Title: Subject: Poutine
Categories: Canadian Side Info
Yield: 1 Servings

In case you wanted to know

Thought I would remind those who care about these things that Poutine will this summer be celebrating it's 40th anniversary.

Fernand Lachance who invented the treat says that "cooks have ruined his glorious recipe" He says that when he made it, he served the sauce on the side .. to dip the chips in. Pouring it on top causes the chips to get soft soft he says and that's not good. He also says the dish is less fattening since you eat less gravy his way.

M. Lachance who owned the restaurant Cafe Ideal in Warwick Quebec, about 150 K east of Montreal, always sold french fries and cheese curds .. but separately. Some time in late August or early September (in 1957) a young man asked for them mixed together in the same wax paper bag. M. Lachance says he thought he was crazy but the idea caught on. He called the mixture 'Poutine', a slang word he used for 'mess' and the name stuck.

As it happened Mme Lachance was renowned in Warwick ((about 3,000 pop.) for her gravy (hot chicken sandwiches and the like) and after selling the Poutine for several years people started asking for some of the gravy to dip the fries into. The customers liked it so much, Mr. Lachance began putting a side of gravy with every order of Poutine.

What can I say ... A legend was born. Now Poutine can be found all across Canada, in some northers U.S. states and in parts of Florida where Quebecers are known to frequent.

Like everything else in life, Poutine started to evolve. Adding the gravy to it saved time and a container and customers began to enjoy it that way although many still prefer it the old way.

You can now get poutine with chunks of hot dogs or hamburger mixed in. or peas and cole slaw .. even Poutine Italian, cheese and fries doused with spaghetti sauce.

I don't know about you but come August I will be celebrating the birth of that wondrous junk food ...strictly 'Canadjan', artery blocking 'Pout Pout Poutine', the snack that keeps our population stable!

From: barlax@synapse.net

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