In this video, I chatted with a most beloved Canadian food personality, Ricardo Larrivée. He shared some great tips for families preparing for Thanksgiving Dinner. Ricardo is known for his approachable recipes, TV shows and bestselling cookbooks, magazines, cooking utensils, and three restaurants in Quebec. Now, he also has ready-made products available across Canada.
Ricardo does all of this for one reason. He wants to bring joy and simplicity to families through food. He aims to inspire people to gain confidence and self-esteem in the kitchen. He believes that everyone has the potential to be an excellent cook. “Food is crucial in these times. It brings people together around the table, fostering connection regardless of language, background, or political views.”
top Tips for Thanksgiving Dinner
- Remember what the holiday is about; gathering and being grateful. Food is actually secondary.
- Delegate. Sharing the responsibility for the dinner actually mentors the next generation.
- Turkey does not need to be the star. Cook a chicken, steak, or a roast. Cook what’s easiest for you.
- Find a menu that becomes your signature one and repeat it. It makes it easier each celebration.
- Buy part of the meal if it helps. But, he says, “There’s nothing more affordable than fresh vegetables.”
- Serve family-style at the table. The feeling of offering food with gratitude is what it’s all about.
Favourite Canadian ingredients
I also asked Ricardo about his favourite Canadian ingredients that are under-utilized and appreciated. He brought up pumpkins and maple syrup. “Pumpkins grow in every province. Once Thanksgiving and Hallowe’en are over, people forget about them. But they store well and are delicious. All you need to do is split and seed them. Then rub them with olive oil and seasoning and roast until done.” “People only think of Maple Syrup for breakfast. It can used in so many ways when ‘sweet’ is called for in a recipe.”
That brought us to his most famous use of maple syrup, his Pudding Chômeur (Poor Man’s Pudding). It’s one of my all-time favourite Canadian recipes. A vanilla cake, you bake it in a maple syrup and whipped cream sauce. And, oh my goodness, is it good! Especially with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Though it had humble beginnings in The Great Depression, it’s now a modern day comfort food extraordinaire. Great news, you can find this delectable recipe as a microwaveable dessert for one HERE from the Ricardo website. I’ll share the full-size recipe in my next post. I know, like me, you will savour it all. ™
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