Beef and Oyster Mushroom in Oyster Sauce

Although oyster mushrooms have nothing to do with the dried oysters used to make oyster sauce, they are a lovely addition to the classic beef in oyster sauce. For extra spice, add a pinch or more of cayenne pepper to the beef marinade or increase the hot peppers. Green or red finger chilies are traditionally used in China, but jalape?are very nice, too.

Truffle-Scented Goat Cheese Tartlets

These lovely tartlets are divine, with the scent and delicious flavour of truffle oil. Of course, specks of grated black truffle would be even lovelier, but truffle oil is a flavourful ingredient that doesn't break the bank. And, like truffles, a little goes a long way. Look for it at large grocery chains or gourmet shops. If unavailable, the tartlets are still delicious without it.

Chocolate Pretzel Cookies

Chocolate dough shaped into pretzels and sprinkled with crunchy sugar looks like the familiar salty snack. However, the delicious surprise is that they are not-too-sweet cookies instead. 

Mini Tiramisu

Dry crisp ladyfingers, sometimes labelled savoiardi, work better than the soft ones in this recipe.

Earl Grey Pot de Creme

Delicately infused with tea, this custard is cool, creamy and not too sweet.

Coddled Eggs Florentine

Serve with a crusty baguette for a satisfying cold-weather meal.

Lemon Pudding Cakes with Marbled Raspberry Cream

Serve the pudding cakes in their dishes or let them cool for 5 minutes, then run knife around the edge and invert onto plates.

Cheesecake Pie with Rhubarb Sauce

With the topping and pie waiting in the fridge, dessert is ready at a moment's notice. We used Dad's Original Oatmeal cookies for the crust; other brands may require slightly more butter to moisten the crumbs.

Rolled Souffle

Maple Syrup Pie

Dark or amber maple syrup gives this rich, sweet pie the best flavour. Serve with whipped cream.