Summerhill Market Chicken Pot Pie

Toronto chef Chris Klugman took over the catering and takeout-food department of the Summerhill Market in the fashionable Toronto district of Rosedale in 2001. His soups and prepared main courses are flying off the shelves of this upscale family-run grocery store, which was established in 1954. The most popular dinner item is chicken pot pie, subtly flavoured and rich in chicken taste. Klugman likes to thicken the sauce with a roux of rendered chicken fat and flour; try it if you wish. You can also boil cubed potatoes in the cooking liquid to add to the pie.

East Coast Lobster Spaghetti

Featuring fresh, East Coast lobster, this delicious pasta is sure to warm any lobster lover's heart and make for an impressive feast for an intimate, special reunion.

Vegetable Samosas with Cilantro Chutney

From street vendors in India to chic cocktail hors d'oeuvres here, potato-filled pastries are fantastic. Whether fried or baked, they're best freshly made, but for convenience sake, you can freeze them.

Roast Turkey with Chestnut Corn Bread Stuffing

Turkey with a classic American cornbread stuffing with chestnuts is a favourite Christmas meal of our contributing food editor, Andrew Chase.

Classic Steamed Crab

We prefer steaming over boiling because it prevents fresh crab from becoming waterlogged—and adding ingredients such as herbs, garlic and citrus during cooking enhances the crustacean's natural sweetness.

Quiche of Christmas Colours

Thinly sliced cappocola (spicy cured pork) from the deli counter adds colourful curls to the top of this spinach-and-red-pepper quiche. In a pinch, you can use chopped prosciutto instead.

Réveillon Tourtière

When it's time for réveillon (a special feast on Christmas Eve in Quebec), this is the pie that welcomes everyone to the table. The super-flaky crust is loaded to the brim with a subtly seasoned meat filling.

Cornish Hens with Quinoa Stuffing

Piroshki

Borscht and vodka may be Russia's culinary claims to fame, but it's time to give piroshki the recognition they deserve. These traditional meat pies have a golden breading and a savoury filling, making them the ultimate hand-held comfort food.

Halibut with Wild Blueberry Chutney and Roasted Vegetables

Fish is a staple in our home and I am always trying to create new accompaniments, while at the same time using local foods. I enjoy creating nutritious meals that are diabetic friendly (two of my children have Type 1 Diabetes), heart healthy, and always incorporating as many colours of the rainbow that I can. This dish can be made with any white fish as it looks so inviting with the reds and greens of the sides. Wild blueberries and Halibut - a perfect marriage as opposites do attract! I have (tried) roasted beets before but was always a bit disappointed when they dried out, so I tried this crusting method and it turns out a moist brightly colored beet with just a hint of horseradish! When plating this recipe, layering creates a presentation that is not only eye-appealing, but a superb blend of flavors. Using summers' bounty means delicious fresh menus for friends and family.