My Canadian Love Affair
Laureen King at Art in the Kitchen from St Albert, Alberta, lives close enough to me that I could actually drive over for a slice of this cake…what a gorgeous tribute to those she loves. And chocolate? How can anyone go wrong with that. According to Fairtrade Canada, Canadians consume an average of 5.5 kg of chocolate per person each year, but not even close to the top five chocolate consuming countries: Switzerland at 22.36 pounds per person, Austria at 20.13, Ireland at 19.47, Germany at 18.04 and Norway at 17.93 pounds per person per year.
Bernice Hill at Dish ‘n’ the KItchen from Calgary, Alberta learned to bake from the best…her grandmothers! “Carrot cake holds a particular place in my heart because it was our wedding cake made by my 83 year old grandma. She’s not with us today but I celebrate my February birthday every year by making a carrot cake and remembering the good times with my grandma.” Carrot cake is such a Canadian concoction and loved by all, isn’t it?
I, Valerie at A Canadian Foodie from Edmonton, Alberta, espouse my love affair for my Canadian culinary farm food identity through identifying some personal stories that have been fundamental to forming my Canadian food identity and passion for the importance of farm food.
Sarah at All Our Fingers in the Pie from Swift Current, Saskatchewan has a Canadian Love Affair with apples! I second that!
Barb Bamber at Just a Smidgen from Calgary, Alberta, has a Canadian Love Affair with her little puppy and making delicious nutritious food for her. Barb thought you might want to bake up a few treats for your puppy for Valentine’s Day. For her, “nothing feels more Canadian than when we bundle up and walk our dog on a splendid snowy winter’s day. And nothing feels more like Calgary on a day when hoar frost flocks our trees.” To celebrate, she baked a few homemade puppy treats and named them Bella’s Biscuits to honour her family’s newest Love Affair! She loves these and thought we should share her recipe with the rest of Canada!” My dad would have gone nuts if I found a recipe for doggie biscuits that my little baby sister, Penny, would like – so, I see Bella’s Biscuits on my “to do” list.
Korena at Korena in the Kitchen from Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver Island, British Columbia says she’s like many Canadians, as she loves maple syrup and was surprised to discover that it can be made from the Bigleaf maple trees found in British Columbia. She visited the Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival in Duncan, British Columbia, to find out how it was done. Now, this is news to me. That is why I love this project!
Margaret at Kitchen Frau from Stony Plain, Alberta, writes about the Danish wedding cake she made for her daughter’s wedding, using antique cake pans brought over from Norway in 1927 by her husband’s relatives when they immigrated to Canada. The beauty of our Canadian cuisine is the combination of customs, traditions and recipes brought to the New World and integrated into our culinary fabric. This lovely Danish wedding cake is the perfect way to celebrate the love story of a Danish boy and a German girl and their Canadian immigrant heritage.
Anna at Hidden Ponies from Abbotsford, British Columbia knew she couldn’t top her mom’s love for creamy, rich seafood chowder, inspired by a trip to the Maritimes where fresh seafood is available in abundance and cooked to perfection. Her Mom writes about the quest to perfect a seafood chowder worthy of any Maritime restaurant. This hearty soup is easily personalized with your favourite catch! I cannot wait to go there in May.
Wanda at bakersbeans from Calgary, Alberta,is in love with a locally made sausage shop called Spolumbo’s. These sausages have no fillers, binders or preservatives and can be used in virtually any dish. Supporting local vendors and knowing she is feeding her family good wholesome food, makes her swoon with glee. Check out her pasta recipe.
Charmian at The Messy Baker from Guelph, Ontario has had a facelift on her site for the new year! She writes, “When I bought my husband a whisky finishing kit for Christmas I thought it would keep him amused for a month. I didn’t realize it would become a 30-week venture involving family, friends, a piper and the mayor. This transcribed interview gives you a glimpse into what makes us tick.” Now this sounds too cool! And too many people have a love affair with our very fine Canadian Whisky… apparently Charmian’s husband has a new hobby where our Canadian terrior triumphs, once again.
Shari Johnston at Tales From A Small Kitchen from Grande Prairie, Alberta, writes about her love affair with Canada itself in her post “Coast to Coast Adventures: Food Family and Friends”. Shari drives across Canada regularly and seeks out fantastic food in the process. Pop by to read about some of her favourites, like the musk-ox sausage, above.
Karlynn at The Kitchen Magpie from Edmonton, Alberta, has a love affair with Canadian fish! Now, that is really no surprise if you follow her as she is an avid fisher with her family, and even ice fishes in the winter. Pop on over to learn about her fresh water fishing adventures as this is certainly a rare topic within the Canadian food blogging community.
Mallory at Because I Like Chocolate from Calgary, Alberta says, “I could not pick one thing to base my Canadian love affair on, so I decided to pay homage to the entire country. It’s cheesy, but I love everything about Canada, food and all: the mountains, the people, the freedom, BC apples and of course, Nanaimo bars. I cannot see myself living anywhere else”
Sarah from Delish in a Dish in Victoria BC made Blackberry Crumble Muffins with blackberries picked last summer in her own backyard. These are muffins you might even want to eat for dessert!
Carole at The Yum Yum Factor from Toronto, Ontario, loves the rich cultural diversity that is represented in Toronto and finds nothing more Canadian than the hodgepodge of ethnic cuisines. She celebrates with a recipe for Tandoori Sopes. I am elated to see cultural diversity celebrated here as multiculturalism is one of my most cherished aspects of our Canadian culture.
