Make it Canadian, Eh
These classic summer dishes are showing their pride with an additional Canadian twist. Your backyard barbecues are getting a Canadian upgrade with these crowd-pleasing, creative dishes. From Caesar Smashed Potato Salad to the Great Canadian Burger, these patriotic dishes are sure to be the highlights of your summer spread.
1. The Canadian Maple-Bacon Burger
It's not really summer without a sizzling burger on the grill, and it's definitely not Canadian without a few slices of peameal bacon. It all starts with juicy, lean ground pork patties with Canadian sharp cheddar, Montreal steak spice, and maple syrup. It's stacked high with crispy peameal bacon, and a generous dollop of creamy maple-bacon mayo takes it over the top, bringing smoky, sweet, and savoury together for a great balance of flavours. Don’t forget crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and crunchy dill pickles, all on a toasted bun. A true north twist on a backyard classic.
2. Canadian Caesar Smashed Potato Salad
What’s more Canadian than a Caesar? This bold twist on a summer classic brings those unmistakable tangy Caesar flavours to the picnic table. The creamy dressing blends Greek yogurt and mayo with Caesar essentials like Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco-style hot sauce, and a splash of olive brine for that signature briny kick. It’s tossed with smashed baby potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, then finished with cherry tomatoes, a sprinkle of celery salt, crispy bacon, and briny olives. A true mash-up of two summer icons, it’s everything you love about Canada’s favourite cocktail, served up as a fresh, zesty side dish.
3. Cherry and Basil Pesto Flatbread
Sweet meets savoury in this deliciously Canadian twist on flatbread, which is as beautiful as it is tasty. At the heart of it all? Fresh in-season cherries, that are juicy, vibrant, and bursting with sweetness. Built on a naan base, each flatbread begins with a thin layer of fragrant basil pesto and is topped with mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and peppery arugula, creating a contrast of textures and flavours in every bite. The Canadian cherries add a note of sweetness that pairs well with the savoury elements. A true celebration of Canadian summers, this flatbread is not only easy to make, but it will turn heads at your next backyard gathering.
4. Crispy Rice Bowl with Blackberry-Glazed Salmon
This Canadian-inspired crispy rice bowl brings together bold flavours and a multitude of textures in one crave-worthy dish. It starts with a base of golden crispy rice that has been pan-seared until crunchy and then topped with green beans, shallots, and a drizzle of maple syrup (of course). Then, the salmon is coated with even more maple syrup and a fresh blackberry glaze that offers a mix of a sweet and tangy finish. Fresh and packed with flavour, this dish is a nod to fresh and in-season Canadian ingredients.
5. Pear Puff Pastry Tartlets
There's no sweeter way to wrap up a Canadian summer evening than with a Pear Puff-Pastry Tartlet. This effortless yet elegant dessert pairs buttery, golden puff pastry with fresh in-season pears for a treat that is as simple as it is stunning. The combination of ripe pears and the subtle nuttiness of Quebec's iconic Oka cheese adds a touch of refinement. Topped with crispy Canadian bacon, it adds a salty, savoury crunch that perfectly balances the sweetness and adds that unmistakable Canuck twist. Easy to make and impossible to resist, these tartlets are the perfect finale for any backyard gathering.