Curry Shepherd's Pie

With the addition of curry powder, this caserole is a spicy twist on a family favourite. And feel free to experiment with the addition of chopped hot spicy peppers if you desire more of a kick. I like to use a mixture of ground beef and pork. You could stick to the tradition of using ground lamb if you prefer.

Mini Alfajores

These tender, shortbread-like dulce de leche--filled sandwich cookies are popular in South and Central America.

Crispy Tofu Stir-Fry with Udon Noodles

Japanese udon noodles, which cook in a matter of minutes, soak up all of the slightly spicy umami-rich sauce in this stir-fry. Cubes of golden tofu make the meat-free supper substantial. You can also use cubed chicken or pork. Cost: $2/serving

Clementine White Chocolate Macaroons

These citrus-packed chewy treats make the perfect holiday dessert. Use wet hands when shaping your macaroons to avoid a mess.

English Shepherd’s Pie

Traditionally a way of using up leftover roast meat, this can be made with diced or minced lamb – either way, it’s a winner.
 

Mash hits

It was a piece of kitchen equipment that gave rise to the modern version of this meat and-mash dish. In the 1870s, the newfangled mincing machine made short work of processing offcuts of meat and a classic was born. It is widely believed that the dish came from the north of England and Scotland, where there are large numbers of sheep. Shepherd’s pie, as the name suggests, uses mutton or lamb, and is not to be confused with cottage pie, which contains minced beef. A regional variation is the Cumberland pie, which includes a layer of cheese and bread crumbs on top of the mashed potato.

Coconut & Strawberry Panna Cotta

This is that amazing time of year when the sun is shining, birds are chirping, bees are buzzing and the fresh strawberry harvest is underway. Sure, we love these little bites of delight any old time, but local, homegrown ones always taste best!

Spiced Peach Chutney

Sweet juicy peaches are the Test Kitchen's most eagerly awaited fruit of the summer. Use firm, ripe local peaches for the best flavour and texture. With only a hint of spice, this chutney is a perfect condiment for cheese, pâté or grilled meat. To jack up the heat, increase the jalapeños to your liking.

Chicken and Vegetable Soba Noodle Stir-Fry

Soba noodles, which are made with buckwheat flour, are delicious hot or cold. In this dish, the chicken breast is sliced thinly, so a little goes a long way. If you find the chicken difficult to slice, try putting it in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up a bit.

Danish Piped Cookies

Elevate your shortbread game by piping the dough into S-shapes and Os. These melt-in-your-mouth Danish cookies are about to become a holiday staple (in case they aren’t already).

Chinese Steamed Beef Patty

Flavoured with chestnuts, gingerroot, and shiitake mushrooms, this recipe gives an Asian flair to the humble beef patty.