Can you explain what poutine is exactly. I have been wondering about it lately. I've heard it described as french fries with gravy, but that seems to simplistic.
Can you explain what poutine is exactly. I have been wondering about it lately. I've heard it described as french fries with gravy, but that seems to simplistic.
SO, traditionally, you are mostly correct, poutine, in Quebec, is traditionally french fries topped with cheese curd (which I like to call fromage "squeak squeak") and brown gravy (typically beef based, but there are vegetarian substitution, that is if you're a vegetarian who eats cheese (there are vegan cheese options...). The cheese is most melty if left in the fridge until the fries and sauce are hot and ready to maximize the melted gooey deliciousness. Because my heritage is Ukrainian/Italian, I grew up with a variety of dishes, and I love spice, so Indian, Thai and Mexican food influences my cooking a lot, as I love cumin and spicy heat... That said, I will make a fusion poutine using french fries and sometimes top it with Shahi Paneer (so I substitute the cheese curd with paneer in my favorite Indian dish). This time, I was originally going to make a béchamel (or white sauce) but because I already had left over chili in the fridge, I decided to save time and use that instead. For a hard core poutine connoisseur, my fusion would be bastardizing this Québecois staple, but, I don't mind, cause I love to play around with food, and I love the flavors that I come up with in my experiments! Like, substitute the french fries for yam or sweet potatoes. I will literally order Indian food just so that I can have Shahi Paneer to make poutine with... Anywhoo, if you have any more questions RE poutine, I'm happy to go over it more thoroughly in case this is not thorough enough, haha!
I wish I could give this ALL of the upvotes.
"as I love cumin and spicy heat" As do I. Cant get by with out these two flavors.
I'm Appalachian, and it turns out part of the Appalachian Range extends into Quebec. We eat plenty of fried taters and gravy, so I think poutine is natural fit. Thanks for this explanation. far beyond what I expected.
Thanks! I'm happy to share recipes, food ideas, whatever comes up, I'm open!