Canada Day - Trafalgar Square

[Paul Henry]

Wonderful pics Alex and Chas, thanks for posting them eh.

When I first came up to Canada I was told about the National dish of Canada, Poutine but didn't believe it eh.

But I'm afraid Chas and Alex you were given some Englishized version of real Poutine as the dish here is served with cheese curds not grated cheese. I suspect that this was done so as not to offend your highly trained and sensitive palettes eh.

Here is one recipe eh:

"In the basic recipe for poutine, French fries are topped with fresh cheese curds, and covered with brown gravy or sauce. The French fries are of medium thickness, and fried so that the inside stays soft, while the outside is crunchy. The gravy used is generally a light chicken, veal or turkey gravy, mildly spiced with a hint of pepper, or a sauce brune which is a combination of beef and chicken stock, originating in Quebec. Heavy beef or pork-based brown gravies are rarely used. Fresh cheese curds (not more than a day old) are used. To maintain the texture of the fries, the cheese curd and gravy is added immediately prior to serving the dish eh."

But, Steve, the rest of the wiki article you quoted does indeed give options for grated cheese, so it appears that's it's not just a variation over here, but well known over there as well.
Of course with any regional dish there isn't really one version, as every decent cook and chef will have their own version, whether it is traditional, historic or even modern. ( to borrow something from another thread....)

[Chas]

Oh, Steve - Now you've got me hungry all over again! I knew it couldn't be right. People kept mentioning curds, but then we were served cheese... I am going to log this in my mind as 'Ersatz Poutine' and say that I have never eaten poutine, but am eagerly awaiting my first time!

And I could have gone for the Buffalo Burgers instead - Oh well.

A few more pictures.

This young lady must have some fantastic charisma. She invited people from the audience to come into the centre to do 'Canadian Yoga'.











As many will tell you I am no yoga expert, but all the exercises seemed to involve having your head down and your bum in the air!

As I said, she must have had charisma.

More to come

Regards

Chas

[Chas]

The Canadians had brought their paralympian women's basketball team to raise awareness. And boy did they ever! They split into two teams for an exhibition match.



They were fast and they were vicious and no quarter was given and none was expected. No. 5 in the picture was squeezed and shunted and ended up on her back. It looked to me as if she was an upturned turtle and was stuck. The referee announced that she had two minutes to right HERSELF otherwise points would be deducted. The match carried on. Less than 30 seconds was all it took and she was back in the fray.

These two arrived and and seemed to be waiting for something - why and what, I have no idea - but they seemed quirky.





Finally, is the shirts. There must have been 500 different types of T shirts. Here are just some of them.



More shirts to come

Regards

Chas

[Chas]

Well, there are many more, but you get the idea!

It was a really great day - hot, no rain, plenty to see and do and lots of people to talk to. I am so glad I wore my hat (first time with a kilt).

Only 360 days till next year's!



Regards

Chas

[Thor271]

Thats awesome guys!

You guys almost have more going on in London than we do in our Capitol, Ottawa! Crazy, but good on yeahs, looks like it would be a fantastic time. Now, to go get a timmies.

( Poutine is just not the same without the Curds!)

[be da veva]

Poutine with grated cheese is the poor man's poutine.... Cheese curds are expensive unless you buy the super large bag. And that sauce..... just wow.... thicker than the fries and cheese....

And I know poutine, it was invented in my village and..... oh wait.. no, I'm from Montreal... Forget it...

[chapmanredbourn]

A splendid selection of pictures, Chas. Really gives the flavour of a great day. Good to meet you and Alex again.

Brian

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Great pictures Chas and Alex. It brought back memories of out trip to London about 5 years ago, and wandering around Trafalgar square. Definitely need to plan another trip over.