What could be more Canadian than this traditional First Nations bread?

July 1 is upon us once again, which means not only is it my father-in-law’s birthday, but it’s also Canada Day. So what is quintessential Canada Day fare that celebrates and honours our country?

Canada is a country that’s a unique combination of many cultures from around the world. As Canadians we represent Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Caribbean, to name just a few. If you were to ask someone in Quebec what our national dish is, they would say poutine; on the East Coast, undeniably lobster; on the West Coast, undeniably salmon; in Ottawa, beavertails; in Alberta, no doubt beef of all sorts. So who is really waving Canada’s culinary flag?

Let’s face it: the only true Kanadian food would be bannock – a First Nations bread that’s usually fried or baked. It’s a very simple mix of some staple pantry items, and there are heaps of recipes available online with various interpretations, but here’s simple version.

Basic Bannock

3 cups flour
3 tablespoons baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup vegetable oil
Pinch of salt

Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together. Add some vegetable oil (this is a modern adaptation, to replace the traditional rendered animal fat), stirring until well combined. Then add enough water to bring the dough together. Form the dough into a rounded ball and bake it away, preferably over an open flame.

In my house I will be making bannock and curried goat. How about that for quintessentially Canadian?