This weekend I get to host my very first guest from America when my dear friend Corrie arrives from Colorado. To say I am excited cannot encapsulate the utter delight I feel knowing that soon I will get to hug tight someone who inspires me every day, a true kindred spirit and free-souled woman.
The last time we were together was a few years ago when we met up in Prague. Looking through the pictures today put the biggest smile on my face as I remembered wandering all over that gorgeous city, eating far too much food, and sitting for hours in smoke-filled pubs talking, sipping cold beer, and nibbling all sorts of unknown local specialties.
In true hostess fashion I wanted to have everything perfect for her arrival, but then my body decided to get sick for four of the last six days, so instead of unusual perfection she gets to see us in all our normal glory. The lovely thing about Corrie is that she won’t mind one bit.
In the spirit of celebrating normal, I gave up on the dusting and window-washing, and instead made a Tomato Caramelized Onion Tart to nosh on while I make up a bed for Corrie in the Granny Flat, collect flowers from my garden for her bedside table, and grin happily at the prospect of having such a treasured person at our farm for the weekend.
Only one more day until we get to talk for hours, go for treks in the bush, and make the most of every minute.
What do you look forward to most when a dear friend comes to visit? xo
Tomato Caramelized Onion Tart
Ingredients:
1 par-baked tart crust
oil for cooking
1 large onion, sliced thinly
2-3 Tbsp pesto or Dijon mustard
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
4-5 ripe tomatoes, cored and sliced
2 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp dried coriander leaves
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F (200 C).
Place sliced tomatoes in a colander to drain until ready to use.
Heat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat and cook onions until caramelized, stirring regularly so they don’t burn.
Spread tart crust with pesto or mustard.
Scatter caramelized onions evenly over mustard.
Scatter Parmesan cheese evenly over onions.
Layer tomatoes in an overlapping fashion over top of cheese.
Whisk together eggs, cream, and salt. Pour carefully over tomatoes.
Scatter coriander leaves over tart and place in oven. Bake for one hour until crust is browned, tomatoes are cooked, and custard is set.
Serve hot or at room temperature.
this tart looks fantastic! Have fun with our friend. When I see my closest friend we spend most of the time talking π
Isn’t talking with a dear friend the BEST, @tandysinclair:disqus ? π
So much to look forward to Krista when special friends come to visit.
You are right, Val. π It was so wonderful. π
Oh how gorgeous that tomato tart looks… have fun with your lovely friend! xo
Thank you, @liz_posmyk:disqus It was such a brilliant time. π
Aww, bet you just can’t wait to see your friend and it’s nicer in a way that she gets to see your home as it always is rather than done up just for her. π We had a friend come over last summer and we all realised it was 6 years since we’d last seen each other. Doesn’t matter when you’re friends, though. We just all kinda said hi and chatted as though we’d seen each other the day before. π Love the look of that tart by the way. π
Julia
It is nicer, @turkeysforlife:disqus π It felt good to just be ourselves and to have a friend love us just for us. π
Have so much fun with your friend! And everythign will be perfect because you’re together!
And it really was, @joanneeatswellwithothers:disqus I smile so big when I think back on it. π
You have made me curious about the Granny Flat! I can just picture it with your fresh cut flowers. I bet it is really cute!!! And your tart looks delicious! Have fun!
Our property has a hodgepodge of sheds, April, and one of them is timber-lined with a bathroom, shower, and laundry room. The other end has been turned into my office and doubles as a guest room when we have visitors. π
I love your positivity! I am going to Prague later this year, what were your favorite haunts?
How fun, @disqus_5Ijg7q0hB1:disqus π To be honest, I mostly loved wandering the streets, stopping in at pubs and restaurants, strolling through parks. We never really had a destination, just followed our feet and weren’t disappointed. π
As a person who struggles with extreme perfectionism, your blog inspires me with how you are able just to let go and just live. Thanks for the beautiful blog.
I identify with extreme perfectionism so much, Cheryl, and have been working hard to let go bit by bit by bit. It is such a hard thing, isn’t it? We will cheer each other on. π xo
Lucky you to have a visit from home. I know how much visits like this mean to folks like us. That tomato and caramelized onion tart is the bomb!
It does mean the world, doesn’t it, @OrgasmicChef:disqus ? And it was extra special since she was the first person from “my world” to meet and hang out with Bear. They got on beautifully and that thrills my heart. π
How lovely to have a close friend come to stay. I would be very excited too. And I do love the look of your tomato and onion tart – gorgeous! Have a great time catching up with your friend xx
Thanks so much, Charlie. It was a really beautiful time and so good for my heart. π
Awww…that was sweet of both you and Corrie. It’s great to know you have such a dear friend whom you could chat with for hours. What a great hostess you are, Krista! Keep well!!!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Oh thank you, @GourmetGetaway:disqus π It was so great to have her here, to laugh and talk and cry and laugh some more. π
Oh how fantastic, love that you have a bestie coming for a visit. Hope you have an absolute ball. π
When friends visit, I most enjoy the long chats over cups of tea on the couch, or cooking food together.
I know your visit will be a memorable oneβ¦enjoy! I hope by now you are feeling much better.
How wonderful! I hope you are enjoying every moment!
Amazing one! I will have to try it sometime. Thanks.
Two such gorgeous ladies and such happy pics! I would be so honoured if I ever visited you and you made me a tart as beautiful as this π
I’m so glad you and Corrie were able to connect up, Krista! I’ve been doing a lot of catching up with friends the past 6 months since I lost the light of my life..my Golden Retriever, Phoenix. I wrote about him often. That torte looks amazing! It’s right in my wheelhouse for what I like so I just copied and pasted the recipe and put it in my to-make folder. Thank you for sharing! π