Finding Southern Flavors In Canada : Poutine Comes Home!
Submitted by Christy Jordan on Wednesday, August 27, 200852 Comments
About two years ago, I had an opportunity to visit Canada. I had a wonderful time, met some great people, had delicious food, and learned two things about Canadians.
One is that they are very nice people! Seriously, they were the biggest group of nice folks I had ever encountered outside of my own stomping grounds. I can’t imagine feeling as welcome anywhere else as I was in Canada (I really think they liked me better than my own family but that is a story for another day…)
Secondly was that Canadians have an almost inhuman ability to maintain body heat. With my Alabama blood in the Canadian climate (in January), “I THOUGHT I’Z GONNA FREEZE!” I have never, never, never, never, never, never, never experienced cold like that before in all of my born days.
I was told to bring my winter coat so I packed my wool pea coat. I love that coat but living in Alabama means only getting to wear it once or twice a winter if I’m lucky. You see, where I am, the winters are so mild that the grass doesn’t even die. We generally wear jackets if we go out but there have been occasions warm enough for shorts even in the middle of December. Needless to say, I was surprised when I got there and, upon looking at what I considered to be a winter coat, my friends asked me where my coat was.The photograph at the right shows me standing amidst more snow than I have ever seen in my entire life, wearing a coat - borrowed from a Canadian (I told you they were awful nice!).I had a week filled with firsts. From stepping into snow and watching my shoe actually sink entirely down into it to visiting a grocery store and seeing things written entirely in French. Canada was a great experience and as I said before, the people were just wonderful. Another first from my trip was trying this dish – poutine (Pronounced pooh-teen).
From day one I was told, “Oh you HAVE to have Poutine!”. When it was described to me, hot fries topped with fresh cheese curd and a rich gravy, I was a bit put off. It just didn’t sound good to me. Still, they were persistent. Finally, three days before I left, I relented.
It was pure and true love at first bite. I had poutine at just about every meal until my flight back home. I ate so much poutine, I was being watched with concerned eyes as if hoping I would somehow get back on the wagon again. They had unleashed a poutine monster.
Once you taste this, you’ll see why. Now remember, I thought it sounded weird to begin with, too. In truth though, Poutine tastes about as southern as food can get and despite what you think, you really can’t imagine what it tastes like until you try it. Three simple ingredients meld to become something altogether more than what they seem.
This dish is so popular in Canada that McDonald’s and Burger King actually serve it, although I can’t imagine it is as good as it is at the little mom and pop diners. Canadians get creative with it, too. I’ve heard folks adding bacon, hamburger, and all sorts of other toppings into the mix. As for me, I like it just as I tried it that first time – and the second time, third, fourth, fifth, sixth…
You’ll need three simple ingredients. French Fries, Beef Gravy, and Mozzarella Cheese.
We’re making this a bit differently from how they do in Canada as we don’t have fresh cheese curds. I can’t really tell the difference but I’m sure fresh cheese curds just make it all the better!
Bake or fry your french fries. I love these Big Daddy steak fries. They are absolutely wonderful, and very difficult to find. Most people prefer to fry them in oil but I just bake mine. Surprisingly, I really don’t like to deep fry anything!
While those are cooking, slice your mozzarella cheese…You want a good handful, about a half cup for each serving.
Cut your slices into small cubes.
Heat your gravy until piping hot. You can use the stovetop for this or the microwave. I nuke mine.
Place hot fries on a plate and salt them.
Sprinkle liberally with cheese cubes.
Ladle hot gravy over hot fries.
Get a good bit on there! Make sure you cover up your cheese so it will get all ooey and gooey.
Give it a minute or two to melt and dig in.
Oh lord, I made this a few weeks ago and am just now putting the tutorial up.
Now I have to go make it again!
OH CANADA!!!!
Poutine
(If you have rednecks that you’ll be cooking for, just call it “smothered fries”. Trust me on this)
French fries, cooked and kept hot
Mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
Beef gravy in a can
Heat gravy until piping hot. Sprinkle cheese cubes liberally over hot fries. Pour gravy over all.
Pretend you know french. C’est Magnifique? MAIS Oui! C’est tres magnifique!(hey, I said pretend!)
