mothers day gift guide...

I am a chronic list maker. I make lists for absolutely everything. Guest lists. Grocery lists. Lists of possible menu items for a party. Lists on what to buy for the special people in my life. On what kind of floor tile I like best. On possible vacation destinations.

The list is endless (no pun intended.)

When something needs planning, you can bet I will come prepared with a pen and paper in hand to make a list about something. Even when I’m not making them, I always have a running list rolling rampant in my mind.

This post started off as a list of ideas on ‘what to buy my mom for mother’s day’ and quickly turned into a post about what I think a lot of my mom friends might like. I realize fully that a post about nail polish and stylish white denim have absolutely no place on a food and art blog, but it’s mother’s day in a few days, and I would be remiss if I created a gift guide filled only with muffin tins and fancy aprons. No stereotypes here. 

Mother’s Day is pretty special for me. Not only because I have two amazing little darlings, but because I also happen to have a pretty amazing mother.

When I think about my mom and all of the things she does for us, all of the ways she shows us she loves us, the many times a day she will call to check in, to offer a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, I am filled with emotion.

She’s always done what good mothers are supposed to do: Cheered us on at soccer games, attended ballet recitals and piano concerts. She enrolled us in ukulele knowing deep down we were going nowhere with it. (Do they even offer such a thing anymore?) She clapped loudly at my violin performances and gave me standing ovations at school plays. She sent me to school with healthy lunches and tender little love notes and she always made sure I knew she was on my side.

And even though she fought me tooth and nail about leaving home for a new city at the ripe age of 19, in the end, she conceded and accepted. Not loving the idea of course, but full of absolute trust in me.

Even though she was a super fun mom, mostly, she was a present mom. We knew we could call on her for absolutely anything and she would be there with open arms. Her message rings so true to me now:

 “I may not always agree with you and I can’t promise I won’t be upset, but I will always love you. No matter what.”

Isn’t that what a truly great mother is anyway? Present and available? 

And when I fought sleepless nights and complete exhaustion as a new mother, she stayed with me and held my hand and told me I was doing a great job. That my little girl was lucky to have me. That I was the best mother in the world. 

The best mother in the world.

When I look at my young children and don’t always feel confident in my own parenting, when I question my decisions or wonder how to handle a certain situation- she is the first one I turn to. For advice. For peace of mind. For support and encouragement. 

I feel so blessed that she is mine. That my siblings and I have had the good fortune of having such a devoted and amazing and perfect mother. And no gift seems adequate enough. No sentiment worthy. 

I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating the special mom in you life and all of the amazing mothers you know. The gift guide below was just written in the spirit of fun.

All your mother really wants- is you. ( cheesy but true.)

Oh and if you're planning a special brunch, be sure to include this nutella banana brioche bread pudding adapted by Anne Thornton. It's amazing.

1. Summer Flip Flops. Old Navy

2. Butter Nail Polish. Wildflower Clothing

3. Citrus and Ginger Root Body Wash. Burt's Bees

4. Crochet Clutch. The Gap

5 + 6. Espadrilles. Aldo Shoes

7. MAC Coat. Joe Fresh

8. Nutmeg and Ginger Perfume. Jo Malone

9. Classic Aviators. Ray Ban

10. Gauze Maxi Dress. Old Navy

11. Soft Draped Blazer. Smart Set

12. Pantone Nail Polish. Sephora

13. White Denim Work Jean. Joe Fresh

14. Leather Belt. Joe Fresh

15. Metal Earrings. Aldo

16. Saddle Bag Purse. Old Navy

17. Two-tone silicone watch in White and Rose Gold. Michael Kors

18.  Wilfred Amalfi Blouse. Aritzia

19. Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker. CB2

20. Cucina Cookbook Stand. All Modern

21. Stainless Steel Perculator. The Bay

22. Gal Costa Jazz CD. Amazon

23. Magazine Subscription. Bon Appetit

24. Chevron Throw. H+M

25. Your Love. Free. 

coffee with a touch of whipped milk

roasted tomato soup with ouzo + smoked paprika

I realize that tomatoes are not in season at the moment so dedicating an entire post to them might seem a tad premature. Last week however, I came across Canadian-grown, vine-ripened tomatoes that smelled of summer soil. The sweet aroma of tomato harvest made me nostalgic for my childhood, as my grandfather had a vast garden filled with various kinds of tomatoes. The sight and smell of these ones brought me back to his garden.

I bought a copious amount -much more than I really needed but they were so incredibly succulent and gorgeous, I truly couldn’t help myself. My little son and I weren’t sure what to do with so many tomatoes. We thought about making tomato sandwiches. We contemplated stuffing them (he wanted rice, I fought for couscous.)  We considered a simple tomato salad (with lots of crusty bread for sopping up every last bit of olive oil and vinegar.) But none of it seemed quite right.

