The 400 Year Old Hospital and the Crazy True Story of Canada's Most Notorious Hotel Thief11/12/2024
I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.  In the spring of 1639, three young nuns set sail from France, each carrying a hidden key in her habit. Upon landing in the new settlement of Quebec City, they would unseal three sturdy locks on a large wooden trunk that safeguarded all their worldly goods. It also contained something invaluable—a contract to found a monastery hospital, the first in North America outside Mexico.
Little did they realize that one of their future guests* would become Canada’s most notorious** hotel thief, taking three round canisters with them in their luggage after their visit. *Me. This story is about me. ** The dozen or so people who know this story won’t stop teasing me about it. This tiny coffee shop boasts a historic location and the power of transformative social enterprise.  “They love a social enterprise in Hong Kong.”
I wasn’t much more than 12 hours into my first trip to Hong Kong and was eagerly sharing a report of my morning’s adventures to a friend who was on their umpteenth visit yet hadn’t heard of where I had been, a teeny-tiny non-profit coffee shop. Given that we were in a luxury hotel lobby, surrounded by sumptuous designer shops, I couldn’t see much evidence of her declaration. Still, I deferred to her superior knowledge of the region. In the coming days, I would soon see she was right, and with every visit I made to The Nest, I observed just how much Hong Kongers and the people who love visiting them appreciate something different that makes a difference. From ice cream to barbecue sauce, this easy homemade vanilla salt recipe will change the way you cook and it all came from a cool trip to Hawaii.  Have you ever noticed that nearly every recipe calls for a pinch of salt? Whether you’re baking cookies or simmering soup, salt brings everything to life. It adds texture, balances flavors, and works culinary magic in both sweet and savory dishes. But nothing has transformed my cooking quite like discovering vanilla salt.
Yes--vanilla salt. It might sound a bit strange at first, but stick with me. It’s now one of my favourite kitchen staples. I first stumbled upon this game-changing ingredient during a visit to the Hawaiian Vanilla Company, the only commercial vanilla farm in the United States. Tucked among jars of vanilla sugar and extract was a small, unassuming pouch labeled “Vanilla Salt.” I thought it might be a typo! But owner Jim Reddekopp quickly assured me it was very real—and very special. Jim told me his favourite way to use it was to sprinkle it over dark chocolate caramels. Salted caramel with a vanilla twist? Yes, please! I brought a bag home and immediately started experimenting—and let’s just say my cooking hasn’t been the same since |
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