11 May 2008

My Mom's Ground Rice Tarts


My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune. ~Graycie Harmon





















As all mothers know we don't really understand our own mothers until we are mothers ourselves. As children we think we are invincible, that nothing can harm us. Innocence is bliss and makes our childhood carefree and happy as it should be. Little do we know of the worry we cause our mothers as soon as we step out of the door. My mother did not work...let me rephrase...did not work outside the home... as was possible in the the '60's.


 My earliest childhood memory was of sitting in a guards booth miles from my home and eating a Cadbury chocolate bar. Apparently I had wanted to go to school with my brother and followed him for at least a mile to where the crossing guard helped the kids cross the street. He recognized me and took me to where my dad worked at the time. I was 2 years old but we lived in a time when you knew your neighbours. My mother would have been frantic not knowing where I was. Or the time that my sister was found on the third story fire escape of a building in downtown Cambridge swinging like a monkey.

I grew up in a time when during the summer months we hopped on our bikes and were off on adventures with our friends. If we needed to go to the movies or to a friends house we walked. As long as we showed up by lunch or suppertime all was well with our little worlds and we would sit down to dinner with the entire family and relate our adventures for the day. Not until I was a mother myself did I realize what a huge sigh of relief it must have been for my mom to see us come walking through that door with tadpoles from the local pond or scrapes and bruises from building our tree fort in the woods. She would listen to our stories, give us a big hug, kiss away our tears, tuck us into bed and allow us to have wings to fly. 
 

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If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could
walk forever in my garden.

~Attributed to Claudia Ghandi

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 Fast forward to the '90's and I have a daughter of my own (excuse the '90's hair and clothes). I am a MOTHER and will always be. Times are different now, but not in the troubles of the world, but in our relationships with our children. My daughter and I started young with Mom and Me swimming classes and exercise classes. She was in everything from ballet, to T-ball, to figure skating...you name it she was there. We have taught our children that they can accomplish anything, they are overachievers and expect a lot from this world. My daughter is 21 now and has always been the "apple of my eye". I have always been proud of her accomplishments and I must have done something right because she is now in her third year of university...only another 4 to go!!! I learned from my own mother, who in turn learned from hers. We'd like to protect our children as our own mothers wanted to protect us. We are always there to be our children's biggest cheerleaders to let them know the world is a place full of discovery and joy!! She has grown into a beautiful butterfly and has spread her wings.







So in honour of tradition and mothers everywhere I am offering my moms recipe for these traditional tarts. For years my mom had only the memory of these tarts because my grandmother passed away when my mom was 11. Finally mom found the recipe through an aunt and has made them ever since, but, usually on special occasions. If you are of British background these will be very familiar to you!!

My daughter is taking me on a picnic and a hike in honour of the day. So ciao for now:D

**Ground Rice Tarts**

Pastry tart shells, or make your own
Jam
1/3 cup of butter
1/2 cup of rice flour
1/4 cup of ground almonds
1 egg beaten
Almond extract or vanilla
Blanched almonds (optional)

Place a small amount of jam in each pastry shell. Cream butter and sugar, add rice flour and ground almonds . Add beaten egg and a few drops of extract. Put a good spoonful of mixture in each tart shell on top of the jam. Bake at 375degrees for 35-40 minutes.

To my Mom.....

H - helpful
A - always there
P - protective
P - patient
Y - youthful

M - memory maker
O - original
T - tender
H - happy
E - excited
R - reliable
S - sacrificing
D - dedicated
A - angelic
Y - your best friend

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.
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22 comments:

  1. Happy Mothers Day Val!!! What a lovely tribute to all mothers out there :)

    I have tagged you Val please visit my site (i hope you don't mind) thanks.

    http://rosiebakesapeaceofcake.blogspot.com/

    Rosie x

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  2. Happy Mothers Day and enjoy your picnic!

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  3. I love that post Val...Happy Mother's Day to you!

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  4. Happy Mother's Day Val. What a lovely tribute both to your mother and to your daughter. Subconsciously yesterday I made a dessert my mother used to make and only today I realized why. Unfortunately I was working today and I came home just a while ago and it's late now to post about it. Congrats on the award from Rosie. Be ready to get one from me as well.

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  5. Happy Mothers Day To You Valli! What a wonderful post! Love the photos! I am sure you had a great day with your daughter!

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  6. A very beautiful tribute to you, your mom and your daughter. Happy Mother's Day.
    Thanks for sharing the stories.

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  7. What a great post Val. I hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day!

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  8. Happy Mothers' Day, Val! And thanks for such a lovely post :)

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  9. Val, other than the hairdo (from ago), you look the same and be thankful you have those youthful genes!

    Again, Happy Mother's Day...adopt me this time! lol

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  10. Happy Mother's Day Val! This is a lovely and poignant tribute. The acronym is perfect too!

    Love the tarts..very easy.

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  11. Very sweet post. Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

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  12. Such a sweet post! Happy mothers day!

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  13. You have no idea how much I love these pictures. I love how classic they look. (Your mom)
    I wish I lived in the 60's.

    I think the tarts sound very tasty. I've never heard of them before.

    Happy Mother's Day to you!

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  14. Missing my mom everyday, since she passed away last June. I'm not a mom, nor do I wish to be, but your thoughts struck more than a few harmonious chords with me.

    Ground rice tarts? Oh yes. Thank you.

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  15. Happy Mother's Day. What a lovely post!

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  16. aw, what a lovely post--it gave me goosebumps and the urge to call my mother (even though she's probably still asleep and i just spoke with her yesterday). Happy Mother's Day to you! :)

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  17. What a lovely post Val! And great pictures too!! Happy Mothers Day to you!

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  18. Beautiful post Valli, so heart warming. I don't have children of my own yet, but I can appreciate what you have to say!

    Hope your day was a blast!

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  19. What a beautiful post Val! Your mother is gorgeous, and you look just like her! I agree with Peter, you have great genes!!

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  20. AnonymousMay 12, 2008

    I so thoroughly enjoyed your post.
    just lovely!

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  21. Darling Val, you've moved me with your post!!! Sooooooo precious♥♥♥
    I bet, you've been and you are a wonderful mother!!!
    I see myself reflected in many of your views here. Guess all of us, mothers, do!

    Thanks for such a beautiful post! By the way you too look great, no matter the hair style :D

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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