A braided crust and leaf-shaped cutouts give this seasonal favourite an extra-special presentation. And the flavour? Unparalleled. Our secret ingredient is tapioca starch, which thickens the strawberry juices for a glossy, clump-free filling.
This intensely rich dark chocolate cake is for grown-ups only (but you can find the recipe for our kid-friendly version, Spiced Chocolate Bundt Cake, below). We used Cabernet Sauvignon for its balance of deep fruity and black pepper flavours, but you can use whatever type of red you have on hand. A sprinkling of our Candied Sage gives the cake an extra-special finish.
I like to prepare dishes for guests that allow me to enjoy their company. In order to do this, I select dishes that can be prepared before the guests arrive and are already cooking while we are enjoying their company. My "Sure to Please" Chicken Cacciatore is a prime example of this. Over time I have made several adjustments to enhance the flavour while at the same time using healthy alternatives (eg. skinless chicken thighs and breasts; I saute ingredients in extra virgin olive oil instead of butter). Because this dish has an Italian flare, so do all the other dishes that I serve before, during and after this meal. I serve an antipasta tray as an appetizer, and toasted garlic bread, a tossed green salad with an oil and vinaigrette dressing, whole wheat spaghetti, and the same wine that is in the cacciatore. For dessert I serve Tiramisu (also made ahead). As a result, most of my work is complete before company arrives. I have shared this recipe with women who say they do not cook and I have received rave reviews from all of them - their guests loved it so much that one man ate the leftovers for breakfast the next morning. I like to make this dish in the summer, when I can use fresh produce from my vegetable garden or from the local farmer's market. My inspiration for this recipe is that I love to cook and entertain. This recipe is full of flavour, easy to prepare and tastes like you were in the kitchen all day (what a bonus!).
In Canada, we harvest the sweetest, most delicious lobster in the world. If you're short on time or fridge space, most grocery stores or fish markets will steam lobsters for you on request, but boiling them fresh at home is always preferable. Serve them with one (or all) of our signature butters or seasoned mayo.
The contrast of buttery cream and red wine–poached pears makes these tarts a stunning addition to your holiday spread. For the prettiest presentation, prepare the pastry, cream and poached pears in advance, then assemble the tarts just before serving. Use a small melon baller or a metal measuring spoon to easily core the pears.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, a home-cooked meal from the heart can be extremely special. Why not finish it off with a beautiful and romantic dessert? Served in elegant champagne glasses, this is sure to sweep your date off their feet.
This modern take on crowd-pleasing Black Forest cake is the perfect ending to your holiday meal. Chocolate Christmas trees and a fluffy whipped cream topping transform this pie into a winter wonderland.
Moist white cake, zingy raspberry filling and decadent snowy icing make this festive treat the year’s must-have dessert.
Comfort food at its finest, this classic creamy casserole packs buttery herb-flecked pastry and rich savoury chicken in every delightful bite.
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.