But then dear friends, I learned that it was National Grilled Cheese month. 

National Grilled Cheese month.

An ode to grilled cheese every day for 30 days?

Why was I just learning about this now? 

The choice was obvious. What could be more perfect than grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup? Absolutely nothing.

I recognize that roasted tomato soup with ouzo and smoked paprika sounds rather ‘loopdidah’, but this the simplest soup you will ever make. Its thickness is only a result of the lovely tomato pulp – no cornstarch or flour. And I only added ouzo at the last moment-mainly because I regretted not adding a bulb of fennel to the roasting pan. But here’s what I discovered quite by accident: Ouzo is what takes this soup from ‘pretty good’ to ‘super fantastic.’ It adds that special little something that leaves you desperately wanting to decipher the ingredients. Fennel maybe? Crushed anise seeds? Both? The flavors are so pure and modest and the technique is remarkably simple. Absolutely anybody can make this soup, as its completely foolproof.

I understand that not everyone has ouzo on hand but if you can get your hands on even a tiny little bottle, it’s well worth it. You can roast some fennel with the other vegetables and then add a splash of vodka at the end if you don’t have any but again, get yourself some ouzo if you can.

We made mini grilled cheese sandwiches with applewood smoked cheddar, dates and caramelized red onions. We made plain ones too of course because frankly, nothing tastes as pure and wholesome as traditional grilled cheese sandwiches. I used cookie cutters to cut the bread into little circles and then proceeded with the traditional method of grilling them on the stovetop.

Bite sized anything is ridiculously charming don’t you think? Kids are naturally drawn to tiny versions of main dishes as they are completely fascinated with anything miniature. They held the mini grilled cheese sandwiches like they were porcelain dolls. Careful. Meticulous.

And they ate.

And ate.

And ate.

Tomato soup in little glass mugs and tiny grilled cheese sandwiches. I overheard my daughter calling it a tea party. A tea party with grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup? I would be up for that (and I can think of a few friends who would want to be a part of it too.)

easter bread

I have a confession to make: I detest complicated dessert recipes. I don’t fare very well with painstakingly precise recipes (which is obligatory for desserts,) and since I am an impatient person by nature, convoluted dessert recipes really rattle me. As I’ve mentioned in the past, baked goods demand meticulous measurements and I’m more of a  “little pinch here and little dollop there” kind of gal.

When I come across a dessert recipe with the descriptions, time-consuming, complex or difficult anywhere in the text, I turn the page. It's not that I don't welcome a challenge, but when it comes to whipping up a dessert, I just want it done.

Immediately. (Impatient. I told you.) 

If fancy equipment or elaborate materials are required, I roll my eyes and move onto recipes with texts that read: simple, easy and no-fuss. Sadly it’s hard to find a dessert that isn’t finicky without compromising taste. 

I became particularly frustrated once when I attempted a 'no-fuss' dessert only to find that it was in fact, quite fussy. And long-winded. And in the end, I was so annoyed, that I rushed through the final steps only to have my sweet tidbit flop. Literally. Honesty needs to be at the forefront of all recipes don't you agree? Especially ones that promise ‘no-fail’ results.

The only dessert-style recipe exempt from this madness, is homemade sweet bread, which by its very nature demands a lot of time and consideration. And since some holidays warrant such attention to detail, I’m happy to participate. 

Laden with braided little cookies and sweet, brioche-type breads called tsoureki, Easter is the most celebrated feast for Orthodox Christians.
My mom has sort of adapted her own recipe for the tsoureki - which is really just years of trying and testing and combining various family recipes into one. 

We spent most of today dying our eggs red and making our Easter bread in preparation for Sunday. It’s an all-day event as we usually make at least a dozen loaves and it’s not something that can be rushed. Nothing is worse than digging into a golden loaf of bread, only to find the middle raw and ‘doughy.’ 

Over the years, I have enjoyed tsoureki on its own- because it is quite delectable, but I've also loved it dipped in coffee, or with hard, pungent cheese on the side. I've even toasted it and had it with a drop of butter and my Godmother’s homemade quince marmalade. When it gets stale, I chop it up and make nutella bread pudding (now that's easy.)

If you don’t have homemade tsoureki, brioche or challah- style breads on hand, use the store bought variety as it will work perfectly. I’ll be sure to post the recipe for the pudding in a couple of weeks after we’ve had our fill of Easter bread. Until then, a very happy and blessed Easter to all those celebrating this Sunday.

I’d also like to leave you with Rita Wilson’s detailed account of Orthodox Easter, as I always have friends asking me about our celebrations and her narration is so eloquent and moving.

