Today I'm delighting in very little things. My "treasure" from my trip to Slovenia, a hand-crafted necklace the color of Lake Bled that I got in a lovely little market we stumbled across. I promised Passage Paradis that I would post it. :-)


One creamy daffodil that outlasted all the others.


Flowering lavender and hibiscus tea.


And an Artichoke Sun-Dried Tomato Tart I got to share with dear friends last night. :-) I used my gluten-free tart crust but halved the sugar and added garlic, onion and rosemary. The filling was artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted green chilies in a creamy, garlicky coconut milk base. It paired beautifully with a chilled Nell chardonnay from Australia.


This weekend I get to visit my dear friends, Trish and Todd for three days of yakking, old movie watching, and utter relaxation. I can't wait!

What beautiful "little thing" do you have to cheer you, dear ones! :-)

Gluten-Free Artichoke Sun-Dried Tomato Tart

Tart Shell Ingredients:

1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour mix
1 stick butter, melted
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 Tbsp chopped rosemary

Directions for Tart Shell:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
  2. Mix everything together and press into 9" tart pan with removable bottom. 
  3. Par-bake for ten minutes while you prepare filling. 
Ingredients for Filling:

1/2 cup coconut milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
1 small jar roasted, marinated bell peppers
1 small jar sun-dried tomatoes, cut into 1/4 slices
1 small can roasted mild green chilies
1 garlic clove, finely chopped

Directions for Tart:
  1. Combine all ingredients and stir until coated with coconut/egg mixture. 
  2. Pour into par-baked crust and bake for 30-40 minutes until browned. 
  3. Serve hot or cold.

30 comments:

  1. Krista, You're wonderful!!! You keep walking through those days--good and icky with eyes on the Savior. I love love love all your photos! I have tried and tried to learn how to take good pictures. Alas, I just don't have the mind/eye/talent for it. Your photos are gorgeous!!! A feast for the eyes. I love you dearly! It's a dusty path we walk, perhaps dustier than most, but it's our path...and God gives us the perfect walking shoes. Hugs!

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  2. Oh Marie, THANK YOU for the hugs and love! You are so dear to me. :-) I didn't know I had an eye for photos, but a dear friend got me a camera last year and I'm having such a jolly time with it. :-) It's become my creative outlet. :-) I'm so glad our dusty paths are close enough that we can look up and see each other. :-) I WILL press on with much hope. :-) love you so much!

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  3. Hope the sun shines brighter for you today. I have so enjoyed finding your blog. It is quite inspirational. That photo of the flowers is so vivid and alive...it should be in a textbook on how to take great photos. Have a wonderful weekend. I will not bore you with my theories on life, suffice to say that tough times do not last. And a beautiful life-changing moment can be right around the corner. You just have to open your heart to it. Cheers!

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  4. It really is, Lazaro, thank you! :-) I'm experiencing the lovely calm after the storm and enjoying every moment of it. :-) Thank you too for your "theories." :-) I agree completely! "This too shall pass" I am filled with hope and delighting in every good thing that comes to me. :-) Have a fabulous weekend!

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  5. I cook to cheer me up! There is nothing like kneading some bread to get out anger or tears or any such thing. Plus then I get to eat it at the end!

    This tart looks delicious! You always have such positive ways to appreciate life. I hope you have a GREAT weekend!

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  6. I love that, Joanne! And you're always churning out the most fabulous things!! :-) I hope your weekend is splendid too!

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  7. I absolutely love the way you face up, defiantly, with hope....each and every day, and how you weave your stories. Have a great weekend dearie

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  8. Thank you, dear Ozoz! It's people like you who inspire me constantly, and help me keep going when I'm tuckered out and overwhelmed. :-)

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  9. I *almost* got you a flowering tea pot for your stocking this past Christmas. :) I saw it and instantly thought of you and your mom, for some reason. I will keep it in mind for next year. :)

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  10. Ohhh, you are lovely, Julie! :-) That would be perfect! I had to use a glass measuring cup for this batch and it wasn't quite the effect I was going for. :-) Still tasted good, though! :-)

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  11. that blue of the necklace pendant is simply gorgeous and mesmerizing.

    artichoes and sundried tomatoes are 2 of my favorite flavors. together... this has gotta be a killer tart!

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  12. Isn't it beautiful, Tia? I was absolutely smitten when I saw it, and the artist was such a lovely girl I was delighted to support her work. :-)

    The tart really is delicious. YUM!! :-)

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  13. I love tarts! Do you happen to have any other tart recipes, especially sweet ones? I'm thinking of having a weekend devoted to trying them out :)

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  14. I sure do, Hila! :-) I'm out of town this weekend, but I will compile some for you when I get home again. :-)

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  15. Beautiful photos as usual! And your tart looks wonderful! So many interesting ingrediants. I don't think I would have put green chilis or coconut milk with artichokes and sun dried tomaties, but I bet it is wonderful and rich and full of flavor.

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  16. Thank you, Cozy!! I admit I was a little uncertain about the coconut milk AND the chilies, but it worked beautifully and I was very relieved. :-)

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  17. Thank you, doggybloggy! I'm so glad! :-)

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  18. I think Bleeding Heart has the most interesting blossoms! Mine are not even close to be being in bloom yet but I'm watching them closely!

    The lavender and hibiscus tea looks so good. I'd love a cup right about now!

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  19. I think so too, Michelle! :-) I remember Mum telling us a story to go with them when my brothers and I were little. :-)

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  20. Oh yummy, nice to see the Oz Chardy making an appearance :)

    The blue of that pendant is gorgeous, and love the plant your mum gave you.
    xoxo

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  21. Yes, DJ! I've been experimenting with all sorts of Oz wines lately, and everything has been good! :-)

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  22. Reading cookbooks and cooking always brightens my mood when I'm feeling a bit blue! Your photos are lovely!

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  23. Me too, Kathleen. :-) I think it's the creativity that's so cathartic. :-) I'm glad you like my pictures. :-)

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  24. Oh my god YUM. Bookmarking. Coming back for this recipe.

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  25. Thanks, Inner Pickle!! :-) It's definitely one of my favorites. :-)

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  26. This is why I love your blog Krista. You're so positive and you really have a wonderful outlook on life! :D I'm glad you got rid of the toxic people. I did that last year and I'm so much happier! :D

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  27. Oh, thank you, Lorraine! I needed that encouragement today. :-)

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  28. This post is stuffed with beautiful things even before I get to the tart - I have never put artichokes in a tart but it sounds brilliant idea. I have two jars of artichokes in oil downstairs so I might try it soon - you know where you'll see it if I do and I'll be sure to mention you!

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  29. Oh, thanks, Sarah! I'm so glad they delight you too. :-) Mmm, I do love artichokes in olive oil! Pure decadence right there. :-) I hope you like the tart! :-)

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