Squirrelly Bread

The world of groceries is vast and huge (and apparently redundant). Since coming to Vancouver and Canada in general Jacqui and I have had the priviledge of finding all those little differences in products that tend to reveal themselves over time as you settle into a new location. It's a process really. You don't just get off the plane (or out of the car in our case) and find that the local canucks are waiting for you, arms laden with bundles of their unique Canadian brands and products. Although that'd be pretty nice. Especially if they had a box or two of Tim Horton's donuts. Mmmmm donuts. But alas they're not there offering up steamy vats of maple syrup or poutine. No, as with any new place you have to just go and experience.

Now I'm sure when you move to a country that's far away the different food items are apparent right away. In Iceland I'm sure that trying to find an unusual brand name wouldn't be too hard to locate. Not so with Canada. Canada is sneaky. Canada is sly. They tuck alternate brands and products right in the there with Doritos and and Pillsbury.

Now to begin with Canadian food isn't too different from cuisine in the U.S. Wait, wait that's not quite accurate. Let me rephrase that...Canadian food is EXACTLY THE SAME as food in the U.S....Except when it comes to potato chips. Canadians have really branched out in this culinary area. Most of you have probably heard rumors. In the States I would be hard pressed to pin point a chip flavor that is distinctly "All-American". In Canada they have no such problem. They have a sparkling medal stand boasting a trifecta of "All-Canadian" favorites.

Wearing the gold medal is the ever popular ketchup chip. A hint of vinegar and tomato make this classic chip an all-around crowd pleaser. Coming in with the silver is dill pickle. These are Jacqui's favorite. And true to their name they taste much like crunchy, dry, potato-ish pickles. In third is an amalgam of tastes that can not be codified into one single flavor so the snack companies don't even try. Wearing the bronze medal is a chip know only as "All Dressed". Originally called "Clothed" this chip, which is reminiscent of salt and vinegar with hints of cheddar and mellow over tones of bacon, is quite a treat for the palate. Dill Pickle best watch it's back.

Other than chips, though, the food's pretty much the same. However, as I mentioned some of the brands are different. One of our favorite so far would have to be the line of breads provided by the Silver Hills bread company with one bread in particular garnering top honors.

When you head into the grocery store bread is just an essential things that you need to get. There are healthy breads, plain ol' white, fresh baked, pre-packaged, rye, pumpernickel, an assortment of grains: 12 grain, 16 grain, Indian grain, multi-grain. There are so many options. At least there used to be. Not so any more.

Jacqui and I usually, naturally gravitate toward the chunkier breads, the more rough seeds and grain the better. Well, while staying with my in-laws during our extended 2 month "sabbatical" sleeping on their floor we were introduced to Squirrelly Bread. According to the packaging "This delightful bread is Baked full of sunflower seeds then rolled in sesame seeds, the rich flavors make this a favorite choice."

A favorite choice is right. TASTY! Since we're surviving on apprentice stipends during our time here in Vancouver we don't have too many occasions to splurge when it comes to food. But it's not hard to feel like a breakfast-time king when you've got yourself a nice piece of Squirrelly Bread toasted with butter and covered liberally with Nutella (another fine product which I was only introduced to recently). Such a simple pleasure. Sigh. Thanks Squirrelly Bread.