Cook Canadian

Want to cook and shop like a Canadian? We have compiled a long list of well tested, delicious recipes from all across Canada that will help you create that perfect menu.

Fabulous Salads, Veggies and Dressings

Many Salads, One Recipe

Having a basic recipe at your fingertips in the kitchen makes life so much easier. This 100% Canadian vinaigrette is one that lends itself to countless variations for your summer salads. Always begin with a natural sweetener to balance the acid – maple syrup, apple butter even a squirt of local honey.  Our Shop Like […]

Garden Pesto

This vibrant herb pesto is dairy-free and nut-free, almost reminiscent of an Argentinian chimichurri sauce, but with less tang, allowing the herbs to shine! By pulsing the herbs together and not over-mixing, you maintain a vibrant green colour.  Use it as a base for a fresh tomato salad or toss it with freshly cooked pasta.   […]

Peppery-spiced Steak with Southwestern Ontario Summer Sauté

Beside this great (and easy) steak recipe, we’re pairing a Southwestern Ontario Summer Sauté. It’s a simple side-dish that’s supremely local with all the ingredients being sourced in SW Ontario, even the salt. It’s a perfect market-fresh pairing with the steak rubbed either with a Cajun spice mix or one you make in your own […]

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Tangy Herb Potato Salad with Asparagus

Atlantic Canada grows amazing potatoes…that’s why much of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s research is done there. This recipe, one provided by Taste of Nova Scotia, uses some of the finest ingredients of the Province.  2 + 1/2 kg baby or fingerling potato 14 asparagus spears, cut into small angular pieces 2 tsp. grainy Dijon 2 […]

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Spicy Barbecue Sauce

My recipes often have stories and this one sure does. I flew across from Prince Rupert on a huge Sikorski helicopter and landed at Langara Lightstation where, at that time, the Brunn family were the lighthouse keepers.  Ken loved to grill things, especially salmon.  This is a modified version of his favourite grilling sauce.  It’s […]

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Zucchini-Corn Pancakes with Herbed Yogurt Sauce

This is fabulous skillet late summer brunch, lunch or dinner!   Cara provides this tip. “To make your own oat flour, clean out your coffee grinder and grind what you need. Alternatively, you could grind a larger batch in a food processor.” 2 medium zucchini/summer squash, grated and squeezed dry ½ cup corn kernels 2 scallions, […]

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Grilled Marinated Cucumbers and Eggplant

Recipe author Cara Tegler writes, “Never thought about grilling cucumber? Think again. Marinating them ahead of time and quickly cooking to char, infuses them with tons of flavour.” Kirby cucumbers are the smaller “cocktail” size version of greenhouse English cucumbers.  ¼ cup canola oil, or other neutral oil ½ cup local red wine or good […]

Canada Day Maple-Laced, Strawberry-Tarragon Dressing

Here’s another ALL-Canadian dressing for your summer salad developed at the height of Ontario strawberry season on Canada Day.  There is no reason, ever, to buy dressings.  Homemade is cheaper, completely additive free and utterly delicious!  Buy fresh strawberries…they can even be a bit overripe…puree them in a food processor and if you have time […]

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Homemade Mayonnaise

Make your own mayonnaise…it’s less expensive and with these ingredients 100% Canadian.

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Fabulous Wheat Berry Salad

This is another one of Joan Heath’s excellent recipes, she says that it may be made ahead and refrigerated, without the nuts and sunflower seeds, for up to 3 days. While the cooking of the various grains may seem a bit fussy, the results are worth it. Serve the salad on a bed of spinach […]

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Pickled Pacific Mackerel and Lentil Salad

Pickling fish is a very traditional way of preserving it but one not as widely used in Canada as it should be.   If you cannot find really fresh mackerel,  any firm white fish will work. This Lentil Salad, provided by  Vancouver chef Jefferson Alvarez,  could easily stand on its own as a filling for […]

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Honey-Tarragon Salad Dressing for Fresh Greens

This is my go-to dressing for summery greens. Use your imagination and add fresh summer fruit like blueberries or sliced strawberries, petals from a few favourite edible flowers…we love tulips, nasturtiums and begonia blossoms! All canola oil sold in Canada IS Canadian. Sadly, not the same for sunflower oil which once was a magnificent crop […]