Gus Baldwin

I like balance in life. Not my personal life in particular. My life is wacked beyond belief without a chance of ever recuperating. Kinda like it that way though.

This tart has the perfect balance of chocolate and peanut butter and my oh so favorite thing. That ingredient that you can’t put your finger on it but if it wasn’t there the tart wouldn’t taste the same. I love it when that happens.

That’s where the Jell-O Butterscotch Pudding Mix comes into play.

That’s what gives this tart the flavor of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. It does make me feel like I’m getting closer to Reese’s formula.

Note to my readers: If I end up dead investigate Hershey’s or my coworkers. I’m actually being dead serious about this.

At least I think it tastes like a Reese’s and taste is all perspective. For example, you think Starbucks is good coffee. We all know it’s shit but you’ve been conditioned to like it. You’re so unique!

The unfortunate thing about Starbucks is you’re forced to like it against your will. It’s on every damn corner and in every damn airport.

You like it only because of its convenience. This is how convenience is killing us.

One of the things I do at work to pass the time is watch how people have let convenience run their life. It’s quite interesting and disheartening.

Elevators are cool and useful. The pastry kitchen at work is right beside the elevator. We are one floor down from the main level. I love to time people to see how long they’ll wait for an elevator as opposed to walking up one flight.

Eleven minutes so far has been the most. You could have been two blocks away by now had you taken the steps.

The same people that will wait patiently for an elevator for 11 minutes are the same people that go ape shit if their crappy Starbucks isn’t ready in 2 minutes.

Another thing I love. People will run like a mad fool to catch an elevator going one floor. It’s always the laziest people too. I know, I’m just as shocked as you.

I witnessed a girl wait for the elevator for a substantial amount of time. She finally gave up and walked to the stairwell. As the door was closing to the stairwell, the elevator dinged. This girl flew out of the stairwell and ran like a mad fool for the elevator.

Doors were invented shortly before the elevator. Most people have figured out how to use them. Then we put those buttons in that you hit and the door opens for you.

What happens when that button doesn’t work? If you work where I do, you panic. You keep hitting the button and getting frustrated. Start looking around to see who feels your frustration and sympathizes with you.

No one. If the button doesn’t open the door. You walk up and open it yourself. You’re not trapped. It’s that simple.

I’ve noticed that at the grocery store that I shop at doesn’t have a scale. I’ve also noticed I’m at the grocery store a lot. Anyway, if something’s $1.99 a pound. How do you know what you have? There’s no scale.

Even more troublesome. No one cares. They don’t care and even if there were a scale they still couldn’t figure out the price.

Did you see the article about clocks being changed to digital because kids can’t tell time on an analog clock?

Making life more convenient seems to be making us dumber than shit.

Convenience is killing common sense and survival skills. God help us.

Confidence is silent. Insecurities are loud. 

Peanut Butter Tart

You’ll need one recipe for Chocolate Tart Dough. This recipe makes two 11 inch tarts but the filling only makes one 11 inch Tart. Make the whole tart dough recipe because after eating the Peanut Butter Tart. You’ll want another.

Make one 11 inch tart and blind bake it off and set aside.

For the Peanut Butter Filling

1 box Jell-O Pudding Butterscotch Mix (Do Not Use Instant Pudding Mix)
200g. Peanut Butter
300g. Milk Chocolate ( I used Lindt which 3 bars will give you exactly 300g )

-scale out the peanut butter and chocolate and set aside.
-cook the butterscotch pudding according to the directions on the box
-when the pudding is ready pour it over the peanut butter and chocolate. Give it a good mix and make sure it’s smooth.
-pour into your tart shell. Set in the fridge at least 4 hours.

Dusting it with cocoa powder isn’t really necessary but I like the look. I’m all class. Until I speak. I think you’ve noticed that.

Other recipes you’re sure to enjoy! 

Taggart’s Peanut Butter Pie

Butterscotch Hennessy Rice Krispies

Butterscotch Flan (A personal favorite)