My Summer of Discontent and a Rosemary Lamb Burger Recipe

It was cause for celebration. July 1st. In this country we celebrate a national holiday and the enactment of the British North American Act. We wear red and white and, for one day, we scream our love for this country and our normally reserved personas step aside. One day of outward patriotism. A day of unity and celebration.

One particular Canada Day resonates within me like no other. It plagues me even to this day. It was over fifteen years ago but I remember it. How could I forget? It should have been the best summer of my life. Instead, it's my summer of discontent. All because one day spiralled out of control and nearly ended with the loss of my life. It should have ended that way.
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Rosemary & Dijon Pork with Arugula Salad

Tuesday. I gingerly slide out of bed when the sky is painted midnight black. The landscape has been washed in hues unrecogniable without the help of light. It feels like I slept two hours, even though that's not the case. By the time I'm ready to leave, lunch packed and coffee in hand, the roosters at rural farms are stretching. This is the beginning. 

This is the day of the week when time is a major issue. The day speeds along and I play catch up. I'm always a step behind and a faded memory waiting to happen. When I finally walk through the door at night I'm hungry and it's late. Sound familiar? We all face days like this. Long days and late nights and hungry. Starving.

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Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Tartlet

If our moods are predicated on the weather, than today was a very good day. It's still winter and we're knee deep in February but somebody pulled back the curtain on spring and gave us a glimpse of what's to come. I love all that winter has to offer but after a day like today I remember how fond I am of new beginnings.

Just as I appreciate the changes that winter brings, from the routines we dig into and the foods available for a few months, spring gives us a chance to breathe in the lighter fare for a while. It brings renewed optimism, locally produced goods and recipes that are fresh and new again.

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My Ultimate Onion Dip

Onion dip. The name alone has always induced a feeling of discontent . I immediatelu conjuire up the image of the stuff served at house parties and get-togethers where you pull back the lid on a gerenic tasting, pre-packaged tub. I never understood the love for it and I always wondered why someone didn't just make it themselves. And better.

I love onions and have thought about making a version loaded with great taste and fresh ingredients for a while now. Something a bit more complicated than onion soup mix but still easy enough that anybody can do it. I wanted to make a dip that could be a staple at family functions and shared with friends while watching the game. So I started scribbling down notes in my food journal and experimenting with ingredients.
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