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Maple Leaf Diner

What’s so Canadian about Canadian food? Debra Delaurier, co-owner and chef at the Maple Leaf Diner, says, “I don’t understand what people think Canadian food is? It’s all North American. We have burgers and chicken, we just do them our way.”

It may be their “flag ship chicken sandwich” with three mozzarella sticks towering over the bun, their blueberry scones oozing with a cream cheese filling, or even their fries drenched in gravy and cheese.

Her nephew and co-owner, Mike Delaurier, moved here nine years ago from Windsor, Ontario. Debra followed, but it took her seven years to go through immigration. She notes, “It takes a long time when you do it the right way.”

The Delauriers, who were one of the first families to settle in Canada way back when, are restaurant people. Debra and her five siblings grew up in the business at a family-run pizza joint. Debra was sent to culinary school and later made it big when she was featured on Food Network Canada’s “You Gotta Eat Here!” and Cooking Channel’s “Donut Showdown.”

MAPLE LEAF DINER

12817 Preston Road #129

214.434.1626 mldiner.com

AMBIANCE : Restaurant and bakery

PRICE RANGE: $7-$12

HOURS: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. everyday

THE goods

She brought all of those Canadian favorites to Preston Road. “We make everything from scratch,” Debra said. “All of the pita bread, our burger buns are all made in house. Our pancakes are a homemade recipe we’ve had for life.”

When it comes to Canadian staples like pierogies, cabbage rolls and poutine, the two owners say that the food has been very well received. They’ve only added a few “Southern staples” to the menu, like chicken fried chicken, since opening last September.

The cozy atmosphere has proved welcoming for the neighborhood, especially for 750 Canadians living in the metroplex, who have sought out the restaurant for an authentic taste of home.

City View Antique Mall

DID YOU KNOW:

One of the Maple Leaf Diner’s openingday customers was the Canadian Consulate-General in Dallas.

July 11

OLYMPIC ART

In honor of the Olympics this summer, it’s your kid’s opportunity to go for gold in art. Come learn about and create artwork inspired by the Olympic Games from the Dallas Museum of Art.

Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal Lane, 214.670.7128,dallaslibrary.org, free

July 15-31

PARADE OF PLAYHOUSES

Who doesn’t love the giant playhouses at NorthPark?

In its 21st year, Dallas CASA has provided many opportunities to see these works of art, which bring awareness to their important work with children in need.

NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central, 214.827.8961, dallascasa.org, free

July 16

MOON DAY

Come celebrate the biggest expo on space in the entire state, which takes place at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The featured speaker is Walt Cunningham, a lunar module pilot of the Apollo 7 mission. The Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon, 214.350.3600, flightmuseum.com, $7-$10

July 4

FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

The neighborhood comes together for the annual Fourth of July parade beginning at 9 a.m. The parade begins on Stichter Avenue, travels north on Tibbs to Mimosa, then east to Edgemere, and south back to Stichter. Various streets, prestonhollow4thofjuly.blogspot.com, free

July 4

INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Hillcrest Forest Neighborhood Association and the Kramer Elementary PTA host their annual Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. It proceeds down Midbury between St. Michael’s and St. Jude, and ends in a carnival. Kramer Elementary School, 7121 Midbury, hillcrestforest.org, free

July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

FARMERS MARKET

Fresh produce will be available all month. Every Saturday in July, come out and support your local farmers at the Saint Michael’s Farmers Market. Saint Michael’s Church, 8011 Douglas Avenue, saintmichaelsmarket.com, free

Summer Sweetness

A classic French dessert that might seem intimidating to make will surprise you with its simplicity. Pâte á choux is the dough that creates the airy and crisp shell that can be filled with your favorite ice cream or custard and garnished with powdered sugar, a decadent chocolate sauce or fresh fruit. Bite size and full of ice cream and fruit, profiteroles will win over the hearts of your guests and keep you cool during the summer heat.

RECIPE: PROFITEROLES

Makes 24

PÂte Á Choux:

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter, unsalted

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

4 eggs

Filling:

Ice cream flavor of your choice (vanilla bean is recommended)

Fresh strawberries, sliced

Directions:

Heat water, butter and salt in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil.

Once the butter is completely melted, reduce the heat and add the flour. Whisk until the flour and butter mixture form into a paste that pulls away from the sides of the pan. Take mixture off of the heat and pour dough into a mixer with paddle attachment.

Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes to release the steam from the dough. Slowly add the eggs, one by one, and beat until the dough is smooth and all ingredients are fully combined. Pipe or scoop dough into 2-inch balls on a baking sheet.

Egg-wash the top of dough for a golden brown finish.

Just Solds

Bake at 425 °F for 10 minutes and then reduce the heat to 375 °F for about 15 minutes or until profiteroles are a light golden brown.

Allow the profiteroles to cool completely before filling.

Cut profiteroles in half and add one scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and fresh cut strawberries.

Garnish with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.

Kristen Massad writes a monthly column about sweets and baked goods. The Preston Hollow resident graduated from the French Culinary Institute in New York City and owned Tart Bakery on Lovers Lane for eight years. She blogs about food and lifestyles at inkfoods.com.

Jesse Brin, “All the News,” page 18

STORY / Emily Charrier PHOTOS / Danny Fulgencio