It’s HERE! SUMMER!! Time to celebrate with your friends and family. Gather your favourite people, because Danni and I have created the perfect Canada Day menu for a crowd.
Canada Day Long weekend always feels like the start of the summer for us because without a doubt, May Long has not produced the beautiful, summer- like temps we all are anticipating. I have to say, there is nothing like the first “freedom weekend” of summer to pull out all the stops. Not only are we celebrating Canada’s birthday but also, the fact that the kids are done exams and carefree for two entire months.
Putting together a party that celebrates our Canadian heritage can be super easy if you use your imagination. Danni and I spent a little time brainstorming all our favorite Canadian foods. Interestingly, we came up with a small, initial list that looked like this:
Canadian Food we love
- Maple syrup
- Spolumbo’s sausage
- Smoked Salmon
- Aged Cheddar
- Montreal Smoked Meat
- Bacon (yum!)
- Pulled pork
Well – it didn’t take long before we recognized that right before our very eyes, we had created one hell of a poutine bar. And – really, what is more Canadian than french fries and cheese curds smothered in thick hot gravy?
hmmmm…
A dilemma really, because if you follow our blog, 90% of our recipes do not advocate french fries, cheese and gravy in one dish. But hell – we’re all human right? Should we let loose for once and enjoy a Canadian treat? YASSSSS!! So we planned a duel family party and made this poutine thing happen…
THE METHOD TO OUR MADNESS
We created a master list and divided up all the fixin’s between us. If you have a few families coming over, this is a great way everyone can pitch in with the meal, without much effort. Here are the items we featured on our “poutine bar.”
THE BASICS – it’s not poutine without these…
- FRENCH FRIES – we picked Cavendish Farms french fries – they have a few varieties noted below
- **GRAVY – we picked Clubhouse Gluten Free Gravy
- Saputo Cheese Curds
** Danni and I love to do all things homemade, and we considered creating a lovely homemade gluten free gravy for y’all. But, it was Canada Day, and we needed a break too! Also, this gravy was SPECTACULAR… I am now thinking this may be my new “go-to!”
MEATS
- Spolumbos Spicy Chicken sausage
- Candied Smoked Salmon
- Pulled Pork
- Maple Bacon
- Steamed Montreal Smoked Meat
EXTRA CHEESES
- Balderson Extra Old Cheddar
- We didn’t include it, but what about some sort of Nacho cheese – yes, even more sinful, but a very intriguing addition… (!)
ADD IN’s
- Pickles
- Balsamic caramelized onions
- Olives
- Spicy Pickled Veggies
- Spicy Mustard
- Bow Valley BBQ / Hot Sauces (we just discovered these gems and LOVE that they are made right in CANMORE)
- Maple Syrup
So – in the end, without knowing it, Danni and I created a very successful evening. Was it the food? NO. Was it the very delicious Caesars? Well, that helped, but NO. It was the fact that everyone gathered around the table, creating their own concoctions, laughing, offering suggestions, and just hanging out together. There was no “right” answer to this meal. There were no expectations.
In the end, after the last french fry was eaten, and the gravy was long cold, it was the kids who hung out at the table chatting and listening to the “elders” shoot the shit that made this Canada Day special.
It was, if I do say so myself, a little Canadian magic.
Here’s hoping you find a little Canadian magic on YOUR Canada Day this year… Oh, and Happy Birthday CANADA!!
xx
Danni and Christine
A few fav. combos from our CANADA DAY Party
Maple Bacon BBQ
The basics (french fries, cheese curds and gravy)
The Add – In’s – Bacon, maple syrup, BBQ sauce and if you want a little extra zing, a few pickled banana peppers thrown on top
BC Gold
The basics (garlic and rosemary french fries from Cavendish Farms, cheese curds and gravy)
The Add – Ins: – Bourbon infused candied salmon (available at Save On Foods), Balsamic caramelized onions, Sweet Sticky Icky BBQ Sauce , pickled veggies
The Eastern Canadian Salute
The basics – Hot and Spicy potato wedges from Cavendish Farms, cheese curds, gravy
The Add – Ins – Montreal Smoked Meat, spicy mustard, pickles, olives, green onions, and I don’t think anyone would punch you in the face if you added an onion ring… 🙂
What do you think of our Canada Day Menu for a crowd? Do you need a dessert for Canada Day too? Have you tried our S’mores Squares?
Yum! Looks great. Bring on summer!
My favorite maple bacon.is house brand from Super Store.
We will need to try that!! Thanks for the hint!!