Celebrate Canada Day with a festive menu featuring flavourful, crowd-pleasing recipes perfect for any summer gathering, whether you’re throwing a backyard bash or headed to a potluck.

Canada Day is the perfect excuse to throw a backyard bash filled with good friends and great food. If you’re looking for some ideas sure to help you build a spread that is both festive and proudly Canadian, then you can’t go wrong with mouth-watering maple glazed salmon, savoury tourtière hand pies, and classic butter tart squares.

Maple Glazed Salmon

This easy salmon dish is packed with flavour thanks to a sweet and savoury glaze made with maple syrup. It’s perfect for summer grilling or roasting in the oven.

Ingredients

• 5 to 2 lb salmon fillet, skin-on
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat or your oven to 400°F.

2. Whisk together maple syrup, soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

3. Place the salmon skin-side down on a baking sheet or grill-safe tray. Brush generously with the glaze.

4. Cook for about 20 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the glaze is slightly caramelized.

Mini Tourtière Hand Pies

These portable meat pies take their cues from Quebec’s beloved tourtière but are scaled down for snacking and sharing.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork (or a mix of pork and beef)
• 1 box puff pastry dough
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 medium potato, peeled and finely diced
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until softened.

2. Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Stir in water, cinnamon, cloves, diced potato, salt, and pepper.

3. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.

4. Roll out the pie dough and cut into 4-inch circles.

5. Spoon a tablespoon of filling into the centre of each, fold, and crimp the edges with a fork.

6. Arrange the pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with beaten egg.

7. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes, until golden brown.

Butter Tart Squares

Butter tart squares are a crowd-pleasing twist on the classic Canadian treat; they’re easier to make in batches and just as irresistible.

Ingredients

• 1¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. To make the crust, mix one cup of flour and sugar in a bowl. Mix in the cold butter until crumbly. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan and bake for 5-10 minutes.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with the brown sugar. Stir in the rest of the flour, vanilla, vinegar, and melted butter until smooth.

4. Pour the filling over the crust and return to the oven. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the filling is set but slightly soft in the centre.

5. Allow to cool and cut into squares.