ELEVATING MANITOBA’S HEARTLAND HARVEST
Published in Savour Manitoba Winter 2025
When the leaves begin to fall and there is a brisk bite to the air, we experience a strong pull toward warmth, coziness and, most importantly, hearty food to warm the soul. Fall in Manitoba is a season of plentiful harvests and a time when the roots, grains, game and freshwater fish of the province shine. Fall is the perfect time to take simple, beloved comfort foods and transform them into truly luxurious, unforgettable experiences using local seasonal ingredients.
This is your delicious roadmap to indulging in Manitoba’s finest fall flavours, offering inspiration for simple weeknight pleasures to complex culinary feats, whether you’re dining as a couple, a family or hosting a large gathering of family and friends.
The Core of Comfort
Manitoba’s agricultural landscape provides a stunning array of ingredients that form the backbone of its comfort food traditions. To elevate a dish, one must start with the best components.
PROTEINS:
Ditch the generic mass-produced meats and embrace the locally raised and caught options. Think about Manitoba bison for a lean, rich protein that is packed with flavour. Pick up some prairie-raised turkey and chicken from co-ops like Granny’s Poultry. Find the fresh, delicate flavour of Lake Winnipeg pickerel from Gimli Fish Market for a low-fat, high-protein main. Eggs from the many local Manitoba egg farmers are a surefire hit for any festive feast.
PRODUCE:
The fall harvest provides an abundance of storage crops. Potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, beets and squash are all flavourful, affordable and readily available. Peak of the Market features many wonderful options in this issue of Savour Manitoba.
GRAINS AND PULSES:
We got grain! Manitoba is a grain powerhouse. Use local wheat flour from mills like Prairie Flour Mills in Elie or incorporate nutrient-dense beans, lentils and peas from the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers. Don’t forget the earthy, nutty flavour of Manitoba wild rice, a staple of Indigenous cuisine.
FLAVOUR ENHANCERS:
Manitoba comfort food is not complete without a nod to our amazing local condiments. Seek out artisan mustards from Smak Dab and the province’s most iconic flavour: honey dill sauce. A new rub, spice or sauce from Luxe Barbeque Company can change the way you see boring old food.
Simple Dinners, Luxurious Twists
Comfort food doesn’t have to mean cooking all day. There are options that can focus on maximum flavour with minimal fuss, perfect for couples or small families on a chilly night.
SIMPLE PAN-SEARED PICKEREL WITH BROWN BUTTER AND DILL
Tender, flaky pickerel fillets pan seared to golden perfection, then finished with a rich brown butter sauce infused with fresh dill. The simplicity of the preparation allows the delicate flavour of the fish to shine, complemented by the nutty depth of the butter and the bright herbal notes.
CLASSIC COMFORT: Fish and chips or a simple fried fish fillet.
LUXURIOUS LOCAL TWIST: Pickerel is arguably Manitoba’s signature fish. Its flaky, delicate white flesh is perfect for a quick, elegant meal.
ELEVATE: Finish the dish with a quick brown butter sauce infused with copious amounts of fresh local dill (a classic Manitoba herb) and a squeeze of fresh lemon to brighten the fish flavour. Serve alongside mashed potatoes whipped with a touch of heavy cream and roasted seasonal carrots.
GOURMET BISON “FAT BOY” TACOS
Indulgent tacos that feature juicy seasoned bison patties nestled in warm tortillas, topped with crisp lettuce, tangy pickles and a rich house-made sauce. A gourmet twist on a classic drive-in favourite, they deliver bold prairie flavour with every bite.
CLASSIC COMFORT: The iconic “Fat Boy” burger, smothered in chili.
LUXURIOUS LOCAL TWIST: Deconstruct the “Fat Boy’ into an elevated taco using lean, flavourful bison and fresh local toppings.
ELEVATE: Top with Bothwell aged cheddar, diced white onions and a drizzle of homemade honey dill hot sauce for a creamy-sweet and spicy kick. It’s messy, satisfying and decidedly Manitoban.
