Tag: Canada

Pudding Chomeur

Pudding Chomeur

Montreal specialty pudding chomeur, also known as unemployed man’s pudding, is a sticky delicious burst of maple over vanilla cake.

Loganberry Cocktail

Loganberry Cocktail

This delicious Loganberry cocktail is a perfect nod to the blackberry and raspberry, spiked with vodka and infused with some bubbles.

Tourtière: French Canadian Meat Pie

Tourtière: French Canadian Meat Pie

I’m continuing to honor global Christmas traditions at home, while still staying true to my family’s own.  Our stand-by Christmas cookies are still present, but have been paired with hot chocolate, since the weather outside is, while not as frightful as it was a few weeks ago, still deserves warm, chocolatey beverages. This weekend I made a meat pie. Tourtière is a French Canadian version, meat spiced with tastes expected and not, wrapped in a short crust pastry, filling the house with warmth and delicious smells.  This dish is traditionally served after midnight mass, and served with a sweet relish or ketchup.

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Canadian Butter Tart

This Canadian Butter Tart takes the glory of the mini buttery bites and makes it large enough to share! Butter, walnuts and a golden crust..mmmm!

Oat Bread

Oat Bread

Hearty oat bread takes a while but when done, you’ll be rewarded with a rich molasses flavor and deliciousness and the perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner addition.

Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo Bars

Canada, this one’s for you. Hello, Nanaimo Bars! (more…)

See the World: Toronto Layover

See the World: Toronto Layover

How to spend a quick layover in Toronto.

Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake

Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake

Chocolate cake gets an ingredients surprise in this sweet potato chocolate cake, making it a moist and healthy alternative to traditional cake.

See the World: Québec City

See the World: Québec City

Hello!  Let’s take a walk through Québec, shall we?

Mushroom and I decided to spend a couple days away from Montreal, and so really early one morning we took the three hour train, and ended up in what only can be described as a fairy tale.

Well, not an actual one, but walking through the quaint and adorable streets of old Québec, I’m sure that’s where more than one fairy tale has been set in my mind’s eye.  Let me show you around!

But first, a warning. Anyone that has every known or traveled with me knows that I have the worst sense of direction. I’m like this…

Abysmal. The worst. You should never ever let me lead if we travel together, but I think for today you’re safe, as I’ve already gotten plenty lost, but have some great sights to show for it!

Before we head off, breakfast!  Gotta fuel the fire.  A few choices for you:

If you’re in the mood for more traditional fare, head to Cochon Dingue, aka “the crazy pig.” They have coffee bowls and warm oatmeal served with maple cream and caramelized apples that still haunt my breakfast dreams.  

If you want something a little more unique, try Casse-crepe Breton, where you can watch one crepe master (that’s right, one!) make your crepe and everyone else’s in the restaurant!  She was like a crepe wizard, so park yourself at the bar for some breakfast theatre and watch the magic fold.

They have hot chocolate bowls. Be sure to get that because they’re saying it’s okay for you to drink a whole bowl of hot chocolate!

Well-fueled, it’s time to walk. 

The pièce de résistance hotel (and one of the most recognizable in the city) has to be Le Château Frontenac. It really is beautiful and since it’s the holidays, we’ll take a peek inside and ogle the decorations, which really are capital!

Down a few stairs and a quite steep street, we find ourselves in the Petit-Champlain District and on the prettiest street in Canada (like, the one voted as such).  It’s hard to disagree.

Wait 24 hours and it may look completely different!

Take advantage of the snowy weather to grab a treat. Like Frosty, only around for the season.

Frozen maple taffy! It’s a thing! A delicious thing.

Since the snow can be a bit much, I suggest ducking inside for some indoor fun. I LOVED the Musées de la Civilisation.  If you’re there until April, you must check out the Library at Night exhibit. It’s very cool and, bonus- the exhibitions don’t cost anything extra! You just need to get there early to get in line for a pass, because it will “sell out.”

If museums aren’t your thing, there are many an adorable coffee shop in which you an pass the time.

Don’t let the weather get you down, and make sure that you keep your head up because you’ll surely miss some beautiful sights if you don’t.

Trudging through the snow will make a girl hungry, so it’s time to head inside for dinner. La Buche, cozy and reminiscent of a sugar shack, sounds good. With waiters in flannel, customers packed shoulder to shoulder, it’s the perfect place to get traditional Québécois cuisine, with a modern twist.

Comfort food to the max!

Bellies full, it’s time to go home.

I realize that there is much, much more to see in QC than this district, but we were only there for a day and a half, and it snowed almost a foot in that time. We did try to get around as best as we could, but were thwarted at every turn. Anyway, it was a beautiful city and I can’t wait to go back when it can be properly explored. Summer maybe?

Thanks for coming along!

Written whilst listening to Buble. 

 

Eat the World: Montréal

Eat the World: Montréal

Suggestions on where to eat in Montréal, Canada.