Still Not Passing As Canadian
On Saturday, Ward and I decided that as much as we love family togetherness, we were a little sick of staring at each other in our (still) empty house. I saw a mention of a Rib Festival nearby, at which the title of Best Ribs in Canada was up for grabs. The website claimed that not only was it the second biggest rib fest on the continent, it also had plenty of beer to wash it all down and rides for the kids. So, off we went.
And yes, the park was beautiful, and yes, the ribs were delish, and yes, we had a blast. I actually stopped feeling like I had a giant American flag tattooed to my forehead and I started to feel more in my element.
But it all came to a screeching halt when I paused for a moment at a souvlaki stand to ask, "What's 'poutine'?"
I swear it felt like all sound around me stopped, as people covered their mouths with their hands in horror. The lady behind the counter narrowed her eyes and asked, "Where are you from?" I half expected her to end the sentence by calling me "Yankee," but it never came to that.
"Um, Rochester, New York," I stammered.
"Oh, "she said. "It's great that you came all this way for the festival. Poutine is fresh-cut fries with cheddar cheese on top, covered in hot beef gravy, to melt it all together. Want to try it?"
Sweet Nelly.
So, my friends, even though my coronary arteries have been spasming for the last 24 hours, I can honestly say that I have found the world's most perfect food (although a side of ranch dressing would be nice). It's everywhere here, even at McDonald's. It's so good.
I think I will bathe in it tomorrow.
On Saturday, Ward and I decided that as much as we love family togetherness, we were a little sick of staring at each other in our (still) empty house. I saw a mention of a Rib Festival nearby, at which the title of Best Ribs in Canada was up for grabs. The website claimed that not only was it the second biggest rib fest on the continent, it also had plenty of beer to wash it all down and rides for the kids. So, off we went.
And yes, the park was beautiful, and yes, the ribs were delish, and yes, we had a blast. I actually stopped feeling like I had a giant American flag tattooed to my forehead and I started to feel more in my element.
But it all came to a screeching halt when I paused for a moment at a souvlaki stand to ask, "What's 'poutine'?"
I swear it felt like all sound around me stopped, as people covered their mouths with their hands in horror. The lady behind the counter narrowed her eyes and asked, "Where are you from?" I half expected her to end the sentence by calling me "Yankee," but it never came to that.
"Um, Rochester, New York," I stammered.
"Oh, "she said. "It's great that you came all this way for the festival. Poutine is fresh-cut fries with cheddar cheese on top, covered in hot beef gravy, to melt it all together. Want to try it?"
Sweet Nelly.
So, my friends, even though my coronary arteries have been spasming for the last 24 hours, I can honestly say that I have found the world's most perfect food (although a side of ranch dressing would be nice). It's everywhere here, even at McDonald's. It's so good.
I think I will bathe in it tomorrow.
posted by The June Cleaver Diaries at 6:23 PM
15 Comments:
whoa. that sounds seriously dangerous. holy crap. dangerous but enjoyable.
who knew canada could hold such culinary surprises in store for you?
*snort*
Yeah, poutine is like, our national dish.
This is so fun to read. You have just had a true rite of passage as a newcomer to Canada. And the Rib Fest rocks. Did you check out the balloon festival while you were at it?
Yes! And it was really cool, b/c we could see the ballons go right over our house twice a day. The T-rex one looked a little surreal...
Wow, I would have expected NEITHER a Rib Fest NOR a dish like what you just described in Canada (but it sounds damn good, and now I am drooling).
I don't know what I WOULD have expected - maybe a lot of Escargot? I think maybe I'm assuming everything in Canada is a French transplant. I need to get out more.
Um...can you send me some of that deliciousness?
After reading this I had to look up a few recipes for Poutine. I'll be making it soon, although most sites said it's not very good outside of Quebec. Kinda like a Philly Cheesesteak outside of Philladelphia, I guess.
I have never wanted to move to Canada as much as I do right now.
That sounds delicious. Yummmmmmm.
So is the curd cheese the same as cottage cheese? I have NEVER heard of this, but it sounds freakishly GOOD (LOL)! I told my daughter about it and she said she would stick with chili cheese fries! WAHAHAHAHAHA! I myself would like to try this stuff. I even went to Yahoo images so I could SEE what it looked like! Thanks for sharing!
My husband and I honeymooned near Ottawa and tried poutine. So besides being tasty, it has romantic associations for me.
And I here I thought the South had cornered the market on culinary coronaries. Huh. Guess I need to get out more...
I heard about it a few months ago on a Rachael Ray show on the Food Network. Can't WAIT to try it!
Oh, I am so jealous. I think the only delicacies specific to Utah are fried antelope testicle or something.
My sister, God Bless her, thought Mormons were Mennonites and, with fresh memories of Mennonite down-home cookin' in her head, said, "well, at least the food will be really good." Ah, no. But I *am* learning to say "Oh my heck!" just like a native.
Poutine rocks, oui?
You are from Rochester?? Me, too! I found your blog somehow, can't remember how, and bloglined you. I'm immersed in your archives today, a sick day for me and my daughter. Come back and write again soon.
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