Dale at Eats Writes Shoots from Ottawa, Ontario, writes: “Food is an extension of my heart. It is not only a part of physical being, it is how I celebrate and express love.” Dale takes us on a very personal journey and shares how food and romance have been long intertwined in his life, from a first date that left him vulnerable to his most recent exploits in the kitchen that produced Pomegranate and Vodka Glazed Chicken, a dish inspired by his significant other who has given him the courage to take chances, be himself, follow his dreams, and let his culinary imagination spread its wings.
Valerie at More Than Burnt Toast from Kelowna, British Columbia writes, “As with so many foods that we grew up with, the importance of this one goes way beyond the actual bacon itself and is one of those comfort foods we talk about so often. Peameal bacon for me symbolizes breakfast around the table with the entire family, summer at the cottage in Ontario, and all that goes with it… no school, new friends, and so on. I remember having Peameal Bacon Sandwiches at the fall fair, the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, the St. Jacobs Farmers Market, or at the beach at Wasaga. They would take a large hunk, anywhere from 2 to 3 pounds, and slice it not too thin and not too thick. They would then grill it over medium heat so it stays just ever so pink in the center and the cornmeal coating and external fat would grill up nice and crispy. It would be served on a soft Kaiser roll slathered with mayonnaise, and topped with iceberg lettuce and slices of summer sun-ripened tomatoes. Oh, and a few thin slices of Canadian cheddar would be acceptable too. Sheer heaven and such a wonderful foodie memory related to my childhood!” Definitely, pop over and see Valerie’s recipe.
Jen at The Victorian Food Blog from Victoria, British Columbia has created The Food Nerd Podcast Episode 18: My Canadian Love Affair – a tribute to the greatest Canadian cocktail, the caesar! Her ingredients included such quintessentially Canadian ingredients as Canadian Rye and even a slice of bacon!
Jessica Giesbrecht at Jessica InsideOut from Ottawa, Ontario, writes about her love of Vancouver Island and discovery of Native Canadian culture. “My tribute to my beautiful love affair with this incredible Canadian place is conveyed through this recipe for Bannock.”
Barbara at My Island Bistro Kitchen from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, titled her post: True Confessions of an Island Foodie’s Love Affair with Local Prince Edward Island Foods. Barbara tempts our tastebuds with some of her favorites – steamed mussels dipped in melted butter, creamy seafood chowder that contains a variety of the Island’s best seafoods, a tasty Lobster Newburg, and a chocolate cake made with PEI potatoes. To compliment her Valentine’s meal, Barbara pairs one of the Island’s best wines from a local winery.
Lindsay at The Kitchen Witch from Lady Smith, Vancouver Island, British Columbia wrote a love story about her ragu that she put together with chicken and chorizo as a nod to her Spanish roots served over potatoes, homage to her Irish half. “All together, the dish came together spectacularly!”
Jacquie at My Park Allen Home Kitchen from Edmonton, Alberta, writes about her favourite local products.
Ashley Cattell at The Localize Project Blog from Edmonton, Alberta, writes about her Canadian Love Affair, discovering and sharing the rich and savoury “stories behind Canadian food”. As Vendor and Communications manager for Localize she dives into the stories behind food products and food producers, seeking out the juicy morsels we can really savour, taking a moment to really connect to the ‘people’ who have made it their life’s work to produce good quality, safe, and delicious food for their communities. In the spirit of a good story she shares a personal tale of her own which she calls her Canadian crush. The object of her desire? Cherry Tomatoes!
Mimi from Ajax, Ontario, at Tummy Grumbles talks about the love of her life, her late husband, Paul, who was the Canadian chef who introduced her to her lifelong love affair with food.
Christine at Manning Canning from Scarborough, Ontario, asks, “Have you ever met someone whose skills you admire and are envious of all at the same time?” Christine shares with us a short story about Konrad Sauer, a Canadian graphic designer who has carved a niche for himself in the world of woodworking.
Kathryne at Food Musings from Winnipeg and Lester Beach, Manitoba, writes about her Canadian love affair.
Nathalie Gauvin at Délinquances et saveurs from Shefford Québec shares The WIPPET, creating the pure taste of Quebec maple, a wonder to discover! Les wippet, création totalement québécoise au bon goût d’érable, une merveille à découvrir!!
Marilyn at Here and There from Calgary, Alberta embraces this day as a celebration of family with warmth. Early memories of making Valentines and Valentine envelopes coupled with memories of the hardship her parents endured learning the English language warm her heart. “Valentine’s is a celebration of family but mainly loving life, self and those around us! This recipe is perfect for self indulgences or for one’s love!”
That first gorgeous cake…. I know the rest of your post has some lovely people in there but I am mesmerized by that beautiful chocolate heart! How I would love to live close by too!
🙂
V
What a wonderful roundup! I just love the ice fishing photo and the carrot cake!
Very diverse, and very Canadian, eh, Anna?
🙂
V
Incredible recipes this month. Carrot cake is always a fav in my home!
Helene,
It is the cream cheese icing that everyone seems to go nuts for. The cake is a hit, but forget the icing, or switch it up, and there is trouble!
🙂
V
Another solid Canadian food round-up! Great to see so many people engaged in the project. Love the bacon Caesar!