With Canada Day just around the corner, it’s time to start putting together your food plans for this special time of year. At Olivieri®, we believe that Canada Day is all about community. That’s why today we’re focusing on street food recipes, dishes that you can take with you on the go. From scintillating summer salads to good old-fashioned lasagna, we’ve got dishes to please all tastes. So, without further ado, let’s dive into some recipes that will make this Canada Day one to remember.
Salads with a Twist
Whether you’re planning a picnic, BBQ, or traditional family gathering, salads are a mainstay of Canadian dining. Easy to make and refreshing to boot, salads offer up a whole world of possibilities and are a great way to incorporate local seasonal ingredients. However, occasions like Canada Day call for salads that stand out from the pack. Enter our Confetti Pasta Salad! This Mediterranean-inspired dish is loaded with delicious ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, yellow peppers, black olives, and Olivieri® 3 Formaggi Rainbow Tortellini, all melded together with our famous Olivieri® Basil & Cheese Pesto. The result? A hearty salad to share among friends on this auspicious occasion for Canada.
Equally vibrant and colourful is this Rainbow Tortellini Salad. This time, diced cucumber, carrot, red onion, tomatoes, and parsley combine with cheese-filled tortellini to create the perfect salad to go.
Vegan Salad Option
Alternatively, if you’d like to enjoy a salad that’s meat and dairy free, this Skillet Gnocchi Vegan Buddha Bowl takes ingredients like grape tomatoes, spinach, butternut squash, red cabbage, and chickpeas and puts them in the convenience of a Buddha bowl. The best part? We’ve substituted rice for Classic Potato Skillet Gnocchi to make this meal extra hearty and comforting.
How to Transport Salads
The best way to transport salads safely is to use well-sealed containers to keep them fresh. Depending on the salad, layering is important. Dressing should always go at the bottom, followed by sturdier veggies, then leafy greens on top. Here are some suggestions for suitable containers to store salads in:
- Bento boxes
- Mason jars
- Sealable containers
The good news is that our pasta salads are easy to transport as pasta provides the perfect base for traditional salad ingredients, retaining its consistency even when travelling long distances.
Lasagna – A Crowd-Pleasing Classic
One dish that’s sure to be a hit among friends and family this Canada Day is our Old-Fashioned Lasagna. Made with ground beef, plum tomatoes, marinara sauce, Parmesan, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese, simply slice it up into small portions and invite everyone to help themselves.
Best Way to Transport Lasagna
The trick to transporting homemade lasagna is to keep it in the tray and wait until it has cooled down before covering the tray with tin foil and wrapping it with plastic wrap to retain moisture and prevent leaks. You can then secure it with dish towels. Keeping the lasagna cool is important, so it’s best to store it in an insulated container with ice packs if you’re travelling for more than an hour.
Bite-sized Street Treats
Alternatively, if you’re simply looking to take delicious bite-sized snacks to your community Canada Day celebration, we recommend opting for these tasty Gnocchi Pizza Bites. Easy to make and kid-friendly to boot, these delicious pizza bites are perfect for passing around outdoors. Don’t be surprised if they arouse the curiosity of others in the vicinity.
Similarly, if you’re looking to enjoy some crispy nachos but aren’t sure what dip to bring, may we suggest this delicious Black Bean Salsa? Made with Olivieri® Chunky Tomato & Herb Sauce, black beans, and jalapeños, this spectacular homemade dip is a great way to add some culinary creativity to your Canada Day celebration.
Tips for Coordinating Your Canada Day Celebration
Now that you’ve got plenty of recipe inspiration to sink your teeth into, let’s look at how you can make your gathering a pleasant and stress-free affair.
- Communication: Set up a group chat for friends and family so that everyone is up to date on the latest plans. This will help to build anticipation and get everyone excited for the big day.
- Delegating Dishes: Outdoor feasts are similar to potlucks in that it’s important for people to know what kind of dishes everyone is preparing. Arranging this in advance will ensure dishes don’t get repeated and the occasion runs smoothly.
- Location: Choosing a meeting point is essential. If you’re planning on taking in the sights and sounds of your local neighbourhood parade, choose a spot with ample space for people to find each other and share the food they’ve prepared.
Make this Canada Day One to Remember
July 1st holds a special place in the hearts of all Canadians. It’s a time to celebrate with friends and family everything that makes us proud to be from Canada. We hope these dishes bring joy to you and your loved ones on this special occasion for Canadians at home and around the world.
For more culinary inspiration and cooking tips, visit our kitchen.