Nostalgia

I was having trouble falling asleep the other night, and I got to thinking about food I remembered as a kid. Figures, I'd be thinking about food while trying to fall asleep! Maybe I was just reminiscing. These aren't in any order, and may jump around, but that is what happens when you are really tired.

Once in a while, we'd have soup and a sandwich for supper. Not just any sandwich... an oven-grilled grilled cheese sandwich! I remember watching the cheese melt when not stirring the Campbell's mushroom soup. Dad would sneak me his mushrooms. Mushroom soup is still my favourite.

Speaking of Campbell's mushroom soup, I remember taking a thermos with soup to school for lunch. It stayed warm until lunch time. I'd break crackers and add them to the soup. Once I forgot to close the lid properly, shook the thermos, and had a mushroom soup shower.

Another thermos favourite was spaghetti. Mom would make extra spaghetti, warm it before I went to school, and it would still be warm for lunch. I think I was the envy of the class because I had a warm lunch. She'd even put parmesan on top!

When mom got one of those ToastMaster thingys, I loved making grilled cheese sandwiches and jam sandwiches. I loved when the cheese oozed out and when it made the cut mark because the cheese was super crunchy. The jam was just like toast and jam and was usually cool enough to eat by the time I finished the cheese sandwich.

One of my favourite snacks was a spice cake that mom would make. I found out that it was just a cake mix, but it was so tasty! I keep a box on hand just in case I need a fix. One day I'll find a good recipe and make my own.

I remember on our visits to the Maltese "area" of Toronto when we'd go to the Malta Bake Shop. We'd go there for pastizzi. Being young, the pastizzi seemed huge. I would eat the pastry in layers and eventually have a mound of ricotta. Sometimes I still do that with the pastizzi mom makes.

Every Christmas before our next door neighbour, Tommy, passed away, we would visit to wish him and his wife a Merry Christmas. He would always have a box of red delicious apples from Algoma Orchards for me. I remember on the drive home eating at least one of the apples. I've started a tradition of buying one red delicious apple around this time of year.

Growing up, I was quite a picky eater. Still kind of am, but I've gotten MUCH better. When mom would make torta tal-pizelli, I would prefer to eat the crust. It had just enough of the flavour of the filling. Now I eat the whole thing, but still eat the crust separately. Old habits are hard to break, I guess!

I've always had a soft spot for fresh bread. I love the smell of it, the texture of it, and the taste of it. When mom and dad would get a fresh loaf of white (yes, white) bread from the bakery, I would eat it with just mayo. Please don't think less of me. I would eat a few slices with nothing but mayo on them. It was so good!

On our Saturday shopping trips to Oshawa, we would often stop at the Taunton Bakery for bread and apple fritters. I know they were bad since they were deep fried, but I just loved eating the edge pieces. I didn't want the soft doughy parts, just the edges. I haven't had one in years. I don't even know if they even make them anymore.

The kids at school always thought I was weird because I'd sometimes bring some fresh coconut for a snack. When dad would get one on our grocery shopping trips, I would watch him hammer it after draining the water. It was hard to eat, but I enjoyed it. I haven't had a fresh coconut since. I'm a big fan of coconut, so I think we'll have to experiment with one soon.

Well, as odd as some of my memories have been, I hope you've enjoyed my trip down memory lane.

Lisa

Mocha Time!

'Tis the season for warm beverages, right? Since I'm not into eggnog or hot apple cider, I drink espresso. What better than to mix my two favourite drinks? Those would be hot chocolate and lattes. Simple simple drink to make if you have the equipment.

What I did was mix about a cup of whole milk(only once in a while as a treat), two heaping tablespoons (the ones for soup) of hot chocolate powder in the milk steaming carafe and steam away. I don't like my drinks super hot, so I steam until it is the right temperature for me. When that is done, I brew a shot of espresso. Again, you can make it as strong as you'd like, but I'm still green :). Mix the hot chocolate and espresso together and you have a mocha!

A nice warm and tasty drink for any day.

Lisa