Crosswinds Raspberry Sour Cream Pie

A smooth, creamy topping snuggles over a ruby band of raspberries in the most popular pie from The Crosswinds in Mitchell, a town in the heart of southwestern Ontario's pie country. Although owner Shirley Turford makes "a slew of different pies," it's this pie that people make sure is on the menu when they make reservations.

Coconut Lemon Cream Snow Cake

 You can make the custard and cake for this shaggy white-on-white dream two days ahead and assemble the final product at your leisure. Just don't throw away the egg whites — you'll need them for the buttercream!

Green Beans with Sour Cream

This great way to enjoy garden fresh green beans is adapted from a recipe of Stella Nedovich of Toronto.

Cookies and Cream Celebration Cake

This citrus-scented layer cake and creamy butter icing are good basics to use time and time again for all your special occasions.

Hazelnut Coffee and Cream Liqueur

This sweet and creamy liqueur with its robust coffee flavour and subtle accent of hazelnut is ideal after a festive meal.

Mussels with Mustard Cream Sauce

Chicken with Pesto Cream Sauce

Serve with: Buttered noodles and asparagus. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are lean and quick to prepare. For something different throughout the month, try a variation.

Herbed Cream of Tomato Soup

If tomato soup is your favourite comfort food, you'll love this creamy homemade version. The rich texture and slightly acidic, herbaceous flavour far surpass anything you'd find in a can. Bonus: It's easy to make, especially if you have prepared tomato sauce on hand.

Morel, Calvados and Cream Sauce

Michele Genest's award-winning cookbook, The Boreal Gourmet (Harbour Publishing, 2010), is full of delicious recipes featuring foods from the Yukon. We've adapted this recipe, which features locally grown morel mushrooms and is perfect served over pasta or grilled meats, from her cookbook. If you have fresh morels, substitute an equal amount for the dried, omitting the soaking. Just be sure to wash them well before using.

Orange Prune Sour Cream Loaf

Nice enough to serve for dessert with fruit or to have with a cup of tea or coffee, this delicious loaf is quick and easy to make