Complex Feasts for Family and Gatherings
When you have more time and a bigger table to fill, these delicious options allow you to showcase the depth of Manitoba’s local ingredients.
SLOW-COOKED TURKEY AND WILD RICE TOURTIÈRE
This hearty tourtière is a reinvented French-Canadian classic, made with slow-cooked turkey, nutty wild rice and aromatic spices nestled in a flaky, golden crust. Earthy and comforting, it’s a prairie-inspired twist that bridges tradition and regional flavour.
CLASSIC COMFORT: Tourtière, the French-Canadian meat pie, is often enjoyed around the holidays.
LUXURIOUS LOCAL TWIST: A lighter, earthier version of the classic using local turkey and Manitoba wild rice.
ELEVATE: Encase the mixture in a flaky crust made with local Manitoba butter and flour. Serve with pickled local beets and a cranberry-saskatoon berry preserve on the side.
AGED CHEDDAR AND CHICKEN-POTATO PEROGIES WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
A beloved prairie staple, perogies offer a perfect balance of rich, savoury flavour and nostalgic warmth.
CLASSIC COMFORT: Potato and cheddar perogies, a much-loved staple reflecting Manitoba’s deep Ukrainian Heritage.
LUXURIOUS LOCAL TWIST: Upgrade the filling with pan-seared and shredded chicken, high-quality ingredients and a decadent finishing preparation.
ELEVATE: Instead of simply boiling, gently pan-fry the boiled perogies in a generous amount of local butter and smoked ham from Maple Leaf or from one of Manitoba’s many pork producers.
The Comfort of Community
Manitoba’s comfort food is not just about warm bellies; it’s a reflection of the province’s heritage — Ukrainian, French-Canadian, Indigenous and more — all rooted in the bounty of the Prairies. By choosing local Manitoba pickerel, bison, heritage grains and fall root vegetables, you are not just cooking; you are participating in a tradition.
Whether you’re crafting a complex, slow-simmered turkey tourtière for a crowd or enjoying a simple, luxurious plate of brown-butter pickerel for two, the finest ingredient in any Manitoba comfort meal is the quality, locally sourced food that brings the community to your table. This fall, use the rich harvest of the heartland to transform your comfort food from simple pleasure to true culinary luxury.
MANITOBA’S HYPERLOCAL CULINARY SCENE
Manitoba features a large and excellent culinary scene. True comfort and hyper-local flavour can be found throughout Winnipeg and all the nearby towns, where chefs have a direct and often personal relationship with the surrounding producers and land.
This fall, we should all venture out to at least a few of the notable Manitoba establishments that champion regional and local cuisine to experience their expert culinary offerings.
MJ’S KAFE
Steinbach
FOCUS: Diner classics, local Mennonite specialties, homestyle cooking.
Serving the traditionally Mennonite communities in the southeast, MJ’s Kafe is a fantastic spot to experience authentic local prairie comfort food. Often featuring regional specialties using local dairy, eggs and farm-raised meats, grounding their menu in the area’s rich cultural and agricultural heritage.
mjskafe.ca
THE SPICY RADISH
Whitemouth (Whiteshell)
FOCUS: Creative comfort food, local sourcing, seasonal menu.
Nestled in the Whiteshell Provincial Park region, The Spicy Radish is celebrated for its commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients, giving classic comfort foods an unexpected and delicious twist. Building a special place in the community through warm, welcoming service and great quality food.
spicyradish.com
BISTRO ON NOTRE DAME
Winnipeg
FOCUS: Elevated Indigenous comfort food.
A cozy bistro serving an elevated fusion of comfort food from local, ethical and sustainable sources, Bistro on Notre Dame provides cuisine grounded in Red River Métis culture. A vibrant, relaxing retreat where people can enjoy good food and bond over the best breakfast, lunch and dinner in downtown Winnipeg. A genuine hidden gem conveniently located steps away from the Health Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba medical faculties and Manitoba Clinic — a neighbourhood retreat for all.
bistroonnotredame.com