Friday 23 November 2012

Canadian Treats

Yesterday, while picking up yet more newspapers and food for the puppies, I overheard a woman talking to a store assistant about how she couldn't find a turkey anywhere and how she wanted to make one for her American husband.  Being exceptionally nosey, I apologised for eavesdropping but explained that as a Canadian wanting a Turkey in October every year, I too struggle.  I suggested she go to Aldi where they have pre-stuffed breasts suitable for two and we got to talking about all the foods we miss from North America.  Turns out she had lived in Canada in her twenties and later in California with her husband.  She missed Swiss Chalet and cornbread.  I missed...well, just about everything!

Whenever I go back home to Canada (no matter how long I live away, I don't think I'll ever stop calling it home) I like to hit up all my favourite restaurants and stock up goodies to take back with me from the local supermarket.  When in Timmins (my hometown) it's a must to have Chez Nous poutine (in England it's called chips, cheese and gravy and it's not necessarily piled up in that order) and a good French Canadian breakfast at La Chaumiere.  I didn't get to do either of these things.  I also hardly made a dent in the list of restaurants and food I wanted to eat in Toronto either.  And when it came time to stock up for take home goodies, I was less than enthusiastic.  You see, I got the flu.  I was so nauseous, I could hardly look at food let alone eat it.  A blessing and a curse!!  I still managed to came back to England with a few goodies in my suitcase though and some extra room in my trousers (I've made up for it by chowing down on 11 cupcakes this week).

These are some of my favourites:

  • Kraft peanut butter is not only delicious but it comes in a decent sized container (I love the stuff and hate to run out!)
  • Always need a couple of boxes of KD in the cupboard for those nostalgic days (even though I wouldn't touch the stuff if I was living there now)
  • Lipton Chicken Noodle is my go-to soup when I'm sick.  Mom's tip - add crushed garlic!
  • Real Fruit Gummies are just tasty!
  • I love the little 100 calorie pack popcorn and haven't been able to find that here and the shakers are flavours that I've rarely seen here (My aunt and I did find Ketchup crisps once)
  • The Cinnamon Spread reminds me of days spent at my grandparents in Toronto as a child - my grandpa always has it on toast.
You're probably asking "but what about the maple syrup?!!"  I have about 4 large tins thanks to some lovely weddings guests from this summer's nuptials so I have enough to last to have pancakes everyday for a year! (more like month - I drench em!)

What are your favourite foods?  What would you bring with you on a dessert island?  What do you miss most when you're away from home?  My list is much longer but sometimes you just have to draw the line - and stay within your luggage allowance!


4 comments:

  1. Love reading your blog - you're posting so much! Looking forward to your Christmas stuff.

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    1. Thanks LeeAnn! The pressure's on now - I better get cracking on my baking!

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  2. I won't go many places without hot sauce, it can improve the worst of foods, especially up north where I work. But the one thing I crave, and it's an auto order when I get back from the GWN, is pizza, double sauce, feta, roasted red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Just thinking of all the sodium and fat in that is sending my BP to heaven.

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