Happy Canadian Food!

Celebrating Canada Day, I'm wondering what is Canadian food? I would define it as food enjoyed by all that is local, simple, and fresh. On the baking and pastry side of gastronomy, what comes to mind first is pancakes drenched with maple syrup and topped off with butter – even better, blueberry pancakes. I believe this is the stuff that Canadians eat, morning or night, rain or shine, for any occasion. Other items that are authentically Canadian: butter tart, the close cousin sugar pie from the “belle provence,” Nanaimo bars, apple pie with a good piece of cheddar cheese, other pies: pumpkin or Saskatoon pies, doughnuts, and of course, and oatmeal cookies that dates back to 1892. Strawberry shortcake only because it has the colours of the Canadian flag, I really don’t know if it’s truly Canadian.

On the cuisine side, signature Canadian dishes would have to include these ingredients and more: pork, bacon, salmon, smoked salmon, lobster, bison, and, of course, PEI potatoes. Sauces would have to include Saskatoon berries, wild blueberries, maple syrup, and pickles. Tortière is a meat pie originating from Quebec, usually made with ground pork and/or veal or beef --I think it is the quintessential Canadian food, so is Newfoundland Cod Cakes, all not loved by my family for various reasons. 

Bannick, perogies and wild rice would make the list of all-time great Canadian food. And of course, Quebec’s gastronomic contribution to Canadian cuisine: poutine. The holy trinity of fries, gravy and cheese curds. One more from Quebec: Montreal-style bagels, they are the best in the world!

For drinks, we have Canadian Rye Whiskey (sours are my favourites, can’t drink the smell of straight-up whiskey—pew!), beer, ice wine and apple cider.  Wines from BC and Ontario are good. Labrador tea, I’ve never tried by wouldn’t mind a sip or two, supposedly tastes like Jasmine tea.

Happy Maple Syrup! 

This Morning's Blueberry Pancakes