As a Chef, Bobby Rahman prides himself on his vast knowledge of the many different cuisines all over the world. However, his trademark, as a resident of Ontario, Canada, has always been Canadian dishes!

Today, we’ve compiled a list of some of Chef Bobby Rahman’s favorite Canadian meals. Complete with insightful tips and background information provided by Bobby himself, who is eager to share the taste of the food of his home country.

Canadian Cuisine 101 | Bobby Rahman

Bobby Rahman: When I talk about Canadian cuisine, I don’t really restrict myself to one region over the other. BUT, it should be said that there are definitely variations within them. Canada, much like the United States, is a melting pot of all sorts of different cultures — and with different cultures come different ways of cooking and different tastes.

The type of cuisine you’ve probably heard about is French-Canadian cuisine, but a lot of traditional Canadian dishes also have English, Scottish, and Indigenous roots. The dishes I’m sharing today will be a mix of all of the above!

1. Poutine

Bobby Rahman: Poutine! This delicious French-Canadian dish is probably one of the most recognized Canadian dishes on social media and the like. And no wonder, really. It’s the kind of dish that you regret the next day but is so sinfully good that you just can’t stop yourself from taking a bite when it’s in front of you.

If you’re not familiar with it. It’s best described as French fries covered with gravy and topped with fresh cheese curds. It’s not the kind of meal that I would recommend if you’re watching your weight. But if you’re looking to fill a craving, then a couple of healthier decisions, like oven-frying rather than deep-frying or just cutting back on the gravy might help soothe your conscious a bit.

2. Peameal Bacon

Bobby Rahman: Not to be confused with ‘Canadian Bacon’, Peameal Bacon is a type of wet-cured, unsmoked back bacon. It’s easy to prepare, and it’s delicious! Literally, it’s just trimmed lean, boneless pork loin that is brined and then coated in cornmeal. A healthier option because it’s leaner and has less fat. So, you can enjoy the wonder of eating ‘back bacon’, as it’s sometimes referred to, with less guilt.

3. Bannock

Bobby Rahman: Bannock is original, indigenous Canadian cooking. It’s often mixed up with the Scottish Bannock (an unleavened type of bread). But it’s been around Canada since before ‘pre-contact’ as you’d say. To describe it quickly, it’s a type of bread. Flat, much like the Scottish Bannock, that is made out of wheat and shaped into rounds that are either fried or baked.

If you’re looking for something quick and easy to start with, then this is a good one to try. It’s simple enough to prepare, after all. You can keep it easy by topping it with some kind of butter or jam, or you can experiment a little bit by rolling some cheese into the dough before cooking.

4. Tourtière

Bobby Rahman: Tourtière is a French-Canadian meat pie dish that’s a must for the holidays (especially if you live in Quebec). There are many different ways of preparing it. But popular ingredients are pork, beef, veal, potatoes, and, even, game meat! A perfectly filling meal if you’re looking for something for parties, as an example, they’re a hit!

5. Nanaimo Bars

Bobby Rahman: Nanaimo Bars are a favorite confectionary treat here in Canada. It got its name from the city, Nanaimo, British Columbia. Perfect if you’re looking for a treat that keeps well since it can be enjoyed even after frozen.

I recommend it all the time for parents who want to cook with their kids. It’s a no-oven recipe, with the main ingredients being chocolate, graham cracker crumbs, custard powder, and icing.

6. Butter Tarts

Bobby Rahman: Another treat that keeps well is Butter Tarts. It’s a quintessential dessert here in Canada. Picture it as a small, bite-sized pastry filled with a syrup (which is made to be semi-solid) that is made up of butter, sugar, and eggs (although you can always spice it up with a few nuts or dried fruit if you want.) They’ve been around for a while, also a great treat to have around for the holidays — since you can make them ahead of time and freeze them before eating.

7. Saskatoon Berry Pie

Bobby Rahman: If you fancy yourself another type of pie (just to complete the trifecta we’ve ended off here), Saskatoon Berry Pie is one that you might want to try out. The Saskatoon berries themselves may be hard to come by depending on where you live (they’re native to Canada and the US — although they are available in some places in Europe as well), but the unique taste is worth the extra effort of looking around for it.