Feast: Recipes and Stories from a Canadian Road Trip: A Cookbook

by Lindsay Anderson, Dana VanVeller

Two friends. Five months. One car. Ten provinces. Three territories. Seven islands. Eight ferries. Two flights. One 48-hour train ride. And only one call to CAA. The result: over 100 incredible Canadian recipes from coast to coast and the Great White North. In the midst of a camping trip in Squamish, British Columbia, Lindsay Anderson and Dana VanVeller decided that the summer of 2013 might be the right time for an adventure. And they knew what they wanted that adventure to be: a road trip across the entire country, with the purpose of writing about Canada's food, culture, and wealth of compelling characters and their stories.
37,000 kilometres later, and toting a "Best Culinary Travel Blog" award from Saveur magazine, Lindsay and Dana have brought together stories, photographs and recipes from across Canada in Feast: Recipes and Stories from a Canadian Road Trip. The authors write about their experiences of trying whale blubber in Nunavut, tying a GoPro to a fishing line in Newfoundland to get a shot of the Atlantic Ocean's "cod highway," and much more.
More than 80 contributors--including farmers, grandmothers, First Nations elders, and acclaimed chefs--have shared over 90 of their most beloved regional recipes, with Lindsay and Dana contributing some of their own favourites too. You'll find recipes for all courses from Barley Pancakes, Yukon Cinnamon Buns, and Bannock to Spot Prawn Ceviche, Bison Sausage Rolls, Haida Gwaii Halibut and Maritime Lobster Rolls; and also recipes for preserves, pickles and sauces, and a whole chapter devoted to drinks.
Feast is a stunning representation of the diversity and complexity of Canada through its many favourite foods. The combination of Lindsay and Dana's capitivating journey with easy-to-follow recipes makes the book just as pleasurable to read as it is to cook from.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food, Cooking, Travel, Canada, Food and Drink

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2017

About the author

Lindsay Anderson was born in Tucson, Arizona and has moved in a cycle through three states most of her youth. She has been writing stories since high school and has many different series buzzing through her brain. Syrin is her first series published. She enjoys the view of her worlds through eyes of the powerful women she creates.

Amazon Profile: amazon.com/author/lindsayanderson

Syrin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SyrinSeries/

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cookbooks, and this was no exception. The pictures were beautiful and the stories and accompanying recipes were lovely, but I must agree that like so many others have commented it would have been nice to have the stories, pics, and recipes set out in the manner of where there trip took the authors, following their drive. However, as cookbooks go, I suppose the set up is appropriate.

Some of the recipes are Canadian traditions and others are just very unique.

An enjoyable addition for the foodie and yet pretty and interesting enough to leave on your coffee table for discussion.

[Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book and an enjoyable read, but it's definitely one of those cookbooks you read to enjoy the experience and admire the photos, not because you'll ever make any of the recipes! A little too fancy and convoluted for the average kitchen, with hard-to-source ingredients. Suggested ingredient substitutions are appreciated, but swapping, say, caribou for lean beef does rather feel like it would miss the whole point of the recipe.

[Jessica Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy reading cookbooks and this Canada roadtrip themed book didn’t disappoint (bought it for my sister, so E don’t get yourself a copy! I pre read yours 😅)
The organization was a bit confusing to follow the actual road trip, but the recipes are fun (likely never to make most, but there were a few I felt were gems - maple syrup on roasted potatoes, and making your own salt being two that are on my short list to try.) and the pictures are beautiful.

[Kristen Lesperance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took this book out from my library and i was really excited for the concept of this book. I was disappointed though. In my head I thought it would be organized as if they went on a road trip passing through the provinces and territories and giving us anecdotes, local places and stories along with recipes that were local or suited the location.

In the end I felt like not enough locations were shown and it wasnt province ans territory but all divided up in sections and that kinda took away from the road trip feel of it.

[Liana Kreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the adventure — two young women embarking on a culinary road trip in their tiny car. Beautiful photos, interesting stories and recipes... but I felt the the narrative should have driven the layout. The recipes are organized by course (e.g., breakfast, mains, desserts) and interspersed with stories from each province or territory travelled. You find yourself reading about the Yukon, then flipping the page to recipes from PEI and Montréal. Hiccup! Regardless, it’s a lovely book that reflects the diverse geographic regions and tastes of Canada.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The smores scones were a total slay, and I genuinely want to try moose stroganoff so double slay

Song on repeat while reading/cooking: crushing by eartheater

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked the concept. The photos of both the food and the scenery were beautiful. The essays about the provinces and territories were interesting and thoughtful. The introductions to the individual recipes were enjoyable.
But:.....there weren't more than a dozen recipes that were realistically doable in an average Canadian kitchen, so this felt more like a coffee-table book than a cookbook. However, I did enjoy reading it in spite of that.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised to see a huge display of these at my Chapters in the Canada 150 stuff section. Then after reading this I thought it makes sense as this is really less of a cookbook and more of a road trip across Canada with stunning photos book. It is a beautiful book which I suspect will end up on many coffee tables this year but in few kitchens. The recipes, while fun to read, aren't likely to happen at our place. It's like they found the fancy new trendy version of our comfort foods from across the country. Makes for great photos and interesting reading though.
Of course I was stunned when they drove straight through my hometown without stopping, but understanding how vast our country is I decided to forgive them.
For an overview, this was well done. I suspect they could get back in the car and create a beautiful book this size for each province.
One interesting note is even if you never cook a single recipe I suspect anyone who picks up this book will find new restaurants to check out based on their adventures.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In tone, Feast reminds me of Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home: Fast and Easy Recipes for Any Day (1994). The big difference is that Feast is decidedly not vegetarian, though there are plenty of vegetarian recipes in it.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2021/comm...

[Megan Holodniuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this cookbook and I loved the cross-country roadtrip stories. There aren't a whole lot of recipes in here that I'd find myself making, but some of them actually gave me some FANTASTIC ideas for the game meats we eat because Jeff usually gets a deer in the fall. Same with fish - I hate cooking fish, but there are some interesting recipes in here that might help empty the freezer. I did make one of the pickerel recipes, but it was winter so I didn't have as many fresh veggies to roast. But I'd try it again! Borrowed this from the library, but it's just so pretty I might have to buy it...

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many people are waiting for this book at the library so I did not have much time with it to try recipes but wrote out ones that are musts. I did read through the text as to the girls adventure and it seemed quite incredible. Makes me want to become a foodie.

[Amelia Hyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book while travelling in Canada. It's the most amazing cookbook! My partner and I have loved making these recipes, especially trying the new ingredients and foods, and reading the girls' adventures. I have since bought copies for friends who love cooking as much as I do.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unpretentious romp across Canada delivers just what the title offers. Would make a great gift for foodies who live in or love Canada. Looking forward to making (but mostly to eating) some of the dishes.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful travelogue and cookbook, contemporary and useful.

[Leah Colbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book of Canadian food and heritage. Definitely more geared toward foodies - buying in hopes Aaron will make us every recipe in it (except the hare sorry cannot eat rabbits 🐰)

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this although some of the ingredients in the recipes are rather difficult to find. I may try the spruce tip pesto next spring, though! There could easily be a sequel to this.

[Shar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reading this cookbook, you feel as if you are along on the road trip with the authors. Nice to see a book celebrate the rich and diverse nature of Canadian cuisine.

[Amanda Judd · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you even remotely like food or Canada, you will love this book.

Edit: I've now tried three recipes from this book and I found them inconsistent and occasionally unclear in their instructions. The recipes are often sourced from people they met on the roadtrip, not necessarily their own testing, and I think that contributes. I've enjoyed all that I've tried but there's always a step that's confusing or needs to be adjusted in repeated attempts.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable