Recipe for Classic Canadian Poutine

This Canadian meal features potato fries topped with cheese curds and a warm brown gravy.

Ingredients

Fries

• 4 large potatoes
• 1 Liter vegetable oil
• 5 grams salt

Gravy

• 500 milliliters beef stock
• 30 grams butter
• 30 grams flour
• 5 milliliters soy sauce
• 2 grams black pepper

Topping

200 grams fresh cheese curds

Preparation

Fries

1. Cut the potatoes into thick sticks and soak in cold water for thirty minutes
2. Drain and dry the sticks then fry in oil at 160 Celsius for five minutes
3. Increase heat to 190 Celsius and fry again until the potatoes are golden and crispy

Gravy

1. Melt the butter in a small pan and whisk in the flour until smooth
2. Gradually pour in the beef stock and soy sauce while whisking over medium heat
3. Simmer the liquid for ten minutes until the gravy is thick and very hot

Assembly

1. Place the hot fries in a large bowl and scatter the cheese curds over them
2. Pour the boiling gravy over the top to melt the cheese slightly before serving
3. Serve the dish immediately while the fries are still crunchy and the cheese is soft

Tips

• Soaking the potatoes removes surface starch and helps the fries become extra crispy
• Use authentic squeaky cheese curds for the most traditional Canadian texture and flavor
• The gravy must be boiling hot to soften the curds without melting them completely