About Ashleigh McKenna
After first subscribing to sweetspot.ca to get to know her new city, Ashleigh McKenna now gets to help find the sweet stuff worth sharing as Editor and General Manager. Go behind the scenes from favourite manicure spots to product sneak peeks and more.
East Coast Escape
girl about t.o. Toronto
(Jul.02.09)
I celebrated my birthday a couple of weeks ago with a feast fit for...well, anyone who likes lobster at least.
My parents happened to be coming in from Halifax and decided a family dinner was long overdue. My mom asked if I might like some lobster (a summer staple from growing up out east) and I didn't even stop to think about the logistics before answering absolutely.
At first they toyed with bringing them live (available at the Halifax airport) since we always eat them home cooked but they weren't convinced my brother's house had a big enough pot. In the end my mother would up calling Sobeys at Yonge and St. Clair and ordering them in advance, cooked and cracked (and cheaper than bringing them here).
Yes, it felt a little like cheating she said but in the end, it turned out to be a great time-saving tip. She showed up and they were still warm, we piled them onto platters (little lobsters have more tender meat, so we buy small and then don't serve individually) and had an almost-instant dinner party. Some bread, salads and a little melted butter (though I really don't think it needs anything to alter the taste) and we were ready for a backyard buffet with family and friends.
It was easy to organize, everyone was laid-back and there was even my favourite dessert. Cheap white cake with cheap white icing.
Plus, we were all together to celebrate my niece's first birthday (five days after mine), complete with her first taste of cupcake. (At least what she managed to get in her mouth.)
So while I might not cook on a daily basis, now I know one of my favourites is accessible to even the most amateur chef.
Though I could just wear my lobster love instead.
Betsey Johnson Runway Rock Lobster, $343. Available at www.revolveclothing.com
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy:
Ashley Bennion's Birthday Bounty blog post
My attempt at making Jamie Oliver's Salmon Tikka