I confessed some wanderlust a few weeks ago, though “some” is a bit of an understatement. See, parents get paralyzed a bit in the beginning — in the early days, just getting a cup of coffee in the morning is kind of a triumph — thus even when the kid hits a half year old (which once-Wee Jacob did this week, sniffle) and you’ve got a good routine down, you still know you’re not ready to pack everything the three of you will need for one week into suitcases and then willingly relocate to a 180 square foot stateroom for a so-called vacation.

But we’re doing it anyway and I cannot wait. The prospect of “whee! vacation!” is officially less terrifying than the number of diapers, burp cloths, types of infant first aid, teething rings and onesies we are packing into suitcases, thus, it is now or never: we’re getting on a boat. And guess who is coming with us?

Don’t worry, this tart travels too. Sure, it sounds and may look like a traditional bakewell tart, but oh, I want to take it places. For example, my initial ambition had been to take it to Spain (for that aforementioned tapas party) with marcona almonds and either a Seville orange marmalade or membrillo (that I’d cook down until jam-y) base. Alas, I gave up quickly when I realized that finding unsalted, not already roasted marconas was going to be more effort than I was willing to put out on a Friday afternoon but in theory, this tart will travel nicely to Spain.







Or Hawaii — macadamia nuts and pineapple, anyone? Or Vienna, with walnuts and a sour cherry jam. And heck, I’ve already taken it to Thanksgiving dinner. However, even if it never leaves its original home — lovely old Bakewell, in Derbyshire, England — this is a delicious thing, a buttery tart shell and a slick of bright raspberry jam underneath a toasty baked almond frangipane filling.

I find it impossible not to like.

This week: We’re sailing the deep, blue sea (or, I have heard that it is both deep and blue and will be very upset if I have been misled) thus comment responses will be slow. But new recipes will still magically appear as we work through my cooking backlog. See? Everyone wins.

One year ago: Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Cornbread and Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Strawberry Coulis

Two years ago: Pasta with Cauliflower, Walnuts and Feta and Caramel Walnut Upside-Down Banana Cake

Three years ago: Lighter-Than-Air Chocolate Cake and Bulgur Salad with Chickpeas and Roasted Red Peppers