Mornin’. If you’re a fan of Cranberries and good times— boy oh boy, do we have some good news for you.
This week is the annual Bala Cranberry Festival! Hundreds of artisan vendors, live music, cranberry crepes, and shuttle buses to whisk you in, so come hungry, bring a tote bag, and leave your parking stress at home!
Today’s read time: 5 minutes.
Muskoka Forecast
Weekend Plans
Berry Glad To Be Here 🧺
Fireside with The Cottage Almanac
Lesley Lavender, CEO, Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations
During our conversation, Lesley gave me a 360-degree view of the initiatives their organization champions, the impact they drive, and how your support can make a difference to cottage regions all across the province.
You can find the whole conversation on Youtube and Spotify.
FIRESIDE WITH THE COTTAGE ALMANAC
Fireside with The Cottage Almanac - Lesley Lavender, Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations
The Cottage Kitchen
Flaky, gooey, tangy little party bites made with just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients - 24 Servings
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
8 ounces brie, cut into 24 small cubes
0.8 cups cranberry sauce (whole berry works best)
1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water
2 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts
2 tablespoons honey
1 fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs, for garnish
Steps
Preheat: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
Shape the cups: Unfold 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed on a floured surface and cut it into 24 squares, about 2 inches each. Gently press each square into a muffin cup so the corners stick up.
Fill: Place one cube of 8 ounces brie, cut into 24 small cubes in each cup, then top with a small spoonful of 0.8 cups cranberry sauce (whole berry works best). Brush the pastry edges with 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water.
Bake: Bake until the pastry is puffed and deep golden and the brie is melty.
Cool and garnish: Let the bites cool for a couple of minutes, then drizzle with 2 tablespoons honey, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts, and tuck a tiny sprig of 1 fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs, for garnish on each.
Larry’s Tip: Make them ahead: assemble, refrigerate up to 4 hours, and bake just before serving. Add a thin slice of prosciutto under the brie for a salty kick, or a pinch of chili flakes in the cranberry sauce for some heat.
The Essentials
Trot The Globe In Style This Winter ✈️
The North Face, Base Camp Voyager 29 Roller - A rugged, two-wheeled, 94-litre wheeled suitcase made from water-repellent recycled ripstop-style fabric, with internal compression straps, a zippered divider, and a secure external pocket. **
Monos, Aluminum Carry-On - This 34-litre, 11 lb, hard-shell carry-on with a brushed anodized aluminum shell, features a zipper-less frame, TSA-accepted locks, quilted lining, compression system, and 360° spinner wheels. **
Thule, Round Trip Transition Bike Case - This case protects your bike inside a tough ABS hard shell, with integrated wheels and a built-in stand that doubles as an assembly and work stand, fitting most road, mountain, and cyclocross bikes. **
Thule RoundTrip Ski Bag - Padded, wheeled 600-denier polyester ski bag that holds two pairs of skis up to 192cm plus poles, with removable divider, compression straps, lockable zippers, and multiple carry handles. **
*A message from our sponsors.**This is a product recommendation from our writers.
A Final Note
Do you have to let it linger?
Until next time,
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