Happy Canada Day 2011!

Hey,
I'm not a lumber jack
Or a fur trader
And I don't live in an igloo
Or eat blubber
Or own a dog sled
And I don't know
Jimmy, Sally or Suzie from Canada
Although I'm sure they're really really nice
I have a Prime Minister not a President
I speak English and French not American
And I pronounce it about not "a-boot"
I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack
I believe in peacekeeping not policing
Diversity not assimilation
And that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal
A toque is a hat a chesterfield is a couch
And it is pronounced "zed" not "zee" "zed"!
Canada is the 2nd largest landmass!
The 1st nation in hockey!
And the best part of North America!
My name is Karen and I am Canadian!

Best rant ever, this was used in Molson Canadian Beer commercial circa 2005

So many changes this year and of course the biggest of them all is that we no longer live in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city.  Rob told me that this was the first time in 10 years he hasn’t been on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada’s birthday, so weird right????? and with William and Kate there too :)

As we are away from “home” we decided to really do it up Canadian!  Rob asked me to make a cake for his office and then do up some other truly Canadian foods.  A little more difficult in the south, but I love a good challenge!

The Menu:

Appetizer: Poutine

Main: Canadian bacon on a bun

Dessert*: Raspberry and Lemon Cake with Fondant maple leafs, decorated sugar cookies and butter tarts

Beer: Molson Canadian, Labatt Blue and Moosehead

* I will do separate posts on each of the desserts, I leave this post to the savory!

The Recipes:

Poutine:

• fries
• cheese curds - are the solid parts of soured milk either eaten alone or used in various regional dishes, mostly in Canada, the northeastern and midwestern United States. These beauties were brought down from Canada from Rob’s mum, Nancy, who is visiting over the holidays!
  
  
• beef gravy

1. In the above order, in a bowl add fries (baked are good, deep fried are better), cheese curds (bought at ) and pour gravy over top.
2. The Gravy: In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp flour. Stir until incorporated. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes for a dark roux. Stir in the 2 cups beef stock. Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue cooking for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Enjoy!

Canadian Bacon on a Bun:

• Canadian bacon
• Buns

1. BBQ thick slices of Canadian bacon.
2. Toast buns.
3. Add bacon to bun et voila! 
4. so easy right? I’m not sure it could be any easier!

Desserts:

Again, I’m going to do separate posts on each of these because really that’s what I do, so I’ll tempt you with pics!

Thanks for coming by for Canada Day!!!

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