Category: Canada

July Special – Oh Canada! Yukaflux

Yukaflux or Saskie sangria is a concoction made with leftover alcohol and fruit. Though kitchen sinks and pails have been used as vessels, a hulled out watermelon will do nicely (you may have to wrestle a Roughriders* fan for one). And while this is a good way to use up any and all types of leftover alcohol and fruits, the combination of well-paired in season fruit and wine and/or spirits is more palatable. Leave the mixture to marinate so the sugar and sweetness of the fruits infuse with the alcohol.

* The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a professional football team in the CFL (Canadian Football League). Their fans are known for wearing watermelons on their heads. Yes real ones.

Take the Saskie away from the sangria and create regionally inspired versions of Yukaflux.

  • Watermelon and any alcohol and fruit you can find for a Roughriders tailgate party. Make sure to include Saskatoon berries.
  • Ontario ice wine with Ontario grown strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and cherries for a Canada day party.
  • Nova Scotia blueberries and apples with spirits from the Ironworks Distillery. Perhaps a strawberry rhubarb liqueur with apple brandy? Serve at a garden party.
  • BC peaches, apricots and nectarines with local BC wine. Serve at a mountaintop picnic after a long hike.
  • Newfoundland screech rum with cloudberries, partridge berries, crowberries and bake apple. Drink with sailors in St. John’s.

The Ironworks Distillery is located in the world heritage town of Lunenberg, Nova Scotia. Check out their online shop:

http://ironworksdistillery.com/shop/

Check out an upscale recipe for Yukaflux from the Toronto star newspaper online:

https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2009/08/08/upscale_saskie_sangria_you_can_actually_enjoy.html

Canada Day Food Lists

FOODS I HAVE LOVED ACROSS CANADA:

  • BC cherries
  • Ontario MacIntosh apples
  • Bud the Spud french fries in Halifax, NS
  • Quebec sugar pie
  • Carrot cake, Garden’s Grace, Calgary, AB (sadly this location is no longer)

RED & WHITE FOODS FOR CANADA DAY:

  • Strawberries and vanilla ice cream
  • Red and white potato salad
  • White chocolate with raspberries

O Canada Day

O, Canada

Refreshing Mint Tea

This ‘recipe’ is Moroccan inspired with a Canadian twist: Moroccan mint tea with Canadian ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup/ 250 mL water
  • Handful of mint (Canadian-grown of course!)
  • 1 TBSP. Maple Syrup (from Quebec)

Method:

  1. Boil water. Pour over mint leaves and let steep at least 5 minutes.
  2. When ready, either remove mint or leave in for an extra strong taste.
  3. Add maple syrup. Stir until syrup is dissolved.

The amount of mint and maple syrup can be tailored to your personal taste. If it’s actually summer weather on Canada Day (hopefully hot!), you can make a big batch and put it in the fridge over night for refreshing iced tea. In this case, strain the mint leaves before serving.

Sweet treat

Here’s an easy way to make use of Canadian produce and wow the crowd at a Canada Day party.

Ingredients:

  • Ontario strawberries (they are in season around June – perfect timing!)
  • couverture white chocolate – CallebautCallebaut or Valrhona will do nicely (make sure it’s fair trade!)
  • (option: pure maple syrup candy for garnish)
Method:
  1. In the top of a double boiler, melt white chocolate. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat just before completely melted. Let sit until completely melted.
  2. Wash and thoroughly dry strawberries. Optional: remove stems.
  3. Use a regular spoon to drizzle white chocolate onto middle of strawberry. Make sure the tip and base of strawberry are visible to resemble the Canadian flag. Amount: about 1 spoonful per strawberry
  4. Place finished strawberries on parchment paper and let harden in the fridge.
  5. Just prior to serving your guests, assemble the edible Canadian flag by lying the strawberry down with the maple sugar candy propped on the white chocolate.