Poutine is the Traditional Dish of Canada

Poutine is eaten either for breakfast or dinner, and it is a very popular dish originating from the province of Quebec. A simple, hearty plate consisting of three basic ingredients: fries, cheese curds, and a hot brown gravy.

POUTINE, as understood in Quebec (not to be confused with the Russian regime), is the "little" dish that keeps rising... Originally a working-class dish, it has become the emblematic dish of Quebec.

The Base? Fries, Cheese Curds that go "Squeak-Squeak" or "Creak-Creak" under the teeth, topped with a Poutine Sauce (or brown sauce) nice and hot.

The Fries

The fries are usually julienned and fried until crispy and golden. Fresh cheese curds, which have a unique rubbery texture, are added on top of the hot fries, allowing the cheese to slightly melt. Then, hot brown gravy is poured over the top to complete the dish.

The Poutine Sauce

The poutine's brown gravy is a thick and flavorful sauce, made from beef or poultry broth, onions, flour, and other ingredients. The sauce is often flavored with Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or molasses, giving it a rich and deep flavor. The poutine sauces offered by Kanata are all vegan poutine sauces. There is also gluten-free and vegan poutine sauce.

Kanata offers you everything to make a Poutine at home like in Quebec, except for the fries! And of course, it goes without saying, this dish is accompanied by Quebec beverages: beers, sodas, maple water…

Poutine is a simple yet comforting and delicious dish that can be found in many restaurants, street food stalls, and festivals in Canada. It is considered an iconic dish of Canadian cuisine, especially in the province of Quebec, where it is very popular.

Like a chef, you can reinvent your poutine: meat, vegetables, spices, ... it's up to you!!

As a Quebec specialist, we could not leave you hungry and thirsty for culture. Need a recipe? Want to know more about its origin, sauce, cheese, …?

A Canadian Dish Turned Trendy

Poutine, the emblematic dish of Quebec, has been gaining popularity in recent years. This mix of fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy is a staple of Canadian cuisine, but today, poutine is being exported and is winning over more and more food enthusiasts around the world.

Poutine has long been considered a fast-food dish, unrefined and inexpensive. However, with the arrival of new chefs and new restaurants, poutine is being reinvented. Establishments are now offering upscale versions of poutine, using quality ingredients and more elaborate sauces.

Poutine has also become a trendy dish at food festivals. Poutine competitions are multiplying and allow the discovery of variations of the traditional recipe, often very creative. Poutine contests highlight the most innovative chefs, those who know how to combine original ingredients with the classic recipe to create new flavors.

Poutine has also managed to adapt to new food trends. Thus, one can find vegetarian versions of poutine, using plant-based cheeses or vegetables to replace meat. Gluten-free versions of poutine are also being offered.

Finally, poutine has become a symbol of Canadian culture, just like maple syrup or ice hockey. It is an important element of popular culture and attracts more and more tourists looking to discover Canadian cuisine.
 

The Origin of Poutine

Poutine is an iconic dish from Quebec, consisting of fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy. While the recipe may seem simple, the origin of poutine is more complex and is the subject of several urban legends.

According to the first legend, poutine was invented in the 1950s in the Warwick region of Quebec. A customer allegedly asked restaurateur Fernand Lachance to add cheese to his order of fries and gravy, thus creating the first poutine dish.

Another story tells that poutine was born in the 1960s in a restaurant in the Drummondville region, where the chef had the idea to add cheese curds to fries and gravy.

Finally, another urban legend claims that poutine was created in the 1950s at Laval University in Quebec, where a student mixed fries, cheese, and gravy on a plate as a joke to his friends.

Despite these different stories, it is difficult to determine with certainty the origin of poutine. However, it has become a symbol of Quebec cuisine and is now a popular dish worldwide.

Today, many restaurants offer variations of the original poutine recipe by adding ingredients such as ground meat, bacon, vegetables, or different sauces. But for purists, true poutine must consist of crispy fries, fresh cheese curds, and creamy brown gravy, all served hot and quickly for maximum enjoyment.

Check out our blog post on "How to Perfect Your Poutine".