Home is where the stomach is

It seems the older I get, the more I appreciate visits to my hometown.

I am fortunate enough to live in a city just a few traffic-dependent hours away from the small town I grew up in. About once a month I make the trek home to see my family and high school friends, escape from the noise and crowds of the city and just relax.

Anabelle taking one of her contortionist puppy naps.

Living in Toronto has taught me to appreciate all the things I used to dislike about my boring little town, like the lack of shopping malls (I WILL NOT set foot in the Eaton Centre on a weekend) or the fact that we don’t have a McDonald’s (a clear blessing in disguise).

And you can’t find a view like this in the city…

Colourful countryside outside my hometown

Visiting with fam and friends aside, one of my favourite things about being at home is the food.

Mom's saliva-inducing roast beef with gravy...

Natural-light chili and rice 🙂

When I was in university, I savoured every bite of my mom’s home-cooked meals because when left to my own devices I ate the same 2 or 3 dinners every night (the typical dilemma was between a chicken/rice combo and fettuccine alfredo).

I still love and appreciate it when my mom whips up my favourite breakfasts, lunches or dinners at my request, or when my dad fires up the grill to make the steak I rarely get. But now I look equally forward to having access to my parents’ pantry and kitchen appliances so I can finally attempt a recipe I’ve been dying to try. The kitchen in my apartment has very limited cupboard and counter space and I have yet to invest in what most probably consider essential cookware.

I spent most of last week’s vacation at my parents’ house, and during that time I made FIVE new recipes. Three of these were for one meal alone; we hosted an impromptu dinner party of sorts with my grandparents and my brother’s friend.

Home-cooked FEAST

Chicken-pumpkin curry and rice, Maple-bacon Brussels sprouts (both featured in the Fall 2010 Food & Drink magazine) grandma’s coleslaw and mom’s carrots:

I also baked. Twice. ME! I think I may have caught a bit of a baking bug. The Oreo Truffles I mentioned in my last post were a huge success – I had to put the last remaining white chocolate one under lockdown just a few hours after they were done.

Buttery Cinnamon Cake with Apple Compote & whipped cream. Amaze.

Stay tuned for recipe posts… tonight is all about the pretty pictures.

Using mom's food processor to make red lentil & sweet potato soup 🙂

Pureed finished product!

Birthday party eats: Burger, coleslaw and caesar salad

Birthday cake!

Birthday cake with TWO kinds of ice cream 🙂

Birthday girl! My cousin Leah (right), with my lil sis Madi

Fall-friendly red wine courtesy of my lovely grandparents! (Yes that is the Colosseum on the label. Oh Rome how I miss you…)

Dinner at the Bakers’ comes complete with retro 1970s red dining table!

Thanks for the eats all – my tummy’s already grumbling in anticipation of Thanksgiving turkey!!

What’s your favourite home-cooked meal?