More Than Just Poutine – A Culinary Journey Through Canada’s Food Scene

Poutine is a beloved Quebec dish made up of perfectly crisp fries and cheese curds coated in creamy gravy, serving up an indulgent experience that has even made its way to top-tier restaurants serving it with foie gras toppings!

Poutine’s exact origins remain obscure, although most agree it originated in rural Quebec around 1957. One widely held account claims a patron at Le Lutin Qui Rit in Warwick requested adding cheese curds to his order of fries at Le Lutin Qui Rit.

1. Montreal Bagels

At some point during their foodie travels to Montreal, many visitors sample poutine, the Quebecois comfort food that has become a global sensation. Not everyone knows its story though! Poutine is a delightfully simple dish consisting of French fries covered with gravy and cheese curds topped with more cheese curds – its cheese curds make this indulgent combination irresistibly melty-in-your-mouth deliciousness!

But the real beauty of poutine lies in its versatility – you can personalize it to suit your own taste buds. Fries and gravy are key components, but adding other ingredients can create an entirely unique meal! You could add toppings such as chives, green onion, garlic seeds and fresh-ground black pepper for an additional zesty punch while playing around with various types of cheese curds will produce even tastier outcomes!

Bagels were first brought to Montreal by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe during the early 1900s. Historians have identified Chaime Seligman as the inventor of Montreal bagels; Isadore Shlafman may have first opened Fairmount Bagel around 1919. Today, Fairmount and St-Viateur Bagel Shops remain two of Montreal’s premier bagel establishments – both can be found in Mile End – an eclectic neighborhood where Hasidic men in large black hats walk alongside hipsters carrying yoga mats!

Both shops have both supporters and detractors, with an ongoing debate between them about who makes the best bagel. But both locations are dedicated to keeping this tradition alive; Joe Morena from St-Viateur even went as far as calling those who disagree with his methods “radicals.”

Conflict between both shops escalated last December when reports circulated that the city may ban ovens used by both. Such ovens produce smoke which aggravates respiratory ailments; some residents of Mile End complained of its unpleasant odor as well.

However, in March this year the mayor of Montreal made an announcement allowing both shops to keep their ovens. This is great news for Montrealers and fans of poutine alike!

2. Newfoundland Seafood

Newfoundland may not be known for its signature dish of poutine, but their cuisine deserves to be recognized. From salt fish (poultry or cod) and potatoes that make up a “feedbag,” to greasy chips drenched with gravy and dressing – Newfoundland seafood dishes have earned national and international renown due to their distinct flavor profiles and quality standards.

In the 19th century, coastal Newfoundland flourished thanks to its abundance of marine resources. Not only was fishing an invaluable source of protein for local consumption and export, but its salted cod became increasingly sought-after worldwide as it met demand for cost-effective yet high quality prepackaged meals in places such as Spain, Portugal, Brazil and British West Indies.

Cod’s story in Newfoundland can be told many different ways, yet its significance cannot be denied: this nutritious sea food has played an essential role in shaping its culture and economy; today, seafood remains an integral component of Newfoundland’s economy, with local chefs continuously finding new ways to showcase it and its bounty.

Chef Matthew Swift stands as an outstanding example. After two decades leading kitchens across Ontario and Quebec, he moved to St. John’s and opened Terre, an eatery which draws upon Newfoundland culture and landscape for inspiration in its menu, featuring both comforting dishes as well as those more elaborate in preparation.

Poutine’s popularity cannot be denied: from diners and food trucks to sporting events and beyond. As a unifying symbol for Canada, poutine serves as a unifier with many variations ranging from traditional poutine to curried chicken poutine and even nacho-topped versions. Poutine also acts as an equalizer among Canadian expats: posting photos of lousy poutine at American restaurants will guarantee lively debate among fellow Canadian expats on why that food should be banned from their homeland!

3. Quebecois Comfort Food

Poutine has long been recognized as a beloved comfort food in Canada and Quebecois culture. A delicious blend of simple ingredients that’s enjoyed everywhere from small diners and pubs, hockey arenas and roadside chip wagons, poutine was originally invented by Jean-Paul Roy in the 1950s but quickly gained popularity when customers started adding cheese curds to his gravy and fries combination – quickly becoming one of the signature dishes at restaurants and cafes worldwide.

Poutine is an iconic Canadian dish, yet there are endless variations of this beloved treat. Fries, gravy and cheese are essential, but there’s plenty of leeway when it comes to toppings – try adding chili peppers, green onion or chives as an interesting twist or even some Parmesan for something truly original! Of course no poutine would be complete without its trademark squeaky cheese curds; white cheddar may be traditional; alternative options may be found from local dairies.

Over the years, poutine has shed its reputation as lowbrow food and now appears on menus in both fast-food outlets and fine restaurants alike. Chef Martin Picard of Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal pioneered this change by including foie gras poutine on his menu; since then it has received international acclaim.

Other popular Quebec dishes include tourtiere, smoked meats, pate chinois and baked beans (feves au lard). Alongside these traditional foods, modern cuisine in Quebec also reflects regional and global culinary influences; for instance in the 1990s Quebecois chefs began experimenting with various hydroponic greenhouse grown vegetables as they quickly became staples on vegetable counters across restaurants.

Though Canadian cuisine may be difficult to define, the dishes and ingredients that comprise it reflect our collective national heritage. Quebecois cuisine blends French cooking techniques with locally-grown produce and ingredients; chefs often interpret this style according to their vision of Canada.

4. Western Cuisine

Poutine may be synonymous with Canadian cuisine, but that is far from being its only delicious treat! Smoked meat to lobster rolls, Montreal bagels to Timbits — Canada has an appetite for mouthwatering snacks, meals and traditional foods from every culture in its borders that delight its people!

Western cuisine in Canada has evolved over centuries through immigration from all over the globe. French, British and other European settlers brought with them recipes and ingredients from foreign cuisines which have since been combined with local terroir and indigenous plant and animal life to create distinctive culinary creations.

Western cuisine’s origins remain unknown, with multiple tales surrounding its development. One such account takes place at Le Lutin qui rit in Warwick, Quebec where Fernand Lachance claimed to have created poutine when asked by a trucker for cheese curds on his fries; Lachance claimed they’d make a mess but the trucker wouldn’t mind so long as he got his gravy and cheese on a plate!

Poutine saw its biggest surge of popularity during the 1960s and 70s when McDonald’s and Burger King began serving it nationwide, taking it out of Quebec province to reach more people across America. While its basic recipe remains traditional, there are numerous variations on it you can try, from switching up cheese types like white cheddar or goat cheese for something with spicy pepperoni spice; to adding fresh chives or green onion for additional toppings or adding parmesan for that extra kick!

Poutine is best experienced firsthand; the best way to experience its flavor is to grab some for yourself, but if that is not an option in your locality don’t despair! Canadians can be found all across America; ask nicely and they might help find you an excellent poutine spot – just remember to bring plenty of napkins!