Quebec Fun Facts
In 1608, Quebec was founded by what French explorer?
Champlain
What % of of all canned green and wax beans produced in Canada are grown and processed in Quebec
%70
How many maple tree species are native to Canada
10
Why does pastry need high heat initially, when baking?
Pie crust gains its flaky texture from the fat in the dough melting and producing steam — which happens most quickly and effectively at a higher temperature. Reducing the oven temperature after about 15 minutes allows the pie to bake fully without danger of burning.
Define: Julienne
or French cut, is a culinary knife cut in which the food item is cut into long thin strips, similar to matchsticks.
What fraction of Canada's population live in Quebec?
1/4- the second most populated province behind Ontario
Name three types of food that Quebec is known for
poutine, pastry and Maple Syrup
What did the arrival of the sap mean for the Woodlands people and how did they celebrate it ?
The arrival of the sap was considered the first sign of spring and each spring the chief would conduct a special ceremony at the base of the largest maple tree
Name three famous french pastries
croissants, macaron, eclairs, puff pastry, butterhorns, profiterole.
Define: Blanching
scalding vegetables in boiling water or steam for a short time. It is typically followed by quick, thorough cooling in very cold or ice water. Blanching stops enzyme actions which otherwise cause loss of flavor, color and texture.
This city in Quebec is the oldest city in Canada
Quebec city
What is the main cultural influence in Quebec?
European: With narrow, cobblestone streets, European-inspired architecture, and a primarily French-speaking population, Québec City, feels like a European paradise.
What percentage of world wide maple production is Quebec responsible for?
75-80%
What is the proportion of flour to fat to water in a pastry?
The most flaky, tender crust comes down to a simple 3:2:1 ratio of ingredients—flour, fat, water— no actual recipe needed.
Define: sautéing
a method of cooking that uses a relatively small amount of oil or fat in a shallow pan over relatively high heat.
What berry is Quebec known for being one of the largest producers in the world
Wild blueberries! Much of the fruit is cultivated in the beautiful Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, where visitors can cycle along the popular “blueberry trail.”
What is a Tourtiere?
a type of pie made with ground pork and is also a French Canadian specialty.
What is the ideal maple tree that produces the best Maple syrup
The sugar maple
Name the four main ingredients needed for a pastry
flour, fat, liquid, and salt.
Define: Deglacer
Deglazing is a cooking technique for removing and dissolving browned food residue from a pan to flavor sauces, soups, and gravies.
What percentage of Quebec's land is covered by forest?
More than half of Quebec is covered in forest. In fact, the forests in Quebec cover more than 900,000 km2. They are home to moose, deer, foxes, coyotes, wolves, and more wildlife.
What is a mother sauce? Name the five types.
the mother sauces (French: sauces mères), also known as grandes sauces in French, are a group of sauces upon which many other sauces – "daughter sauces" or petites sauces – are based.
5 sauces: béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, and tomato.
Why is Maple syrup a healthier choice than processed table syrup ie: Aunt Jemima?
Table syrup is just sugar processed to taste like maple syrup (many ingredients). Maple syrup is also a simple carbohydrate but contains natural vitamins and minerals
Minerals (Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Copper & Manganese ): play essential roles in your body, including cell formation, immune support, maintaining healthy red blood cells, keeping bones and teeth strong, regulating muscle contractions and balancing fluids.
Vitamins (Riboflavin, niacin & B6): Essential for your body to maintain health including assisting in the energy metabolism of body cells
Water: Essential for life and is a part of all the cells in your body
Give two tips and tricks for creating the best pastry
Don’t overhandle the product.
Use the correct amount of cold water- too much water can cause the pastry to shrink.
A higher temperature is needed to develop a flakey product.
don't over cut the fat
Define: Bechamel
Béchamel sauce is one of the mother sauces of French cuisine, made from a white roux and milk, seasoned with ground nutmeg.