Fast & Easy: Watermelon Sherbet

Ok, so this actually takes a lot of time to get everything to freeze up properly.  But, hands on time, it only takes 5 minutes or so.  And no churning! So I am classifying this as both fast and easy.
I needed something to do with a quickly over-ripening watermelon -- since it is just the hubby and me at home and he won't eat watermelon (kinda weird, right?).  This stuff is creamy sweet and tastes like summer!
It is based of Martha Stewart's recent recipe for Peach Sherbet.  Using the same basic recipe, you could make any kind of sherbet you want from fleshy fruit (i.e. I'm not sure how stuff like citrus would turn out... but if you try it, let me know!).
You'll need a food processor, probably -- though you might be able to get away with a blender.

Fast/Easy: Pie or Tart Crust

I used to hate the crust. Of any crusted dessert.  But when I started making them myself, and flavoring them to my taste, I really began to appreciate them.  Really.  I could almost do without the filling. Almost.

My favorites tend to be rolled crusts for pies or crumb crusts from cheesecakes and tarts but lately I have really been hankering shortbread.  And I love this crust because it is easy (you can't really overwork this dough like you can with most rolled doughs), it is super fast, and it uses ingredients I always have on hand.  There is nothing worse than getting all prepared to bake something and then realizing you are out of graham crackers or chocolate wafers.

 Ok... there's really a whole lot in the world  that is worse than that, but it still is pretty frustrating.

This is an incredibly easy recipe that yields a buttery, tender, cookie-like crust. I love it!

Easy Recipe: Sweet Potato Crumble

This is pretty much a sweet potato casserole that isn't pretending to be a side dish.  The filling can be pureed to make it more like a pie filling, if you prefer.  You can likely omit the sugar from the filling all together and it would still be delicious (since the candied yams are... well...candied).  Butter and salt can be adjusted significantly (or perhaps even omitted entirely) depending on your preferences and health needs.  You can also omit the pecans.  Try adding 1c oats (in addition or instead of the nuts).

Note: Candied Yams are not actually yams!  They are sweet potatoes (apparently there is a difference, but it is a difference I intend to continue to ignore).  Feel free to use fresh mashed sweet potatoes, if you like (and want to control the sugar).

Pecan Lace Cookies

First off, these things are gorgeous.  Just beautiful.  But they are also super tasty - like crispy, orange toffee.  They seem to also go by the name Florentines.