dessert tagged posts

My friends and I have gathered together for Christmas brunch every single year since record albums were the coolest Christmas gifts.  This year, I decided to treat them to Christmas in Paris – one of my friends opened up her lovely Georgetown home and I threw together an easy, chic brunch with a French twist. I gathered ready-made gourmet treats from local artisans, made a couple of recipes ahead of time (inspired by a famous Parisian pastry chef and a French cookbook writer), and prepared two showstopper, easy-assemble salads. Throw on a scratchy recording of Edith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose et voilà, it’s Christmas in Paris through rose-coloured glasses.

Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Rose Syrup served in Champagne:

When you combine Christmas and cherished friends at the same table, it’s time to pull out all the stops. I served some extra special treats to nibble and sip on as hors d’oeuvres. Rose syrup is the flavour du jour in Paris and this jar of Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Rose Syrup contains 15 handpicked wild hibiscus flowers packed in syrup made from the natural essence of two dozen Bulgarian roses. Place one flower in the bottom of a champagne flute, add some rose syrup, pour in the champagne and watch the bubbles unfurl the flower – it reminds me of the skirts flying at Le Moulin Rouge. Available as a limited edition production from Crafted Décor in Streetsville and Florence Meats in Oakville.

Pierre Hermé’s Olive Sablés served with White Wine or Champagne:

These aren’t just any savoury cookie – they are an utterly surprising savoury French shortbread that will have your guests shocked by the initial sweetness (from the icing sugar), enamoured by the incredible tenderness (from the potato starch and grated egg yolk) and then, when the salty and fruity notes (from the oil-cured black olives and olive oil) hit the stage, you just may hear gasps followed by utterances of ooh la la…as if you were watching the latest Parisian haute couture creation walk down the runway in the city’s top fashion house. In fact, the recipe comes from famous French Pastry Chef Pierre Hermé, who is widely acclaimed as the “Couturier of Haute Pâtisserie”.

I made the dough well in advance and rolled it into logs, then froze them. When ready to bake, I took one log out at a time a few moments before baking, then sliced from frozen and baked. The recipe turned out beautifully – you simply must have it in your repertoire. How does a local gal comme moi get her hands on Pierre Hermé’s recipe? I found it in Dorie Greenspan’s charmingly chic cookbook, Around My French Table, which is available to borrow from the Mississauga Library or to buy from www.chapters.indigo.ca  It’s on my Christmas wish list – I hope my husband is reading my blog posts!

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Pâté with Ice Cider & Shallots and Evelyn’s Currant in the Rye Crackers served with Sparkling Pear Cider:

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Pâté with Ice Cider & Shallots is a superb pâté. Luxuriously smooth and creamy, it’s packed with the flavour of all natural ingredients: chicken livers, clarified butter, shallots, port, brandy, ice cider, Calvados, apple syrup, eggs, and spices. It’s frozen in adorable little 165g ceramic pots. I picked it up from Spirit Tree Estate Cidery a while back and stored it in my freezer, ready for Christmas entertaining. Just defrost overnight in your fridge.

Evelyn’s Currant in the Rye Crackers are the perfect match for this pâté: a hearty yet delicate cracker made with preservative-free, all natural ingredients including dried currants, fennel, anise, and caraway seeds and best of all, 100% heritage organic rye grown and milled by Ontario farmers. Evelyn’s Crackers are made by “cracker heroes” Dawn and Ed – find out what makes them heroes here: www.fiestafarms.ca/heroes.  Available at Whole Foods. For other locations throughout Ontario, click here: http://evelynscrackers.wordpress.com/wheretobuy/.

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Sparkling Pear Cider is a refreshing choice for those who are looking for something non-alcoholic: fresh pear, just a hint of sweetness, bubbly, and light.  It’s perfect for special celebrations.  Also available in Sparkling Sweet Apple Cider. Spirit Tree’s Mulled Apple Cider containing chopped fruit and spices would be another great choice and very festive. If you would like to learn a little bit more about Spirit Tree, read my full post here: Spirit Tree Estate Cidery: Savour the Quality.

For the main meal, I laid out an impressive line-up of store-bought gourmet goodies and two easily prepared dishes I made myself that just needed just some minor last minute preparations.

