Make the most of your summer with my Best Canada Day recipes! In honour of the first Canada Day that I will celebrate as a Canadian, and for those of you looking forward to the 4th of July weekend in America, I've assembled a round-up of the best 4th of July and Canada Day recipes at the Immigrant's Table. It's getting hot in here!
Amidst Brexit, Donald Trump and a growing fear of strangers, this is not an easy time to be an immigrant. I am thankful to look in my travel bag and find a shiny new Canadian passport - because I know that at least here, strangers are still accepted as our own. In other places, new citizens are not so lucky: there is talk of dangerous migrants, and homegrown terrorism, and the job drain. There are riots. There is fear.
When I start to feel this way, to worry about where we're going and how ruinous getting there will be, I do the only thing I know how to do: I go into the kitchen and I cook. I chop up a refreshing salad. I grill fish on a cast iron skillet. I cut myself a slice of Israeli cheesecake. I whip up a fresh drink to help wash away the heat of the day. And as I prepare to welcome friends who are coming in for the weekend to celebrate Canada Day in what is not always the most patriotic province in Canada, I gather up my best 4th of July and Canada Day recipes and get ready to serve a feast.
Jeweled arugula salad with endive, pomegranates and fresh mozarrella
Cold eggplant moussaka with tomatoes, feta and kalamata sauce
Roasted cauliflower with tomatoes and capers
Roasted garlic and yam burgers
Paleo portobello mushroom burgers
Light Israeli cheesecake with crumb topping
Strawberry rhubarb compote with chia coconut pudding
Kellie MacMillan says
Geesh, you have to stop with all these mouthwatering recipes.
I was thinking of you this morning as a new Canadian but how you cross so many cultures and boundaries because of the amazing person you are. You brought the full package with you when you chose to become a Canadian. I went to a ceremony once when I was a freelance reporter and I thought we should all go to one every year just to refresh and remember exactly what we are doing here.
I love your perspective and most of all I love you for the loving and limitless person you are. oh and the recipes are a great draw. ha,ha.
Happy Canada Day!
kseniaprints says
I can't believe this slipped my attention so far! Being an immigrant is rarely easy, but I definitely think it also comes with unique benefits: a melange of cultures, a willingness to be flexible, and the desire to fit in - but not at the expense of forgetting where you came from. I really appreciate your words and the ability to notice the joy that people felt when they got the biggest gift - the sign of acceptance into their new chosen community. Much love, dearest - hope you had an amazing Canada Day!
Nicole | Culinary Cool says
I hope your first Canada Day as a Canadian is truly wonderful! I will be spending Canada Day with a family from India who just became Canadian citizens, too! Also, that cheesecake looks to die for, and I think I need to give it a try.
kseniaprints says
Isn't it a great way to spend Canada Day, with someone who appreciate what it means to become - and be - a Canadian? We spent it with friends from out of town, one of whom is another fellow immigrant - a refugee, in fact. So we were definitely appreciating the privelege!
Sofia | From the Land we Live on says
Congrats on your first holiday as a new citizen :))) Watching the news lately has been painful. We're really lucky to be living here. Love the Israeli cheese cake! I just made something similar - a roasted strawberry tvorog cheese cake and will be sharing it later this summer (with a different fruit base). Happy Canada Day!
kseniaprints says
Mmmm tvorog cheesecake! Can't wait to see that one. Hope you had an amazing holiday!
Sean says
First of all - the food looks amazing. That arugula salad with mozzarella in particular looks incredibly appetizing.
Second, congratulations on your first Canada day with a shiny new passport. While I don't officially speak on behalf of the entire country (hah, that'll be the day), I can safely say that we're all happier and better off having you here.
Third, I can understand your fear given the geopolitical climate. Only one of my four grandparents was not born in Canada, and he was born in England. Yet my wife is a first-generation Canadian whose parents would have been unwelcome in this country before the 1950s. My children are biracial, and they're growing up in a dynamic, multicultural world. And I look around and shake me head, wondering how we can allow such absurd xenophobia to exist. This country is better for the people it embraces, and I for one hope we can always embrace those who wish to make this country their home.
kseniaprints says
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words, Sean, and willingness to share your story. I can only imagine what your wife's family must have gone through... Being a pariah is something that is very familiar to my people, and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.
Sadly, a week later we are waking up to an even less tolerant society... again, on racial grounds. it's a terrifying day and reality in which to raise our families... And all we can do is raise our voices and speak up against it.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Tring hard to decide which ones need to start with. - At the moment is is a close call betwen the yoghurt cake and the lavender bars.
kseniaprints says
I'd say start with the yoghurt cake if you're having a cold weekend, or lavender bars if it's hot! There, problem solved 😛
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction says
These recipes all look so delicious!
kseniaprints says
They are! Let me know if you give anything a try. I was eyeing your Earl Grey cake last night.
Amanda says
These recipes look delicious. Parties at your house must be amazing!
kseniaprints says
Lol, as a fellow gluten-abstainer, I think you'd enjoy them 😛
Peter Block says
So many amazing dishes to choose from. Do I have to choose? I think I am favoring the tomato tart.
kseniaprints says
Haha, you just gotta choose where you START from - but that shouldn't be the limit! I'd say the tart is a GREAT place to begin 🙂
Lisa | Garlic + Zest says
I welcome all immigrants (coming from an immigrant family)-- as long as you like good food. These dishes look phenomenal! Wish you were my neighbor!
kseniaprints says
Move in anytime 😉 Our building is lovely!