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Christy,
You are right about this being DEELISH, I visited Montreal about 4 years ago, and McDonalds had these on their menu, I thought “what is this?” so being the brave soul I am, I tried them. I went back for two more orders. Yummy Yum
Hey Citycowboy!
Isn’t it funny, finding something that sings to the very heart of a southerner in such clear notes way up there in Canada?
I am so glad you adored it just as I did!
I am afraid most folks might not want to give it a shot, so we need references!!!
Christy
I bet this would rock with country gravy too! I love country gravy and fries!
Looks so good! I’ll have to try that, but I’d probably go with a more from-scratch version, because that’s just me.
When I lived in Rexburg there was a dairy farm nearby and fresh cheese curds were available in local grocery stores. Maybe if you could find a dairy somewhere you could get a hold of some curds. Just a thought.
That’s so funny about your coat! I’ve lived way up here in Idaho for quite a while, but I do remember winters in California and Florida, where you just wear a light jacket and call it good. Ah, memories. Glad you were able to borrow a warm enough coat for your visit.
I think I’m gonna make this for my Daddy today for lunch. With him, if a meal doesn’t have meat, it ain’t a meal so I’d bet crumbled sausage patties would be great with it.
Ain’t no way on God’s green earth I’m gonna tell him it’s called “poutine”.. till after he’s eaten it anyway.. ha!
Yesterday, I baked pork chops in some Country Bob’s sauce along with turnip greens, fried taters and homemade buttermilk cornbread. The chops were really good. As long as I make him the greens and cornbread once a week, I can get away with something different once in a while. Let’s see if this passes muster.
Found this site through Pinky’s blog and all I have to say is yum. I can’t wait to try making some of your wonderful recipes. Thanks for the inspiration
I doesnt “LOOK” good..But I bet it is HEAVENLY!!!!
Guess what I got in the mail yesterday??? A little gift from AL..my Country Bobs cookbook!!!Oh my goodness there are some YUMMY looking recipes in there. Now I have to go on the hunt for some COunrty Bob Products!!!
I was axcited to win tourgiveaway and even more excited when I got the cookbook in the mail!! THANK YOU THANK YO THAK YOU!!!!!!
Poutine!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yum!!!!! I love it!!!
If you don’t have cheese curds, you can always grate up mozza cheese and spread over the fries and then add the gravy.Doesn’t taste as delicious as the curds, but it IS GOOD!!! And if you use homemade fries, it’s even better!!
BTW, I am CANADIAN!!! WAhoo!!!
I found your blog link at Pinky’s blog! Your blog is making me HUNGRY!!!
I think I’ll suggest poutine to my family for our supper tonight!
OH! MY! Pinky sent me over to say Hello…so I did, and I fell in love as soon as I saw fries and gravy!!!! MMMMMMMMM….boy there are days when I miss Oklahoma! Of course, I would SO be all about country gravy - Elvis fries all the way!!!!
this sure looks yummy! Pinky sent me back to you. Even though I have been visiting since the first time she sent me. Ordered your cookbook and can’t wait to get it!
Hey Christy…
This is my 2nd time over here - PINKY sent me.. all I can say is YUM!!
You’ve definately got some good schtuff goin on here!
Wanted to edit my comment above to say that Pinky sent me over to check out your blog…but I had to delete and rewrite….sorry about that! I have never heard of poutine before…..I’ll have to try it the next time I come across it on the menu. I love anything that has french fries as one of it’s ingredients!
Can’t wait for apple week!!!! 
Those look sooo good! My husband and son would love them. I’m going to make them. Pinky sent me and says Hi!
Hey Pinky! I swear I need to get a copy of that pic of you and put it at the top of my page naming you as my official mascot! “Southern Plate: Where Pinky goes!” Thank you for sending all of the great folks my way!!! I owe you some SERIOUS baked goods!
Stephanie: I can only imagine having it with gravy from scratch! I’d be ruined! I’ve never been to Idaho, but I bet it gets cold there! I really need to get out more….
Bill: I know what you mean about not calling it Poutine! There is something about the name down south that southern men just give you this look like you’ve grown two heads. “Poo - what?”.
The other day I made the biggest pot of greens you’ve ever seen! Oh lord were they good! I am doing a tutorial on buttermilk cornbread soon, already got it done!
Colleen: Welcome to Southern Plate!!!!
