Out of solid rock grows a flower…..such is life in Newfoundland!

Photo by Christie M

Ahhh, the Sharecroppers! I met these wonderful fellows back in 2004 and every year I come to Newfoundland I ask them to entertain my group for a few hours of song, stories, laughter and sometimes even tears.  Guy, Ed and Mike are the BEST!!!!

Quite simply the Sharecroppers are amazing!  Photo by Jack H

The arse is right out of her.
Photo by Christine M

Newfoundland will always be in my heart and mind…..here are some more photos from our 2017 summer tour.  

Priscilla , former mayor of Corner Brook, proudly wears the name!  Photo by Jack H

I have been an Honourary Newfoundlander for years now but I always say the pledge when Ed Power screeches in the others.  Photo by Jack H

Oh how I love being on a boat in Newfoundland! Photo by Judi K

David has a refreshing iceberg beer….love that blue bottle! Photo by Jack H

Lemon meringue at the Skippers Cafe in Bonavista ….yum! Photo by Brian M

Not for the faint heated..the Governor’s Staircase at Blow Me Down Park
Photo by Judi K

David likes to live on the edge….Twillingate. Photo by Judi K

On the boat in Bonne Bay.
Photo by Jack H

SEVEN YEARS AGO, DAVID AND I WERE IN NEWFOUNDLAND FOR OUR OWN LITTLE TOUR…WE FOUND A TINY LITTLE RESTAURANT NEAR BAY ROBERTS CALLED MAD ROCK CAFE….. ON THE SANDWICH BOARD WAS : TOUTONS WITH BAKED BEANS!  DAVID HAD TO HAVE TOUTONS. WHEN HIS ORDER ARRIVED THE SERVER ASKED IF HE WANTED MOLASSES AS WELL….OF COURSE HE WANTED MOLASSES!   HE LOVED THE MEAL.

ON THIS TOUR DAVID WAS LOOKING FOR TOUTONS…..AND WE FOUND THEM ON THE MENU AT THE NORTH STREET CAFE IN BEAUTIFUL BRIGUS!  

All you have to do is eat some bologna, a peppermint nob and hard tack….drink some screech and kiss a dead fish! So….how hard can it be?  Sorry, the fish was too shy for a photo. 

One of my favourite dishes in Newfoundland is cod au gratin….I had it twice on this past tour, once in Bonavista at the Skippers Cafe and the other at the Duke of Duckworth Pub in St John’s…..Cod fish topped with cheese is soooo good!

When I got home I flipped through the latest edition of Saltscapes magazine and found this recipe from Cox’s Cove near Corner Brook….. Darren Park’s Cod-au-Gratin…serves 4 

2 lbs cod, cut into cubes

1 small onion diced

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

1 1/4 cups of milk

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup of grated cheese

In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour until smooth. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in 1/2 of the milk. Put back on heat and beat until smooth and shiny. Gradually add remaining milk, salt and pepper to taste and onion. Cook, stirring until smooth and thick. Pour over fish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and cheese. Bake at 375 F for 15 to 30 minutes……Delicious!