Leek, Potato & Bacon Soup

It was early afternoon and the wind outside was cold and gaining momentum. I heard a loud noise that was quickly followed by another. Some of our chairs were toppled by the strength of the wind. The air was equally cold and quickly turned the remaining snow in our driveway into a hard patch of ice. It was a day meant for staying inside huddled by the fireplace. It was the perfect day for soup.

I told my wife that I was going downstairs to make a batch of soup to keep us warm. I opened up the kitchen curtains to shine some light in and quickly started peeling vegetables. Making soup takes time and can't be rushed. It's as much about the process for me as it is the food. Stripping and washing the vegetables and chopping in an almost rhythmic beat.
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Rustic Vegetable Soup

When I was a kid I used to live at the hockey arena. I'm Canadian, it's our birthright. I would wake up at the crack of dawn and slide my skates through my stick, throw it over my shoulder and start walking towards the local outdoor rink. When the rickety caged fence would open up I'd be the first one through it. I would nod at the the gate keeper like I was on my way to to work. Once inside I would skate and play until my toes threatened to fall off.

I used to spend hours upon hours honing my skills and working on my game. Most kids dream of being a firefighter or policeman but in this country everybody dreams of being in the NHL. One day my dream would be crushed but that didn't stop me from spending the better part of my youth on a sheet of ice playing with strangers who quickly became friends.

It didn't matter how cold it was or how harsh the winds were, I would be there. You could set my $2 watch by it. My toque (yes, that's what we call a hat) would cling to my ears as if my bigger brother protecting me from the weather. I didn't care about the wind chill or frost warnings. I didn't care about anything back then. I had an ace in the hole.

A big pot of soup.
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Whisky Hot Toddy

This is an absolute must during the frigid days that haunt us. It's also a brilliant winter warmer. This simple cocktail has lured many back from the depths of sickness and winter's harshest storms. It's the friendly face you see when you need it most; the one that says everything is going to be ok.

The origins seem to have this drink first being concocted in Scotland, where a sweet drink with whisky was made to fight the common cold. The weather was brutal but with drinks like this it helped. If nothing else, it made things tolerable. It pains me to say this, but thank goodness for the Scots.


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Lemon Self-Saucing Pudding

I often wax poetic about my love of heart-warming comfort foods that help my family steer the winter months safely. That same affection can be applied to fresh out of the oven desserts as well. Those special warm winter treats that satisfy my sweet tooth cravings and add a sense of warmth to the entire house.

This pudding handles all my needs. It triggers an avalanche of happiness because it's super simple, really tasty and a brings citrus tang to another level. Plus, it's incredibly comforting. How easy is this to make? This pudding is clever in that it separates as it bakes. You read that correctly. It separates leaving two distinct layers: a fluffy and slightly crisp sponge top and a liberal sweet and tangy lemon sauce.



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