ottawa foodies

I picked up some fresh Hot Cross Buns today... Mmmmmm. For me, this is one of those foods that not only signifies Easter but also that Spring is coming. Another is Maple Syrup, I can't wait to go sugaring-off later this month.

There was a time when Asparagus meant spring, the first sprigs would appear in the grocery stores in time for Easter Dinner (now you can get them year round - which is nice, but it doesn't make Asparagus nearly as special as I remember). My family always had a big Baked Ham (back in the 1960s that meant it was decorated with pineapple & cherries, LOL).

There was homemade Apple Pie for dessert, served hot, with newly made Maple Syrup drizzled across a topper of vanilla ice cream. And the family favourite candy "treat" was those super-sweet Laura Secord Easter Eggs (with the white & yellow fondant in the middle), you could only eat one tiny slice though.

Are there foods that you associate with your family's Easter / Spring Celebrations?

I love hot cross buns, especially when split & buttered and grilled until slightly buttery-crispy. Delish.

We just had hot cross buns from Art-Is-In Art Is In Bakery for breakfast today. They were of excellent quality but a little fluffier than I like. The candied orange was awesome -- premium stuff, probably made at the bakery, and in small enough proportion not to overwhelm. We got them added to our bi-weekly organic veggie basket from Ottawa Organics Ottawa Organics but I'd assume you can get them at other outlets that sell Art-Is-In products.

For me, it's all about "Eggs Goldenrod"(see my post about left-over easter eggs). I suppose I'm also partial to nice ham for easter dinner - I know some cook poultry for this occasion, but for me a Easter ham just seems right.

Strangley, I don't associate chocolate with Easter as much as others do; we never had chocolate Easter egg hunts growing up as many people do because a) my parents didn't want to find an unfound melted chocolate glob on the carpet near the radiator 5 months after Easter b) chocolate is bad for cats and dogs, so if our pets accidently found an "unfound" one, they could get sick. Anyways, for us, for as long as I can remember, it has been "jelly bean hunt". The Easter Bunny would hide jelly beans ALL OVER the living room (there is a LOT of beans in a large bag) and my sister and I would prance around with little baskets finding them. So yeah, for me, the candy of choice is jelly beans - however we did get lots of chocolate in our Easter Baskets.

As for hot-cross buns, I've always wanted VERY MUCH to like them, however everyone seems to find the need to put horrid raisins in them. Maybe I'll try making them myself this year, with NO RAISINS :)

I always loved getting those cheap, waxy chocolate bunnies for Easter as a kid - my tastes have improved since then!!! And there's nothing like egg salad sandwiches made with easter eggs!!!!

Alas, no Easter celebrations for us this year - we will be sitting on a beach for Easter this year :)

FOOD is HOT! - I'm with you on the hot cross buns - I really despise raisins as well, and I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one!

Prance? ;-)

On the topic of hot cross buns. During the middle ages it hot cross buns could only be bake during Christmas and Easter. It was felt that if the peasants were allowed to eat rich foods like hot cross buns at any time then they would start wanting all kinds of improvements in their lives.

It reminds me of a comic from the wizard of ID. The King is standing on the battlements and Rodney comes running up and gasps "Sire! Sire! The peasants are revolting!"

The King turns to Rodney and imperiously looks down his nose and says "Yes, I know."