An early post today. Sometimes cooking is about timing and the cannelloni that I'm making today requires me to be stuffing tubes instead of blogging at the usual time.

My son who lives away bought a house in September with established gardens and is now experiencing all of the beds sprouting new growth. He doesn't know what everything coming up is but he does know he has a ton of rhubarb. He asked me if I had recipes and I am going to send him this one so thought I'd share. The recipe is for Rhubarb Torte, a delicious meringue topped dessert that is popular in the Maritimes. I love it and would not dare to make any as my son who lives with me does not like rhubarb and I'd eat the whole thing. I love it that much!

I have a friend who believes Canadians should celebrate a National Rhubarb Day. Rhubarb grows in all provinces and territories and is in the conscious memory of us all. He might have a good idea. There is a Dandelion Festival in this province so why not.... but across the country!

Rhubarb Torte

Base:
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup soft butter

Filling:
1 1/4 cup white sugar
2 tbsp. flour
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup cream or canned milk
2 1/4 cup rhubarb in 1 inch pieces

Meringue:
3 egg whites
1/4 cup white sugar

Crumble first 4 ingredients & press into an 8x8 pan.
Bake at 325* for 25 minutes.
Combine ingredients for filling and cook until thick and clear. Cool.
Pour over base and cover with meringue. Brown at 425* for 5 - 10 minutes. Serves 9.

It needs a bit of time as it is a 3 part recipe and you need time for the filling to cool before you put it together. I think it's worth it.

Because not everyone likes rhubarb and think it's strange, today's song is Strange Fruit from Nina Simone. Her version gives me shivers. Two more versions are from Billie Holiday and a Remix of the Billie version from Verve Remix.

The photo is of a rhubarb flower. I let one of my rhubarb plants flower every year and use the flower in an outdoor arrangement. It can't be brought into the house because of droppings that come off it but outside it is beautiful. I will put the photo of another rhubarb arrangement up tomorrow.

Versions and Varieties

Just had a nice little tour of a local apple orchard where the growers usually have my favorite variety, Gravensteins. The only ones they had left were in their fridge as they were small, end of season leftovers. Some other people drove in after me looking for the same thing. Luckily they had ten pounds, enough for both of us. It was a nice outing as they also grow roses and there are several still in bloom.....in mid-October. The apples above are from my trees. Lots of good ones but no Gravensteins.

My work schedule has changed to noon tomorrow rather than three. That's wonderful, as I like my dinner at home, in the evening, with good food. I was tired after work today and lied down for a half nap. The sun is not shining. I think it makes a difference in my energy level, which is normally very high.

The music today is Nina Simone. I listened to her version of yesterday's song and got playing some other songs and am, as always, enthralled by her emotion. I think she is the most emotional singer there ever was. I have a YouTube video bookmarked that I watch quite often and linked here last year. I Loves You Porgy is one of my favorite all time songs and I love her version the best. Here's the video. Nina Simone versions of almost any song are often the best versions. Yesterday? I keeping with fruit and seasonal affective disorder - here's Strange Fruit and Mood Indigo. Nina.