Well Dear Reader the last week or so has been a bit of a whirlwind.  Last weekend I was away in Orillia, the city that Spring apparently forgot.  If the rain and sleet wasn't disheartening enough, on the Saturday we woke up at the hotel to a dump of snow.  I have to say, this year Wiarton Willie got it wrong.  Just saying.  I know, I know.  It is Canada so I should just get over it all ready.  And I have.  Finally.  Today.  Today, because I finally cracked out the sandals and capris!  Three cheers for ditching socks! 
Of course with that happy dance came the realization that the winter padding must go!  I have a family wedding in July and a new dress to buy.  In an effort to snack smarter, I dug out the oversized rubbermaid container and filled it with ready to eat chopped vegetables.  No excuses now for reaching for a cookie. 

I had a girl's night out with my niece and sister-in-law...went to the "Wizard of Oz" at the Ed Mirvish Theatre.  It was fantastic!  I can't say enough good things about it except to say...you should go!  Last night, my husband and I went to a retirement party for his friend Nelson.  It was quite the bash with about 45 people and an abundance of food.  I took along a tray of my favourite mini quiches to contribute to the festivities.  These are simple to make and are the perfect party food. The leeks are subtle and the thyme livens it up to a perfect combination of flavours.  Not to mention the bacon. 

Cheddar, Bacon and Leek Mini Quiche
Adapted from Fine Cooking, December 2006 issue

3/4 lb bacon, diced
3 cups leeks, diced
1 1/4 cups half and half
1 cup grated extra sharp cheddar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
cooking spray
2 pkg puff pastry ( I used President's Choice brand)

Cook bacon until browned and crispy.  Drain cooked bacon on paper towel lined plate and drain off all but one or two tablespoons of the fat in the pan.  Return pan to medium heat and cook leeks until softened, about 5 minutes.  While waiting for the leeks to cool down a bit , combine the cheddar, thyme, salt, pepper, nutmeg and half and half in bowl.  Add the bacon and leeks once they have cooled.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly spray mini muffin pans.  Roll puff pastry on floured surface  (if you get the PC brand it is pre-rolled!) and using 3" round cutter stamp out pastry and press rounds into prepared cups of pans making sure the dough is centred and reaches the top of each cup.  Fill each cup with one tablespoon of the mixture or to the top of each cup.  Bake until puffed and golden about 20 minutes, rotating pan halfway through.  Makes 48.

The tree in my backyard has given me hope that Spring has indeed arrived.  I have been watching and waiting for the buds to appear and finally they have.  I was out on the patio listening to the birds chirping in my neighbours tree and remembered the day old kaisers in kitchen.  I broke them into pieces and threw them all over the lawn (much to the lobster's dismay - he hates the way it looks).  A single bird descended from the giant pine next door and happily ate my offering.  In return, he flew to the top of my near bare tree and kept me and my coffee company with a lovely song.

Well here it is Sunday night and I am feeling groovy.....relaxed that is.  Usually, by now, I have a good case of "sundayitis" going on...thinking about the work week ahead.  But not tonight Dear Reader.  Tonight is different because although I am thinking about the week ahead, only two days of it include work.  I have booked off the remainder of the week to accompany my husband on a business trip to Orillia.   I have procrastinated all weekend because of this, and I must say, this carefree attitude is sheer luxury.  Usually I fret over laundry being done on a Sunday, but today....who cares!?  Instead I shared a relaxing afternoon with my man watching a movie and enjoying a Manhattan and Whiskey Cheddar Spread with some lovely campari tomatoes with a sprinkling of Maldon salt.  Three cheers for a lazy day! 

Mahattan Cocktail
Adapted from Canadian Living Magazine, January 2008 issue

2oz rye whiskey (I used Crown Royal)
1 oz sweet vermouth (I used Martini & Rossi sweet red vermouth)
1 dash Angostura bitters (you'll find this at the grocery store in the beverage aisle)
1 maraschino cherry

Place ice in cocktail shaker and add the whiskey, vermouth and bitters.  Shake well and strain into old fashioned style glass or stemless martini glass.  Garnish with maraschino cherry.  Serves one. 

Whiskey Cheddar Spread
Adapted from Canadian Living Magazine, January 2008 issue

1/3 cup hazelnuts
2 cups diced extra old cheddar cheese
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 tbsp whiskey (I used Canadian Club)
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place hazelnuts on baking sheet and bake until fragrant, about 6 minutes.  Cool completely and then coarsely chop. 
Combine cheese, butter, Dijon mustard, whiskey and pepper in food processor until smooth and creamy.  Add 1/4 cup of the chopped hazelnuts and pulse until combined.  Scrape mixture into pretty bowl or dish and sprinkle remainder of hazelnuts on top.  Serve with oatcakes or your favourite crackers.

I have to tell you....I'm not an impromptu kind of girl.  At all.  I am a lover of lists and careful planning.  It is my way.  Usually.  But this past weekend my darling and I, on the spur of the moment ran off to Kingston for the night.  He has been working crazy hours for weeks and wanted a break from life.  So off we went, all young and in love. 

Coincidentally, our good friends Don and Brenda had went to Kingston on Thursday and were planning on heading home on Saturday.  But that was not to be.....my husband is a bit of a "pied piper"....he recruits people into the fun and craziness of the moment.  So after meeting for a few drinks at the pub near our hotel he decided that they should join our escape and stay one more
night.  After a quick change of clothes at the hotel off we went to to my favourite pub in Kingston,
Sir John`s Public House.

This pub is located in the building which housed the law office of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A MacDonald.  Our waiter, Justin was most attentive.  Although it isn't on this season's menu yet, he whipped up a pitcher of sangria for my friend and I after hearing how much we had enjoyed it last summer.  It was as good as we had remembered - luscious strawberries, blackberries and sprigs of mint bursting with the flavours of summer's bounty still to come.  The men ordered a pitcher of Tennent's lager, a fine import from Scotland (just ask my husband - he'll tell you).  As testament to his appreciation of this beer, we actually have a Tennent's patio umbrella in our backyard which he paraded home last summer when the owner of our local pub gave it to him after they stopped serving Tennent's (much to my lobster's disappointment!)  As luck would have it, Sean, the sales rep for Tennent's was in the pub and Justin introduced him to us.  I had pictures of the "umbrella parade" on my phone and after hearing the story and sharing a few laughs with us, generously paid for the pitcher of beer.  
Our dinner arrived and I must say it was fabulous.  I had ordered the "Balmoral Bangers, Mash and Neeps" which translates as sausages, mashed potatoes and turnip with gravy.  Not a fancy schmancy dish Dear Reader, but oh so wonderful.

A humble dish for sure but here it is days later and I am still thinking about it.  Comfort food at its finest and easy to recreate at home. Mmmmmmm.......a cozy dinner tonight perhaps?