Canadian Cusine

[declansdad]

I find it SO interesting that you identify this food with Canada...its' origin is Lebanese/Middle Eastern.

Origin yes but the version sold in Canada was an adaptation created in Halifax. It uses beef instead of lamb that is found in the traditional Turkish doner kebab.

 

[Allison]

Well, I have gotten flamed for the Canadian-Fruit cake comments in the past. In my defense, almost every Canadian bakery promotes their "Traditional Canadian Wedding Fruit Cake" on their websites....something you don't see U.S. bakeries do. I have never been to a wedding in Canada that didn't have fruit cake. But a former co-worker who is from Regina put it, fruit cake is not a requirement at a Canadian wedding, but it certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see it. Sort of like unity candles, and jumping the broom and breaking a wine glass, traditions with cultural roots, but not a requirement.

Oh, and I agree, anything Maple. Although it think many others in the U.S. might consider that more a Vermont or New Hampshire tradition.

And Naniamo bars too, although I have never heard that name before. My aunts all made them when we visited but they just called them Coco bars.

Where is your proof that almost every Canadian bakery promotes this on their websites? You have a bad habit of throwing things out as fact that are not fact and many times are incorrect.

 

[declansdad]

My understanding is that the "Canadian" version is specific - with the condensed milk (or evaporated milk cooked with sugar) sauce. Plus it is beef (rather than the traditional lamb) - though that is not so weird.

BTW - did you know that, in Canada, donair/shawarma/gyro/whatever meet has to be double cooked? It is cooked on the spit, but they have to cook it on the grill after shaving it off. Completely random fact I found out when waiting in line to vote in the last election.

Probably because of a large number of e.coli cases in Alberta a number of years ago.

 

[SirDuff]

Probably because of a large number of e.coli cases in Alberta a number of years ago.

Probably. I know it was because of an outbreak, but couldn't remember the location (or bacteria).

ETA - you are right!

In the summer of 2008, after numerous cases of E. coli related food poisoning due to the consumption of undercooked donair meat in Alberta, the federal government came out with a set of guidelines for the preparation of donairs.[56] The principal guideline is that the meat should be cooked at least twice: once on the spit, and then grilled as the donair is being prepared.

An interesting Wikipedia article about the world of kebab type foods…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doner_kebab

 

[minnie mum]

Its interesting to see how the thread has strayed, as they usually do.

I mean, if we are going to stick with only foods that are original to the country, we don't have much besides pemmican. And I doubt the OP wants that at her party. Our country is so culturally and ethnically diverse and has so many regional peculiarities, there very little that is original. But there are SO many things that have been brought here and become traditional through common use over many years.

Under the heading of things that make you go hmmm.... Which came first: fries with gravy or poutine?

 

[tlens]

Origin yes but the version sold in Canada was an adaptation created in Halifax. It uses beef instead of lamb that is found in the traditional Turkish doner kebab.

I have never heard of this at all and to be honest, it sounds disgusting to me but then, I'm from Ontario and there are a lot of Maritime things I gave no knowledge of. Perhaps you should have said it was a staple in every restaurant in Canada so I would have understood.

 

[E&Cmom]

Sugar tarts, maple anything. . Tidbit but around 85% of the worlds production of maple syrup is ii in Quebec. I found this out from my DDs assignment on Quebec which I should have known growing up there.

 

[declansdad]

I have never heard of this at all and to be honest, it sounds disgusting to me but then, I'm from Ontario and there are a lot of Maritime things I gave no knowledge of. Perhaps you should have said it was a staple in every restaurant in Canada so I would have understood.

I almost did that.

 

[lizabu]

I have never heard of this at all and to be honest, it sounds disgusting to me but then, I'm from Ontario and there are a lot of Maritime things I gave no knowledge of. Perhaps you should have said it was a staple in every restaurant in Canada so I would have understood.

I live in Ontario too. We have more gyros and shawrama around here than donairs and they are fantastic. There are stands all over downtown which are traditionally where people go for a late night snack when the bars let out. All these kinds of sandwiches are a little different but they are all some of the most amazing things you will ever put in your mouth. Marinated meat roasted on a rotisserie, wrapped in pita bread with lettuce, tomato, onions and some garlicky sauce...yum.

 

[maddiel]

Origin yes but the version sold in Canada was an adaptation created in Halifax. It uses beef instead of lamb that is found in the traditional Turkish doner kebab.

There is controversy of who invented it - several people take credit - but it is definitely a Halifax original like you say. It used to be you could only buy them here but they've spread through the Maritimes and then to parts of the country that have a concentration of ex-pat Haligonians/Nova Scotians/Maritimers.

Not only can you buy the original and donair pizzas, but now you can buy donair eggrolls, donair subs and donair burgers....


M.

 

[declansdad]

There is controversy of who invented it - several people take credit - but it is definitely a Halifax original like you say. It used to be you could only buy them here but they've spread through the Maritimes and then to parts of the country that have a concentration of ex-pat Haligonians/Nova Scotians/Maritimers.

Not only can you buy the original and donair pizzas, but now you can buy donair eggrolls, donair subs and donair burgers....


M.

