Thanks to all of you that commented or emailed me checking on me. I am so touched that with all the blogs out there you would miss me. What started out being a minor problem turned into more. It has gone on longer than I anticipated. I am better and hopefully back on track.
Do you know this saying?
For The Want Of A Nail – It goes like this.
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Wiki called it a rhyme, but it doesn’t; I heard it was a poem, but maybe not. I settled on a saying.
This saying has been a favorite of mine. Any time I have had a problem it usually starts with something small and then exacerbates. I used to carry a horseshoe nail in my wallet just to remind myself little things matter. I have lost it so maybe I need to get a new nail.
I’m not sure if this saying places blame or just a warning, but I swear if I knew I had a problem I would have fixed it before it got out of hand, but sometimes you don’t foresee you even have a problem.
So when I got sick I did very little in the kitchen. No peeling of potatoes, or scraping a carrot, no chopping; nothing, just survival eating. There was no need to run the garbage disposal, so imagine my surprise when I peeled a few clementines and ran the peels down the disposal. I should have run the water before I turned on the disposal, but I didn’t. So when my kitchen sink stopped up it put me out of business – no use of sink means no water – means no cooking – means nothing to photograph – means no posting. After some serious plunging the war was lost. I just gave up and called the plumber. I am back in working order.
Now speaking of little things….. How about some lemon tassies?
** These are delicious with or without Improved Lemon Curd. If you are making these for company I would suggest using a piping bag for a more appealing presentation. The next time I make these I will weigh the dough and divide by 24 for a more even distribution of the crust.
- FOR THE CRUSTS:
- 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks, plus more for pans
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- Pinch of salt
- FOR THE FILLING:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees with rack in upper third.
- Lightly butter a 24-cup mini-muffin pan; set aside.
- In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, combine the flour and butter.
- Pulse until mixture is the consistency of fine crumbs.
- Add the sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon zest, and salt.
- Process until evenly incorporated and smooth; do not overprocess.
- Divide the dough into quarters.
- Divide each quarter into 6 pieces.
- Shape into balls.
- Place each ball in a muffin cup; press down in the centers so that the dough fits the cups snugly.
- Set muffin pan on a baking sheet.
- Bake until lightly browned all over and slightly darker at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer baking sheet with muffin pan to a wire rack to cool.
- Make the filling:
- In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla until completely smooth.
- Using a ¼-ounce ice cream scoop, fill the cooled crusts.
- Bake until filling is set and just beginning to color at the edges - 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer muffin pan to a wire rack.
- Garnish with candied lemon peel. Let cool completely before serving.
- The tassies may be stored in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 3 days.
I am taking this to
Sally says
Hey Madonna! So sorry to hear that you were sick. Hope it was not too serious and glad that you are on the mend, back to cooking and blogging. We take our health for granted until something happens. Stay healthy!
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks Sally. I worry a lot about blogging. I worry about recipe fails, and photo fails, or will anyone think it good enough, but had not considered being ill. I am not a very patient patient.:) I hesitated to tell it, but did not want everyone to think I was over blogging. Thanks for stopping by with a good word.
Cuisinedeprovence says
Love those tassies! Thank you for sharing and hope you are all better now!
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks Barbara.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
Ben Franklin was a wise man and this is a great analogy for how the little things matter. I’m so glad you’re feeling better Madonna and are able to enjoy cooking again. I don’t get sick very often, but when I do I usually do it big time. Yes, get another nail to remind you of the little things. Anytime I get a choice in a dessert or a sweet, I almost always choose lemon and your tassies with the lemon curd look delicious and remind me of spring.
Sam
Ms. Lemon says
Thank you Sam, I am much better. I like any dessert, but lemon is always my first choice.
Penny says
Hope you are on the mend Madonna. You have been missed. These lemon tassies would certainly make me feel better. Take care.
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks Penny.
Confessions of a Plate Addict says
Glad to hear that you are feeling better, Madonna! I was beginning to worry about you! Your tassies look fabulous! I am adding this recipe to my to do list! Have a great week!…hugs…Debbie
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks Debbie. These are good with or without the lemon curd.
Adri says
Ciao Madonna,
I am terribly sorry to hear that you have been ill. I am glad you are back on track. Boy, but don’t these just look lovely. I adore lemon desserts. Some people, when presented with a dessert menu, always go for the chocolate offering, but me – I go for the lemon every time. I have got to try these. I bet I’d devour an entire plate of them.
All the best to you. Take it easy, and stay well!
Fondly. Adri
Ms. Lemon says
Ciao to you too Adri. I hope you will give them a try and let me know what your thoughts are. I will say I revisited the plate more than I should have.
Kitty says
I’m so glad you’re finally feeling better, Madonna. What a time you’ve had, but you’re yea, you’re back cooking and that’s a good thing. Yes, I think you should get another nai, for sure. Your lemon tassies look scrumptious to me. I know you said a piping bag would make for a prettier presentation, but it’s all about the taste, in my book!
Cheers to you feeling better and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Ms. Lemon says
I think I lost the nail when the airlines were confiscating nail clippers or other dangerous items. 🙂
As for the lemon tassies they taste great, but I am determined to learn to use that piping bag. 🙂
Laurie says
These look incredible! I love lemon! Pinning. Thank you so much for sharing with VMG206 Brag About It. I’m co-hosting with Megin, and I just wanted to say hello. I’m sorry to hear you have been ill. Wishing you well.
Laurie
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks so much Laurie. I hope you make them and enjoy them.
I only mentioned to not feeling well so everyone would not think I had abandoned my site. I am much better so hopefully no more setbacks.
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Glad you’re feeling better! Being sick stinks, doesn’t it? Love these lemon tassies — lemon is one of my favorite flavors, and these look simply delightful. Thanks!
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks John. Not feeling well is a total waste of time, I have things to do.:)
These little guys are kind of addictive. I am trying to take advantage of lemon season while I can.
Christine says
Not only do I love tassies, I love lemons even more! Definitely going to give a go at your recipe, your tassies look scrumptious, with the cup of hot tea I have! Sorry to hear you were under the weather, Glad to hear you are feeling better now! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Ms. Lemon says
I hope you will. They make for a nice dessert.
Amy Tong says
Sorry that you were not feeling well. But very glad to see you back into the kitchen! 🙂 I am the same way, I can’t cook or get into the kitchen when I’m not feeling well. On a lighter note, these lemon tassies are gorgeous. I can’t wait to give them a try. I adore lemon treats.
Ms. Lemon says
Thank you Amy. I do hope you will try them. The tassies are good with or without the lemon curd, or at least I thought so. I know yours will be even prettier than mine (i.e. Miss Kitty macaron or the bunny macaron).:)
Lilly's Mom says
I do hope you are feeling better. These look so good. I’m going to have to make some. They would be fun to serve at a dinner party, too!
Gentle Joy says
These look great… we like lemon. 🙂
Lou Lou Girls says
This looks incredible! I’m drooling right now. Pinned and tweeted. We are so thrilled to have you at our party. Please stop by on Monday at 7, so we can see your amazing projects. Lou Lou Girls
Miz Helen says
What a wonderful Tea Time Treat! Your post is awesome and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Happy Spring!
Miz Helen
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
Yum, I wish one of those cups of coffee was mine and I was sitting with you and eating lemon tassies! They sound wonderful and it’s wonderful that you’re up and running again!
Sherry says
Double yum! These look absolutely delicious. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday. Hope you can make it again this week.