My Own Top List

My Own Top List

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I’ve been thinking about that VGT top 100 list. Hmmm. Life’s too short for Hostess fruit pies and McDonald’s. I don’t need to eat endangered species or items worthy of Fear Factor. So I comprised my own list of items that carried an emotional punch for meβ€” they remind me of a place, a time, special people or special events. Because without context, a dish is just a combination of ingredients. And that only feeds our bellies, not our souls.

Before I get sappy as maple syrup, I’ll stop. Here’s my list. You’ll notice a lot of my items state “homemade”. HOMEMADE means made from scratch, either in your home or a friend’s home. Not dough bought from the supermarket then baked in your oven, not baked goods from a bakery or packaged items from the store.

You’ll notice I haven’t make it to 100 yet. I know that as soon as I hit “Publish” dozens more will occur to me. So… since blogs are a community effort, maybe with your help, we can collectively reach 100?

  1. Homemade butter tarts
  2. Blazing star peaches
  3. Heirloom tomatoes
  4. Yukon gold potatoes
  5. Homemade pasta
  6. Homemade gnocchi
  7. Homemade ice cream (made with real cream)
  8. My mother’s Christmas trifle
  9. Rack of lamb
  10. 25-year-old balsamic vinegar
  11. Expensive cold pressed olive oil
  12. Five-year-old Canadian cheddar
  13. Vanilla bean creme brulee
  14. Homemade sugar cookies, hand decorated
  15. Nanaimo squares
  16. Wild blueberries
  17. Stuffed zucchini blossoms
  18. Smoked whitefish
  19. Homemade roasted pumpkin seeds
  20. Popcorn made over campfire coals
  21. Marshmallows toasted over campfire coals
  22. Greek yogurt
  23. Sweet potato fries
  24. Black & Green’s dark chocolate with ginger
  25. Homemade hot chocolate after coming in from the cold
  26. My mother’s shortbreads (she makes the best)
  27. Fresh basil
  28. Fresh cilantro
  29. Homemade lemon pie
  30. Champagne float for breakfast (not on a work day)
  31. Fresh picked corn on the cob dripping with butter
  32. Wine in the country where the grapes were grown (Shirley Valentine)
  33. A truly decadent real chocolate truffle
  34. Fresh green beans right off the vine
  35. Candied ginger
  36. Top quality ice wine
  37. Hot apple cider while watching the snow fall
  38. Sangria on a humid day
  39. My morning latte in bed
  40. Ice cold watermelon in a hot day

No Comments
  • Barbara
    Posted at 18:31h, 17 November

    ohhhhh..Chocolate Soufle,oatmeal cookies with raisins (my grandma’s recipe),”real” yorkshire pudding, Bavarian Apple torte, Fillet Mignon, “real” Margaritas.

    This is real comfort food and would make my top 10 list anyway. (ok so I squeezed in a drink ..)

  • Cheryl
    Posted at 19:02h, 17 November

    Uh, hello? Brownies?

    Glad to see cilantro on the list. I got a little worried there.

  • Laura
    Posted at 19:04h, 17 November

    Roasted chestnuts on Christmas Eve. Toasted polenta with Friulano cheese. Zabaglione…I think my Italian roots might be showing here. πŸ™‚

    Also, I’m very surprised to see only two items with ginger?

  • Anonymous
    Posted at 20:16h, 17 November

    fresh whole wheat /oatmeal /flax bread with butter

  • Anonymous
    Posted at 20:17h, 17 November

    warm chocolate chip cookies

  • Barb
    Posted at 20:29h, 17 November

    Mmmm…homemade strawberry rhubarb pie (only with fresh local strawberries), homemade split pea soup with smoked ham on a really cold day.

  • Dana McCauley
    Posted at 20:48h, 17 November

    With the exception of the homemade items I’ve got your list covered!

    What about maple syrup made by someone (perhaps even yourself) that you know?

    Also, homemade apple Danish and scratch butterscotch pudding.

  • adrian
    Posted at 09:55h, 18 November

    freshly baked bread? Mums apple pie? (Actually, my Mum made Apple and Blackberry pie.) Sundried tomatoes? Homemade ice tea?

  • Andrew
    Posted at 13:01h, 18 November

    I think the circumstance can influence my favourites quite a bit. I decided to list five, and some are situational:

    For example I love hot black strong coffee, but especially on a Saturday morning with a pile of newspaper.

    A very good single malt scotch with a splash of water in front of a fireplace with some good music (and someone I love) is another essential.

    Fresh-cut french fries, a bit crispy and served with lots of malt vinegar and salt. So hot the vinegar evaporates into a breath of delight.

    My mom’s made from scratch apple pie. That hits taste and emotional buttons at the same time!

    Charmian’s homemade ginger cookies, still warm from the oven touch the same sort of chords.

    One last bonus one? The crunchy bit from the edges of the pan used to cook scalloped potatoes. UMMMMM!!!

  • Debbie
    Posted at 14:47h, 18 November

    Homemade Pizza from scratch (including the dough).
    Homemade lasagna.
    Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies
    Rice crispie squares
    Turkey dinner with all the fixin’s

  • Barbara
    Posted at 19:43h, 18 November

    oh..I forgot..My mom’s homemade punkin pie..(pumpkin pie for you grown ups:)..