La Christmas dinner in Canada It is the peak moment of these parties. The dishes that are prepared for this important day are the fruit of European culinary tradition, although they are enriched with certain elements and ingredients from the new world. The result: a series of delicacies as exquisite as they are surprising.
Now, since Canada has "two souls" (the English and the French), a small distinction can be made between the Christmas menus that are prepared in each of the two parts of the country. They are not great differences, but there are notable nuances, each with its own particular charm.
To find out how Christmas is celebrated in Canada it is essential to know their cooking recipes. These are some of the most emblematic:
Aperitif
Mulled Wine, appetizer for Christmas dinner in Canada
Before sitting down to dinner, it is a tradition in Canada to share a welcome drink with guests and family.
La cider has many followers, although the most Christmas is the mulled wine. This drink is an American interpretation of the famous Mulled wine German, a sweet spicy wine served hot and decorated with a slice of orange or lemon, or even a cinnamon stick. A good way to warm up and prepare your palate for the delights of Christmas lunch or dinner.
Christmas dinner main dishes in Canada
Tourtiere
Tourtière, the Christmas dish from the Québec region.
It is the main dish par excellence of Québec, French-speaking Canada. He pie It is a succulent meatloaf that the first French settlers in the early seventeenth century were already preparing for their Christmas festivities.
The recipe is French, but the ingredients are XNUMX% American. This is how you cook a meat or fish pie baked in a large medium-depth iron or ceramic pan. The name suggests that originally the meat used was pigeon (turtle dove). Today instead you can do beef, pork, chicken, deer and even trout or salmon.
Roast turkey
A classic of Christmas dinner in Canada and the United States. The fountain with the roast turkey, golden and smoky, it fills the table like no other dish. But the accompaniment is also important. In the Canadian case, it is almost an obligation to have various sauces as well as the classic mashed potatoes, to which is eventually added melted cheese. In some areas of the country, the turkey does not have as many followers as the goose, whose meat is considered juicier. In any case, the way to prepare it is practically the same.
Brussels sprouts with chestnuts
Brussels sprouts with chestnuts, a flavorful dish for Christmas in Canada
Another specialty to eat together with turkey meat is that of the brussels sprouts with chestnuts, two products that combine very well and that are cooked sautéed with butter and aromatic herbs. Bacon and onion can also be added to enhance the flavor of this delicious dish that genuinely sums up the virtues of the country's gastronomy.
Desserts and sweets
Butter tarts
canadian butter tarts
Without a doubt, butter tarts (butter tarts) are the quintessential Christmas dessert in Canada. The dough for the tartitas is made with butter, sugar and eggs, without flour. The classic filling is usually raisins, walnuts or jam, depending on the recipe.
Buchon de Noël
The "Christmas log" is particularly popular in the Québec region. Basically it is a roll of sponge cake filled with chocolate, cream and other ingredients well soaked in brandy or another liquor. The Buchon de Noël it's a great way to put the finishing touches to a Christmas dinner in Canada.
Nanaimo Bars
Nanaimo Bars, the favorite dessert of Canadians
It is a relatively modern dessert, since it has its origin in the town of Nanaimo, in British Columbia, in 1953, the creator of this wonder was a woman named Mabel jenkins, that is why this sweet is also known by the name of Mabel's Bar.
These cupcakes consist of three layers: cookie, custard and chocolate. In 1985 the Nanaimo Bars were chosen as "Canada's favorite dessert".
Eggnog
In almost every refrigerator in the country there is a large jug of eggnog (eggnog in English) prepared to entertain the guests of a Christmas dinner or party. This is a creamy drink closely linked to the cold Canadian winter, especially on Christmas days.
Today it can be found in any supermarket in Canada, with various flavors and varieties. However still There are many households that prepare home-made eggnog with milk, eggs and cannela, to which a splash of liquor is optionally added, generally rum, brandy or whiskey.