Growing up Canadian While Living Abroad by Geraldine Mac Donald-Moran

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HAPPY CANADA DAY! This could be the best time to say- far away yet steadfastly Canuck- preserving, protecting and promoting our Canadian culture abroad is getting easier by the minute around here: Thanks to a few pieces of French toast and some honest-to-goodnesss maple syrup!

It's that food issue again- one that strikes a chord, and resonates, in more than few hungry [Canadian] grizzly bear tummies, out and about in the world at large.

It all started with an impromptu gathering in the colony and the mere mention of what the hey-day is Canadian food? And then it evolved into the comforts of home cooking and swiftly turned into 'how she does this recipe' and 'how the other does that recipe' and all of a sudden I just couldn't contain myself any longer.

"BUT Canadians make the best French toast!"

It's not about the bread or the pan or the timing of it all- it's not rocket science I said, in an Emeril kind of way- you've just got to have the right things pulled together in the right order (and using the right amount of good old Canadian dairy fresh butter helps).

Aw ladies, I explained, think about it- you take an egg, and some milk and beat with a fork (and here is where I lost them…) until it's frothy. That's when you add the dash of cinnamon: ok it's a twist on tradition but in my Canadian kitchen we add the dash. They just couldn't comprehend, perplexed and sad little faces, when I thought of something even better over the roar of rumbling stomachs. "Come on in and we'll make some together, it'll only take a few minutes"

They weren't that difficult to convince!

Strangely, the children began to flock round as well: their senses alert to the Mommies gathering in secrecy.

It was the conflict over how to eat that piece of cooked toast that really got the neighbours confused. Finger foods may abound in the Mexican culture but this is one kind of toast, I suggested quickly, that is best drizzled with warmed maple syrup and pieced up nicely on your plate (but go ahead and lick the syrup off when you're done, since we're not that finicky about fancy manners).

I'd say, as spontaneously as it happened, promoting our culture never got better with the belly- filling delights and the camaraderie in the kitchen to go alongside- That's Canadian!

Happy Canada first, folks! May you enjoy long and beautiful summer eves with memories that last a lifetime!



© Geraldine Mac Donald-Moran


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