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Welcome Friends

I love winter and I love food. This year, we’ve had an incredible amount of snow and less ice, making for perfect conditions to walk, snowshoe, and ski. The winter months are all about hibernation, preparing cozy meals, candlelight and curling up with a great show or book. It’s one of the things I love about living in Canada. But more than winter itself, I love the changing seasons. By the time March rolls around, there’s always that collective hope that spring is near and that soon, we’ll be sitting outside, possibly bundled in a jacket, soaking up the sunshine. Though, at least here in Ontario, that might still be weeks away, given how much snow we’ve had!

Shawn isn’t quite as keen about winter but he does love a good snow fall. He is not a traveller and not a skier. But when a big snowfall is on the horizon, he heads out to the country to retrieve his tractor, driving it down back roads from Bethany into town and plowing the neighbourhood out.

I met Shawn over 15 years ago and he for sure added a new dimension to all of our lives. Firstly, he was unlike anyone we had ever met before. His cowboy boots were not a fashion statement or for a barn dance - it’s what he wore every day. His shirt was open that extra button, his cowboy hat always on and his crazy expressions - like the time he left us on the front porch by announcing he was “leaving for higher ground.” What exactly did that mean? I learned soon enough that it meant exactly what it was supposed to. His ranch was nearby but on higher ground than our farm. And off he went.

These days, Shawn has swapped his cowboy boots for court shoes and his button-downs for sports gear, spending most of his time playing pickleball. But when a big snowfall hits, he brings his tractor out from the farm back home, finding a new kind of purpose driving around the block, pushing snow the way he once moved earth. Few things bring him more joy than a full day of plowing snow. Well, maybe a hearty stew or a slow-simmered spaghetti sauce. That, to me, is love. Lending a hand, being a friend and being a good neighbor. And honestly, I think it’s something we could all use a little reminder of.

One of Shawn’s favorite snacks is a simple yet delicious treat I used to make as a wedding appetizer back at the farm. Every now and then I’ll make it when the kids come by for Sunday night dinner. As we inch closer to spring, it’s nice to start thinking about hosting again and welcoming friends and neighbours in, shaking off the heaviness of winter and embracing the lighter, warmer days ahead. Sadly (or happily), the tractor travels back to the country until next year.

It is firstly, bacon. Salty, hot and sizzling with fat. Inside the warm goat cheese is melting and surrounds the sweetness and slightly exotic taste of a date. When I make these, I always need to make enough for the girls even if they aren’t over for a meal. We all hope for leftovers.

Bacon Date Roll ups are something to have up your sleeve when the time comes. These are easy to prepare and especially easy to keep in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them.

BACON DATE ROLL UPS
Makes 40

INGREDIENTS
1 lb bacon regular thickness
Approximately 40 pitted dates
1 lb soft goat cheese

METHOD
Cut the bacon strips in half and that should give you approximately 40 slices (more or less). Take a date and cut a slight strip into the centre and fill with the goat cheese. Wrap a strip of bacon around the date and place a toothpick through (I usually skip that step and just place strip end side down on a baking sheet layered with a piece of parchment paper). If you are not baking right away, put into the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the baking sheet into the oven with the roll ups and watch carefully after about 8 minutes. Bacon should be crisp and fully done. Remove the bacon date roll ups from the sheet and onto a small platter for serving. These are best eaten while they are hot and oh so delicious. You will want to reserve some for yourself!

atasteofthekawarthas@gmail.com

Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

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