Prosciutto Wrapped Fresh Figs Stuffed with Cheese on Arugula

Serves 6

This showstopper, palate-pleasing salad is a cinch to assemble à la minute. The sweetness of the figs and vinegar plays against the salty prosciutto, creamy tang of the blue cheese, and peppery punch of the arugula. If you don’t like blue cheese, feel free to use brie or chèvre instead. I used a beautiful combination of Date Crème Vinegar and Hazelnut Oil that I picked up at Crescendo World of Oils Vinegars and Spices in Toronto’s Distillery district – but extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze are also terrific.

Ingredients:

6 fresh figs, sliced in half from stem end to blossom end, keeping stem halves intact
1/3 cup your favourite creamy mild blue such as St. Agur or Devil’s Rock (or chèvre)
6 slices prosciutto, cut in half lengthwise
6 handfuls of baby arugula (or your favourite greens)
Hazelnut oil or extra virgin olive oil
Date Crème Vinegar or balsamic glaze
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Smear cheese on cut side of each fig half. Wrap each half with prosciutto. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator up to 4 hours before serving or bake immediately, according to the following instructions.
2. Arrange cheese side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in 425°F oven until prosciutto is crisp and cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, toss the greens with some salt, pepper, and oil; spread greens out on a pretty platter; place figs on top and drizzle figs and salad with vinegar. Serve warm.

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Quiche:

Make sure you search out the very best handcrafted quiche you can find. Spirit Tree Estate Cidery makes delicious quiche. The Quiche Lorraine is full of hearty flavour from bacon, potato, thyme, and swiss cheese. The Tomato & Spinach quiche has intensely flavoured wood-oven-dried tomatoes, sautéed spinach, thyme, and clumps of soft chèvre, all suspended in a lovely egg custard. I purchased both quiches frozen, stored them in my freezer, and baked them from frozen on the day of the brunch. I haven’t tried their Mushroom & Potato or Cauliflower quiche yet but they sound tempting.

If you can’t make it out to Spirit Tree, good quality quiche can also be found at The Hot Oven in Etobicoke, Cousin’s Gourmet Market in Port Credit, Black Forest Pastry Shop in Oakville, and Kate’s Town Talk Bakery in Streetsville (Kate also sells a really tasty Spinach & Cheese pie – another one of my favourites). Wherever you choose to purchase your quiche, be sure to call ahead to place an order in advance.

Vodka Infused Smoked Salmon:

Drape some luxurious smoked salmon on a pretty platter and garnish with lemon wedges and perhaps, capers, sliced onion, and a drizzle of olive oil. My absolute favourite is a locally produced Vodka Infused Smoked Salmon that I buy from Cousin’s Gourmet Market in Port Credit and have also found it at Domenic’s in the St. Lawrence Market. It is so tender, that it almost melts in your mouth.

Artisanal Croissants:

What would Christmas in Paris be like without really good croissants? I picked up frozen chocolate and butter croissants handcrafted at Patisserie D’Or in Oakville, stashed them in my freezer, took them out to rise overnight, then baked fresh the morning of the brunch –you can’t get easier or more delicious than that. Boy did my kitchen smell heavenly! These croissants have a buttery flavour and a nice mouthfeel.

And now for the grande finale…

French Macarons:

Buy a colourful assortment of the very best French macarons you can find. I picked up these little beauties from Whole Foods, made by La Fournette Bakery: mango, passion fruit, vanilla, raspberry, pumpkin, chocolate, pistachio, and my favourite – hazelnut.

Ispahan Parfait

Serves 6

This showstopper fruit salad was inspired by the beautiful flavour combination of raspberries, lychee and rose, created by famous French Pastry Chef, Pierre Hermé, as a macaron flavour, and now all the rage in Paris. You won’t really notice the rose syrup in this gorgeous and healthy parfait – just a hint of je ne sais quois. Make both the rose syrup and the pistachio dust in advance (you can even freeze them if you need to). Combine the raspberries and lychees with the syrup at the last minute, or earlier on the day of serving, if necessary. Spoon into pretty glasses and top with yogurt, almonds, and pistachio dust just before serving. Feminine, festive, and fusion-French, it’s perfect for my girlfriends’ Christmas brunch.

