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canadian cusine

While we were in Banff, Joel had to try this.

Poutine.
The french fries, not the hotdog.
We do have hotdogs in Kansas.
Poutine is french friesΒ 
with cheese curds
covered in beef gravy.
That sounded awful to me,
but Joel said we had to try it.
He LOVED it.
And I have to admit…
it wasn’t that bad.
I liked the french fries and gravy.
The cheese curds, not so much.
Now Joel is convinced that I need to learn how to make poutine.
We’ll see.

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  • Kristi REDISKE - WOW-that looks kind of disgusting to me. You were brave for trying that-i must admit that i think the gravy might be acceptable but those cheese things looked bad. I will just take my french fries with catsup-thank you very much. πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Kimberly - Um, ewww. I guess you have to try it once, right?ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Yuck looking to me too πŸ™‚ Let us know how yours turns out..maybe just the fries and gravy ok but the other I can do without..

    KimReplyCancel

  • Courtney e - that is one thing i could never get myself to try when i went to college in alberta… perogies are petty nasty too…ReplyCancel

  • Beckypdj - We have something similar in Arkansas (maybe the South?) They are called “Wets”. French fries with white gravy. Yum!ReplyCancel

  • Marc, Sarah, and Luke - Jess — I’m sure Marc would gladly make poutine with Joel. So, perhaps they could make it. Or, we could be nice and learn together πŸ™‚ Our guys and their food — I’ll never understand.ReplyCancel

  • Cristy - Fries with gravy? Yummy. So bad for you, but yummy none the less! However, I must agree, when mixed with the cheese….gag. πŸ˜‰ReplyCancel

  • Cathy - Yuck. I’m half Canadian and I’ve never tried that. Maybe it’s an acquired taste.ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer - We used to live near a dairy farm in Northern Colorado and they had the BEST cheese curds. It’s just the name that sounds gross. πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Julie - I think it looks pretty appetizing myself. I like fries and I like gravy. Not sure about cheese curds, but I might like them too. πŸ™‚ Pair it with some “big meat” and you have a meal! Let me know if you learn how to make it. hehe. Love you!!!ReplyCancel

  • Ginger - Yuck… except I love cheese curds! πŸ™‚ They are one of the many reasons I love going to Wisconsin πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Jane In The Jungle - Ooooo I’m with you…just don’t think so! Just the word..curd…ReplyCancel

  • Courtney - YUCK! You are a good wife for trying it. Me I doubt it! I’m really not even sure WHAT cheese curds are?. I’m guessing this will not be a pregnancy craving for you!!
    Courtney MayfieldReplyCancel

  • Amanda - how about you and I just stick to the cheese fries at Texas Roadhouse…sound like a deal???ReplyCancel

  • Christina - Curds. I just can’t get over how that sounds. I was not made for life on the frontier-it’s a good thing I don’t have to butcher my own meat and make my own cheese!
    Why mess with perfectly good french fries? πŸ™‚ You guys are brave!ReplyCancel

  • Chris - LOL . I am Canadian and now live in Nh but I need to say that there is nothing better than a poutine. This is always the first thing that I will go eat when I cross the borber. DELICIOUS. Joel is so right πŸ˜‰ReplyCancel

  • Keilani - Oh my! I am from Minnesota, home of cheese curds. They looked delicious!
    It is a tradition here to eat cheese curds at the fair! My husband is from Hawaii & they eat their french fries and macaroni salad with gravy on it!
    Now THAT is delicious!ReplyCancel

  • kristin - my family is all in manitoba (and i am actually canadian)…and french fries with brown gravy is what we couldn’t wait for when visiting.

    my husband caught on and used to order it at newell’s. : )

    thinking of you these days more than ever…ReplyCancel

  • shepherdsgrace - hahahahahahaReplyCancel

  • Kate - Not sure about that, but I’ll try it. Heading to Calgary on 9/12!!! Can’t wait. Had to order a lunch ahead of time for a fieldtrip and I chose the “morning glory muffin” as dessert. No idea what it is, but when in Canada, do as the Cunucks. Any other crazy Canadian food I should keep an eye out to try?ReplyCancel

  • Heather - Ok sorry but BLAH!! Cheese curds! Good for you for trying it! But I agree with PP Kristi, I’ll take my french fries with catsup!! Lol!
    Hugs and prayers,
    Heather~ On the HomefrontReplyCancel

  • PamperingBeki - Ohmyword, that sounds disgusting!ReplyCancel

  • CourtneyC - I do not think that is something I could get myself to try. I prefer my fries with just salt/ketcup.ReplyCancel

  • Savanna - Well, I am a good ol’ southern girl living in Canada, and poutine is now a fav of mine! They call the cheese curds “squeaky cheese”. Vinegar is good on it too! Some people will use mozzarella instead, but it’s just not the same. I used to think it was gross too, but now I definitely have my poutine cravings! My family in Tennessee are hooked on it too!ReplyCancel

  • Savanna - Well, I am a good ol’ southern girl living in Canada, and poutine is now a fav of mine! They call the cheese curds “squeaky cheese”. Vinegar is good on it too! Some people will use mozzarella instead, but it’s just not the same. I used to think it was gross too, but now I definitely have my poutine cravings! My family in Tennessee are hooked on it too!ReplyCancel

  • Lauren Kelly - I have never in my life heard of such a thing! Looks interesting, haha!!! πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Garrett Family - I’m a Canadian living in San Diego. My husband and I crave poutine! There’s just nothing like it here. That particular portion looks amazing!ReplyCancel

