Apple Pie

I swore I wouldn't do it. I thought I might use October to look around for some nice salads, maybe a good smoothie or cleansing cabbage soup. But nope - it's apple pie. Fragrant, perfect apple pie. We're starting off on the official Apple Pie trail through the Blue Mountains of the Georgian Triangle. But we still need help...I've decided to let you know where we ate and what we thought along the way this time. So you will know that we truly are experts in our field and trying all we can along the way.

Do you know who makes the best apple pie (and please, please PLEASE don't say your mom, your Aunt Sally or your Grandpa. Unless they want to seel to the general public...then we'll talk)

Let us know!

Who Wins The Title For Best Cinnamon Buns?

Well, the end of the month has come and gone folks. And here I stand, hat in hand...defeated. I've given it a go, I swear. I've searched high and low for cinnamon buns all over the province. I've asked everyone I know where they make the best cinnamon buns. I've tried...well, maybe not hundreds but close to it.

Just this morning, in fact, I was driving around on an anonymous tip that there might be a better cinnamon bun about forty-five minutes from my home. I was hoping for a Hail Mary...but no luck. Sigh. Good sticky cinnamon goo, but alas, too much almond paste.

So here's what we came up with. We couldn't all agree on one (again) but here are the results as they stand...

Reigning Supreme Champion of Cinnamon Buns -

Chesterfield's Cafe in Picton Ontario. http://www.chesterfieldscafe.ca/

No one quite managed to beat them. Now, I should point out that most of my taste-testers told me they would really like it if Chesterfield's iced their cinnamon buns (I'm a purist - I want to really taste the butter and brown sugar) but they win hands-down. Hats off Chesterfield's...and if you want to send me some free cinnamon buns since I can't make it back over to Picton - well, I wouldn't be offended. I promise.

Laura's Top Choice (since she tasted the most cinnamon buns beside me) -

Mariposa Market in Orillia Ontario http://www.mariposamarket.ca/

These were pretty good - not my favourite, but good. Laura swears by them. And she hasn't even been to their awesome store yet...Mariposa Market is one of my all-time favourite places in the universe. I went to high school for a few years in Orillia, and Mariposa Market was my favourite hangout. If you can get up there before Thanksgiving, try their turkey, stuffing and cranberry bagel. I don't know if that's what they call it...but I would make sweet, sweet love to it if I could.

So there you have it. Cinnamon buns - hard to come by, Ontario. Bakers - take up the challenge! I'll still give you a shot if you can impress me with your superiour bun making skills.

And now we're on to October. I'm not 100% sold on what we should be trying this month. A few of the gals are thinking pumpkin pie, some others are thinking stuffing. I'd be happy to hear from you if you'd like to give me some input - email me at jen@smalltownmoms.com.

Happy Eating! (that's my new sign-off. Cute, eh?)

P.S. - Jason, Laura's foodie husband who has tasted everything along with us, chose a different winner and since he's planning on helping me move his favourite deserves a mention. Our very own local food market, Around The Sound, serves up amazing maple pecan cinnamon buns WARM ever Saturday baked by Rising Sun Bakery. You can only get them Saturdays and, though I was suspicious of their spelt flour sinbce it's supposed to be healthy, they were gorgeous. Check them out! http://aroundthesoundfood.com/