4 Classic Canadian Recipes Made Healthy

What's a better way to celebrate Canada Day than by making everyone's favourite Canadian recipes, healthy! We've given classic Canadian delicacies a tasty revamp while staying true to the great North. Delicious, authentic, and healthy--How cool is that, eh?

Canada Day is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with some iconic Canadian dishes? We’ve compiled a list of 4 of the most classic recipes from the great white north- made healthy! 

Of course, we have to start with the most famous Canadian dish of them all.

 

Poutine

This list wouldn’t be authentically Canadian without poutine. Probably the dish that’s associated the closest with our country- classic poutine is a delicious combination of fries, gravy and cheese curds. 

Poutine lovers often take it to the next level and add tasty ingredients such as pulled pork, veggies, chicken, and perogies- the list goes on and on. 

But today we want to stick to the classics and give you a simple and easy poutine recipe made healthy that you can enjoy with all your friends while you watch the fireworks this Canada Day. 

 

What you’ll need: 

4 Russet Potatoes

1 Tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper 

Turkey Bone Broth Gravy 

1 ½ cups part-skim mozzarella cheese, cubed

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. Slice the russet potatoes into small sticks. On a lined baking sheet, toss with the olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
3. Simply pour the Kettle & Fire Turkey Bone Broth Gravy into a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 1 - 1 ½ minutes or simmer on the stove over low heat for 2-3 minutes. 
4. Once the potatoes (fries) are done, top with the cubed cheese and pour the hot gravy over immediately to melt the cheese. 

 

Voila! Easy and healthy poutine for your July 1st celebrations! The perfect snack or dinner for friends and family.

 

Caesar Cocktails

We had to include the most iconic Canadian cocktail to this list so you have a festive drink to go with your tasty treats. 

The Caesar is Canada's national cocktail. Perfect for a Canada Day brunch, this delicacy was originally invented in the beautiful city of Calgary, Alberta and is enjoyed on patios all over the country year round.

What you’ll need: 

2 Tbsp Organic Worcestershire Sauce

1 ½ Tbsp G Hughes Sugar Free Original BBQ Sauce 

1 Tsp Naked & Saucy Soy Sauce Substitute 

1 Tbsp Pickle Juice

½ Tsp Hot Sauce

½ Tsp Horseradish

½ Tsp Steak Spice

4 Cups Clamato Juice

4 oz Vodka (Optional)

2 Cups Ice

1 Lime cut into wedges

2 Pickles sliced lengthwise

 

Instructions:

1. Combine the Worcestershire sauce, bbq sauce, pickle juice, soy sauce substitute, hot sauce, horseradish, and steak spice, mixing thoroughly. 
2. Rim 4 glasses with lime juice and steak spice. 
3. Fill all 4 glasses halfway with ice. Divide the combined ingredients between each glass, add 1 cup of the clamato juice to each glass and then 1 oz vodka to each glass (optional). Stir.
4. Garnish with lime wedges and sliced pickles. Enjoy!

Enjoy this recipe with or without alcohol and raise a glass for Canada’s birthday!

 

Butter Tarts

Time for dessert! A family favourite, these gooey pastries are the perfect dessert for your Canada Day festivities. 

A common argument amongst fellow Canadians is whether raisins belong in these sweet treats. We believe, to each their own! So with our recipe, the raisins can stay or go, they’ll be delicious either way!

 

What you’ll need: 

1 ⅓ Cup All Purpose Baking Flour 

4 Tbsp Light Butter

5 Tbsp Water

2 Eggs

2 Tbsp Melted Light Butter

½ Tbsp Vanilla Extract

¾ Cup Coconut Sugar

⅓ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce

2 Tbsp Raisins (Or not!)

 

Instructions:

1. Spray a regular size muffin tray with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. Add 4 tbsp light butter (softened) to the flour and mash together. Slowly add the water. Knead the dough for 3-5 minutes and then roll it flat. Cut into 10 sections to fill each muffin cup. 
3. Fill your muffin cups up the side with the dough to the best of your abilities. Leave room for the filling mixture. 
4. Bake the dough for 10 minutes. 
5. While the dough is baking, make the filling by whisking your eggs, and then adding the unsweetened applesauce, vanilla, and melted butter. Stir well and then mix in the coconut sugar until it is completely dissolved in the mixture. 
6. Take the pre-baked pastries out of the oven after 10 minutes and fill them with the filling. Top with the raisins (if you prefer raisins in your butter tarts).
7. Return the tray to the oven and bake your tarts for approximately 20 minutes until the centers are set. 
8. Let cool for a bit before indulging.

 

These easy and healthy tarts are sure to become your new favourite Canada Day tradition! 

 

Beaver Tail Pastries

A lot of Canadians might say we’ve saved the best for last. These fried dough pastries are individually hand-stretched to resemble a beaver’s tail and are topped with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings. 

Usually a rare treat depending on where you live in Canada, you can now make these mouthwatering pastries right at home for the big day with our healthy recipe. 

What you’ll need:

5 Tsp Active Yeast

¼ Tsp Health Garden Sugar-Free Erythritol Sweetener 

⅓ Cup Health Garden Sugar-Free Erythritol Sweetener 

½ Cup Warm Water

1 Cup Milkadamia Original Macadamia Milk

1 ½ Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Avocado Oil

2 Eggs

⅓ Cup Coconut Oil

5 Cups All Purpose Baking Flour

Whatever toppings your heart desires (We recommend a nut butter or fruit spread!)

Instructions:

1. In a big bowl, mix the warm water, ¼ teaspoon of erythritol, and the yeast. Let sit for a couple of minutes to allow the yeast to dissolve. 
2. Add the macadamia milk, vanilla, eggs, ⅓ cup erythritol, eggs, coconut oil, salt, and majority of the flour. Knead for 8 minutes, adding flour as needed until you have a smooth and elastic dough. 
3. Lightly grease a large bowl and place the dough inside. Seal and refrigerate the dough and let rise for 35 minutes. 
4. Pinch off small ball sized chunks of the dough and roll them out on a flat surface into an oval shape. 
5. Heat your avocado oil in the fryer or frying pan until the oil temperature is around 375F. Stretch the dough ovals into the shape of a beaver tail, and add to the oil one at a time. Turn each one over to make sure both sides are done. Take out and drain each beaver tail with a paper towel.  Both sides should be a dark brown color. 
6. Top your delicious beaver tails with whatever toppings you desire!

 

A fun dessert to make and eat!

 

Final Thoughts

Make these healthy and easy recipes for classic Canadian dishes so you can celebrate in the most authentic way possible this year. Whether you’re sharing with friends, family, or spending a nice summer day alone, we hope you have a Happy Canada Day, eh!