Like most people, my husband and I have not traveled far from our home in over a year. My husband’s birthday and mine are just1 month apart, and we are the same age. Two years ago, we struggled for what to do for our big birthday year (I won’t tell you which one). We finally agreed that we should travel to Israel– neither of us have been there, and we’ve heard wonderful things.
After we decided to make the long trip, we hosted a small party with relatives and good friends. I did not want a party, but my husband insisted and I’m glad he did. We had a beautiful celebration with our closest friends and family, and despite all my complaining, the party was a great success. Everything went smoothly and I ended up delighted that we (well, mostly it was my doing the work) pulled it off.
Then COVID, happened and our trip to Israel got cancelled. As you know, travel is on hold for the time being and I’m so sad. Oh how I do miss traveling! Going to other places helps to expand your mind and experience a little bit of the lives of others around the globe. Whenever we get to a different country, I always ask the driver to take us somewhere authentic for lunch or dinner; someplace that he would go with his family. Visit enough of these authentic little restaurants and you start to realize the true diversity of ways of life and understand that your lifestyle isn’t the only way to live.
While we’re grateful for our virtual ability to see the rest of the world right now, we’re definitely dreaming of hitting the road again as soon as it’s safe to do so. One of the best things about traveling is unashamedly eating anything and everything you can’t get back home. Food is a great way of understanding and connecting with other cultures, as are local art and music.
As you meet different people, have new experiences, and visit foreign places, the reality of these things shatter any preconceived ideas you might have had before. You’ll see people as people just like you and yet so different, but based on geography, they live differently. Take care to indulge your curiosity, and you’ll discover that there’s more to famous cities than their well-known sights. The challenges of a foreign language, the kindness of strangers, and the beauty and diversity of the natural world will only make you more open to and accepting of different ways of thinking and being.
Most important are the memories made while traveling. I think back to the train rides I took throughout Europe, sampling the food and cultures along the way. Your travel experiences will always be with you, and when you need a pick-me-up, they can be a valuable resource for reminding yourself how good life can be.
Luckily, we have some destination weddings that we have been invited to, and I look forward to going. While I am a little anxious, I know it is time to get back out there, and now we have something in our future that will be fun and a learning experience at the same time.
In the meantime, this is one treat that I know you all will want to make, especially since these can be made ahead of time. I have been on a peanut butter craze, so this is one perfect treat I just had to make. The two different nut butters ensure that these treats are moist and full of nutty goodness. It is housed in a puff pastry (no having to make your own dough!) that is brushed with egg wash that makes these tarts a beautiful golden brown– perfect for a photo op!
This recipe is courtesy of Epicurious and will make 8 gorgeous little tarts.
Ingredients for Apple and Nut Butter Pastry Tarts:
1 sheet frozen puff pasty, thawed
All-purpose flour (for surface)
4 tablespoons peanut or other nut butter
4 tablespoons apple butter
1 pound firm baking apples (about 2 large), peeled, cored, sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
1/4 cup chopped salted, roasted peanuts or other nut
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Sugar (for sprinkling)
1 large egg
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a long rectangle.
Cut in half crosswise (halves should be almost square). Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet; prick with a fork in several places.
Using a small offset spatula, spread 2 Tbsp peanut butter in the center of each half to make a 5″ round, then spread 2 Tbsp apple butter over top of each nut-butter round.
Pile up apples in the center of each puff pastry and top with peanuts.
(oops, looks like I forgot the peanuts!)
Dot fruit with butter and sprinkle with sugar.
Beat egg and 1 tsp water in a small bowl, then brush pastry with egg wash and fold up edges around apples, leaving the center open.
Press along the folded edges to lightly seal.
Brush outside of pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with more sugar.
Let chill in freezer for 10 minutes.
Bake tarts until puff pastry is golden, 15–20 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and continue to bake until pastry is deep golden brown and apples are tender, 20–25 minutes.
Do Ahead
Tarts can be baked 6 hours ahead. Store uncovered at room temperature.
It’s that simple!
