Lemongrass Pork Tenderloin With Stir-Fried Quinoa

White rice and fatty pork chops are replaced with protein-packed quinoa and lean pork tenderloin in this twist on a Vietnamese favourite. Daikon radish has a very pungent aroma, but its crunchy sweetness works well when pickled. If it's not your thing, you can substitute the same amount of carrot. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover quinoa; if you don't have any on hand, make it ahead and spread it out on a large rimmed baking sheet to cool quickly.

Lake Brome Duck Breast with Cranberry and Kumquat Chutney

Menu:
Lake Brome Duck Breast with Cranberry and Kumquat Chutney
Oven Roasted Nova Scotia Organic Fingerling Potatoes
Organic Nova Scotia Carrots in Maple Syrup Glaze
Salad of Organic Nova Scotia Micro Greens and Sprouts with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette and Honey Goat Cheese Puffs

Inspiration: The inspiration for this meal comes from the 100 mile challenge featured on Food Network. I am currently involved with a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm here in Nova Scotia and am quite passionate about eating Slow Food, which is locally grown. I want to reduce my carbon footprint by using as many ingredients as possible that come from the province where I live in rather than from afar. It is nice to know, not only where your food comes from, but who grew it as well. Our children are quite excited each week to see our food box arrive, and always wonder what our farmer has sent us. Part of what I like about this recipe is that although it appears complicated, it really is quite simple and requires nothing out of the ordinary for most kitchens these days, with the exception of the kumquats. I have also included the recipes for the side dishes I like to serve with this meal. Preparation time includes preparing and cooking the side dishes as well. There are substitutions for the vegetables, for example using new baby potatoes or baby carrots, and substituting a peppery arugula for the micro greens. Food doesn't have to be pretentious or difficult to taste good. This recipe calls for one duck breast for each person, which for some appetites may be alot. The recipe could be stretched to serve 8, if the breasts are on the larger side. Wine Pairing: Jost L'Acadie Blanc Chardonnay (The Flight of the Silver Dart Commemorative) or Domaine de Grand Pre L'Acadie Blanc

Presentation: When presenting this dish, place a spoonful of the chutney in the centre of a warmed plate. Slice the duck thinly crossways and fan half over either side of the chutney. I place the carrots at one end of the plate with a bit of the glaze and the potatoes at the other, and drizzle balsamic glaze on each plate.

Pure MmmMaple, Molasses and Sweet Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin

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).

Roasted Pickerel with Mixed Grain Risotto, Sautéed Root Vegetables, and Rosemary Honey

My inspiration for the recipe began with an amazing cheese course I had at a dinner party at my sister's house. Rosemary honey drizzled on sharp cheese on a gourmet cracker. Divine! I knew my recipe had to have a rosemary honey component (and lucky for me I had overwintered a rosemary plant from my garden.) Thyme honey, my alternate choice and made the same way, was also delicious. I also wanted to focus on local prairie ingredients...you can't find lemons or olive oil here so I didn't put any in my recipe! I love risotto and thought it a good way to bring the sharp cheese into the recipe. I don't like the constant stirring of the usually method so tried local grains baked instead. The oats are creamy and the barley still has slight bite so it is a great combination. A friend who was sampling my recipe stated, "the risotto was a real surprise, the star of the show." I choose pickerel because it is a local prairie fish, is quite mild, and blends nicely with the other flavours. Rainbow trout also works nicely. The carrots and parsnips were grown locally and the rosemary honey just brings out the flavours wonderfully. To serve: Scoop a generous portion of risotto onto plates. Place an array of vegetables to the side of risotto, then top with a half fillet of pickerel. Drizzle with remaining rosemary honey and garnish with sprig of parsley. Excellent with any British Columbia Meritage or Pinot Grigio Note: If you have any leftover risotto, it is delicious for breakfast with crispy bacon on the side!

Tuna Pasta Salad

Using tuna packed in both oil and broth means you'll need less oil in the dressing.

Herring and Apple Winter Salad

This Finnish salad is great for buffet suppers. It's make-ahead and easy on the budget. Cortland, Spartan, Ida Red or Northern Spy are good apples for this salad.

Fall Roasted Vegetables

Fall Roasted Vegetables

Grilled Chicken with Blueberry Sauce

Russian Salad

Cost: $4.45 per serving