How to eat like a local in Toronto?
A multicultural city since the day of the Second World War, Toronto boasts a diverse culinary scene. Toronto, as the famous writer Margaret Atwood mentions in one of her books, has evolved from the home of chicken pot pie to offer exotic dishes from Thai, Japanese and Italian to Ethiopian dishes. How do locals eat in Toronto? Let’s find out.
How to enjoy Poutine
A beloved dish from Quebec originally, poutine is a concoction of fries and cheese curds much loved by Canadians all over. In the 1950s, this dish was an underdog in the culinary world. But, today it is an integral part of the Toronto dining scene. A decade ago, you could only find poutine in pubs and small diners. However, since the early 2000s, even restaurants at hotels like the Pan Pacific Toronto serve this dish. Some ritzy restaurants serve lobster poutine, but the traditional version is just French fries and cheese curds drenched in brown gravy – yum.
How to enjoy butter tarts?
Another truly Canadian dish, butter tarts go back to the pioneering days. In the 17th century, 800 French Women who were sent to Canada adapted a version of French sugar pie using Canadian ingredients. The tarts are small pastries filled with semi-solid sugar syrup concocted with sugar, eggs and butter. Some people add pecans, raisins or walnuts for added crunch and flavour.
How to enjoy Canadian pancakes?
Canadian Pancakes with maple Syrup | Image via unsplash
Most Canadians love pancakes for breakfast. There are various versions around – from hotcakes, griddle cakes to flapjacks. Canadian pancakes tend to be thicker in density yet small in size compared to what you find on the continent (Europe). You can get pancakes at any snack bar in Canada. Top your cakes with berries and butter and then add a drizzle of maple syrup.
How to enjoy Tourtière?
Yet another French-Canadian dish, Tourtière makes a steady appearance on Christmas and New Year tables. But, you can get it all year round in Toronto. Tourtière is essentially a meat pie made with ground beef, veal or pork mixed with onions, potatoes and handfuls of herbs and spices.
How to enjoy Peameal bacon sandwiches?
The main ingredient is unsmoked pork loin (comes out of the lean boneless back of the pig). Today, they trim the fat, wet cure it and roll it in cornmeal. Originally, they used ground-dried peas to form the crust. To make the peameal bacon sandwich, they cook the cured bacon and add it on a Kaiser roll (Vienna roll), and add toppings like mustard. Today, this sandwich is as famous in Toronto as a croque monsieur is in France.
How to enjoy macarons?
Macarons are a great addition to a tea table. These are essentially meringue-based cookies that look like round, minuscule sandwiches. Macarons are concocted with almond flour, icing, granulated sugar and a bit of food colouring to add those pretty pastel hues. Then they stuff two cookies with jam, buttercream and delectable ganache to make sandwiches.
How to enjoy sushi pizza?
This fusion of two fan favourite dishes is a tribute to Canada’s cosmopolitan energy. Japanese chef, Kaoru Oshada created this fried rice patty, laden with slices of green avocado, salmon, crab or tuna. They sometimes add roe and pickled ginger. The final touch in any case is a sprinkling of mayonnaise and wasabi. You can enjoy this unusual combination at fusion restaurants.
How to enjoy Chinese soup dumplings?
Yet another tribute to the multi-cultural melting pot that Canada is - Chinese soup dumplings are steamed dumplings stuffed with seasoned pork, a delicious soup. You can dip your dumplings in a thick sauce of black vinegar and flakes of freshly sliced ginger before transferring the wholesome bite into your mouth. Visit Toronto’s Chinatown to get the best Chinese soup dumplings.
