My Own Top List
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 me— 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?
- Homemade butter tarts
- Blazing star peaches
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Yukon gold potatoes
- Homemade pasta
- Homemade gnocchi
- Homemade ice cream (made with real cream)
- My mother’s Christmas trifle
- Rack of lamb
- 25-year-old balsamic vinegar
- Expensive cold pressed olive oil
- Five-year-old Canadian cheddar
- Vanilla bean creme brulee
- Homemade sugar cookies, hand decorated
- Nanaimo squares
- Wild blueberries
- Stuffed zucchini blossoms
- Smoked whitefish
- Homemade roasted pumpkin seeds
- Popcorn made over campfire coals
- Marshmallows toasted over campfire coals
- Greek yogurt
- Sweet potato fries
- Black & Green’s dark chocolate with ginger
- Homemade hot chocolate after coming in from the cold
- My mother’s shortbreads (she makes the best)
- Fresh basil
- Fresh cilantro
- Homemade lemon pie
- Champagne float for breakfast (not on a work day)
- Fresh picked corn on the cob dripping with butter
- Wine in the country where the grapes were grown (Shirley Valentine)
- A truly decadent real chocolate truffle
- Fresh green beans right off the vine
- Candied ginger
- Top quality ice wine
- Hot apple cider while watching the snow fall
- Sangria on a humid day
- My morning latte in bed
- Ice cold watermelon in a hot day