Memories and the Comforts of Foods

Growing older has many good points I suppose.I suffer knowing I can only have this on yet
Maturity brings a lot of knowledge and experienceanother trip to Montreal? The recipe is unknown
one can share, with others but mainly with ourand not shared so in California or any other part
children. Most are not in need or want of whatof this world, no one has a clue.Montreal is home
we have learned in the past and prefer toto French Canadian food. Some foods only served
experiment and learn for themselves.With this inat certain times of the year. Their foods are all
mind, it occurred to me that one thing mostdelicious but I favor a few that I find irresistible.
accepted and shared is a joy in food. Sharing theThere is a meat pie called Tourtiere Pie that is
experience of foods enjoyed, cooking, and sharingusually served at Christmas and after the Midnight
tastes of the past are always welcomed.At thisMass. Good Lord, I could never wait to eat this
stage in my life after seventy one years I findperfection once a year. Luckily many restaurants
that many happy memories seem to dwell onoffer this delight daily. Each restaurant along with
foods of my past. I thought I would share someevery homemaker has their own proven recipe. I
of the more unusual ones with you.I was born inhave yet to taste a Tourtiere pie I did not love.
Montreal, Canada, and though I left when I wasIn fact I searched for years to find and perfect a
only sixteen I have to admit I left my heart inrecipe which I shared in my second published
that beautiful city of my past. I now live innovel, "Discoveries of a Hidden Past." I will add my
California and no one would say that we do notrecipe at the end of this article.The other French
have good food. Our salads alone could fill anCanadian dish I love is a Maple Sugar pie. This
entire recipe book. The diversity of foods in thisdessert is very unique as it has the splendid taste
state is overwhelming.Ah! but still, I dream and reof pure maple sugar. Canada has some of the
visit my past only to find and eat the foods I findbest maple syrup produced today. Of course I
comfort in. Every trip I make to Montreal consistsmust also mention the delightful and hardy Pea
of meals I long for and every time I travel backSoup. This is made of yellow split peas and
there I find it a bit harder to find. So I feel a needcooked to a thick soup that can only be the best
to document some that I would hate to seesoup for a feeling of complete comfort and
lost.A chocolate bar I simply adore is calledsatisfaction.There is a large Jewish population in
"Cherry Blossom." Hershey, Canada makes this. ItMontreal and some wonderful tastes of the
comes in a small square yellow box. One bite is sounhealthy foods; so we are told, can be found,
delicious my words can hardly describe it. Milkand eaten to everyone's pure delight. Potato
chocolate, mixed with chopped nuts covering aknishes, chopped liver, kasha varnishkes, potato
small amount of liquid and a cherry in the middle.varenikas, blintzes, and cheese begalla, and we all
The right amount of sweetness, not too muchshare in eating bagels, cream cheese, and lox. No
and the right size to consume with comfort.bagels can compare with Montreal St Viateuer
When I bite into this candy my mouth isBagels. They have a chewy texture and
overwhelmed by its taste and how much pleasurewonderful taste, almost worth visiting for them
this candy brings. I tasted this bar over sixty fivealone. Most are found in local delicatessens.One
years ago and have loved it ever since. Howfood though that is unique is a Rib Steak at
often can you find a product unchanged in thisMoishe's on The Main. This restaurant has been
much time?A sandwich called smoked meat isthere since my childhood and still remains a place
unique to Montreal. It is a delicatessen delightfor this unique steak and rare treat. Frequented
enjoyed by many visitors and Montrealer's as well.by so many people you definitely need a
This meat is similar to pastrami or corned beef,reservation. Many of their extras include some of
but I hate to even mention those meats asthe Jewish style foods I mentioned above.Okay,
smoked meat has a taste that is unique and reallyI'm obsessed on food and all are for me comfort
cannot be compared. The best is that of afoods from my past. I have shared them with
delicatessen called Schwartz's on The Main. Theyou and I do hope the next time you visit
original with some fat, sliced by hand served hotMontreal you try some. Until then, my mouth will
is what to eat. Heaven for sure. If comfort iswater as I long for these delicacies and
what you want, there is nothing better than a hotcontemplate on how and when I may take my
corned beef sandwich. Can you imagine the agonynext trip back to indulge once again.