If you don’t want to make your own rose syrup, you can order an exquisite Wild Rose Petal Syrup from Forbes Wild Foods, a Canadian company that supplies sustainably-harvested wild foods from the Canadian wilderness to restaurants, hotels, stores, and on-line customers. To order on-line click here:  http://store.wildfoods.ca/syrups/.

Oh to be in Pierre Hermé Paris at Christmas time.

Ingredients:

1 can (560mL) whole lychees in light syrup
1 package (6 oz/170g) fresh raspberries
¼ cup reserved lychee syrup from above can
5 teaspoons Rose Syrup (see recipe below)
½ cup vanilla yogurt – such as Sheldon Creek Dairy’s Greek-style Yogurt (see note below)
6 teaspoons raw slivered almonds
3 tablespoons Pistachio Dust (see recipe below)

Directions:

1. Drain lychees into strainer set over a medium bowl to reserve lychees and lychee syrup; slice lychees in half. Place lychees in a second medium size bowl. Add raspberries to lychee fruit.
2. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup lychee syrup and 5 teaspoons rose syrup; add to lychees and raspberries and toss gently. Divide fruit evenly amongst 6 small pretty cups; spoon in a little syrup.
3. Place 1 spoonful of yogurt on top of each cup. Top each with 1 teaspoon of slivered almonds and then 1/2 tablespoon pistachio dust. Serve immediately.

Rose Syrup:

Makes just over 1/3 cup.

You’ll need rosewater, which you can find in Middle Eastern grocery stores such as Adonis. Store your rosewater and rose syrup in the fridge.

Ingredients:

1 cup water
½ cup granulated white sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon rosewater

Directions:

1. Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, simmer rapidly, stirring occasionally, until mixture has reduced and become syrupy, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and rosewater. Let cool completely.
2. Store in a covered container in refrigerator for a few days or freeze in an airtight container for longer storage. Defrost in fridge before using.

Pistachio Dust:

So pretty sprinkled on fruit salad, especially on raspberries or strawberries at Christmas time.

Ingredients:

1 cup shelled raw pistachios

Directions:

1. Using a mini processor, grind pistachios into a fine dust. Store in an airtight container in freezer until ready to use.

A little decadence is called for here, so look for the richest yogurt you can find. Spirit Tree Estate Cidery sells a luxuriously creamy Greek Style Vanilla Yogurt from Sheldon Creek Dairy, made with pasteurized whole milk, light brown cane sugar, vanilla extract, and bacterial culture – and nothing else! Sheldon Creek Dairy’s pasteurized Cream Top Whole Non-Homogenized Milk is nutrient-rich, all natural, and has cream that rises to the top of the bottle and separates (how milk was made before we homogenized it): shake it in the bottle for creamier milk or spoon out to add to your coffee.  Sheldon Creek Dairy is owned and operated by the den Haan family whose herd of cows graze the pastures of the Sheldon Valley, in Loretto, Ontario. Click here for other retail locations: http://sheldoncreekdairy.ca/about.php.

For further details and locations of suppliers featured in this post, check my Grocery Store Directory or Farmers’ Market Directory.

To further enhance the mood, you may wish to play the following music suggestions:

White Christmas Michael Buble & Shy’m https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/white-christmas-duet-shym/id472520445

Noel Blanc Coeur de Pirate https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/c-ur-de-pirate/id290621195

Not quite into the Christmas spirit yet? No time to bake? Here’s an easy fix: stand outside the Oakville shop of artisanal cookie maker Elm Hill Cookies and breathe in the delicious fragrance wafting out onto the sidewalk. That`s organic unbleached flour, butter, brown sugar, and all natural goodness you are inhaling. Now step inside this tiny Kerr Street shop – brimming with wee gingerbread houses and cookies in all sorts of flavours from traditional to chic – and say hel-lo Christmas (fade in Charlie Brown Christmas music).

Elm Hill`s Double Ginger Bites are my favourite: sized just right and sprinkled with sparkly sugar, they are perfect for a Christmas cookie tray. These little gems are soft and chewy, sweet and warmly spiced, with a double hit of ground ginger and crystallized ginger – just enough to make me exclaim olive it!

I’ll bet this will be Santa’s first stop on Christmas Eve and after that, he’ll only pretend to nibble on all the rest of the cookies left under all the other trees.

