Little Differences Between Canada and the U.S. (Easter Time)

[CaptainRubyHeart 1]

Hello, you all! My name's Daniela--a few weeks ago, I made a post in the "Moving Here and Your New Life in America" thread concerning my husband, Sean, and how to help him handle his homesickness. I was absolutely impressed by the amount of support that I received--largely from Canadians like my husband and yourselves--on the issue! So, I'd like to say THANK YOU once more! I know it's a little bit overdue, and I apologize--I've been away on business--but I really do appreciate the help and support!

An update: Things have been going better, and I've been trying to take the proactive stance and try to incorporate some of Sean's Canadian traditions into our new life here. I asked him if he and his family had any Easter traditions, and he told me, "Yeah, back home, we'd always eat hot cross buns."

I have no idea what in the world hot cross buns are, where to find them, or how to bake them (is it easy?) I'd really like to surprise Sean with them this Easter, so I'm calling upon my newfound Canadian gurus and requesting that you help out this poor Texan gal.

A funny aside: Sean and I actually had a bit of a misunderstanding over the weekend. I sent him out to the grocery store to pick up "hot dog buns" for me. After he was gone for nearly an hour, I started to worry, so I called him up on his cell phone and asked him if everything was OK. He responded, glumly, "Daniela, I've tried looking really, really hard...but I can't find hot cross buns anywhere here..." I felt so, so terrible for him!! I explained what I'd meant (hot DOG buns) and told him just to come home and gave him a huuuge hug to cheer him up and we had a laugh about the whole thing.

[La Souris 19]

During my last visit to my hubby, I found out that he had NO idea what hot cross buns were (not helping was the fact that I didn't know the exact English name... we call them "Lent Buns" in French); which is always funny because we're not "far" from each other.

I've never made them, but here are two recipes that makes me want to try:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/vie...oss-Buns-101452

http://www.canadianliving.com/food/hot_cross_buns.php

Just so you know, they're not super sweet, a little bitter with the zest or citrus candied peel... but warm, with a little butter, hmmmmm!

Good luck!

Note: I'm visiting my husband for the weekend and I'll import "illegal" Kinder eggs for the kids, they love them

[Holliday 4]

I'm Canadian and I don't know what hot cross buns are! Well, actually I've heard of them... I remember learning a song called "Hot Cross Buns" when I was a kid and was taking beginner piano lessons. I'm a sucky Canadian, I guess

During my last visit to my hubby, I found out that he had NO idea what hot cross buns were (not helping was the fact that I didn't know the exact English name... we call them "Lent Buns" in French); which is always funny because we're not "far" from each other.

I've never made them, but here are two recipes that makes me want to try:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/vie...oss-Buns-101452

http://www.canadianliving.com/food/hot_cross_buns.php

Just so you know, they're not super sweet, a little bitter with the zest or citrus candied peel... but warm, with a little butter, hmmmmm!

Good luck!

Note: I'm visiting my husband for the weekend and I'll import "illegal" Kinder eggs for the kids, they love them

I imported 2 "illegal" Kinder eggs last week! My husband didn't know what they were. I actually bought them at the Ottawa airport after I had gone through customs and all that...

[wowswift 3]

I asked my hubby and he said "I know there is a song" but doesn't know what they are lol. maybe get him to describe them a little?

on a side note, where are you in texas? we just came to Austin (got here on Friday night) from California, and my husband is from Newfoundland. probably the wrong side of the world for you lol.

and OMG kinder eggs, i just want the toys. lol my hubby bought me some when we lived in NFLD and then I remember shopping around xmas time and they had the giant kinder egg, but didn't buy it i want to see what they put in those ones lol.

[Reba 2]

You might be able to find hot cross buns at a proper bakery, as opposed to a grocery store.

[Carlawarla 1]

Hmm, that's interesting that you from Canada don't know what they are. Perhaps it's a generational thing?

Here's a pictures of them. My Mom would make them with candied peel. Ick! I'd pick all that stuff out of them.

[thetreble 19]

I know what they are but my family never made them. Maybe it is generational, Carla.

[trailmix 77]

Could also be a regional thing too? Every grocery store in Calgary has hot cross buns around Easter, it would be hard to miss them - unless you aren't the one doing the grocery shopping of course!

Normally we get these ones, without any icing:

[Krikit 1,165]

Awww. That's so nice of you, Daniela. Do you know, I had totally forgotten about hot cross buns until I read this. lol. Let us know if you make them, and post a pic!

[trailmix 77]

I know what they are but my family never made them. Maybe it is generational, Carla.

It's also really a British tradition.

Oh and I forgot to say hi...hi Daniela!

[BermyCat 1]

It never even occured to me that hot cross buns weren't common here. I used to just buy them at Zehrs but I guess I'll be making them this year. Also, last night, I was shocked when Phil told me that Good Friday isn't even a federal holiday. Can you tell I've only ever lived in Commonwealth countries?

I"ll also be making codfish cakes for Friday to keep the Bermudian tradition. The other big Bermudian tradition is to fly kites on Good Friday. I think I'll wait until we have kids for that one though.

~ Catherine

[Krikit 1,165]

I"ll also be making codfish cakes for Friday to keep the Bermudian tradition. The other big Bermudian tradition is to fly kites on Good Friday. I think I'll wait until we have kids for that one though.

Ohmygosh, I was looking up Portugese codfish cake recipes the other day! I really really miss the Portugese bakery at home. What's your recipe, Catherine?

[warlord 73]

Never remmber them at Easter at all, but do remember my mother making them from time to time. Generally in the winter I think. Just never at any particular time.

Speaking of Easter, my parents informed me my brother and family are going to visit them for Easter and comming on Fri and leaving Monday. I was curious why they pulled the kids out of school for that. I was informed that not only do they get Friday off, but also Monday. She reminded me I had those days off too when I was going to school as well.

I totally forgot Canada actually makes a holiday out of Easter. I dont' think anything is really closed on Friday is it? Definatly not Monday, but not sure anything is closed Fri or even Sunday for that matter...

[Krikit 1,165]

Yep, pretty much everything closes on Good Friday but not Easter Monday. Except for the banks, of course.

[BermyCat 1]

The recipe I use is pretty close to the one in this PDF.

http://www.bnl.bm/admin/uploads/bda_traditions_easter.pdf

I really don't measure anything though. I just kind of wing it. Definitly change the water a few times while you're soaking the salt cod.

~ Catherine