Acadian Seafood Chowder

Our Acadian ancestors prepared many of their dishes with fresh, salted or dried seafood. The dishes had to use what was available locally from the sea and land and be fairly easy to prepare. My inspiration for the Acadian Seafood Chowder comes from the culinary creative legacy of these early acadian ancestors. The chowder is served in large clear glass soup bowls accompanied by cheese/garlic butter toped grilled french baguette slices and a glass of canadian riesling wine.

Cuban Pork Roast with Mojo Crillo

If we close our eyes, the memories of mojo — citrus juice sauce spiked with garlic and cumin — drizzled over spit-roasted pork are as alive as when we tasted it in Cuba. We've recreated the experience with a roast marinated in these ingredients and served with its own drippings. Cubans would use 1 cup (250 mL) sour orange juice from Seville oranges, but because they are impossible to find out-of-season in Canada, we have substituted lime and lemon juice. Be sure to use a roast with the backbone removed or ask the butcher to remove it for you. The slices are neater than if the butcher simply cuts between the chops.

Chicken and Cauliflower Curry

My family is very health conscious, I try to prepare meals that are high in flavour and low in fat. This recipe is economical and delicious. My inspiration came after having Butter Chicken at a restaurant with my husband. Both of us loved it. but Butter Chicken is very high in calories and fat. I decided to cook up my own version with less fat and more good things like vegetables and tomato sauce.

I like to serve this with couscous on the side and warmed pita bread. To prepare the pita, I mix olive oil and minced fresh garlic, brush this onto each pita, then stack them together and wrap tightly in foil. Then I bake them for 20 minutes at 375 F. My son uses the pita as a wrap, filling the pita with the chicken mixture!

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).

''Sure to Please'' Chicken Cacciatore

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!).

Asian Beef & Ginger Soup

Italian Roasted Chicken and Potatoes with White Wine and Sage

Stuffed Mushrooms

Serve on flat dish with parsly sprinkled in between mushroom. This dish is very fast, and has been very successful.

Lemony Broccoli and Chicken Pasta

Easy to make. Includes a meat, grain and vegetable in one dish. Leftovers are great cold or warm.

Roasted Eggplant Dip

Along with the Chopped Liver Pâté and Apple Walnut Chutney, this delicious hors d'oeuvre is perfect for your appetizer platter. If you're not making this for Passover and are lucky enough to have any of this creamy dip left over, it makes a great sandwich spread or pita filling. For a chunky texture, pulse all the ingredients in a food processor instead of puréeing them.