CANADIAN FRENCH TOAST FOR A HOLIDAY MONDAY

Barb's favourite is French toast.

Two eggs in milk. Let the bread soak up the mixture.

Then some butter in the pan. Let the slices cook.

When flipped a few times to take out the moisture. On to the plate.

With real Maple Syrup, Barb really loves it. Too bad there was no peameal bacon on the side. Perhaps, next time.

MAPLE WALNUT FUDGE-LOVE THAT MAPLE SYRUP

So we have lots of maple syrup in the house. Barb thought we should make some fudge for a work due she was to attend. It reminded her of her childhood so a recipe was found.

Using real Ontario maple syrup is a must. The recipe called for sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup.

The trick is boiling the mixture long enough while stirring it so it does not stick to the bottom of the pot. Let it cool for one hour. do not touch it or stir it! While cooling, crack some fresh walnuts.

Chop them very fine.

Adding the walnuts to the mixture, blending and stirring it in, Barb saved a few to use later.

It is important for the fudge not to solidify in the pot.

Barb put it on greased tin foil in the pan. She sprinkled some walnut flakes on top. Letting it set before cutting into bite size pieces. Really too sweet for me! Trying to find a substitute for the walnuts is important. She was taking it to her workplace so it was okay. With nut food allergies in the family, she would not make it with walnuts for a family dinner. But fudge is a fun activity. She told me as a child her Mom would make fudge often and everyone would fight over who would scrape the pot! Good for the cook to have someone else make a dish!!

MAPLE SYRUP-A TRULY CANADIAN FOOD

It is going to be a good year for Maple Syrup in Canada. The warm days of Spring and cooler nights will make a sweeter product. It will be a shorter season. Barb loves maple syrup. She tries to encourage me to use it in foods. She loves it on pancakes or french toast. There are many recipes that use it. It is really is a Canadian food that is good for your health. Don't know how I can use it in Italian cooking but thought I would pitch this wonderful Canadian food.
#maplesyrup#sweettreat#Canadianfood#springformaplesyrup#useonpancakes#maplesyrupfudge

GRANPA'S TRIP TO THE CAMBRIDGE FARMER'S MARKET

As one of our long weekend events, Barb discovered a farmer's market in Cambridge Ontario-just west of Toronto before you get to Kitchener-Waterloo. A quick drive off the 401. Apparently it has been around since 1830, making it one of the oldest markets in the country.

Barb bought us a new trek trolley for such outings. Purple of course! Better than lugging bags of heavy produce.

It was a small market so it did not take us long to look around.

Here I am buying Barb a 2 litre jug of dark maple syrup from the friendly dealer from Shady Grove Maple Co. in Guelph Ontario. There were a good variety of maple syrup products.

I bought some fresh asparagus from this nice lady. She said she had been picking strawberries in the rain on Friday.

On to the next booth.

Nothing like fresh corn from the farm.

Barb likes sweet potatoes so I bought a bag of them.

It is good to buy local produce and support Foodland Ontario. Barb and I like to see if we can eat at a local place too. We found a little cafe and had a toasted bagel with cream cheese and a coffee.

The Grand Cafe was across the street from the market. It is named the Grand because the Grand River divides the town. Barb took advantage of the day photographing buildings, churches, art and the river. She will write about it in her blog- http://reflectivethoughtsbybarbara.blogspot.com
Overall, it was an enjoyable outing. The people at the market  and town were friendly.  Our farmers sure work hard to bring our food to the table.
Visit their website. Cambridge Market
#cambridgefarmersmarket#adayincambridgeontario#lotsoffreshfruitandvegetables#grandcafeforcoffeeandtreats#buyinglocalproduce#bagelwithcreamcheese#friendlyfarmersatthemarket#farmersmarketsarefun#FoodlandOntario#shadygrovemaplesyrup

MAKING PANCAKES CANADIAN STYLE

Pancakes are a very Canadian food to make. Since Barb and I celebrated our 41st anniversary this week on May 15th, I thought it would be fun to show I really did love to cook.

Cooking for my sweetie on our Hawaiian honeymoon May 20, 1971.

Now I make pancakes for my little grandchildren.

Of course, the best way is to use the mix from an Aunt Jemima box! You really did not think I had an Italian recipe for it, did you? The grandkiddies like her syrup as well. Barb prefers good old fashioned Canadian maple syrup.

It is fun to make the little pancakes. Sometimes I try to make shapes for the kids. As everyone knows, I am still a kid at heart!

Big pancakes, little pancakes- always taste good- alone or add your favourite ham, bacon or sausage! With a good cup of coffee or a glass of milk for the younger crowd!
#pancakes#makingpancakescanadianstyle#granpalovestocook#maplesyrup#grandchildren#auntjemima