Telephone: 905-582-7400

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Food Events:

The Shop For All Reasons will be hosting a Chocolate Tasting this Sunday November 3rd 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. What a great opportunity to discover some top-quality lines of finely crafted chocolate, including Olivia (from Quebec), Tcho (San Francisco), Amedei (Italy), Rogers (Victoria), and M Thompson (Toronto). Owner John Viola has built up an impressive gourmet section in this lovely Streetsville gift shop. John is passionate about the gourmet lines he carries and happy to share his knowledge of them with you. Think about stocking up on some gourmet chocolate for Christmas baking or gifts.

Food Trucks:

Curb Your Appetite Food Truck Wednesdays will deliver gourmet food trucks to the curb of CIT Financial, 5035 South Service Road, near Appleby Line, Burlington. Running the next three Wednesday nights from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., November 6th, 13th, and 20th 2013. Visit Ontario Food Trucks website for more info: www.ontariofoodtrucks.com.

Farm Market Finds:

Springridge Farm will be hosting an Author Meet & Greet Book Signing event, featuring celebrity chef Ricardo and his new cookbook, Slow Cooker Favourites. Sunday November 3rd 2013, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. **RSVP: [email protected]**

Restaurant News:

Renovations have been completed and The Host restaurant in Mississauga has recently reopened, with a new modern look and new menu. The Host serves fine Indian cuisine. Please note that The Host is reserved for a private corporate dinner event on Thursday November 7, 2013.

Happy Diwali! I love watching the colourful fireworks bursting over the Streetsville horizon during the festival of lights.

I love to have our extended family gathered around us, joined together by food at a family feast. That’s how I imagine heaven, all of us together again, around the table. We’d wear silly paper hats. We’d crack up over my brother’s humour and marvel over my father-in-law’s poetic recitals. Roast turkey and my Mom’s Sage & Onion Bread Stuffing would scent the air. My Grandma’s Stained Glass Window Cake and my Nana’s Carrot Christmas Pudding would make a grand entrance. I’d peer through the elbows on the tables, at the smiles of all my loved ones.

I have wonderful memories of my Mom and I cooking our family feast in her kitchen. While my Dad sang Silver Bells in the background (happy to be the errand boy), Mom and I would talk for hours as we wrestled with the bird and happily cooked our way through our family-favourite casseroles and all the fixings of a holiday feast. I loved it when my Mom asked me to taste-test her stuffing: “is there enough butter, onion, broth, sage?” It was just a simple Sage and Onion Bread Stuffing recipe from her Better Homes & Gardens cookbook, but my mom knew how to season it just right.

My Mom was very modest about her cooking abilities – yet to this day, I have never tasted a better Chicken Divan, potato-egg salad, turkey stuffing, or apple crisp. We all have our favourite recipes made by our mothers that we grew to love so much.

My sisters and I have taken over the cooking for my side of our ever-expanding clan. We make the traditional, family-favourite recipes that Mom used to serve: my aunt’s Swedish Potatoes, Mom’s Sage & Onion Bread Stuffing, and Vegetables Supreme (from the first Fare for Friends cookbook). I only recently perfected my Grandma’s Stained Glass Window Cake recipe, which I cooked from a recipe scribbled down too hastily on a scrap of paper – it took me a couple of tries to get it right. I have my Nana’s Carrot Christmas Pudding recipe that I may try to make this Christmas. It’s so important to accurately record these heritage recipes to pass down to future generations.

On that note, I have a really great idea I want to share with you. Why not create your own cookbook of treasured family recipes, photos and stories, and then give copies to family members as Christmas gifts? It’s far easier than it sounds. I have come across a fabulous website – HeritageCookbook – that allows you to easily create your own cookbook on-line, with a minimum order of only four cookbooks. Become a free trial-member for 30 days and invite as many people as you want to submit recipes and photos from their own computer, by logging on to your registration. You’ll have access to HeritageCookbook’s templates, photo library, and support. Most people complete their cookbooks within the free-trial month but if you don’t, the monthly fee is minimal. When you are finished, the cookbooks are printed on quality, coated paper with laminated covers.

