O Canada!

I was tempted to skip Canada because their food and eating customs are so similar to ours. Most of their popular dishes are shared with other nations. But, I felt too guilty about skipping a country, so I found a couple recipes that seemed worthy of attempting at home.

I loved the Maple Chicken recipe I made because it was simple yet flavorful, and because it gave me an excuse to put a Calphalon pan in the oven. Am I the only one who feels nervous to put cookware from stove top to oven? It just doesn't seem right, and I am terrified that out of habit I am going to reach in the oven and wrap my bare hand around that long, metal, 400 degree handle. But, I managed to slide the pan of browned chicken, sliced onions, maple syrup, water and spices into the pre-heated oven (and out) burn-free. I overcame my fear! I served the chicken with rice and salad, and it was a tasty and filling dinner. It's the kind of recipe I might file away to feed the kids someday... the syrup adds just enough sweetness to make the dish taste like it's bad for you.

For dessert, I made Butter Tarts, which Canadianliving.com claims to be the closest thing Canada has to a national dish. The recipe I used was great and easy to follow. Frozen phyllo dough fit into a muffin tin serves as the "crust" of the tarts. The phyllo is filled with a mixture of corn syrup, butter, brown sugar, egg, and chopped pecans. I love pecans so decided to add a little more than the recipe called for, and I was happy with the result - which was a warm crispy shell filled with gooey sweetness and a nutty crunch. The overall taste reminded me of the pecan pie I enjoyed at Christmas. They are a little difficult to eat, but delicious nonetheless.

We scored Canada a 3.25.