Runners-Up, 2003 Edition

Submitted by Jan Fretter

Every fall or winter celebratory meal in our family must include the now traditional 'sweet potato casserole with hazelnuts and maple syrup' (originally a Vancouver Sun recipe, now available in Five Star Food). I first brought this dish to Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's a couple of years ago. My nephew Ian had invited a friend (of the female persuasion) to join our family celebration. We were all aware, except for the unsuspecting Jen, that Ian was very sweet on her and we were all on our best behaviour. "Don't use the 'G'-word"('G' for girlfriend), I had been coached by my sister before the meal, "Ian doesn't want to scare her off". The meal and the evening were splendid and Jen raved about the sweet potato dish. A couple of days later she called Ian from Cranbrook, her home town, to get him to ask me for the recipe so she could make it for her family's thanksgiving meal. That phone call was the first of many between them and Ian now credits the recipe with "cementing" their relationship (no reflection on the consistency of the casserole)! The two of them get positively maudlin whenever it is served. Now I'd just like to know when I can start using the 'M'-word.