Canada: Recipes and Cuisine
Canada’s cooking falls into two major lines of influence, English and French. But the larger divide masks a wider variety of influence. Native populations contributed to an emphasis on wild ingredients, including game, salmon, berries, wild rice and maple syrup. Slavic and Scandinavian immigrants brought their dishes to the Canadian heartland. Asian immigrants carried their style of cooking to the cities. Convenience and fast foods are popular. But thoughts of oka cheese, tourtière, poutine, fish and brewis and Nanaimo bars will set any Canadian's heart singing.
Canadian Recipes
Jigg's Dinner
(Canadian braised brisket with vegetables and pease pudding; see Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe variations)
Maple-Baked Beans
(Canadian white beans baked with maple syrup; see Boston Baked Beans recipe variations)
Poutine
(Canadian fried potatoes with gravy and cheese curds)
Poutine (poo-TEEN, or puh-TSIN) is a popular fast food in the French-speaking Canadian province of Québec. The name means "mess" in French, and that it is. Poutine's popularity has spread throughout Canada since the dish first appeared in the 1950s. Read more »
Tire sur la Neige
(Canadian maple syrup taffy)
Tire sur la neige (draw on the snow) is an old-fashioned treat in Québec, also known as tire d'érable or la tire. It is made in the late winter and early spring as the maple syrup harvest begins and snow is still on the ground. Long wooden troughs are filled with snow over which is poured boiled and reduced maple syrup, chilling it to a taffy-like consistency. The taffy is then rolled up on wooden sticks and eaten. As the Québecois say, "Attention aux dents!" Read more »
Tourtière
(French Canadian pork pie)
When the French migrated to the wilderness of Quebec, they brought with them their favorite recipes from home. Tourtière was one of those recipes. These savory meat pies are traditionally served at Christmastime accompanied by homemade tomato ketchup and pickled beets. There is no one true recipe. Each family has their own version passed down over time. Read more »
Wild Rice Pilaf
(Canadian-American wild grain pilaf)
Wild rice is not a true rice, rather a type of grass seed that grows wild in the upper midwestern section of the United States and central Canada. Native Americans would harvest the grains from lakes and streams where the aquatic grass grew. Wild rice pilaf is the perfect accompaniment to duck, goose, and game meats. It is also an ideal addition to a Thanksgiving meal. Read more »