I wish I had a way of tossing confetti over the heads of every new person who happens in and throwing a little party in their honor! I do hope you come back often and please let me know if you ever have any questions or special requests!!
Leslie: YAY! I am so glad you got it! Getting a cookbook in your mailbox is like Christmas, isn’t it? In fact, every year when Christmas rolls around I start searching to find the perfect new cookbook for myself. I order it and stick it under the tree, not cracking the cover until Christmas morning. Then I get to spend my Christmas day (or at least the part where I am not cooking) curled up flipping the pages of a brand spanking new cookbook!
I hope you enjoy the Country Bob’s! They sure are nice people and their sauce is AWESOME!
Pinky sent me over to say hi and I am glad I found your blog. Yummy!
Deanne! I am jealous of your family now, can I come for supper???!!!???
Thank you for reading Southern Plate! Please come back often!
Jingle: I am so glad you liked what you saw ! Welcome to Southern Plate! When I posted that last night, I took a deep breath as I pressed enter because I knew it wasn’t “technically” southern. I’m relying on y’all to trust me on this and give it a taste!!! LOL
Do come back often!
Connie: Great to have you! We have been so busy shipping out cookbooks. I had to order more yesterday! Yours has already shipped and hopefully you should be getting it soon! THANK YOU!
Denise: Welcome! I hope you come back a third, fourth, fifth, sixth…time! hehe
Pinky is my spokesperson! Isn’t she great?
Katie: Awww, edits and deletes are my home field! Don’t you worry one little bit! I’m just thrilled to have you here! I do hope you find some things you like and be sure and let me know if you get to try anything!!! Welcome!! I love your name, by the way! My little girl is Katy :). K-K-K-Katy! Beautiful Katy!!! You’re the only G-G-G-Girl that I adore!! When the M-M-M-Moon shines, over the cow shed! I’ll be waiting by the K-K-K-Kitchen Door!!!
(that is a very old song)
Peg: Welcome to Southern Plate!!!! I am SO Glad to have you here!!!! Thank you again, Pinky!!
~Christy
Alyssa! HI ! Welcome to Southern Plate!!!! Its so great to have you here!!!
Goodness I just love all of you gathering about on my front porch!! Let me go get some iced tea and frozen salads! I’ll be right back, y’all get comfy!!
Poutine…..well I dont know if its just southern men Christy..lol. Im from Bama and got me a California husband who is about to bust a gut with this name.. We live close enough to Wisconsin that I can get the cheese curds. Gonna have to make it this weekend for him.
With all this talk of greens… omg……………… I havent had any fresh greens in years, but I did get a few jars of Pepper Sauce made from the garden this year!!!! now I must go in search of fresh Greens!!!!!btw… Pinky sent me…hehehehe… even though I have stalked you since she mentioned you the first time. And I subscribe… btw… Please tell me you were asleep at 3:45 this morning when I got the email???? lol.. My hubby is a truck driver so I had an excuse to be up!..lol.. He was heading off to KC.
Yummy
Your blog makes me so hungry! Especially those buttermilk biscuts!
BTW, Pinky sent me here to say “HI”
I love love love cheese with fries. I’ve never topped it with gravy but I love making the fries (or chips as we mainly call them) in the oven, letting cheese melt over them while they’re in the oven and covering them with chilli, sweet chilli or BBQ sauce to eat.
Oh my!!! Not the place for a new diabetic to visit!! I want it all. Especially the biscuits. They look heavenly. Pinky sent me!!!!
Turtlelady~Sandy #1715
Hi! Cristal sent me over. I love your blog! I am so hungry now!! Yum
Apparently you will be busy today Christy! LOL You crack me up girl!
I make all my gravy from scratch too but I am simple country girl….meat drippings, flour and some milk and salt and pepper!
But my hubby said until he met me he hated gravy! So it must not be too bad LOL
Pinky sent me. Such yummies!!!!!
The word curd sorta would turn me off, but since it IS french fries (my favorite food ever), I’d have to give it a try. Especially with an endorsement by a fellow Southern girl.
Pinky sent me over to say hi…but she didn’t tell me that you had fries here. Yumm!!
This sounds yummy and I make my gravy from scratch too! I am amazed at the number of people who do not know how to make gravy!
