Bushra Griffith
Poutine is a Canadian dish, invented in Quebec in the 1950s, that combines crispy French fries with hot gravy and cheese curds. While the gravy is usually beef-based, the cheese curds can be made from a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, mozzarella, or halloumi. The curds are often warmed slightly before serving, to create a warm, softened texture.
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What You'll Learn
Poutine cheese is made of curds
Poutine is a Canadian dish that originated in Quebec in the 1950s. It is made by topping French fries with cheese curds and hot gravy. While any type of cheese can be used, poutine is traditionally made with cheese curds. These curds are typically large and stretchy, with a subtle taste and a squeaky texture.
Cheese curds are made from the solid parts of soured milk that form when an acid—usually lemon juice or vinegar—is added to it. They are then separated from the whey and pressed together to form a solid mass. This mass is then cut into blocks and aged to develop flavour. The resulting cheese curds are often described as having a mild, milky taste and a springy or squeaky texture.
When making poutine, it is important to ensure that the fries and gravy are very hot, as this helps the cheese curds melt. The cheese curds are placed on top of the fries, which are then put under a broiler for a short time to melt the cheese slightly before the gravy is added.
While cheese curds are the traditional choice, they can be hard to find outside of Canada and near dairy farms due to their short shelf life. Substitutes such as mozzarella, mild cheddar, halloumi, or cottage cheese can be used, but the result will not be true poutine.
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Substitutes include mozzarella
Poutine is a Canadian dish composed of French fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy. While cheese curds are the traditional choice, they can be hard to find in some areas. If you can't get your hands on cheese curds, there are a few substitutes you can use to create a similar experience.
One of the closest substitutes for cheese curds in poutine is torn chunks of full-fat block mozzarella cheese. It is important to avoid using fresh mozzarella, such as buffalo mozzarella or mozzarella in brine, as these varieties will melt completely and mix with the gravy. Instead, opt for the type of mozzarella you would typically shred and use on a classic pizza. The mozzarella should be cut into chunks so that it softens without melting entirely, creating warm, softened pieces of cheese throughout the dish.
Other possible substitutes for cheese curds include halloumi, light cheddar, and cottage cheese. However, these options may not provide the same authentic poutine experience as mozzarella or cheese curds. Some people also suggest using shredded sharp cheddar cheese, but this may not be the best option as it will melt and mix with the gravy, creating a different texture and flavour profile.
Ultimately, if you want to create an authentic poutine experience, cheese curds are the ideal choice. However, if you cannot find cheese curds, torn chunks of full-fat block mozzarella cheese can be a suitable substitute to create a delicious and indulgent poutine dish.
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Cheddar is not the best substitute
Poutine is a Canadian dish, invented in Quebec in the 1950s. It is made with French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. While poutine can be made with any type of cheese, cheese curds are considered traditional. These curds are ideally big, stretchy, and squeaky.
Some people do use cheddar cheese in their poutine, but it is not the best substitute for cheese curds. Cheddar has a very distinct taste, whereas cheese curds are more mozzarella-like in flavor—soft, pliable, and subtle. Cheese curds are also larger in size, and their warm, softened texture is a key part of the poutine experience.
If you are unable to find cheese curds, the closest substitute is torn chunks of full-fat block mozzarella cheese. The mozzarella should be the type you would shred and put on top of a pizza, not fresh mozzarella. It is important to tear the mozzarella into chunks, rather than shredding it, so that it doesn't melt completely and mix with the gravy.
While some recipes suggest using mild cheddar or light cheddar as a substitute, these are not ideal. Cheddar has a stronger flavor than mozzarella and is likely to overpower the other flavors in the dish. It also melts more easily, which would result in a different texture than the ideal warm, softened cheese curds.
If you are looking to make authentic Canadian poutine, it is best to use cheese curds. However, if you are unable to find them, full-fat mozzarella is a better substitute than cheddar.
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Halloumi, light cheddars, cottage cheese are other substitutes
Poutine is a Canadian dish made of French fries, poutine gravy, and white cheddar cheese curds. The cheese curds are ideally supposed to be mild and fresh, with a subtle, mellow salty flavour, and a tough exterior. They are dense, slightly salty, and do not melt completely.
If you are unable to find cheese curds, you can use other substitutes such as Halloumi, light cheddars, or cottage cheese. Halloumi is similar in terms of texture and taste to cheese curds. It can be cut into small cubes to mimic the shape and size of cheese curds. Light cheddars can also be used as a substitute for poutine cheese. They are technically what cheese curds are made of, although the taste is different. Light cheddars are a good option if you are looking for a substitute that is widely available and has a similar texture to cheese curds. Cottage cheese is another substitute that can be used in place of poutine cheese. It has a similar mild flavour and can be cut into small cubes to resemble the size and shape of cheese curds.
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Poutine is a Canadian dish
The cheese used in poutine is typically in the form of cheese curds, which are small, fresh cheese pieces that have a stretchy, squeaky texture and a mild flavour. Cheese curds can be made from different types of cheese, but they are usually made from cheddar or mozzarella. Cheddar cheese curds are the traditional choice for poutine, as they are stretchy and have a subtle taste. However, mozzarella cheese curds are also a popular option, as they are softer and more pliable.
When making poutine, it is important to use high-quality cheese curds to ensure the best flavour and texture. The size of the cheese curds can vary, but they are typically around the size of a baby finger. It is important to cut the cheese curds into chunks rather than shred them, as this ensures that they do not melt completely when mixed with the hot gravy. The warm, softened cheese curds are a signature part of the poutine experience.
While cheese curds are the traditional and preferred choice for poutine, they can be difficult to find in some areas. As a result, some people substitute other types of cheese, such as mild cheddar or mozzarella cubes. However, it is important to note that using shredded cheese or cheddar cheese from a bag is not considered authentic poutine. Some people also suggest using halloumi, light cheddar, cottage cheese, or paneer, but these options may not provide the same taste and texture as cheese curds.
In addition to the cheese, the other key components of poutine are the French fries and gravy. The fries are typically crispy and golden, and they are often double-fried to ensure a crunchy exterior and fluffy interior. The gravy used in poutine can vary in flavour and ingredients, but it is typically a brown gravy made with beef or chicken broth, butter, and fresh herbs. Some people also add additional toppings to their poutine, such as sautéed mushrooms, pulled pork, bacon, or jerk chicken.
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Frequently asked questions
Poutine is a Canadian dish, invented in Quebec in the 1950s. It is made up of French fries, cheese, and gravy.
Poutine is made with cheese curds, which are usually made from cheddar. However, these can be hard to find, so mozzarella or halloumi are sometimes used as a substitute.
Cheese curds are solid pieces of curdled milk, which can be eaten as a snack or used in recipes such as poutine. They are often described as "squeaky" due to the sound they can make when you bite into them.
No, cottage cheese is not a good substitute for cheese curds. It will not melt in the same way and will not provide the same "squeakiness".
While shredded cheddar can be used in poutine, it is not traditional and will not provide the same "squeakiness" as cheese curds.