Kalo Pasxa everyone!

asian slaw with toasted almonds + ginger-lime dressing

We received a small gift a couple of weeks ago.
Summer.
All wrapped up in sheep’s clothing: full of warmth and sun and pure unequivocal delight. For two days we basked in the sultry summer heat and it felt good. So good in fact, that the  reemergence of winter has a lot of us feeling downright awful. Cruel joke mother nature. Cruel joke.

I dusted off my summer sandals, knowing deep down this provisional warmth wouldn’t last. I wanted to soak it all in. Drink it. And deep down, I wanted to embrace it for what it really was; not a merciless hoax, but rather a taste of things to come. 

We made white wine sangria and savored a simple asian-inspired salad. I felt at that moment that life was as it should be: blissful. Filled with smiley little faces begging for ice cream sandwiches and a drive to the beach. We really should have gone as I know it will be many months before we will feel the sand between our toes and the warmth of sun on our faces.

What better way to celebrate the spirited emergence of summer than with a crunchy and delicious salad and refreshing cocktail?

As you may have already suspected, I have a thing for salads. And by thing I mean, I eat them nearly every day. I’m always trying to find new ways to reinvent them; by adding beans or quinoa or bits of avocado or fruit. I love adding pungent cheeses for the perfect addition of tang but nuts and seeds are also a big hit. And good salad has to be crunchy and fresh.  There’s nothing worse than a salad that is droopy and lifeless.

This salad can be enjoyed any time since cabbage is available locally year-round. I love this guide which outlines seasonally available produce in Nova Scotia. Tag it as a favorite as it’s wonderful reference.

I hope you enjoyed our short-lived glimmer of summer (and that it’s left you yearning for the real thing.)

maple farms, sugar shacks + pan-seared scallops with curried maple brandy

Returning from vacation is always bittersweet. For me anway. And it's not because every getaway consists of white sandy beaches and crystal blue oceans either. Getting away just feels good. It makes us feel recharged and refreshed and coming home for me always feels that much more wonderful. Short little breaks work for these very reasons. Renewal + appreciation are great combinations.

For Spring break this year we visited family in Quebec, spent some time skiing in St. Sauveur and visited my brother and his fiancée in Ottawa. Our days were filled with kid-friendly activities but we managed to sneak away for an afternoon of lunch and shopping here and there- sans les enfants.

We took our little ones to Lalonde’s Cabane a Sucre one afternoon- a sugar shack north of Montreal where we feasted on fluffy homemade omelettes, baked beans, ham and copious amounts of maple syrup. My children always look forward to the finale, when hot syrup is poured over clean snow and then wrapped around a stick. The most pure and divine maple candy you will ever taste. Simply heaven.

We toured the grounds and saw the sap being collected in metal pails and then transformed into a thick syrup using a boiling technique. The boiling down procedure is long and the sap must be heated the same day it’s collected. It’s really a remarkable process. 

Nova Scotia has similar maple brunches available at Acadian Maple and Sugar Moon Farms. I’m in the process of organizing an outing with family and friends as it’s such an amazing way to spend an afternoon. The best part is, we’ll all be together, enjoying one of Canada’s finest commodities, in a picturesque setting. Nothing beats that. 

I have always loved maple syrup. And it’s so much more than a pancake topping. One of my favorite ways to use it, is in a curried-brandy sauce with pan-seared sea scallops. The brandy compliments the zest of the curry, the peppers add a subtle little crunch, and the maple? It’s the piece de resistance.  It adds depth and sweetness and makes the dish absolutely perfect in my opinion. I should add that if you want that deep, caramelized crust, make sure you sear the scallops properly. It's not difficult, but step-by-step instrutions might come in handy.

This is just one of the many ways I love using pure maple syrup. It can be substituted for sugar in almost any recipe and if used in the right quantity, it adds a fine sweetness that can't be replicated. It’s one of my pantry staples and something I can not live without as it is remarkably versatile. I use it a lot.

• drizzled over blue cheese and walnut crostini.
• in salad dressing with olive oil, dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, crushed garlic, salt and pepper.
• in a brunch cocktail: good strong coffee ( don’t skimp on the good or the strong part,) bourbon, splash of cream ( milk if you prefer,) ice and 1 tsp maple syrup. Put all contents in a martini shaker and pour into a fancy glass.
• dizzled over warm, buttered homemade scones.
• poured over toasted baguette slices topped with ricotta and freshly ground pepper.
• whipped with cream cheese and spread over graham crackers with sliced apple. 

I hope you are all enjoying the emergence of Spring and if you have the opportunity- get yourselves to a sugar shack. You won’t regret it.

 

One of our stops: The Rideau Canal.

Little tourist

New little skier. Happy little lady!

Subway rides: a great way to entertain kids