Patrick Oconnell
Poutine is a Canadian dish that combines French fries, cheese, and gravy. It originated in Quebec in the 1950s and has since become a popular dish across Canada and beyond. Poutine is often served as an appetizer or main dish, with some variations including additional toppings such as shredded beef or chicken. The dish can be made with various types of cheese, such as cheese curds, mozzarella, or cheddar, and the gravy can be made with beef or chicken stock, seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the dish | Poutine |
| Origin | Quebec, Canada |
| Year of origin | 1950s |
| Ingredients | French fries, cheese, gravy |
| Type of cheese | Cheese curds, mozzarella, cheddar, halloumi |
| Type of gravy | Beef gravy, vegetarian gravy |
| Other ingredients | Chicken stock, beef stock, green peppercorns, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, flour, garlic, shallot, ketchup, vinegar, onion, chives |
| Recipe variations | Baked poutine, Italian poutine, BBQ poutine |
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What You'll Learn
Poutine is a Canadian dish
Poutine is made with thick-cut, Russet potatoes that are soaked and double-fried to create a tender, creamy interior and a golden, crispy exterior. The potatoes are cut into wedges or fries and tossed with olive oil, seasoning, and salt before being baked or fried until crispy. The cheese curds can be fresh or room temperature, and they are placed on top of the fries so that the hot gravy will melt them slightly while still maintaining their signature squeaky shape.
The gravy in poutine is typically beef gravy, but it can also be vegetarian or made with chicken or beef stock. It is seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste and should have a creamy soup-like consistency. The gravy is ladled over the fries and cheese and served immediately. Some people also add cut-up cooked chicken, shredded beef, or hamburger to their poutine, and there are variations like Italian Poutine (with marinara instead of gravy) and BBQ Poutine (with BBQ sauce instead of gravy).
Poutine is a popular dish in Canada and has become a well-loved comfort food. It is a perfect party snack and can be made from scratch or with leftover gravy. Whether you're dining in a fancy restaurant or grabbing a quick bite from a food truck, poutine is a delicious and indulgent Canadian treat.
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It was invented in Quebec in the 1950s
Poutine, a Canadian dish made of fries, cheese, and gravy, was invented in Quebec in the 1950s. Specifically, it is said to have originated in the Centre-du-Québec area in the late 1950s. Several restaurants in the area claim to be the originators of the dish, but there is no consensus on which one it was.
One story claims that in 1957, a client named Eddy Lainesse asked the owner, Fernand Lachance, of Le Café Idéal (later Le Lutin qui rit) to mix the cheese curds with the fries. Lachance is said to have exclaimed, "ça va faire une maudite poutine!", which translates to "It will make a damn mess!". The dish "poutine" appeared on the establishment's 1957 menu, and Lachance began adding hot gravy to it in 1962 to keep it warm.
Another restaurant, Le Roy Jucep in Drummondville, claims to have invented poutine as we know it today. They began serving french fries with gravy in 1958, and some customers would add a side order of cheese curds. Owner Jean-Paul Roy added this combination to the menu in 1964 as "fromage-patate-sauce".
Regardless of its exact origin, poutine became an immediate, widespread hit with French Canadians all over the province. It is now found all over the world, from food trucks to diners to sporting events, and has dozens of variations. Traditional poutine consists of french fries (or potatoes) as the base, cheese curds, and gravy. However, many variations exist, such as adding different types of cheese or protein like shredded beef.
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It's made of French fries, cheese curds and gravy
Poutine is a Canadian dish made of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. It originated in Quebec in the 1950s and has since become a popular dish across Canada, with several restaurants claiming to have invented it. Poutine is now considered one of the most quintessential Canadian dishes, and it can be found everywhere from food trucks to fine dining menus.
The dish typically consists of crispy French fries made with Russet potatoes, which are extra starchy and hold their shape better. These fries are then topped with cheese curds and hot gravy. The gravy is typically beef gravy, but vegetarian options are also available. The cheese curds can be substituted with shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, although traditional poutine uses fresh cheese curds.
To make the gravy, one can use a store-bought can of beef gravy or make it from scratch. A good gravy should have a creamy soup-like consistency and be well-seasoned with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. To make it from scratch, start by sautéing butter and diced onions over low heat. Then, add the diced garlic and flour, stirring and cooking until the flour is slightly browned. Next, gradually whisk in the chicken or beef stock, followed by the ketchup, vinegar, green peppercorns, Worcestershire sauce, and any other desired seasonings.
To prepare the French fries, cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices, and then cut these slices into 1/4-inch thick fries. Transfer the cut potatoes to a bowl, cover them with cold water, and refrigerate for about 2 hours to release the starch. Fry the potatoes in vegetable oil at 365-375ºF until they are golden brown and crispy. Drain the excess oil using paper towels and transfer the fries to a platter.
Finally, assemble the poutine by placing the fries on a serving platter and sprinkling cheese over them. Ladle the warmed gravy over the fries and cheese, and serve immediately. For an extra indulgent touch, add some cut-up cooked chicken or hamburger on top.
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You can add other toppings like shredded beef
Poutine is a Canadian dish that combines French fries with cheese and gravy. Traditional poutine consists of French fries (or potatoes), cheese curds, and gravy. However, you can add other toppings like shredded beef to make a heartier meal.
If you're making poutine as a main dish, adding shredded beef can provide extra protein and make the dish more filling. The beef is typically slow-cooked and shredded, then placed on top of the fries along with the cheese and gravy. You can also drizzle shredded beef juice on top for extra flavour. This combination of crispy fries, melted cheese, savoury gravy, and tender beef creates a bold and satisfying dish.
When preparing the shredded beef, you can season it with kosher salt and pepper before searing it in a pot. You can also add other ingredients like onions, garlic, water, carrots, and celery to create a flavourful base for the beef to cook in. This will ensure that the beef is juicy and packed with flavour.
In addition to shredded beef, you can also experiment with other toppings and ingredients to customise your poutine. For example, you can use different types of cheese, such as shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or Monterey Jack, to suit your taste or what you have on hand. You can also add ingredients like onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, sour cream, and queso fresco.
Whether you stick to the traditional recipe or get creative with toppings like shredded beef, poutine is a delicious and indulgent dish that's perfect for sharing with others or treating yourself.
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You can also make vegetarian poutine
Poutine is a Canadian dish composed of fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy. It originated in Quebec in the 1950s and is now a popular dish worldwide.
To make vegetarian poutine, you can follow a few simple steps. First, cut the potatoes into fries. Soak the potatoes in cold water for about two hours to release the starch and then pat them dry. Next, heat oil in a pan to 365-375ºF and fry the potatoes until golden brown. Transfer the fries to a platter and sprinkle cheese curds over them. You can use shredded mozzarella cheese if you don't have cheese curds. Finally, ladle warmed vegetarian gravy over the fries and cheese, and serve immediately.
You can make the mushroom gravy by cooking mushrooms in a medium saute pan with 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and pepper and stir occasionally over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. For a vegan option, you can use a non-dairy alternative and vegan cheese substitutes or marinated tofu.
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Frequently asked questions
The dish made of fries, cheese, and gravy is called Poutine.
Poutine was first made in Quebec, Canada in the 1950s.
Poutine is made using French fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
