Almost two years had passed since my last trip home to Montreal. When I stepped off the plane last week, my first steps onto Montreal soil since September of 2010, I was overjoyed. Home at last.

Well – almost home. First I had to make a pit stop at the family cottage in Muskoka, Ontario – otherwise known as my happy place.

And I needed to visit with my soon-to-be 91 year old grandfather, Bubba Doc…Isn’t he cute?

Alas, it was home to Montreal for this kid.

Nothing marks the span of time quite like the growth of a child.

Though the familiar faces of old friends made it seem like I had only been away for a short time, the foreign faces of their growing children stung with the truth: time had gone by, and it didn’t wait for me.

Children are great reminders of where you are in your life right now, and the road you took to get there. What you’ve let go of, what you’ve held onto, and everything in between.

“I remember when you were born. Heck – I remember when you were in your mom’s tummy!” I thought to myself out loud as I watched my friend’s son, now 5 years old, run around and speak like a gentlemen in my friend’s backyard, no doubt wondering what the heck this strange woman was muttering about. My mind then took off on me, thinking of where I was almost 6 years ago, remembering the goals I had set, and actually – somehow – managed to achieve, the unexpected, pleasant things I didn’t plan for, the moments that seemed bad at the time but ended up being exactly what I needed, the people who I didn’t know then but couldn’t possibly live without now…

Like…Ted!

This trip, A.K.A. the home-town-date, was all about bridging the gap between my old life, my old home, and my new love, and my new home. Yes – it was time for Ted to meet my Montreal friends, and to see the city that is so close to my heart.

First stop?

Poutine. French fries with cheese curds and gravy. Otherwise known as a heart attack on a plate, and arguably Quebec’s national dish. Ted was skeptical and indeed looked disgusted, but miraculously, he kept eating. Interesting…

Atwater market and it’s fresh Quebec grown produce…

The Rue des Artistes in the Old Port. You would swear you had just stepped onto a street in Paris…

Mount Royal and it’s 360 degree view of the city…

McGill University…

Prince Arthur street – home of the bring-your-own-wine restaurants that make up the city…

The Notre Dame Basilica…

The architecture…

And the new bixi bikes! Rent a bike for $7 for 24 hours and ride around the city – yes please!

After gallivanting around Montreal last week, Ted and I are back here in our other home: L.A. Am I sad that I am not closer to my friends in Montreal? Of course. But how lucky am I? Having lived in 3 different countries and almost a dozen different cities, my definition of home as a specific geographical location has shifted. Rather than geography, I believe that home is where your friends are. Home is where your family is. And if you are lucky enough to have family and friends wherever you go, then it would appear that you are in fact always home.

Now. How does all of this tie into meatless taco meat and cashew sour cream?

Well, quite frankly, it doesn’t. But I tried this recipe right before I left for Montreal and I LOVED it and I just couldn’t wait another post to share it with you. So try it out and see what you think!

WALNUT MEAT – adapted from a raw taco recipe I found on roost blog

3 cups walnuts

1 1/2 tablespoons cumin

1 teaspoon ground chili powder

2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

1. Blend everything together in a food processor until the walnuts are ground to pea size.

2. Set aside.

CASHEW SOUR CREAM– this recipe is from the same roost blog

1 cup raw cashews

1/4 teaspoons salt

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup water

1. Blend everything in a food processor until smooth.

2. Set aside.

OTHER INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR TACOS

Corn or wheat tortillas

1/2 cup of chopped cabbage

Homemade guacamole ( 4 avocados, juice of 1 lime and 1 lemon, 1 small diced tomato, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, 1/2 of an onion, small diced, 1 minced clove of garlic, salt and pepper to taste – mash it all up and you’re done!)

Homemade pico de gallo ( 4 small diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1/2 of an onion, small diced, juice of 1 lime, salt and pepper to taste – mix it all together and let it sit for a few minutes to let all the flavors blend together)

Cheddar cheese (if you don’t want this to be vegan)

PUTTING YOUR TACO TOGETHER

1. Heat up your tortilla in a pan over medium heat, about 1-2 minutes on each side

2. Dress your tortilla up with walnut meat, cashew sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, cabbage, and cheese if you want it. Seal it up. Serve.

Lauren

xxx