  • Katie Spinks - as a Canadian it is true people here love them myself not such a big fan but most guys I know love them… i think its all the gravy but who knows… glad Joel enjoyed a little taste of Canadian food!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - We live in western Canada and my family loves poutine! We prefer shredded mozzarella to the cheese curds though….ReplyCancel

  • Kelly - Another Canadian weighing in on the poutine topic – And definitely 2 thumbs up here. I live in Michigan now and whenever I go home I hope there are curds at my parents. And I have to admit Poutine cravings do come and go here… just thinking about it makes me want some.. yummy…ReplyCancel

  • sassy studio - you could use mozza cheese instead of curds…..they even sell it at costoc! good for you for trying it, i’d eat it but I like to see my feet…
    canada friend,
    sassy
    (we are next door to alberta in saskatchewan-next time you visit we’ll meet you at the icecream store!)ReplyCancel

  • Alexa - oh oh oh oh oh I LOVE poutine! And while I am a down home 100% AMERICAN girl.. I totally have convereted since moving to canada when it comes to the poutine thing!

    Making it is so EASY! (it wont be as good as some places, but still, it’s yummy!) Just used a packet of gravy mix & mozza cheese! I promise he’ll love it all the same! πŸ™‚

    Have a great long weekend!ReplyCancel

  • Karina - Hilarious! I am Canadian, so I do understand. I personally love cheese curds, but I’m not wild about the gravy. But I happen to know those who are addicted to poutine stay REALLY addicted. As another person pointed out, Joel might not be able to see his feet for long if you give in to that particular fancy…But what the heck, he could join you as you grow with baby! (Only problem is, he wouldn’t necessarily be able to see his feet again after the nine months are up!)ReplyCancel

  • RLG - that looks like a tummy ache to me! xoxoReplyCancel

  • Miss G - We went to Montreal for New Years. It was COLD!!! We ate poutine and I can say that after walking around all day out in the cold, it was a very welcome, warm treat. I enjoy reading your blog so much, Jess. Kelly

    p.s. do you have a Culver’s near you? We have said that since they sell fries, cheese curds and things with gravy that you could probably get them to make you (or rather Joel) a poutine. Just a thought.ReplyCancel

  • The Mershawn's - Ha! That sounds just like a silly man I know:)…my husband. He’s always wanting to try weird things & then loves them & wants to make them. They make me laugh…ReplyCancel

  • The Schilling's from Cimarron - Hi… Long time no talk uh??? My computer has been on the brink…. LOVE the playground! Miss you guys lots! Several of my friends told me about your interview on TV…. sorry we missed it! THings here are good, just crazzzyyy busy with school, and three kids….. Kali’s first VB game will be next week, so from there we are somewhere different every week!

    Hope you are all doing well! enjoyed reading and looking at all of the posts! keep in touch! I am still amazed and honored to be a part of your strong faith…. I still feel myself drawn to your words of wisdom and it seems to humble me and remind me of what is truely important! Thank you for that!

    Tell your families hello for us!
    love you!

    AMIEReplyCancel

  • bikim - Dear Jess,
    don’t really know if i should do this, but you’ve so great and courageous… you’ve been there and done that… this family in norway is now going through terrible times. can you in any way help them?
    http://mali-mo.blogspot.com/
    If you think it’s not the time (do not want to bring pain in any way), nor the place or just don’t want to do it i do understand.
    Thanks and just be happy,
    RosaReplyCancel

  • Suzanne - cheese, fries, and gravy…count me in! Um I mean, I’ll have a salad..dressing on the side.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - My hubby would love that but it does not look to tasty to me. Your trip sounded so wonderful though. COntinue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
    Summer & family in CaliforniaReplyCancel

  • Kimberly - Poutine is so Canadian, that you can even get it at Burger King. Just make sure if you go to Montreal, don’t try to be “french” and call it Pootan….its just like it sounds…POOOOTEEEEEEN. And I love me some poutine!!! However, cheese curds, beef gravy and french fries are one of those foods that you say a minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Nan in Can - I finally tried it after living here for like 5 years. Not that great. Cheese curds are rubbery.ReplyCancel

  • Rebecca - Joel seems to be quite the adventurous guy! I think I would pass on the poutine. Cheese curds just don’t seem like they would hit any hunger spots for me.

    I was taking some extra time I had today to once again read back on your blog and look at some pictures of Cora. While reading I realized that your b-day was just recently. Happy (belated) Birthday to you. I hope that you were able to find some happiness on a day that I am sure came with many difficult moments. You are in our hearts and prayers everyday.
    Love and Hugs to you and Joel.ReplyCancel

  • Chris - Oh I love poutine , it is frech canadian you know , you really need to wait for the cheese to melt , quite amazing , I know it looks dreadful but it is a real treat , actually I turned it down today a little bit much when your trying to lose weight like I am .
    EH!
    Chris from CanadaReplyCancel

  • Jessica - hey who does you template for your blog? I really need someone to edit mine b/c I have no clue how to do it? Will you help?ReplyCancel

  • Lucie - Poutine is sold even in school cafeterias here in Ottawa-Canada.
    I don’t like it myself, but love fries and gravy- Don’t Americans eat fries and gravy?ReplyCancel

  • dealightfulsavings - Hmmm… I’m not so sure about that gravy either πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Mom of 3 and bride-to-be! - As a canadian girl, I had to laugh at this post. Poutine…foreign to people??? WHAT??

    I had it for lunch today…well..the baby wanted that for lunch πŸ˜€

    Poutine is great..if you don’t abuse it. It’s quite the artery blocker! LOL!!
    Enjoy!!ReplyCancel