Though their customer base is largely American (the pricing on the website is in American funds), the company is Canadian-owned and the books are printed in Toronto. HeritageCookbook has printed over 200,000 quality cookbooks and has been recommended by Oprah, Rachel Ray, and one of my friends. The wheels are turning in my head. Which project shall I start with: a family treasury, a church fundraiser, or perhaps my own Olive to Eat cookbook? I can’t wait to get started.

To both sides of our family – near and far, from the other side of the continent to the other side of the Atlantic, and to those we hold close in our hearts – I’m so grateful for the memories, old and new. Happy Thanksgiving.

Mom’s Sage & Onion Bread Stuffing

This recipe is from my Mom’s Better Homes & Gardens cookbook that she received as a wedding gift back in 1954. She made it every Thanksgiving and Christmas. The key to this simple, classic stuffing is to season it to your taste – but make sure you use lots of butter and sage. We always add more of each ingredient than the recipe calls for but never measure – so start out with the recipe, then slowly add more, tasting as you go along, until it tastes just right.

Since the recipe only serves 4 to 6 people, you will likely need to multiply the recipe for a larger feast. If you are stuffing your turkey, calculate 1 cup of stuffing for 1 pound of uncooked turkey; don’t stuff your turkey until you are ready to put it in the oven; promptly remove any leftover stuffing from the cooked carcass and store separately in the refrigerator. I have heard a lot of talk lately about cooking your turkey unstuffed and cooking the stuffing in a separate baking dish. By the time you get the stuffing in the turkey’s cavity heated to a safe internal temperature of 165°F, you dry out the poor bird. Makes sense to me, so my recipe instructs you to cook it in a separate casserole while the turkey rests.

Ingredients:

4 cups dry bread cubes – “stuffing croutons” that grocery stores bring in for the holidays

3 tablespoons (or more) finely chopped yellow onion

1 teaspoon (or more) salt

¼ teaspoon (or more) freshly ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon (or more) poultry seasoning

¼ teaspoon (or more) ground sage

1/3 cup (or more) melted butter

Hot chicken broth or water, just enough to moisten the bread

Directions:

1. Combine bread, onion, and seasonings in a large bowl; add butter and toss. Slowly add hot broth, bit by bit, until bread is just moistened. Taste and if necessary, add more onion, broth, butter, or seasonings, until seasoned to your taste. Toss gently to mix thoroughly.
2. Place stuffing mixture in an ovenproof casserole; cover and chill until ready to bake.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring stuffing casserole to room temperature before placing in preheated oven. Bake, covered, until hot throughout and flavours have melded together – about 30 to 45 minutes. Serve warm.

Mom’s Apple Crisp

Makes one 9”-square baking dish.

I have my Mom’s handwritten copy of this recipe. She called it Apple Crisp – Dad’s Favourite and included a little story about the recipe’s origin – it was submitted to St. Andrews United Church in Chatham, by the mother of my aunt’s boyfriend in grade 4 in 1942.

This is an easy – and I think more delicious – way to enjoy warm apple pie without the fuss of the crust. It is packed with tart apples and brown sugar and has a crumbly, cinnamon-scented streusel topping. The butter, spices, apple juices, and brown sugar meld together in a delicious mélange that caramelizes around the edges. It smells so wonderful cooking. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream – or perhaps Belly Ice Cream’s Caramel and Sea Salt.

A note on cinnamon: thanks to some helpful advice from Chef Michael Smith, I have fallen in love with Vietnamese cinnamon. I couldn’t get my hands on the brand that Chef Michael uses but found McCormick Gourmet Organic Ground Saigon Cinnamon at my local grocery store – Longo’s Glen Erin. I compared the taste between Saigon Cinnamon, regular cinnamon, and a third gourmet organic cinnamon I picked up at another grocery store, all very recently. To me, the Saigon Cinnamon is the most aromatic, flavourful, and spiciest of the three cinnamons. Olive it! Thank you Chef Michael Smith!