Oh yeah I almost forgot Pinky sent me over from her blog and I am glad she did!
Well.. I just finished off a plate. it was pretty darned good if I do say so myself and I didn't get the dreaded "What the &*%$@% is this?" from my Dad. lol. So I didn't have to tell him.
I crumbled up some Sausage on top just for him. He didn't throw it across the room so I guess he liked it!
Oh my goodness….I am so starving right now. Your blog is wonderful and it went straight into my faves.
Thanks Pinky for sending me over to say hello!
OMG THAT LOOKS GOOD! and since it is still hot as all get out here… and we got a hurricane comin… THAT SNOW LOOKS BEAUTIFUL!
Pinky sent me over to say HI! Wow this dish looks so good. I might have to try this!
oh my goodness…i come over to say hi because pinky sent me and i am leaving here hungry!!
looks DELISH!
Hi christy
I am now making you one of my favorites. Pinky said you had some great recipes here. Boy was she right!! Thanks for sharing them.
I’m so hungry after browsing the delicious looking foods - i can almost smell and taste some of them!! Yum! Pinky sent me over to say hi and now i’m off to find something for dinner - what shall I choose first?
Oooh.. I wonder how Crumbled Blue Cheese would taste over it? I Love Blue Cheese.
You are a hoot! I hear ya on the cold winters. I moved from Florida to Minnesota–and all I can say is UFFDA (a popular norwegian saying in MN!)!!
Pinky sent me over here and I am glad I came!
Karen #4500
I’ve heard of Poutine but never tried it but do love fries and gravy ! Yum
btw…Pinky sent me!
Hey there…Pinky sent me over to say Hi. Wow, I love smotherd fries and how great to put cheese in them too. Those smart Canadians! Well I’m off to read your Peach preserve post. I just bought a bushel but am not sure what I’m gonna do with them
HOwdy Pinky sent me over to say “HI”. It looks like you have cooked up lots of goodies!!
Hey Cee! A fellow Bama Gal!! Thank you so much for subscribing!! I am not sure if I was up then or not, depends on what time zone you are in. Although I usually am up by five am-ish. I am SUCH A morning person and I LOVE the little bit of time I can get to myself!
You made pepper sauce this year? I am so jealous! I bought a bottle at Wally World a few days ago to have on my greens.
I am thrilled to have you here and so glad you introduced yourself!!! I love getting to meet y’all! Thank you again for subscribing and please don’t be a stranger! Let me know if you have any special requests or questions!
Christy
Hi Carrie Egg! If it makes you hungry, I’m doing my job. Now I just gotta figure out a way to feed all of y’all, too! I would love to be able to cook for everyone. We’ll have this big old meal and no one can leave the table until their zippers bust! hehe
Welcome to Southern Plate, Carrie!
~Christy
Su: Everytime I see your name on the comments section I think about you in Memphis and try to think of more bbq places to send you to when you get to come!!! LOL Your fries sound wonderful!! Do you happen to have a good recipe for Lamington Bars? I have been wanting to try them ever since I started watching McCleod’s Daughters!
Turtlelady: I’m hypoglycemic myself, I’ll just pull you back here in my little Splenda corner and we can eat the stuff that won’t quite kill us!!!
Welcome to Southern Plate!
Southernbellescrapper: Welcome to Southern Plate!!! It is so wonderful to have you here! thank you for commenting!!!
Pinky: You are AMAZING! That is all I have to say! LOL
Cicly: Welcome to Southern Plate!!! Get comfy and stay a spell!!
Donna: I know, I think the name “curd” got me, too. I appreciate your faith in me, though, and promise I wouldn’t lead you astray! lol
Sharon: Ooooh yeah honey chile! I got fries, cornbread, chicken and dressing, cake, sweet tea….
Welcome to Southern Plate!
Michelle! I Agree, homemade everything is better than storebought. Poutine in my house is just for me, though, so I take shortcuts!! hehe
Welcome to Southern Plate!!!!
Bill Gent: YAY! You get the golden reader award for person who tries things the quickest and always reports back!! Thank you so much for letting me know!!! I wish I could eat lunch at your house! I get cold cuts on a GOOD day!
Carol A: Thank you so very much! I am thrilled to have you here! I do hope you hang around, I got lots more up my sleeves! Welcome to Southern Plate!
