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 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?

  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