Canada boasts world-class products, from freshwater fish to maple syrup, but the country's culinary credentials deserve equal praise. Although suggesting a setlist of some of Canada's best foods is a bold step, we are up for the challenge!
Everyone has taste buds prone to certain flavors. Even so, some traditional dishes are loved by many and have brought Canadian cuisine into the spotlight. Perhapsfoodis not what brought you toCanadafor a visit, but it'll likely be what brings you back.
Suppose your intention has been to experience the country throughfoodall along. In that case, you have to visit either an eatery recommended by locals or a fine-dining restaurant, where you can order their tasting menu. But before you do so, let's start with a list of tasty dishes, so you know what to expect upon your visit.
1. Poutine
You'll find poutine on most Canadian menus, but its real home is in Quebec. The savory dish combinesfries, cheese, and gravy. Itemerged in the '50s in the Centre-du-Québec region.Aswith most dishes, not all are created equal!
The taste of poutine highly depends on the quality of the ingredients. You want your fries to be made using fresh potatoes, full-fat cheese curds, and beefgravy. Before indulging, let your poutine sit for a moment so that the cheese melts and the potatoes absorb the gooey sauce.
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2. Bannock
If you're looking for a quick bite whilesightseeing, bannock is ideal as a quick grab-and-go type of snack that is fillinganddistinctlyCanadian. Bannock is a flatbread that comes in various shapes, forms, and toppings. Elsewhere the dish is colloquially known as fry bread.
Even though the recipe's roots stem from Scotland, the unleavened bread was widely adopted by the indigenousin Canada.In recent years, bannock has regained its popularity across thefood industry in Canada, which brings joy to everycarbenthusiast.
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3. Butter tarts
Who doesn't love tarts?These sweet treatsare even better when theyare baked to perfection and have a crunchy top. These Canadian tart-shaped delicacies aremade out offlaky pastrycrustwith a creamy center consisting of sugar, egg, butter, and syrup.
The origins of Ontario's butter tartsdatesback tothe late 19th centurywhenthe earliest recipe was published in the women's cookbook.Locals tend to compare it to sugar or pecan pie but without the nutty notes. Whetheryou are in a small settlement or large city, you can find classic butter tarts in food establishments like restaurants, supermarkets, and wholesalers.
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4. Montréal-style bagels
Montréalis a foodie destination.The city isespeciallyfamous for its deliciousbagels. As the story goes, their sweet dough was brought by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Soon after, in 1919, the first bagel bakery was opened.
In a never-ending competition with a New York bagel, Montréal-style bagels are different due totheirsolid texture and sweeter taste. They are not as thick either. The taste differs because Canadian bagels are poached in honey water and are baked in wood-fired ovens. You can enjoy a plain bagel with a spread or get an all-dressed one with toppings ranging from poppyseeds to raisins.
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5. Timbits
Ranked as Canada's most iconic coffee shop chain, Tim Hortons reinvented doughnut holes. Made from leftover doughnut dough, these bite-sized doughnut holes are called Timbits. They are fried in oil and available ina number offlavors such as cake, old fashion plain, chocolate glazed, blueberry, strawberry, lemon, or with a variety of fillings.
Thesemini-doughnutsmade their debut back in 1976. In the original campaignslogan,the bit standsfor Big in Taste. Don't be surprised when a Canadian fried dough ball is offered whenever you order a cup of coffee.
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6. Montreal-style smoked meat sandwiches
Resembling pastrami, Montreal's smoked meat is the secret ingredient behind these legendary sandwiches.Afterthe beef brisket is salted and seasoned for a week, then the smoking process begins. As the meat is smoked and carefully seasoned with black pepper, coriander, garlic, and mustard seed, it absorbs all kinds of comforting flavorswhich creates a unique and smoky taste.
Ifyou want to replicate this sandwich at home, add thin slices of meat on top of rye breadandsome yellow mustard and pickles on the side. For an original taste, visit Schwartz's Deli located in downtown Montreal.
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7. Nanaimo bars
TheNanaimo baris a classic Canadian dessert. The bar requires no baking and is named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia. All ingredients are a mix of a coconutty crust, soft yellow custard icing in-between, and chocolate ganache on top.
Designed foranyone with asweettooth, these decadent no-bake bars are easy to make and can be found in most cafés and bakeries across Canada. Highly recommended by locals,Hearthstone Artisan Bakeryoffers the tastiest classic version of Nanaimo bars and some original spin-offs forthose withmore adventurous taste buds.
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8. Tourtière
Tourtièreis a Quebecois classic minced meat pie. Usually, the filling is made either from pork, beef, veal, or game. Herbs and spices are significant here. Seasonal spices like cinnamon, clove, and all-spice help create theunforgettablearoma of the bake.
The French-Canadian delicacy is served at Christmastime and garnished with tomato sauce and pickled beets. Every grandmother tends to have a secret recipe, so nothing compares to a home-madetourtière. But you can also purchase a pre-made version at anymajorgrocery store throughout the year.
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9. Bloody Caesars
The Caesar takes us back to 1969when it was first created bymixologist Walter Chell at a restaurant in Calgary. For the co*cktail, bartenders useClamato juice, vodka, and Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces. This drink is an inseparable part of a Sunday brunch and Canada Day celebrations.
TheCaeseris a Canadian take onaBloody Maryand hasa well-seasoned rim and poached shrimp garnish. Every year, over350 million Caesar-inspiredbeverages are sold, which makes it the nation's favorite and a must-try during your stay.
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10. Saskatoon berry pie
By now, we've established that Canadians are fond of all sorts of pies.TheSaskatoon berry pie is noexception and has been enjoyed in Canada's prairie provinces foryears.For this not-too-sweet dessert,locally-sourcedSaskatoon berries are used.They aresimilar toblueberriesbut taste a bit likeapples.
The fruity and nutty flavors of the pie make it a recommendable option if you prefer lighter desserts. While you can enjoy the pie all year long, nothing beats having a slice of fresh Saskatoon berry piemade of seasonal ingredients from a farmers’ marketduring a warm summer day.
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