Ingredients:

Filling:

5 cups cored, peeled, and very thinly sliced apples (about 6 to 8 apples, ask your farmer which available apples are best for apple crisp)

¾ cup packed light brown sugar

Dash of grated nutmeg

Topping:

½ cup packed light brown sugar

¾ cup all-purpose flour (measured by spooning in, then leveling off with a knife)

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (preferably Vietnamese cinnamon)

Pinch of salt

4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Directions:

1. Place oven rack in middle of oven; preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, toss the apples with ¾ cup brown sugar and dash of nutmeg until evenly coated. Pour filling into a 9” square baking dish and level gently with a spatula.
3. Add all topping ingredients (except butter) to a medium bowl; stir to combine evenly. Add butter to bowl; blend with your fingertips or a pastry blender to break down the butter into the flour until the mixture becomes crumbly, resembling coarse breadcrumbs without any large chunks of butter. Sprinkle topping mixture evenly over apples.
4. Bake until apples are tender and topping is browned, about 35 minutes. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
5. Spoon into pretty cups and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or cold with whipped cream.

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This story is as much about the experience surrounding the food as it is about the food – both are utterly impressive.

Photo contributed by Laura Kelly

The setting is a picturesque 100-acre farm spread out on the crest of a hill with a breathtaking view of the Credit River where it meanders through Huttonville, a farming community in Brampton, Ontario.

Photo contributed by Laura Kelly

Let me introduce you to the farmers – Mark and Laura – who are kind-spirited, exceptionally creative, and phenomenal gourmet cooks. Mark finds joy in bringing people back to the natural source of their food.

Laura’s heart is touched by the families who come to share the magic of the orchard that the Laidlaw family is so fortunate to call both their home and their life’s work.  Laura offers a warm farm greeting to all of the farm’s guests.

Just as Mark’s parents – Carl & Gwyn Laidlaw – did before them, Mark and Laura work hard to keep the family farm thriving. The old adage, ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ couldn’t be more applicable. As the seventh generation on the farm, Mark and Laura’s son and daughter, Spencer and Margo, pitch in to help tend the land that their great-great-great-great-great-grandpa Aaron started to farm back in 1852. (Margo and friend Brooke below).

The Laidlaws have always grown some fruit trees on their farm but after planting more orchards in the late 1960s, they started a pick-your-own business in the 1970s which has blossomed ever since. They grow a few varieties of pears and over 20 varieties of apples – more than you will find in the supermarkets!

There are wonderful heirloom varieties, such as Tolman Sweet (planted by Aaron Laidlaw in the mid-1800s – now that’s what I call heritage food!), Cortland (developed in the 1890s), McIntosh (1811), Gravenstein (17^th century) and what Mark calls the mystery apple: Ginger Gold. Here’s a link to a nice story in the Washington Post explaining how Ginger Gold was created by accident among the replantings of Clyde Harvey’s orchard, after Hurricane Camille ripped out the trees in Virginia in 1969.

These are some of the many varieties grown at Carl Laidlaw Orchards.

Laura said the spring blossoms have never been more beautiful; it’s going to be a great harvest this year. Laura is such a talented photographer!.

Photo contributed by Laura Kelly.

Before heading into the orchard, visit the sample wagon to taste the fruit that is ready for picking. Spencer taught me the nuanced differences in taste when comparing apples to apples.

Here’s where you will learn what apples are best for the school lunch-box (something small enough to finish in a hurry, like Royal Gala) and which apples are best for eating out-of-hand or for cooking (which varies depending on how you are cooking them). Once you are armed with that knowledge, take a wagon ride out into the orchard – the driver will show you which trees are ready for picking your favourites. I chose Gravenstein apples for my pies because they hold their shape well. I love Ginger Gold for eating out-of-hand; crisp, light, sweet yet mildly tart, this apple has the added bonus of browning less quickly than other apples.

I want to visit the orchard often this fall; as the season progresses other varieties will be become available. You can visit the farm’s website for a comprehensive list of the varieties grown at Carl Laidlaw Orchards and when they expect each variety to be ready; plus there are some handy tips on how to best store your fruit at home.

But a trip to Carl Laidlaw Orchards is about much more than picking apples. It’s an opportunity to have some old-fashioned family fun in an absolutely charming vintage country farm setting.

There a plenty of whimsical surprises throughout the farm evoking happy recollections of simpler times.

Evidence of Laura’s nostalgic creativity pop up all around the farm, from the scarecrows dressed in retro fashions…

…to darling teacup chandeliers crafted by Laura…

…to old doll carriages filled with fall flowers. Every corner is a still-life photograph.

