Lime Squares with Pistachio Graham-Cracker Crust

Trevor and I got pre-approved for a mortgage.

I’m kinda freaked out.

This isn’t my first time around the mortgage block. I currently have one, funding my tiny condo that I can’t seem to wait to get out of for a real house with a gourmet kitchen and a fenced in yard..

But I’m still kinda freaked out.

I do want to move into a new home, quite badly, and now that I’m pre-approved, it’s more so about just finding the right home.

But, aha, therein lies the tricky part.

Despite what I said before I don’t need a pair of wall ovens or a walk-in pantry or anything particularly epic. I just want to find my home. The trouble is that little neurotic voice in my head that isn’t ever sure if what I see is actually the “right house” or if I’m just getting too excited about the idea of any house that isn’t a tiny condo.

I excite easily. Especially if I’ve recently consumed sugar.

Then there’s the ever looming fear of… this place is great but… what if there’s something better out there? Something with higher ceilings, bigger bedrooms, newer finishes? What if that house is out there… for $50k less?

Maybe it’s supposed to be like dating, where if you’re thinking about where the grass might be greener, maybe that’s how you know it’s not right.

Or maybe you’re just that neurotic and incapable of avoiding thoughts about emerald green grass in an elusive lawn that doesn’t actually exist.

Does the “you just know when you know” methodology really translate to houses?

Because if it does, unless I randomly find a 500 sq. ft. kitchen for the price of a 500 sq. ft. home, I doubt I’ll ever get there. There’s just too many variables and way too much money involved for me to ever feel totally confident.

I’m still not entirely sure how I ended up in this condo. I remember very little about the decision making process. It was a bit of a blur but I do remember excitement through all the confused stress.

I’ve seen houses I’m excited about.. but am I excited.. enough?

Would someone PLEASE just pick out a house for me and tell me to live in it? I will make you lime squares as a thank you. All deliciously tart with pistachios in the crust.

This means that the house better have a good kitchen so that I can make the lime squares as perfect as they can be. And the master bedroom should be quite nice and relaxing so I can get a good night’s sleep before putting them together so I don’t accidentally put too much lime juice in them in a sleepy stupor. And the yard… hmm…

Maybe I should just pick the house myself after all.

Maybe.

But I don’t want to.

But I do.

But I don’t.

._.

Recipe from MarthaStewart.com

I found the recipe doubled wonderfully into a 9×13 inch pan if feeding a crowd!

Graham-Cracker Pistachio Crust

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for pan
• 2/3 cup shelled pistachios
• 1 cup (4 ounces) graham-cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoons grated lime zest

Lime Filling

• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush an 8-inch square baking dish with melted butter. Line bottom with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides.
2. In a food processor, finely grind pistachios with graham-cracker crumbs, sugar, and zest. Blend in butter. Press mixture into bottom and 1 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned, 8 to 12 minutes. Cool crust, 30 minutes.
3. To make the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and condensed milk. Add lime juice; whisk until smooth. Pour filling into cooled crust; carefully spread to edges.
4. Bake until set, about 15 minutes. Cool in pan on rack; then chill at least 1 hour before serving. Using parchment paper overhang, lift out of pan, and transfer to a cutting board. With a serrated knife, cut into 16 squares, wiping knife with a damp kitchen towel between each cut.

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