Carrots with a Moroccan Twist

Think of carrots as the canvas on which you can paint a whole spectrum of flavours. Here, it's cumin for a mild Moroccan twist; in the variation, it's ginger and lemon for an East Asian accent. Both are nutritious, all-season, multi-purpose sides that complement poultry, pork, lamb and vegetarian dishes. 

Slow Cooker Caribbean Curried Chicken

Madras curry powder, a mix of spices including fenugreek, coriander, cumin and turmeric, is often hotter than other curry powders. Slow cooking mellows out the heat leaving an intensely flavourful curry. Look for Madras curry powder in the spice or ethnic food aisles. Serve wrapped up in a warm roti or with rice.

Crispy Cheese-Topped Pork Chops

Thin pork chops topped with a crispy cheese mix are irresistible. Canadian Mushroom Oka cheese gives another layer of flavour but you also could use plain Canadian Oka Classic, an aged Canadian Gouda or old Canadian Cheddar cheese. Or try another flavoured cheese, such as Canadian cumin-flecked Gouda or Canadian Pepper Jack.

Spinach and Ricotta Naan Pizzas

Thin, fluffy naan makes an ideal no-fuss base for quick weeknight pizzas; a simple cumin-spiced spinach topping gives a nod to the flatbread's Indian heritage. Regular ready-made naan is high in sodium, but if you want to lower your intake, just switch to a sodium-reduced version, such as the one made by President's Choice.

Barbecue Southwest Brisket

A chipotle pepper and a touch of cumin add spice and distinct flavour to this brisket. Chipotles in adobo sauce are a trendy kitchen staple, which you'll find with the canned chiles at your grocery store. However, one chopped jalapeño pepper and 1 tbsp (15 mL) ketchup make a delicious substitute. Vary the root vegetables depending on your family's preferences.

HOMEMADE HUMMUS

Nutritious, versatile and totally delicious, homemade hummus is the perfect snack any time of day.

Chunky Beef Chili

Slow Cooker Tomato Chickpea Curry With Swiss Chard

This hearty vegetarian curry is a great option for a meatless family dinner. Increase the heat by using the whole jalapeño pepper.

Chickpea & Feta Couscous Salad