Latin America vs Canada: 3 culinary battles!

When living in a different country than our own, it is common to miss many things, and the traditional dish from our country of origin is undoubtedly one of the things that Latinos living in Canada miss the most. Although Canadian cuisine is delicious and varied, with exquisite dishes like poutine, smoked salmon, and bagels, Latin American food has a special flavor that transports us to our roots and makes us feel at home.

In this article, we will compare some of our main ingredients and traditional dishes with Canadian ones, and even dare to select which one is the best!

3 great duels!

Maple Syrup vs Dulce De Leche – “The war of the sweet lovers!”,

Are you already drooling? Well, we are! Maple syrup and dulce de leche are two delicious, popular, and iconic options in both Canadian and Latin American pastry and cuisine.

Maple syrup, a product of Canadian origin and tradition, is a natural sweetener made from the sap of the maple tree that is collected in the spring to produce this delicious ingredient. It has a sweet and caramelized flavor with a distinctive touch of wood and can be used in different recipes, from pancakes and waffles to glazed salmon and salad dressings.

On the other hand, dulce de leche, a dessert of Argentine origin and considered a symbol of national recognition, is made from milk and sugar. It is slowly cooked until it acquires a thick and creamy consistency with a sweet and smooth caramel flavor. It is a common ingredient in desserts such as alfajores, cakes, and ice creams.

To know which one is better depends on each person’s taste and preference and the type of dish or recipe in which it is used. However, here are some aspects to consider:

Nutritional Content

Recipes with Maple Syrup

Baked beans with maple syrup

Baked beans with maple syrup is a traditional dish in Canadian cuisine, especially at barbecues and outdoor gatherings. They are prepared with cooked beans in a mixture of tomato sauce, mustard, bacon, and maple syrup, and baked until golden and bubbling.

Maple nut tart

Maple syrup pecan pie is a traditional Canadian dish made with pecans, corn syrup, eggs, butter, and, of course, maple syrup. The pie is baked until golden and served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Glazed salmon with maple syrup

Maple syrup can also be used to make a sweet and sticky glaze that can be brushed over salmon. The salmon is then baked to create a dish with a delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors.

Recipes with Dulce de Leche

Alfajores

The traditional dish from Argentina, Uruguay, and other countries in our region consists of two soft cookies with a layer of dulce de leche in the middle. Alfajores can be made at home or bought at a bakery or pastry shop.

Argentinian Empanadas

Empanadas are a traditional dish in our region, but in Argentina, they have a special twist. Instead of using ground beef filling, dulce de leche mixed with blue cheese and chopped nuts can be used to make a savory empanada with a touch of sweetness.

Asado of dulce de leche

Dulce de leche can be used to make a sauce for meats. Simply heat the dulce de leche with a little water and mix until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste and use it to bathe a chicken breast or a pork filet.

Well, there’s our winner in this battle, it can only be our delicious dulce de leche!

Poutine vs Criollo Potatoes with Hogao and Cheese

It’s time to change up the flavors in our palates, and what better way to do it than with the traditional dish from anywhere in Canada, Poutine. This time, we wanted to compare this delicious dish with one of the traditional side dishes from the Colombian menu, the “papas criollas” with “hogao” and cheese. Let the battle begin:

Poutine

it’s a dish originating from here in Canada, which consists of french fries covered in cheese curds and gravy sauce. The gravy sauce is made from beef broth, which according to the original recipe, is made from slow-cooking beef bones with vegetables and water to extract the flavor and nutrients from the bones.

The gravy also includes flour to thicken the sauce and give it a smooth and pleasant texture. Fat, which can be from meat or simply butter to give better flavor, and seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, etc. These seasonings can vary depending on the recipe and personal preferences.

• The calorie content of poutine varies depending on the quantity and quality of ingredients, as well as the serving size. On average, a medium-sized serving of poutine that contains around 400 grams (14 ounces) can contain between 800 and 1,200 calories.
• This is mainly due to the french fries, which are high in calories and fats due to the oil in which they are cooked, and the gravy sauce, which can also be high in calories and fats. The cheese curds used in poutine can also contribute to the calorie count of the dish, although to a lesser extent. Cheese curds are low in fat and high in protein, but can still add some additional calories to the dish.

 Criollo Potatoes with Hogao and Cheese

This traditional Colombian dish consists of french fries with a tomato and onion sauce (hogao) and grated cheese on top. The hogao sauce used in this dish is typically made with tomato, onion, garlic, cilantro, and other seasonings, and is usually cooked with a little bit of oil.

• As for its calorie content, on average, a medium-sized serving of papas criollas with hogao and cheese weighing around 400 grams (14 ounces) can contain between 600 and 800 calories. This is mainly due to the potatoes, as with poutine, which are rich in carbohydrates, fats, and calories when cooked with oil.
• The hogao sauce adds fewer calories than the gravy in poutine, and the grated cheese can also contribute to the total calories, although to a lesser extent. Cheese is usually high in fats and proteins and can add some extra calories to the dish.

In terms of flavor, both options are delicious but offer different tastes. Poutine has a saltier and juicier taste due to the gravy, which tends to be more calorie-dense, while criolla potatoes with hogao and cheese have a sweeter and spicier taste due to the tomato and onion sauce. The cheese used is also different, with cheese curds in Poutine and grated cheese in criolla potatoes.

Naturally, your choice will depend on your personal taste. But for us, the delicious Poutine wins this battle!

Tourtière vs Pupusas

Finally, we want to conclude this closely fought battle with two delicious traditional dishes that are popular both in restaurants and at home: Tourtière and Pupusas.

Tourtière

Tourtière is a traditional meat pie from French-Canadian cuisine, and it is also very popular in the province of Quebec in Canada, where it is considered a typical Christmas dish.

Tourtière is made from a pie crust filled with ground pork, and sometimes beef or veal. The meat is cooked with onions, garlic, and a spice blend that includes cinnamon, cloves, and pepper.

The preparation of Tourtière varies by region and family, but it is typically served hot with ketchup, cranberry sauce, or mustard. It is a comforting and hearty meal that is enjoyed on special occasions and at family gatherings and festive events.

Pupusas

Traditional pupusas are filled with Salvadoran fresh cheese, refried beans, and chicharrón, although they can also include other ingredients such as loroco (an edible flower), pumpkin, chicken, shrimp, among others.

Pupusas are cooked on a grill or hot griddle and served hot, usually accompanied by curtido (pickled cabbage and carrot salad) and spicy tomato sauce. Pupusas are a very popular dish throughout Central America and have become a symbol of Salvadoran culture worldwide.

In this clash of titans, we declare a well-deserved tie!