For the best donairs, look for this

 

[maddiel]

For the best donairs, look for this

That one closed down a couple of years ago. It's a frozen yogurt place now. There is another KoD location in our neighbourhood.

I can go a year or two without a donair, but then every once in a while I get a serious craving.

M.

 

[mommasita]

Sugar tarts, maple anything. . Tidbit but around 85% of the worlds production of maple syrup is ii in Quebec. I found this out from my DDs assignment on Quebec which I should have known growing up there.

Yes, yes, and YES.. Cabane a Sucre time in the SPring is absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!!

I live in Ontario too. We have more gyros and shawrama around here than donairs and they are fantastic. There are stands all over downtown which are traditionally where people go for a late night snack when the bars let out. All these kinds of sandwiches are a little different but they are all some of the most amazing things you will ever put in your mouth. Marinated meat roasted on a rotisserie, wrapped in pita bread with lettuce, tomato, onions and some garlicky sauce...yum.

The Same here. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! We eat it about once or twice a month, and make sure the whole house eats it

For the best donairs, look for this

My Father is from the Maritimes, and I recall this as a child..

 

[NHdisneylover]

I find it SO interesting that you identify this food with Canada...its' origin is Lebanese/Middle Eastern.

Kinda, sorta They were actually first sold ("invented") in Germany, by a Turkish immigrant. The style of meat and the style of bread both come from the middle east, but serving them together with the sauce, to go ,started in Berlin--and they are hugely popular here with Donner Kepab shops everywhere you turn, MUCH easier to find them here than in Turkey, for example.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24685617

 

[ronandannette]

Kinda, sorta They were actually first sold ("invented") in Germany, by a Turkish immigrant. The style of meat and the style of bread both come from teh middle east, but serving them together with the sauce, to go ,started in Berlin--and they are hugely popular here with Donner Kepab shops everywhere you turn, MUCH easier to find them here than in Turkey, for example.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24685617

That is very interesting and informative. There is alot of ethnic food here in Calgary (not street-food mind you, the climate makes that a challenge) and I've personally eaten at probably a dozen donair shops. I've never been in a single one that wasn't run by Middle-eastern/Mediterranean people. I've never thought about whether they might have arrived via Germany (or Nova Scotia for that matter!).

This thread has also really pointed out how region-centric (if that's a word) Canada is and how many of us assume what ever it is that we do encompasses the entire Canadian experience. tv guy got a rough ride for that but the rest of us are just the same. Maple sugar? Yeah, that's not a "thing" on the prairies. Our syrup comes from Aunt Jemima! And while poutine has become ubiquitous across the nation to the point it's served at McDonald's, in the West it was pretty much unheard of until maybe 10 years ago. Fries and gravy? Most of us were eating that in our cradles!

Anyway...our friend participated in his "swearing in" ceremony yesterday in Edmonton at the Legislature. He is very happy - it's been a long road for him as it is NOT easy for people from first-world countries to immigrate to Canada. We're all really excited to be celebrating with him this weekend and I thank you all for the great menu ideas!

 

[U2_rocks!]

I remember donairs being great street food for college students after a night of partying! This was in the Maritimes (New Brunswick). I haven't had one since my college days (late 80s) because you can't get them where I live.

 

[NFLDERS]

That is very interesting and informative. There is alot of ethnic food here in Calgary (not street-food mind you, the climate makes that a challenge) and I've personally eaten at probably a dozen donair shops. I've never been in a single one that wasn't run by Middle-eastern/Mediterranean people. I've never thought about whether they might have arrived via Germany (or Nova Scotia for that matter!).

This thread has also really pointed out how region-centric (if that's a word) Canada is and how many of us assume what ever it is that we do encompasses the entire Canadian experience. tv guy got a rough ride for that but the rest of us are just the same. Maple sugar? Yeah, that's not a "thing" on the prairies. Our syrup comes from Aunt Jemima! And while poutine has become ubiquitous across the nation to the point it's served at McDonald's, in the West it was pretty much unheard of until maybe 10 years ago. Fries and gravy? Most of us were eating that in our cradles!

Anyway...our friend participated in his "swearing in" ceremony yesterday in Edmonton at the Legislature. He is very happy - it's been a long road for him as it is NOT easy for people from first-world countries to immigrate to Canada. We're all really excited to be celebrating with him this weekend and I thank you all for the great menu ideas!

Bon Appetit!

 

[LBIJim]

Anyway...our friend participated in his "swearing in" ceremony yesterday in Edmonton at the Legislature. He is very happy - it's been a long road for him as it is NOT easy for people from first-world countries to immigrate to Canada. We're all really excited to be celebrating with him this weekend and I thank you all for the great menu ideas!

Let us know what you decide to serve. Inquiring American minds want to know.

P.S. Hope HE doesn't decide to bring some burgers and fries and expect you to serve them.

 

[CPT Tripss]

This is from a classic New Jersey Diner.

"Bundy"

 

[ronandannette]

Let us know what you decide to serve. Inquiring American minds want to know.

P.S. Hope HE doesn't decide to bring some burgers and fries and expect you to serve them.

Yes, let's hope. This would be me on the outside: This would be me on the inside: