This broth fondue makes for an easy entertaining evening. Guests first spear paper-thin slices of beef and a variety of vegetables and mushrooms and simmer them in broth, then, when everyone has almost reached the point of satisfaction, they can add noodles to the broth and enjoy a delicious soup. You can save some preparation time if your butcher or supermarket sells presliced beef especially for this kind of Asian fondue and stocks bottled ponzu sauce.
The absolute beauty of this meal is that it is what everyone I know loves: rustic, satisfying, easy to make, un-pretentious but so incredibly delicious that every single person I've ever made it for has requested a 'repeat performance' just days later! I think it's the perfect thing to serve for a casual night of entertaining- serve it with some great red wine (may I suggest a lovely Cabernet Sauvingnon?) and some balsamic & honey dressed arugula. This menu is condusive to a chilled out night full of great conversation and laughter with people you love. I definitely created it for the people I love!
Being blessed with living near the Pacific ocean, we have always been experimenting with different ways to serve salmon. We've tried pan frying, poaching, baking, etc. but always come back to the BBQ. With our BC weather, we have barbecued in the dead of winter, in the (mild) snowy season and throughout the year. After purchasing our newest & best barbecue (grill) ever 2 years ago, we feel we have perfected the ultimate salmon BBQ recipe. It's easy to prepare and the blend of herbs & spices lend a unique flavour "memory" of tangy & sweet without covering up the salmon's own natural goodness! We pretty much only eat our salmon this way now and especially incorporate it into any evening of happy entertaining, including New Years!
My family absolutely loves this dish. It is one of those wonderful dishes that is best prepared the day ahead which leaves you plenty of time for entertaining when your friends are over. It came about as my son was dating a girl who was a vegetarian, I wanted to make a dish for supper that we could all enjoy with her. I looked at a variety of recipes and formulated this one, which we have come to love - I have shared the recipe with garlic loving friends who just can't get enough! All the ingredients can be grown in my backyard, although I usually buy the eggplant at the St. Jacobs Farmers market in Waterloo, about 15 minutes from my home. Serve this with a caesar salad and some crusty bread and voila! A meal your friends won't soon forget!
This dish is a favorite at our home for entertaining - it is delicious, easy to make and guests are always impressed with the presentation (we bring the plank directly to the table and serve off of it!). My husband, who is currently serving in Afghanistan, was home on leave recently and it was his homecoming request for dinner! Since we are currently living in New Brunswick, we love that fresh atlantic salmon is readily available and the maple syrup here is some of the best in the world! In the spring time, I love to serve this dish with steamed fresh fiddleheads tossed in garlic butter and jasmine or basmati rice (or wild rice when we were living near Winnipeg). At other times of the year, I serve garlic sauteed spinach. If you aren't a curry lover, just leave it out and the dish is still great! Cedar planked Salmon is fantastic on the grill but can also be prepared in the oven. Enjoy!!
Pure Canadian maple syrup, pure fancy molasses and sweet mustard blend with the flavour of the two-pepper rub on pork tenderloin for an "mmm..." sweet and spicy finish. Casual entertaining proves far more enjoyable if preparation is fairly simple, allowing the cook an opportunity to benefit along with the guests. Pork tenderloin, properly skinned and cleaned, makes the perfect surface for a dry rub. Rubbed with a simple mixture of freshly ground pepper, cayenne and a dash of salt, the tenderloin can be prepared as far ahead as the night before or just before guests arrive. Initially grilled on high for 10 minutes, it is then brushed with a prepared glaze and finished grilling. Once done, it is removed from the heat and tented with foil for approximately 5-10 minutes. To serve, slice pork and fan around a platter. Drizzle remaining glaze over the meat. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes, steamed honey dill carrots and a fresh garden salad on the side. Alternately, plate individually (pictured).
This flavourful slaw is a nice alternative to the more classic green cabbage version. Add the radishes just before serving, so they keep their colour and stay crisp.
This all-green salad makes a great side dish for grilled chicken or burgers. You can prepare and refrigerate the vegetables up to three days prior. Just toss them with the dressing at the last minute so that they stay crisp.
These cold Japanese buckwheat noodles (soba noodles) are incredibly refreshing on a warm summer day. Once cooked, toss them with a little oil to prevent them from sticking. Add the dressing just before serving so that the noodles don't absorb it all.
Although this pretty show-off spring dessert looks elaborate, it's easy to make. We have suggested serving raspberry sauce, but you can substitute sweetened strawberries or blueberries for an equally delectable sauce.
