Cheese Pate

This can be prepared to serve in a dip bowl, or it can be rolled in waxed paper in 11/2 inch rolls about 6 inches long, chilled (or frozen for future use after 1/2 hour thawing). You can garnish it with red/ green pepper designs such as holly leaves with berries. Served with a knife spreader with crackers, melba toast, or baguette slices. I love the combination of flavours, and the buttery taste of the cheese. Always a hit!

Sweet and Sour Ketchup

This all-around delicious ketchup is a perfect balance of sweet and sour. Use it with meat loaves, as a dipper for baked chicken pieces or as a topper for burgers.

Ginger Spice Cutouts

Aspic cutters, used to make tiny cutouts in the tops of these cookies, can usually be found where cookie cutters are sold.

Maple Squash

Nothing says Canadian more than maple syrup, and when blended into a fall favourite such as this squash, it turns Rose Murray's familiar dish into a make-ahead classic that's perfect for entertaining.

Vol-au-Vent of Mussels, Shrimp and Scallops

This is an appetizer dish that has a number of steps: the seafood, sauce and puff pastry cases. At The Little Inn, the chefs make the components ahead of time — and so can you.

Candy Cane Kisses

The trick to making these meringue stripes look like candy canes is so easy you won't believe it.

Buttery Gingerbread Dough for Gingerbread Cottages

Spiced Winter Sangria

We strongly believe sangria should be enjoyed all year round. Here, we've tweaked the flavours to pay tribute to the holiday season.

Easy Royal Icing for Gingerbread Cottages

Peppermint Patty Sandwich Cookies

The combination of peppermint and chocolate is a holiday winner. The dark chocolate dough is ideal for cutting into all sorts of holiday shapes, such as holly. (From "Festive Cookies" in the December issue of Canadian Living.)