How do we make a list of Canadian food? Naturally, we would want to choose any foods that are only in Canada, originate in Canada and are popular in Canada today. However, this would be a little too strict. We are talking about food, not some kind of terrorist equipment! We can include a few things that are simply �North American� in origin or popularity. We could also have a few things that originate in other countries, but are now very popular here, or were adapted here into another form.
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1. Muffin
These are made with basic dough and yeast, with a variety of things added: bran, raisins, berries, banana. They have some origin in England, but have become very popular here, as you have for example, at Tim Hortons.
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2. Donut
These are made with dough and yeast, and are generally quite sweet compared to many countries� foods. Usually they have a hole in the center. If they don�t they are generally called jambusters.
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3. Poutine
This is a simple combination of French fries, mozzarella cheese, and gravy (often pork based). It originated in French Canada.
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4) Casserole
(casserole cooking was reputedly invented by a French Canadian man � Elmire Jolicoeur, and very few countries cook entire meals with all the mix of ingredients we have in the typical North American casserole) A typical casserole could have some chicken, vegetables such as broccoli, potatoes, or peas, as well as cheese, and pieces of bread. It is placed in the pot (called a casserole) and placed in the oven for 20 � 120 minutes. In some parts of United States it is called a �bake.�
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5) Walleye (pickerel)
This fish can be found in the northern United States and most of Canada. It is considered by Canadians to be the most delicious fish available here. It is often cooked with simple frying in oil or butter.
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6) Tourtiere
This meat pie originated in French Canada. It usually has pork with a pepper flavor. Sometimes it can be dry, so many people put a gravy on it.
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7) Winnipeg Rye Bread
Originally, rye bread comes from such countries as Finland and Denmark, but the recipe was changed in Winnipeg, to make it lighter, and it has become very popular. Kub bakery in Winnipeg is famous for this bread. Many people who leave Winnipeg to live in other cities want so much to have the bread, that they will have it sent from Kub bakery to their new home.
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8) Winnipeg Smoked Goldeye
Goldeye are natural to North America, occurring in Canada from western Ontario to the Rocky Mountains and north to Great Slave Lake. When they are smoked with the Winnipeg recipe, it is a famous dish known by great cooks throughout the world.
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9) Bannock
This is a very simple bread, which was made by the aboriginal people of Canada. Flour and water is all that is needed. Often baking powder is added. You see the traditional style on a stick over the fire.
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10) Pemmican
This food was used for basic energy by the aboriginal people. It would not spoil, and could be quickly eaten while travelling. It was generally made from wild animals such as moose or bison. The meat had to be cooked, beaten, and then mixed again with the animal fat. Some fruits could be added. It was kept as balls or bricks as you see here.
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11) Yellow Pea Soup
This soup is made from yellow split peas. Sometimes pork is added. It is generally not spicy.
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12) Toutin (Atlantic fried bread)
This is a simple bread (with yeast) that is fried in oil. Many countries have bread in this style, but it is perhaps the size of the basic loaf, and the things it is served with that make it distinctly Canadian.
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13) Peameal Bacon
This pork meat recipe originated in Canada, and has its name because of the yellow pea coating on the outside.
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14) Back Bacon
This type of meat causes some confusion. Generally, if you ask for Canadian bacon in many places of the U.S., you will receive round smoked ham in slices as you see here. However, back bacon was a traditional cut of bacon from the back of the animal, originating in England. In many places, back bacon or Canadian bacon will mean the same thing.
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15) Clubhouse Sandwich
Some people believe this sandwich originated in New York State. It is so popular in all of North America, that it should be mentioned. It is a thick sandwich with a great mix of flavours. Visitors from any other countries should probably try it, particularly if they do not come from a sandwich culture.
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16) Baked Potato with sour cream and chive
This simple use of the potato had strong origin in England, but really became a very strong habit in North America.
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17) Pumpkin Pie and Soup
This is more popular in autumn throughout North America- when pumpkins are more available.
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18) Roast Turkey
The turkey bird that we eat in North America, is a natural animal of North America. It was given the name turkey because of a small mistake. When the European people first saw the bird, they confused it with another European bird that was brought from the country Turkey.
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19) Montreal bagels
The Montreal bagel is smaller, sweeter, and denser than the New York style. You can see the two styles here.
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20) Montreal smoked meat
Many countries have smoked meat recipes, but this one is specifically from the Canadian city of Montreal. It tends to have more coriander than many recipes around the world.
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21) Canadian butter tarts
Many countries have tarts with many ingredients. This Canadian recipe is very popular for parties throughout the year. It normally has butter, syrup, sugar, egg, and raisins.
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22) Ketchup flavor potato chips
According to some sources, ketchup chips originated in Canada, and are most common here compared to all countries.
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23) Coffee Crisp chocolate bar
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24) Peanut butter sandwich
According to some research, peanut butter sandwiches are eaten in North America at a very high rate compared to any other countries.
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25) Maple Syrup
This delicious syrup is made from the sap of large maple trees. Of course, this is Canada�s most famous export, and the province of Quebec is the world�s largest producer of it.
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26) Baked Beans (particularly with maple syrup)
These are usually navy beans, cooked slowly with molasses and salt pork.
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27) Deer meat
Deer are very common in North America, and many Canadian families kill one of these animals in the autumn to add to their food supply. It can be an important family time, as the whole family helps to hunt and prepare the meat. Sausage is very commonly made from the meat.
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28) Bison meat
Visitors to Canada will learn about the bison, and how it was over-hunted when Europeans arrived. Thankfully, there are many still alive, and they are now farmed and hunted. The meat is a little stronger and darker than cow meat. Many restaurants serve a hamburger with this meat.
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29) Moose meat
Moose are very large. Stew is a common dish for this meat, as you see below. Hunting for moose is less common than for deer, because the animal is not as common, and it is so big that it can be more difficult to move the animal after you kill it.
Many of these are mentioned in Wikipedia�s Canadian Cuisine- with quite interesting charts and facts pertaining to each region as well.
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