After two years of pandemic lockdown, Canada looks forward to savouring May 2-4’s unofficial long weekend of summer

Article content

In the nick of time, Canada’s Victoria Day long weekend is coming up – and boy! As a nation, we really need this break, especially given the COVID-19 lockdown Canadians have been living these last two years.

Article content

Time to party! This Canadian statutory holiday is celebrated on the Monday before May 25 in every province and  territory, and, from a post-pandemic point of view, many Canadians will be kicking off this unofficial start of summer with family get-togethers, summer picnics and barbecues, and making that trek to cottage country, high gas prices notwithstanding.

And, of course – quaffing the quintessential cold one.

The weekend is in honour of Queen Victoria’s birthday, a queen who passed away in 1901 at age 81, and who was considered the longest reigning monarch in British history – before Queen Elizabeth II took the title.

Today, royal celebrations are everywhere, as Britain and the rest of the world gets set to celebrate the beloved Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee on June 2 to 5, and her historic 70 years on the throne. Add to that the fact Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Dutchess of Cornwall, are in the middle of a three-day visit to Canada, in honour of his mum’s special jubilee – and you know we have the makings of a very memorable memorial day weekend!

Article content

So – kick back and enjoy with the following Victoria Day recipes. We’ve all earned this long-weekend of sustenance and celebration!

Coffee-Chipotle Grilled Flank Steak Tacos

Fire up the grill – this recipe takes a classic cut of beef and elevates it with inspiring new flavour. Recipe courtesy melitta.ca.

1/3 cup finely ground Colombian whole bean coffee

2 finely chopped canned chipotles in adobo (2 Tbsp. adobo sauce reserved)

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. cider vinegar

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 tsp. ground cumin

4 cloves garlic, minced

1-1/2  tsp. salt, divided

1 tsp. pepper

1-1/2 lb. flank steak

12 corn tortillas, warmed

1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and diced

3/4 cup diced white onion

3/4 cup finely crumbled feta cheese

Article content

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves

6 lime wedges, for serving

Brew ground coffee with 2 cups water in coffee maker or using pour over method. Let cool completely. Stir together coffee, chipotles, adobo sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, oil, cumin, garlic, 1 tsp. salt and pepper. Place flank steak in resealable plastic bag; pour coffee marinade over top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.

Preheat grill to medium-high; grease grate well. Remove steak from marinade, discarding marinade. Grill steak for 5 to 6 minutes per side or until well marked and internal temperature reaches 135F for medium-rare. Let stand for 10 minutes; slice thinly. Season with remaining salt.

Assemble sliced steak in tortillas with avocado, onion, feta and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Article content

Tip: Alternatively, slice flank steak and serve in toasted buns with sliced Monterey Jack cheese, mayonnaise, pico de gallo and shredded lettuce.

Canada’s Famous Caesar

Given that National Caesar Day is this May 19, it’s only logical we include this iconic drink with its vast Canadian identity in a story celebrating Canada’s 2-4 weekend. As a back story, The Caesar cocktail was created by Walter Chell at the Calgary Inn (now The Keg Steakhouse and Bar), and was officially named Canada’s national cocktail by Parliament in 2009. Throughout the years this drink has inspiried bartenders across the land to recreate their own versions, using a variety of Canadian ingredients that reflect the pure bounty of the country – this drink truly celebrates that special moment in Canada’s culture.

Article content

Classic Caesar

Consider this the blank slate of cocktails – you can garnish with whatever you like.

Cocktail seasoning to rim glasses

3 oz. premium vodka

1-1/2 cups favourite clamato mixture (or anything actor Dan Akyroyd recommends!)

1/2 Tbsp. lime juice

Dash Worcestershire sauce

Dash hot sauce (to your taste)

Freshly ground pepper

Celery stick

Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker and shake thoroughly. Dip two glasses in savoury cocktail seasoning. Divide liquid between glasses with ice and stir with celery stick. Add your favourite garnishes – we suggest the following:

Pimento-stuffed olives; candied bacon (makes a great swizzle stick you can eat) grilled shrimp on skewers, beef slider on a skewer. Check out mottsclamato.ca/recipes for more garnish ideas.

Article content

Blueberry Grunt

This dessert celebrates Canada’s culinary identity while paying homage to its British heritage. Blueberry grunt is an East Coast dessert, and this stovetop dish is thought to be an early adaptation of an English steamed pudding recipe. Serves 6. Recipe courtesy foodnetwork.ca.

Blueberries

4 cups frozen blueberries

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tbsp. lemon zest

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Dumplings

1-3/4 cups flour

3 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 cup shortening

1 cup milk

Maple Whipped Cream

1 cup 35% whipping cream

3 Tbsp. maple syrup

1 sprig mint, for garnish

In a large skillet or wide saucepan, combine and stir blueberries, sugar, lemon juice and zest. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until berries soften, about 3 minutes.

Article content

Make dumplings by whisking together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Add shortening and rub in with fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like fine meal. Add milk and stir just until combined.

Drop 1/4 cup spoonfuls of dumpling batter on top of blueberry mixture in pan. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until dumplings have steamed and are firm to the touch, 10 to 15 minutes.

While dumplings are steaming, make maple cream. Combine cream and maple syrup in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer,  beat until cream is stiff. Scoop blueberry grunt into bowls and serve topped with maple cream and a sprig of mint.