OUR GREAT NORTHERN NEIGHBORS

Like many people, when I think of Canadian cuisine, I think of Tim Hortons, strange inedible pizza, Indian food, and seal chops in a port-wine reduction, perhaps with a side of pommes frites.

Plus poutine.

From Wikipedia: "Poutine is a dish originating from the Canadian province of Quebec consisting of French fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. The dish emerged in the late 1950s in the Centre-du-Québec area and has long been associated with the cuisine of Quebec. For many years, it was negatively perceived and mocked and even used as a means of stigmatization against Quebec society. Later, poutine became celebrated as a symbol of Québécois cultural pride ... "


Poutine is pretty darn good.


It came as a shock to me that my apartment mate had NEVER even seen the Swedish Chef from the Muppet Show making poutine. It's one of those clips which have become classics. Essential viewing for someone like her who is passionately into food, as well as a muppet-fan from way back.


JUST FOR ..... MONTREAL!

[SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lOP5sNnvBA.]


Lutherans have fried chicken and lutefisk as a sacrament, the rest of us will happily settle for poutine. Church suppers, bingo nights, building the congregation, winning possible converts. Poutine.

Soggy fries covered with Cheez Whiz is NOT a substitute.
Neither is tortilla chips, Cheez Whiz, salsa.
Except perhaps in Texas.



Please note that a proper brown gravy has meat juices from cooking, stock, roux, ground pepper, and a pinch of thyme, plus nutmeg or mace. And, if you have it handy, a splash of red wine, port, or sherry. The aim is smooth hot savory depth. Not a pallid brownish pourable starchy glop.

Adding a little garlic is also excellent.




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