Favourite snacks from around the world: Canada

When studying a language, we all know that some days it is harder to focus than others. It’s one good excuse for always having snacks to hand, to keep us busy without getting too distracted, and to use as a reward. If you happen to be learning French, we think snacking is an ideal opportunity to pick a little language up. So without further ado, here are some snacks to practice with—this time from Canada, with a focus on those from French-speaking Quebec.

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Tourtière

Let’s start savoury! Tourtière are meat pies that are more like empanadas from Spain than the steak and ale you might get down at your local pub. The ingredients of these pies do not vary much from the following: minced pork, beef, onions, garlic, thyme, cloves, black paper, and potatoes. They are moorish so practice your very best encore, s’il-vous-plaît if you are in Quebec and trying your French out in its restaurants. Or even better, here is a recipe for tourtière so you can prepare it at home; the perfect lesson!

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Grands-peres a l’erable

Want something easy to make that will fix any sugar craving and help you learn French at the same time? Grands-peres a l’erable is what you want! These are maple syrup dumplings, requiring minimal ingredients and not a lot of waiting time. So if your cooking skills need working on as much as your French, well, this dish is a great one for you! Here is your recette, and even a short video to watch!

Sucre à la crème

Want more sweet things? Then we are here to help! Sucre à la crème, or sugar creams, are the perfect sweet treat to have to hand when studying, or to create an impromptu lesson with by following a recipe. Sucre à la crème are a traditional treat in Quebec, made from, well, sugar and cream! Also with butter, and depending on if you’re feeling fancy, maybe a little coconut or some walnuts as well. These are the sort of sweet bites that you can easily eat too many of so we give you fair warning in advance. Here is a recipe—traditional to Quebec, of course—so you can make your own. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Pets de sœur

Okay, we really have set off our sweet tooth now! Next on our snack recommendation list is pets de sœur, a beautiful French-Canadian pastry. You might hear these things translated as sister’s farts, or nun’s pastries, with all sorts of euphemisms involved, so if you feel like learning some idiomatic language, well, you get that with pets de sœur as well! This pastry is filled with brown sugar and butter, then rolled up and (carefully) sliced prior to baking. If your mouth is watering, then here is your recipe, and also a video so you can see how it’s done. 

Oreilles de crisse

Alright, we’re going back to savoury now, which, yes, we know, is a travesty. Oops? This snack you might forgive us for though if you are a fan of pork scratching. Oreilles de crisse is basically the same; mouthwatering crispy pork rinds that you can have for breakfast, lunch, or dinner if you wish! Us, we like them to be in addition to our meals, hence us wanting them for snacking purposes. Oreilles de crisse are a quick make too, so if you want to make them for yourself, you easily can! Here is your recipe; just try not to eat the whole batch you make at once, hmm?

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Soupe aux pois

Our final snack from Quebec you could extend to a lunch if you wanted, meaning you either are studying while you are eating, or can cheat and have your lunch as your lesson; entirely up to you! Soupe aux pois is pea soup, a staple dish in pretty much every Quebec restaurant. The ingredient list typically comprises of dried peas, salted bacon, carrots, bay leaves, onions, and celery. To make it yourself, follow this recipe; save us a bowl, would you?

When you have finished cramming your face with snacks and want to get back to studying, we can guide you if you need a little help. Our native-speaking tutors will tailor a package of study to suit your level, schedule and needs. Drop us a quick enquiry to see how our courses work.