Satisfy Your Cravings with Delicious Poutine

If you’re looking for a dish that’s sure to satisfy your cravings, look no further than poutine. This classic Canadian dish is a favorite among Canadians and foodies worldwide. With its delicious blend of French fries, gravy, and cheese curds, poutine is the perfect comfort food that can be customized to your liking. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this beloved dish, its history, and some top spots to try it.

What is Poutine?

Poutine is a popular Canadian dish originating from Quebec. The dish consists of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. While its origin remains disputed, some believe it was first created in the 1950s in rural Quebec by a man named Fernand Lachance. He was said to have combined fries, cheese curds, and gravy to create a quick and easy meal for his hungry customers. Poutine has since become a popular dish throughout Canada and worldwide.

Types of Poutine

While the traditional poutine consists of fries, cheese curds, and gravy, the dish has evolved over the years. Today, there are many variations of poutine, and various toppings can be added to the dish to customize it according to your liking. Some popular types of poutine include:

• Classic poutine
• Loaded poutine with bacon or pulled pork
• Spicy poutine with jalapenos or hot sauce
• Vegetarian poutine with mushroom or spinach gravy
• Sweet poutine with maple syrup or chocolate sauce

Where to Find the Best Poutine

If you’re in Canada, poutine is available at most fast-food chains and restaurants. However, some places do it better than others. Here are some of the best places to find poutine in Canada:

• La Banquise – Located in Montreal, this institution has been serving up delicious poutine since 1968. Their menu features over 30 different types of poutine to choose from.
• Smoke’s Poutinerie – This chain has locations across Canada and is known for its creative takes on poutine. From chicken Parmesan to Philly cheesesteak, Smoke’s has something for everyone.
• The Fry – Located in Edmonton, The Fry is known for its hand-cut fries and high-quality cheese curds. Their poutine is a must-try when in the area.
• New York Fries – While not a traditional poutine spot, New York Fries serves up an excellent classic poutine with crispy fries and melted cheese curds.

How to Make Poutine at Home

If you can’t make it to a restaurant or just want to try making poutine at home, it’s not as challenging as you might think. All you need are French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Here’s a simple recipe to try:

Ingredients

• 1 lb. frozen French fries
• 1 cup cheese curds
• 2 cups beef gravy
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread frozen fries evenly on a baking sheet and bake according to package instructions.
2. Heat the gravy in a saucepan over medium heat until warm.
3. Once the fries are cooked, place them in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add the cheese curds on top of the fries.
5. Pour the gravy over the fries and cheese curds.
6. Serve immediately.

Conclusion

Poutine is a classic Canadian dish that should be on every foodie’s bucket list. Whether you try it at a restaurant or make it at home, poutine is sure to satisfy your cravings. With its simple yet delicious ingredients, easy preparation, and customizable toppings, poutine is a dish that can be enjoyed by everyone.

FAQ

Q: Can I use different types of cheese for poutine?

A: While cheese curds are the traditional cheese used for poutine, you can use other types of cheese like shredded mozzarella or cheddar.

Q: Is poutine vegetarian-friendly?

A: Poutine can be made vegetarian-friendly by using mushroom or spinach gravy instead of beef gravy.

Q: Is poutine gluten-free?

A: Poutine is not gluten-free as the gravy typically contains wheat flour as a thickener.

Q: Can I make poutine ahead of time?

A: Poutine is best enjoyed immediately after preparation as the cheese curds can melt and the fries can lose their crispiness.

Q: Is poutine widely available outside of Canada?

A: Poutine can be found in some restaurants outside of Canada, but availability may be limited.

References

• “Poutine.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Aug. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine.
• “13 Best Places to Get Poutine in Canada.” Travel + Leisure, Meredith Corporation, 3 July 2020, travelandleisure.com/food-drink/canadian-poutine.
• “How to Make Poutine at Home.” The Spruce Eats, Dotdash, 23 Aug. 2021, thespruceeats.com/classic-canadian-poutine-recipe-3377052.