Greg Duncan

His previous columns are archived HERE.

GREG DUNCAN

Eat like Obama in 2009

As 2008 makes its exit, we have a number of gastronomic things to celebrate. On one hand we can say good riddance to some annoying foods and trends, and on the other, welcome the winds of change in 2009. Never satisfied with the status quo, here are a few observances.

The biggest news this past year (at least for Quebecers) was the appearance of yellow margarine on grocery store shelves. While we endured years of sickly white hydrogenated goop, the authorities finally decided we are smart enough to discern yellow margarine from real butter. In fact, it is becoming hard to find the white stuff in the land of the Fleur de Lis now, prompting an entire generation who were raised sans couleur, to demand the return of their beloved white grease. Sadly, they might get their way through referendum. If you really want to rile the masses in Quebec, just try to banish the beloved cretons or curd cheese or limit ones choice of spreads.

Speaking of cheese, we had a few problems in 2008 here with taint. It turns out that Quebec's love of unpasteurised raw milk fromages provides potential for sickness and death. Had our cheeses been smoked in similar fashion to other well- known Quebec favorites, we would not have had issue.

Not unlike our passion for steamies and poutine, we relish smoke in our meat. Not real smoke mind you, but injected nitrites and nitrates specifically. Sliced fatty, medium, or lean, we know real Montreal smoked meat from New York pastrami or corned beef. Same injected smoking process and the same nitrates, but different because we insist on being different. And...it's a cherry cola kind of thing. Don't get me started about our superior pickles or cheesecake.

Shall we see the end of raw cheeses and nitrate free meats this year? Likely not if we want to avoid another revolution.

We are known to have an affinity to wine in these parts. We do not necessarily drink it with smoked meat, but oh how we pair it with unsafe cheeses.

I'm happy to see a decline in a trend that I never quite understood. Nouveau Beaujolais is on the way out and Quebecers have finally realized that it tastes just like it sounds. After spending years developing our palates for carefully aged wines, why then would anyone line up and place early orders for under developed non-vintages? If ever there was an oxymoron, it has to be the term VIN Nouveau.

This year's trend is simply to not call it nouveau, but to package our wines in tetra packs. After all, most wines produced today are for fast and immediate consumption as one might die from tainted cheese and nitrate infused livers, thus hampering the market for wines. The Australians realized this a few years ago. So much for expensive wine cellars having even a remote chance to grow in value and taste. There simply won't be anyone around to share your tenderly hoarded 2006 with.

We are seeing a growing and continuing trend toward ethnic offerings in the aisles and freezer sections.

This is good spicy news, but I am of the opinion that it is still far better (and cheaper) to make a curry than to buy any mass-produced version. On the other hand, the arrival of fresh Naan bread and Chapatti in the baked goods section is welcome and long overdue. We just don't have Tandoori ovens at the ready in our homes here... yet.

What has not yet appeared in regular Quebec chain groceries is Kimchi, that deathly hot and sour, musky and fermented Korean cabbage side staple. No fear of Listeria with this condiment, as it simply could not survive. There is a hint of what is to come by way of Korean instant noodles however. I admit that although I like fiery and exotic tastes that I am not salivating in anticipation. Kimchi will arrive, just not in 2009 I think.

Finally, the biggest food trend in 2009 will be to eat like Obama. Internet research reveals that he has a healthy wine cellar approaching 1000 bottles and does in fact eat bacon.

Other Obama likes purportedly are Mexican food, chocolate chunk cookies, almonds, pistachios, and vegetables. Reported dislikes are mayonnaise, beets, soft drinks, and ice cream. The President elect also says he has a family chili recipe that promises to "clear your sinuses."

While we can look forward to a new menu in the White House in 2009, Canada will be fed a continued conservative diet in Ottawa for at least another month.

Happy eating.