Canadian cuisine: What is truly Canadian?
These are not easily answered questions, since so much of what Canada boasts as cultural signifiers have been adopted from it’s big sibling, the USA. The close proximity of the US and the cultural dominance of American culture in western society have often eclipsed the accomplishments and advances made here in Canada.
One thing I wanted to do in honour (notice this the Canadian spelling of honor) of our 150th birthday is paint tributes to Canadian foods—items often associated as being invented here and commonplace enough to establish a certain national identity with these items.
Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup
Discovered by our indigenous peoples, this sweet, sticky syrup is most often associated as a topping for pancakes and waffles and is essentially a concentrated form of maple tree sap. Since Canada’s national symbol and emblem on our flag is a maple leaf, it only made sense to choose this countrywide favourite.
Butter Tart
Butter tart
As Wikipedia proclaims “A butter tart is a type of small pastry tart highly regarded in Canadian cuisine and considered one of Canada’s quintessential desserts.” (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter_tart ). Something every Canadian grandmother should know how to make and a staple at any festive holiday.
Poutine
Poutine
Originating somewhere in Quebec, the idea of combining French fries, cheese curds and hot gravy turned out to be a winning recipe. Now found throughout Canada and spilling into the US, poutine has become synonymous with Canadian cuisine.
Nanaimo Bar
Nanaimo bar
Named after the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, this sweet, no-bake dessert consists of a crumb-based bottom layer, a butter cream icing middle and topped by melted chocolate.
Canadian Bacon (back bacon) and Peameal bacon
Everyone always sites this as a Canadian cuisine item but I thought it was just too gross to paint.
Canadian cuisine
Canadian cuisine: Canada 150
Canadian cuisine: What is truly Canadian?
These are not easily answered questions, since so much of what Canada boasts as cultural signifiers have been adopted from it’s big sibling, the USA. The close proximity of the US and the cultural dominance of American culture in western society have often eclipsed the accomplishments and advances made here in Canada.
One thing I wanted to do in honour (notice this the Canadian spelling of honor) of our 150th birthday is paint tributes to Canadian foods—items often associated as being invented here and commonplace enough to establish a certain national identity with these items.
Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup
Discovered by our indigenous peoples, this sweet, sticky syrup is most often associated as a topping for pancakes and waffles and is essentially a concentrated form of maple tree sap. Since Canada’s national symbol and emblem on our flag is a maple leaf, it only made sense to choose this countrywide favourite.
Butter Tart
Butter tart
As Wikipedia proclaims “A butter tart is a type of small pastry tart highly regarded in Canadian cuisine and considered one of Canada’s quintessential desserts.”
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter_tart ). Something every Canadian grandmother should know how to make and a staple at any festive holiday.
Poutine
Poutine
Originating somewhere in Quebec, the idea of combining French fries, cheese curds and hot gravy turned out to be a winning recipe. Now found throughout Canada and spilling into the US, poutine has become synonymous with Canadian cuisine.
Nanaimo Bar
Nanaimo bar
Named after the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, this sweet, no-bake dessert consists of a crumb-based bottom layer, a butter cream icing middle and topped by melted chocolate.
Canadian Bacon (back bacon) and Peameal bacon
Everyone always sites this as a Canadian cuisine item but I thought it was just too gross to paint.