Hmmm, canadian

Everyone we have met while on the Rideau Canal has lived up to the impression I had that Canadians would be humble, polite, sharing, helpful…. not a few of they actually do dress and look like Bob and Doug MacKenzie (SNL reference in case its not obvious, eh!) Canada also has these gems called ‘butter tarts’. To the uneducated eye (mine) these look like two bite pecan pies. But to the discerning palate, the first bite tells you something is different here. This is not Karo syrup, it is of course maple syrup. The crust (forgive my lack of baking skills and thus my inability to describe crust and its ingredients with any specificity) is just amazing. Our first purchase, and yes there have been many, bought at a super market was quite good until we stumbled upon the serious bakers. In Westport, ON we turned a corner and found ourselves face to face with a master baker making pies in the window of her shop. I have never seen hands transform flour into dough and then basket weave crust so effortless and beautifully. Above this display was a hand written scrawl on the window ” 290,000 butter tarts sold”. Yes, that is the correct number of zero’s! The handwriting on the…, well window in this case, we purchase and ate and looked at each other with that look that does not require words and none could suffice. Think of that first super ripe strawberry of the year, that amazing 20% fat ice cream cone, that, well you choose your own most amazing palate experience and that will get you close. Our journey has not ended and while visiting Merrickville, ON we became aware of ‘voted the best in Canada’ butter tarts. Well, maybe. I can’t judge. I’m sure it takes years to become a butter tart aficionado, and my efforts to lose weight will not support the kind of dedication. However, to those who have never heard of a butter tart and those unfortunates that have never tasted one, deny yourself no longer. They ship well;-)

On to Montreal for BeaverTails! Crap, there goes my diet again….