Country Seed Bread

When bread machines first became popular a few years ago, The Canadian Living Test Kitchen got busy adapting recipes. Very easy to make in the machine — and almost as easy by hand — this loaf is nutty, chewy and just plain good.

Double Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

A combination of our two favourite Easter treats, hot cross buns with chocolate are extra delicious. Purists, worry not—we’ve also included the option to add dried fruit!

Stuffed Savoy Cabbage

Celebrate a staple of winter by elevating the simple savoy cabbage to a work of art. Start by stuffing a veal-and-ham filling between the leaves, then wrap the cabbage in cheesecloth so it keeps its shape during cooking. Bring the whole cabbage to the table to cut into wedges and serve with the delicious reduced cooking liquid and sweet, tender carrots cooked in the same pot.

Veal and Mushroom Lasagna

This white lasagna dish, made with bechamel instead of tomato sauce, makes a satisfying gift to a friend in need. Look for packages of mixed mushrooms (shiitake, oyster and cremini) or buy a selection of each.

Crispy Salmon on Braised Vegetables and Spinach Mash

There is nothing quite like salmon skin cooked to crispy perfection. I regularly make this for dinner parties and have converted many a fish-skin hater. The secret to the crispness is cooking the fish 90 percent of the way through on the skin side (in a nonstick pan!); the key to maintaining it is serving the fish skin side up so that the moisture from the fish and vegetables doesn't turn it soggy. Don't try to turn the salmon too early; if it's sticking to the pan, it's not ready to turn. – Annabelle Waugh, Food director

Mini Black Forest Cakes

Cherry Almond Truffle Squares

Layers of ganache nestle under a chocolate jacket. For a neat presentation, lift entire batch out of pan using parchment paper, trim edges even and cut into squares.

Chicken and Biscuits

Chicken stewed with tasty root vegetables has long been a favourite coast to coast. In West Vancouver, Janey Purvis bakes her stewed chicken under a blanket of flaky biscuits. This dish never fails to win raves from family, friends and neighbours. It can be mostly made in advance and kept refrigerated for a day. Then just make the biscuits and bake with the stew.

Lobster Thermidor

This dish is thought to have been created in 1894 by Chez Marie, a Paris restaurant, for the opening of Victorien Sardou's play Thermidor. Others say it was first tasted by Napoleon during Thermidor, the 11th month of the calendar invented during the French Revolution.

Vegetable Goat Cheese Terrine

A slice of this cool vegetarian terrine is heavenly on a warm evening. With layers of eggplant, zucchini, red pepper and goat cheese, this dish is easy to make and very impressive. You can use two different coloured sweet peppers for a really dazzling presentation.