Corona Virus
With the pandemic arriving almost as soon as I arrived in Toronto, I felt very disappointed that I didn’t get to frequent the various markets and Bazzars that the GTA has to offer. Places like Gerrard India Bazzar (the seventh largest South Asian Market in North America), Greek town, and Little Italy just to name a few, all home to delicious well known food were closed to curb the spread of covid.
“Humor is the great thing, the saving thing after all. The minute it crops up, all our hardnesses yield, all our irritations, and resentments flit away, and a sunny spirit takes their place.”
MArk Twain
It was almost comical (we have to find humor in life). I remember on the long drive from California to Canada, I bored my husband with details of food and their origins in hopes to prepare him for all the food we would be trying only to have everything shut down for the longest period of time. Arriving on a scouting trip a few weeks prior to our initial move sparked our interest. We had Turkish coffee and Lamuchin, Dim Sum, and a full Irish breakfast. Thai cuisine that will make your knees buckle, and what became our most frequented spot The Kabob House. The Shawarma Poutine has to be the most ordered item in our home out of the two and a half years we have lived here.
Popular
Poutine has quickly become one of our favorite dishes. Some might may say, sure, living in Canada of course you would grow accustom to the most popular cuisine. Its easy availability would ensure it, but my first introduction was at a beautiful resort in Tucson, Arizona where DH and I were celebrating our 5th anniversary.
Seeing as I don’t like to spend money eating out for various reasons, I tend to try my best replications. Even still, the best replications can fail, especially when you don’t have the right ingredients! Luckily this meal can be made easily with just a few pantry and freezer items. And rather quickly, which is a must when the evening hits and you get tempted to open one of your neighborly food delivery apps.
Here in Canada you can find poutine in almost any restaurant. Fast food, fine dining, you name the style of food and almost always the Canadian national food will be served. But there is a caveat. It can be hard to find the best representation of the cuisine when everyone is making it. So to ensure the best introduction and quality to the meal, I recommend starting at home. Having a delicious hearty gravy as the foundation is a must. You can always use pan drippings to begin a rich mix or you can use a pre-packaged mix like this one from ClubHouse . Next is a batch of ultra crispy fries and a sumptuous meat of your choosing, pastrami with grilled onions being the choice here.
Simplicity
I wont pretend that this a very intricate recipe to replicate. I’m a very busy woman like most people, but adding four little mouths to feed to the mix I want to keep things easy and simple once in a while and take a load off!
Pastrami Poutine
Ingredients
- 1 Pack Frozen French Fries medium cut
- 1 Pack Gravy Mix
- 1 Pack Fresh White Cheddar Cheese Curds
- 1 Pack Frozen Pre-sliced Pastrami
- 1 White Onion Sliced thinly
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.° Once heated add french fries for 25 minutes or follow package directions.
- While french fries are baking, begin making the gravy by following package directions.
- Once gravy is complete, add defrosted pastrami and sliced onions to a preheated skillet on medium heat. Brown both the onions and pastrami to desired likeness.
- Once french fries are finished assemble dish by covering french fries in gravy, pastrami and onions, and cheese curds. Garnish with any fresh herb.
