Fish Chowder, Chicken Burrito, and Butter Tarts
My Mom and I have concluded that these are, in fact, the Best Butter Tarts Ever, better even than my Grandma’s, and that’s saying a lot. (If she was around to actually make them her presence would trump these, even when eaten beside the ocean before going for a paddle in the kayak, but sadly she’s not.)
We finally made it over to SoBo in the late afternoon… we left W in the tub under the charge of my Dad and popped into town for a cup of fish chowder and a chicken burrito, thick with slabs of melting avocado (much better than guacamole would have been, I think) and big enough for the two of us to share.
The fish chowder was a relief – it’s the sort of thing I’ve been meaning to eat since arriving here – but it was far spicier than I recall it being last summer, and when my Mom pointed out the fact that I was wincing with every bite, I decided not to finish. Boo.
But the butter tart. Oh, the butter tart. The perfect degree of runniness inside, chewy-gooey around the edges, with raisins and a flaky all-butter crust. I’ll be back tomorrow morning when they open at 11 for more. And if I see Lisa, I may just implore her for the recipe.
Meanwhile, you can try my Grandma’s.
One Year Ago: Spaghetti Pie and Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake Lollipops
April 28 2009 11:28 pm | eating out
ladyloo on 29 Apr 2009 at 9:38 am #
My mom got her butter tart recipe from a church cookbook in northern Alberta many years ago. Apparently it was the recipe of a little Ukrainian lady that my mom knew. She had a secret ingredient in her filling – vinegar. It makes the filling kind of bubble up, so you get a real sugar crust that you have to break to get to the gooey insides. *drooling now*
Melissa@ For the Love of Health on 29 Apr 2009 at 9:45 am #
My Goodness that buttertart looks beyond amazing!
Manon from Ontario on 29 Apr 2009 at 9:59 am #
ok I so want one….hmmm butter tarts :p
Good for you, you took time for yourself.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
MFO
robyn on 29 Apr 2009 at 10:36 am #
Nice to have a girls afternoon out! Dad and W not interested in SoBo?
That butter tart looks like heaven…..
Dana on 29 Apr 2009 at 12:10 pm #
It does look like a very, very good buttertart….I won’t say mine is definitely better but you and I have a date next time you are in Toronto to test my tarts against these ones!
You can see my wares (and get the recipe) here:
http://danamccauley.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/best-butter-tart-quest-part-three
Jen C on 29 Apr 2009 at 2:38 pm #
Damn it – now I’m craving butter tarts…phyllo, non-phyllo, pastry, vinegar, no vinegar, grandma’s, sobo’s……I really don’t care! haaaa I am going to have to make some now.
Nice for a girls lunch and it sounds delish! enjoy!
JulieVR on 29 Apr 2009 at 2:50 pm #
Ha! more like girls’ half an hour out. W was still in the tub (sobbing) when we got back. SoBo closed at 5, so it was a quickie..
JulieVR on 29 Apr 2009 at 2:53 pm #
A teaspoon of vinegar is quite a common addition – especially in old recipes. I can’t bring myself to do it, though! My grandma didn’t use vinegar, and hers were close to perfect..
LisaMer on 29 Apr 2009 at 3:04 pm #
Poor W! We were in emerg at Children’s on Sunday night with G (not quite 6 months) due to copious vomit. =P Luckily, it was short-lived. Hard to enjoy your vacation when W is feeling like crap. Hope things start looking up soon!
robyn on 29 Apr 2009 at 3:49 pm #
When do you go home? W will be soooo happy!
JulieVR on 29 Apr 2009 at 5:19 pm #
Fortunately he wasn’t puking! yuk. Hope G is OK!
Barb on 30 Apr 2009 at 5:49 am #
The time away sounds heavenly and the quick dash out yummy but wondering why your buddy is feeling so insecure is troubling (and taking just a bit of the fun out of things…grrr!)
JuneyB on 30 Apr 2009 at 7:39 am #
Oh boy, last day before the “bikini diet” is supposed to start which should have started 10 years ago…what the heck. I’m making your Grandma’s butter tarts today. Mmm – wonder if I can get rid of ALL the evidence before my guy gets home from work. I’d better get crackin’! Thanks Julie!
Jess on 30 Apr 2009 at 8:39 am #
What gorgeous little tarts. A couple of months ago I became the proud owner of a set of mini tart pans. I’ve been gathering recipes that will help me put them to good use, and your grandmother’s butter tarts are now securely on the list. (They look just as lovely as the one in this post.) Many thanks!
rea on 30 Apr 2009 at 11:30 am #
hang in there.
kids get weird when their little world changes. when the sun rises. when their parents go out on a date WITHOUT THEM. when the sun sets. when they are 13 years of age. etc. etc.
JulieVR on 30 Apr 2009 at 7:19 pm #
Date?? what is this “date” you speak of?