Classic Steamed Crab

We prefer steaming over boiling because it prevents fresh crab from becoming waterlogged—and adding ingredients such as herbs, garlic and citrus during cooking enhances the crustacean's natural sweetness.

Asparagus Soup with Parmesan Asparagus Strudel

This fabulous spring soup is scrumptious on its own, garnished simply with asparagus tips. But you can also dress it up as we have with Lemon Cream Froth and Parmesan Asparagus Strudel. At Studio Cafe at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, executive chef Lynn Crawford garnishes this starter with delicate yellow-green popcorn seedlings.

Cornish Hens with Quinoa Stuffing

Réveillon Tourtière

When it's time for réveillon (a special feast on Christmas Eve in Quebec), this is the pie that welcomes everyone to the table. The super-flaky crust is loaded to the brim with a subtly seasoned meat filling.

Herb-Stuffed Leg of Lamb & Potato Medley

This lamb dish is a wonderful option for Passover.

Tourtiere recipe and instructions

Tourtiere is the creme de la creme of pies. Lightly spiced and herbed, this pork pie is especially anticipated for Christmas Eve celebrations, but it's equally tasty throughout the holidays and winter months. Tourtiere is completely make-ahead, delicious when turkey or chicken take over for pork and perfectly complemented by a tangy relish such as chili sauce.

11 toppings for Hanukkah latkes

From applesauce to caviar, 11 tempting toppings take latkes from simple to sensational.

Flaky Seafood Pie

One of the pleasures of the cooking traditions of the British Isles is seafood pie, with its bounty of northern seafood in a creamy sauce topped with flaky pastry. You can make the pie a day ahead and refrigerate it or freeze it. If you prefer, use pie pastry (one double-crust recipe) instead of puff pastry.

Individual Salmon Pot Pies

These decadent, creamy, flaky-top pot pies are filled with some of the best Canadian ingredients: salmon, bacon, Dijon mustard, potato and leek. For an added dose of patriotic pride at your Olympic party, use a tiny maple leaf–shaped cookie cutter to cut out the steam vents on top.

Veal and Ham Pie

Veal and Ham Pie belongs to that special category of meat pies we associate more with French pat?than with the British antecedents of our Canadian cuisine. This splendid pie takes some time to put together, but is worth every minute. In the true tradition of a Canadian picnic, the responsibility for making the dishes should be shared by the group. It\'s advisable that this dish be prepared by a picnicker with a free afternoon one or two days before the outing.