A visit to Carl Laidlaw Orchards has always been a well-loved family tradition for us on Thanksgiving weekend. We gather our clan and head to the farm to load up our car with sweet crisp apples. We stroll through the orchards, while enjoying the fresh air and the vista of trees dotted with ruby red apples, set against a backdrop of blue skies and fall colours.

Photo contributed by Laura Kelly.

Kids love riding in the wagon, jumping in the hay barn, playing with the toy trucks in the granary, and tumbling in the corn-kernel-filled gazebo.

On weekends, you can roast your own hot dog or sausage (and garnish it with a variety of gourmet toppings) or indulge in a cob of sweet, tender corn dipped in buttery goodness. Olive that part too!

The quaint barn market offers the already-picked, fresh bounty of Carl Laidlaw Orchards, as well as local produce brought in from other nearby farms, such as squash and garlic from Sunny Acres Farm.

The Laidlaws also sell Ontario honey but in the next few weeks, something extra sweet is in store for their guests – honey from the Laidlaw’s very own hives!

Photo contributed by Laura Kelly

Jams and preserves are made by Mark’s cousins. Often, Laura dreams up the prettiest hue of blue to dip her candy apples in. She also makes caramel apples and traditional red candy apples. Oh to be a kid again!

Gorgeous handmade flatbread pizzas from Blossom Bakery will be available at the farm again this year: on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. They are hand-crafted – using gourmet cheese and fresh toppings – by Laura’s friend Jackie, on her family farm in Jordan, Ontario.

This year, Laura brought in a book made by artist Nikki McClure; all of the artwork was done with an xacto knife, using a single piece of paper. Laura is also excited about a kids’ temporary tattoo that she asked a children’s book illustrator to design; they are meant to be a little thank you for farm guests. They will be available starting September 16^th, while supplies last.

The aroma of freshly baked, cinnamon-scented apple pie will draw you into the pie-making room, aptly named “Easy as Pie” – a big hit with kids and novice bakers.

Under the watchful eye of their parents, kids can use an old-fashion apple peeler to peel their own apples, load them in a pre-made crust, sprinkle on some cinnamon sugar, seal the top crust, and adorn it with their very own proud initial.

It’s a sweet memory for parents to keep tucked in their hearts. Kids grow up in the blink of an eye – remember to slow down and smell the apple pie!

I have shared many special moments with my own son on this beautiful farm, laughing under the apple boughs, delighting in a big, crunchy bite of a juicy apple picked fresh from the tree, jumping for glee in the hay barn, and making pie together.

I wish I could pluck up every kid and plop them for a few moments here – give them the chance to experience what being a kid should be all about.

Carl Laidlaw Orchards is just a short drive from Streetsville. On the way you will notice our urban sprawl encroaching further and further on precious farm land. Thank you, Carl Laidlaw Orchards, for working so hard to share your lovely farm with all of us.

Please click here for information you should know before visiting the orchard.  If you scroll down a little further in this post, you will find some of Laura’s delicious recipes using freshly picked apples from Carl Laidlaw Orchards.

Open: daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during September and October, possibly into November depending on Mother Nature.

www.carllaidlaworchards.com

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Blossom Bakery is a small wholesale bakery located on a family fruit farm in Jordan Station, Ontario. Everything is homemade from scratch using local Niagara produce, when possible. Blossom Bakery also sells veggie tarts, fresh fruit salsas, and a variety of baked goods.

You can find Blossom Bakery’s artisanal flatbread pizzas during the summer at Burlington’s Centro Farmers’ Market and in the fall at Carl Laidlaw Orchards. In Hamilton, you can find their products at Punchbowl Market and the Cheese Shoppe on Locke. In Niagara you will find them in farm stands, gourmet shops, and farmers markets, including the Wednesday night Supper Market in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Also available at the Grimsby Market.

Laura’s family has been dear to my heart since I became fast forever friends with her sister, Cathy, in grade school.  When you are a good friend of one of the Kelly family, you are a friend of all. From Beryl’s traditional Christmas Eve Oysters Rockefeller to Cathy’s Phyllo Orange Chicken, they have nurtured my soul.