Nancy, I know just what you mean! Maybe I should post more pics from Canada to help cool us off!!! haha!
Stamp Inc and Greta: WELCOME TO SOUTHERN PLATE!!
I think I was the only person left who didn’t know Pinky when I did meet her! LOL Its wonderful to have you here!
Annie! I love your name, first and last! Thank you for the kind words, I do hope you come back often! Welcome to Southern Plate!
Ashley: Welcome to Southern Plate! Please come back often and let me know if you have any questions or special requests! I’d love to hear if you try anything!! Thanks!!!!
Bill Gent: Would you believe I have never had bleu cheese???
Karen! Great to have you at Southern Plate, Welcome!!!! One good thing about our summers, they sure do make you look forward to winter, huh? LOL Come back often, alright? ~grins~
Patty: See? it’s fate, you are MEANT to try it now!! Welcome to Southern Plate!!!
Pinky, do you ever sleep? I’m glad you don’t!!
Beckabear: I hope you check out the fresh peach cobbler post. It is my mothers and the cobbler is sooooooooooo buttery and delicious. Let me know if you’d like my peach crisp recipe and I’ll shoot it off to ya! I haven’t done the tutorial on that yet but will gladly share the recipe! If any of y’all want a particular recipe just give me a holler! I share all of my recipes, as you can tell!
Marla: Welcome to Southern Plate!!!! So good to have you here! Do sit and stay a spell!!
Thank you all so much for reading!
Christy
Hi, Pinky sent me, ur site is great, all the foods are making me hungry.
Christy, no-one makes their own lamingtons here! lol We all buy them. I don’t know one person or their granny who has made their own. When we were kids most schools would place orders for lamingtons as a way of fundraising. I remember having my mum take my order form to her work so she could get her co-workers to order boxes of lamingtons. I miss those lamingtons, I don’t know if they do fundraising anymore.
Although I probably do have a recipe so I will find it for you over the weekend.
I can’t believe you watch McLeod’s Daughters! I don’t even watch the show myself!! LOL
Hi! Pinky sent me, I love your site, I am going to book mark this site and come back for sure, I see some yummy things on here…
Stacie Glenn
Pinky Sent me too!
That Butterfinger Cake was to DIE FOR!! YUM YUM
My cooking exprience had my hubby getting me a brand spankin new cookbook too…. Cooking For Dummies ROFL!!!!
Hey there….Pinky sent me over here to say hello and I am very glad she did! Although your blog is making me seriously hungry!!!
Christy,
I am also hypoglycemic, diagnosed 2 years ago, its scary when that sugar starts droppin on ya. Ya get anxious, palms sweat, can’t speak clearly, I didnt know I had it til I hit the floor and woke up about 3 minutes later, off to the doctor where he confirmed it. While I dont use Splenda (dont like the aftertaste) I do keep OJ in the house and eat and set times so as not to throw everything off kilter. Hmm…wonder how many other readers here have that in common.
Being from Nova Scotia, I ate a lot of poutine in my high school days. The little diner across the street sold a huge order of poutine and a drink for $3.
If you like poutine, you have to try Newfie Fries. They are yummy too! It is fries with dressing (turkey stuffing), and gravy. Deeelish!
As the Canadian that introduced the evils of poutine to Christy i have to say that she ate more than i thought humanely possible..i got worried she might explode in a huge column of fries and cheese curds.. The best part was seeing her reaction to snow
Had me smiling for months afterwards.
WOW when did I get so behind on this comment post!! I’m sorry!
Coco Welcome!! Thank you for coming and please come back often!! Glad to have you at Southern Plate!
Su Still haven’t got to try your lamington recipe but it is on my all time ultimate, must do list!
Stacie Glenn Welcome, welcome!!!!! So glad to meet ya!!!!Do come back, please!!
Ziggyeor Hello! I’m so glad you liked the butterfinger cake, sounds like you liked it as much as I do!!! Welcome to Southern Plate!!!
Tracey Hey!! Welcome and come back anytime!!
Citycowboy I save all of my carbohydrate transgressions until right before bed, then crashing just helps me sleep better! I’m awful, just awful!!!
Amanda Newfie fries sound like pure and total heaven. If you happen to read this, email me a little more detail so I can make some, please!!! Hehe!