Deep Fried Sushi Rolls
A North American classic that Canada fully embraced — the California roll goes Saturday-night snack mode when it’s battered, fried, and finished with glossy teriyaki and mayo. You’ll see versions at pubs and sushi spots from Vancouver to Halifax: crunchy outside, creamy-crab-and-avocado inside, built for sharing with friends.
Bao Buns (Gua Bao, Steamed Folded Buns)
From Richmond night markets in BC to Spadina in Toronto, bao buns feel right at home in Canada’s mosaic — soft, cloud-light pockets you stuff at the table and pass around family-style. This version gives you a reliable bun dough plus simple toppings that nod to our East-meets-West pantry.
Sui Mai (Steamed Pork & Shrimp Dumplings)
Dim sum favourite meets Canadian weekend tradition — shared steamer baskets, lots of chatter, and a tray of open-faced sui mai. From Vancouver’s Richmond night markets to Toronto’s Chinatown, these little bites fit right into our multicultural table.
Sushi Pizza
A true Canadian creation, sushi pizza was first dreamed up in Toronto in the 1990s — a perfect blend of East-meets-West creativity that defines our multicultural food scene. Crispy rice “crust,” creamy sauces, and fresh fish make it both familiar and exotic. You’ll find versions in sushi bars across Canada, from Vancouver to Halifax — each bite a reminder of how innovation and diversity come together at the Canadian table.
Aburi (Flame-Seared) Sushi
Aburi sushi — lightly torched so the fish just melts — found a home in Canada on the West Coast, where Vancouver’s sushi scene helped popularize the style. It’s elegant yet unfussy: warm, smoky top; cool, seasoned rice beneath. Perfect for a dinner party starter or a hands-on night at home.
Tomato Gazpacho
A bowl of pure summer, this chilled Spanish classic feels right at home in Canada — think greenhouse tomatoes, market cucumbers, and patio lunches on hot prairie or coastal days. It’s bright, fresh, and no-cook: blitz, chill, and pour.
Beef Stroganoff
Rich, creamy, and cold-night comforting, beef stroganoff is one of those dishes that made itself at home in Canada—tender strips of beef, buttery mushrooms, and a tangy sour-cream sauce over egg noodles or mash. It feels a bit bistro, a bit prairie kitchen, and entirely weeknight-friendly.
Carrot Cake
Bright, cosy, and a little bit nostalgic—this carrot cake brings together sweet Canadian harvest vibes with the comforting warmth of a spice-laden bake. Perfect for maple-syrup season or chilly afternoons after a walk in the snow, it’s the kind of cake you slice with friends, steep a big pot of tea, and savour every crumb.
Mexican Rice Bowl
Bright, fresh, and endlessly adaptable — this Mexican-inspired rice bowl brings a little sunshine to the table. It’s the kind of meal that feels at home anywhere in Canada: simple enough for a weeknight, vibrant enough for a backyard barbecue. With grilled lemon chicken, smoky chili yogurt, and all the colours of summer corn and peppers, it’s comfort food with a healthy, west-coast feel.
Chicken, Mushroom and Spinach Casserole
A weeknight casserole the way many of us grew up eating it here—simple, satisfying, and built from pantry staples. Tender chicken, mushrooms, and spinach tucked into a creamy sauce sparked with English mustard. It’s humble, it’s cozy, and it feeds a table without fuss.
Paella
Paella, the way we make it here, feels like humble food with a big heart—rice taking on the flavours of what’s at hand, a little chorizo for warmth, peas for sweetness, and chicken crisped in the oven so everyone gets a crackly piece. It’s the kind of pan you set in the middle of the table after a long day—boots by the door, stories starting—proof that simple ingredients, cooked with care, can gather a room and feed it well.
Achiote Chicken with Tomato Rice
Backyard grills are a Canadian summer constant, and this brings Mexico’s sunny brightness to that familiar scene. Citrus-tinted, achiote-style chicken crisps over the flames while tomato rice steams on the side—Leamington tomatoes, prairie long-grain rice, and a stack of warm tortillas turning a weekend cookout into a crowd-pleaser.
Chicken and Pepper Quesadillas with Fresh Tomato Salsa
Quick, melty, and hockey-night reliable, quesadillas slid into Canadian kitchens on the strength of leftovers and greenhouse produce—rotisserie chicken, peppers and mozzarella. Sizzled in a skillet and served with salsa, guac, and sour cream, they’re a cross-border classic that feels right at home here.
Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce
Bright, tangy, and built for a crowd, these enchiladas brought a little Mexico into our Canadian kitchens—first as a restaurant discovery, then as a weeknight staple. The tomatillo sauce is fresh and zippy, the filling flexible (chicken or sweet potato), and the whole tray disappears fast at family dinners.
Churros with Cinnamon Sugar
Crisp, golden, and irresistibly warm, these churros have a delicate crunch outside and a soft, tender center. Rolled in cinnamon sugar and served straight from the pot, they’re a dinner-party showstopper or a cozy weekend treat—surprisingly simple, endlessly snackable.
Norwegian-Style Fish Soup with Dill or Parsley
Simple, coastal, and comforting, this creamy fish soup tastes at home from Norway’s harbours to Canada’s shores. Atlantic cod, Pacific haddock, or sweet East Coast shrimp settle into a gentle dill-scented broth with tender vegetables—nourishing after a windy day by the sea and proof that humble ingredients can feel memorable.
Shrimp or Fish Ceviche
Bright, zesty, and beach-day simple, ceviche may be rooted in Mexico, but it feels at home in Canada too—especially with cold-water halibut, scallops, or spot prawns. Lime “cooks” the seafood until just opaque, then fresh tomatoes, onion, coriander, and a little heat turn it into sunshine in a bowl. It’s coastal cooking at its cleanest: crisp, vibrant, and made for sharing.
Beef Carpaccio
Beef carpaccio may have originated in Italy, but it feels equally at home in Canada, where great beef is an integral part of our culinary identity. Thin slices of tender beef, paired with peppery greens, shaved cheese, and a drizzle of dressing, turn simple ingredients into something luxurious. It captures the elegance of Italian dining while showcasing the quality of Canadian beef — proof that restraint and balance can be just as impressive as complexity.
Scotch Eggs
Golden, crisp, and hearty, Scotch eggs are a true British pub classic — a soft or hard-boiled egg wrapped in seasoned sausage, coated in crumbs, and fried until crunchy. While rooted in England, they’ve found their way onto Canadian breakfast and brunch tables, often at farmers’ markets and gastropubs. Hearty enough for a meal yet portable like a snack, they fit beautifully into Canada’s love of breakfast-on-the-go, especially when paired with local sausage and farm-fresh eggs.