Laura’s Farmhouse-Fusion Apple Squash Soup

Serves 4

One December afternoon when my son was a wee boy and the farm had closed for the season, Laura entertained us in the barn which she decorated for Christmas with a darling teacup and sugar cube garland she had made. We made a pie, strung popcorn, cut paper snowflakes, and gazed out through the snowflakes falling softly in the waning December light to try to catch a glimpse of deer grazing by the river. My son roasted a hot dog in the belly of the old wood stove and Laura served me a bowl of this delicious soup – a velvety-smooth squash soup, sweetened by apples and accented with gentle undertones of curry and creamy coconut. Laura describes it as both exotic and familiar. I say it’s proof of her exceptional gourmet talents.  This is at the top of the list of my favourite soup recipes.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter

1 yellow cooking onion, finely chopped

4 apples, peeled, cored, and diced

1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin

½ teaspoon ground coriander

½ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon green curry paste

3 cups cubed buttercup (kobacha) squash (from about a 2 lb whole squash)

2 cups water

2 cups chicken stock

1 cup canned coconut milk, well-shaken

salt to taste

Optional garnish: coriander springs and lime wedges

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium low-heat and sauté onion and apples until soft, about 15 minutes.
2. Add all of the spices; sauté for two minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Add squash, water and chicken stock; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally until squash is tender, about 25 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to a blender or food processor; purée until smooth. Return to pan; stir in coconut milk and heat gently. Taste and add salt, if necessary.

Nancy’s Fall Fair No-Fail Pastry

Makes enough pastry for 2 pies.

Laura’s sister, Nancy, won a ribbon at a fair for this pie crust. Laura says it’s a no-fail recipe – and she would know since she bakes lots of pies. I have never had luck at rolled pie crust recipes – until now. Well, roll me out and win me over – this pie crust has turned an apprehensive pastry maker into an accomplished apple pie baker! Thank you Nancy!!

Lard makes the pie crust flaky from top crust to bottom crust – no more soggy bottoms…I hate soggy pie bottoms! I don’t eat pie often so a little lard once in a harvest moon is okay with me.

Ingredients:

5 cups all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons brown sugar, lightly packed

½ teaspoon baking soda

dash of table salt

1 pound lard

1 large egg

1 tablespoon white vinegar

water

Directions:

1. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the lard into flour mixture only until it looks like coarse oatmeal with a few larger pieces.
3. Crack the egg into a 1-cup measuring cup; beat, then add water to make ¾ cup. Add the vinegar; stir well.
4. Using a fork, gradually stir egg mixture into flour mixture; then knead a little. Gently gather dough up and divide into four equal balls (two tops and two bottoms); flatten slightly to form disks and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour before rolling out for pie.

Mark’s Apple Orchard Pie

Makes 1 pie.

This is Mark and Laura’s apple pie recipe. According to Laura, Mark still asks for apple pie instead of birthday cake and he still eats pie for breakfast. Bake this delicious pie for the apple of your eye and fill your kitchen with the heavenly scent of apples and cinnamon. Serve warm with cinnamon whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a slice of old cheddar cheese.

Decide on whether you like a filling of apple slices that  hold their shape or one that is softer, and then ask a farmer what available apple is most suitable.

Ingredients:

2 disks of Nancy’s Fall Fair No-Fail Pastry, well-chilled

5 large apples (Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Ida Red) or 7 medium apples (Cortland, Gravenstein, Spartan, McIntosh)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

¼ cup brown sugar, lightly packed

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a cookie sheet in the middle of your oven.
2. Roll out one of the chilled disks between 2 sheets of waxed paper to 1/8” thickness, forming a circle. Carefully transfer rolled dough to a 9” tin pie plate (remove the paper); gently line the pie plate with the rolled dough, then place pie plate in the fridge.
3. Roll out the second disk to the same thickness, forming a circle. Place in the fridge.
4. Place the lemon juice, sugar, and spices, in a large bowl; whisk.
5. Peel, core and thinly slice the apples, adding them to the bowl of spices and tossing occasionally to prevent browning. Add the flour; toss well.
6. Tip the mixture into the prepared pie shell. Top with remaining pastry, trim and crimp edges together. Cut a few slices in the top to let the steam escape.
7. Place the pie on the cookie sheet; bake for 10 minutes, then immediately reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 40 to 50 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown.

Photo contributed by Laura Kelly.