a) Red River Cereal – a mix of wheat, flax and rye. Thanks, Manitoba!
b) Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. The wives of Manitoba farmers started boycotting kitchen duty, so "cinnamon toast" in boxed form made its way to store shelves.
c) The Timbit. These mini donut balls were created by Tim Horton's for farmers who needed something easy to munch while they worked the land.
7. The Nanaimo bar is a delectable Canadian treat. This no-bake square is a layered dessert of chocolate, light custard and (of course) more chocolate. Where does this indulgence get its name?
a) A hero to Canadian women everywhere – Vivianne Nanaimo created the dessert as a "cure-all" for her PMS-induced chocolate cravings.
b) Legend has it that the bar was created in Nanaimo, B.C. and popularized when it was submitted to a magazine recipe contest.
c) Aren't Canadians supposed to be honest? Though we take credit for the dessert, it actually originated at a New York café, "The Nanaimo."
8. You want to bring a traditional Canadian food to a dinner party being attended by a bevy of recent American expats. Which of these might raise a few less-than-appetized eyebrows?
a) Flipper pie. A traditional meal from Newfoundland, made from seal flippers.
b) Mange-a-pied. A French appetizer made from the diced, sautéed feet of farm animals. Waste not, want not!
c) Forage salad. This "eco friendly" menu item was conceived by B.C. tree-planters, and consists of chopped shrubs, plants and edible flowers – whatever you can "forage" is fair game.
9. Butter tarts were a favorite of our first prime minister, Sir John A. MacDonald. What better way to honor your heritage than to whip up a batch? Which of these is a must-have ingredient for a blissful butter tart?
a) Margarine. Most butter tart recipes were changed during World War I, when butter was heavily rationed.
b) Salt. A traditional butter tart is meant to be a savory pie, seasoned with fresh herbs and plenty of Atlantic sea salt.
c) A thick skin. Even the most polite Canadian gets hot under the collar when it comes to talking butter tarts. Raisins? No raisins? This calls for a referendum!
10. Canadians do more than just eat, you know. We like to drink, too! Which popular beverage was invented in 1969 by a Calgary bartender to mark the opening of his restaurant?
a) The Cosmopolitan. Sex and the City may get most of the credit, but this wise restaurateur wanted to serve a drink that would attract an upper class, chic clientele during the Alberta oil boom.
b) The Trudeau. A shot of whiskey combined with horseradish, followed by a string of expletives directed at Alberta's favourite prime minister.
c) The Caesar. This mix of vodka, clamato juice and hot sauce is the perfect pairing for a big, fat slab of Alberta beef.
Review questions on Page 1. Find all the answers on Page 3.
