tarts, French-Canadian tourtiere and Maritime lobster rolls. Dig deeper and you’ll find foods specific to individual communities — bar mitzvah-inspired Schmoo Torte in Winnipeg, spicy Clamato Caesars and cowboy flapjacks in Calgary, smoked meat and bagels in Montreal, and fiddleheads, salt cod and screech in the Maritimes. It’s home cooking, the kind of food people tend to bring to potluck parties and share at celebrations, and it’s the perfect way to mark confederation.
A B.C. BARBECUE FOR CANADA DAY A backyard barbecue or a family picnic is a great way to celebrate Canada Day. At her website, FoodDayCanada.ca, Canadian food writer and activist Anita Stewart encourages Canadians to plan a party every summer (this year on August 5) — “light a campfire … sweep off the deck for a neighbourhood supper … dig a roasting pit … fire up the grill and use only Canadian ingredients to create a feast of a simple dinner that honours our extraordinary culinary history.” Using the hashtag #fooddaycanada, cooks share recipes and menus on social media, ranging from seared bison rib-eye and McIntosh apple pie to vegetarian chili. Here on the West Coast, with our strong connection to the sea, coastal Indigenous traditions and subsequent infusions of British and Asian immigrants, there’s plenty to choose from. In putting together the menu on page 26, I’ve shared some of my own recipes, and collected some from local chefs and bakers. It’s all food for thought for a big party revolving around a salmon barbecue with seafood chowder or fresh local oysters, hotsmoked salmon and cold-smoked tuna for snacking, Dungeness crab cakes, spot prawns, Chinese dumplings or even California rolls. Add some fresh local corn, seaweed salad, wild mushrooms and B.C. wines or local craft beers to round out the menu, with a fruit pie or crumble (think local apples or blueberries) or festive red-and-white strawberry shortcake with a tray of creamy Nanaimo bars for dessert. Of course, feel free to add your own family favourite dishes. Maybe a creamy crab dip or little skewers of bocconcini and cherry tomatoes? How about a bumbleberry pie from a local baker? While Wikipedia claims poutine is “the national dish of Canada” — and the Quebec creation has become a fast-food staple from coast to coast — I’m sure many Canadians would beg to differ. After all, Canadian cuisine is whatever is traditional in your family and your community, from pemmican to mussels, and salt cod to sushi. It’s the taste of near and far, and exactly what it means to be Canadian. Happy birthday to all of us!
Selling a Property or Downsizing? It’s important to review your financial picture to see how selling your property can impact your financial goals, including retirement and your income needs. Find out how a customized financial plan can help take care of today and your future. Contact me for a complimentary financial consultation.
Jake Nemec, CFP
Scotiabank Investment Specialist
250-217-8862 Jake.nemec@scotiabank.com www.scotiabank.com/investmentspecialists
® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. Scotiabank includes The Bank of Nova Scotia and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including Scotia Securities Inc. As used in this document, the term “Scotiabank Investment Specialist” refers to a Scotia Securities Inc. mutual fund representative. Scotia Securities Inc. is a member of the Mutual Fund Dealers Association. 3008-2016-1229 F1 3008-2016-1229 - IS Jake Nemec - Property Ad F1.indd 1
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