Nova Scotia Lobster Tails with Okanagan Peach Salsa

There is nothing better than fresh lobster from the Maritimes. Lobster tails are marinated in a very simple marinade and grilled. One of my favourite childhood dishes my mum made was Jumbo Prawns split and filled with some hot fresh chili and shallot paste and then grilled over a charcoal fire. Here I've tried to capture that flavour of red pepper and shallots in the marinade. In the summer I serve lobster tails over a simple bed of organic greens ladled with a generous amount of peach salsa and hearty bread from my favourite bakery or I do up some coconut rice and serve the lobster tails with the rice.

Thai Coconut Chicken Simmer

Fragrant with coconut, ginger and shallots, this brightly flavoured curry is best served over jasmine rice or rice noodles. Fresh cilantro or basil leaves make a pretty garnish and add an extra layer of flavour. Serve with braised bok choy for the perfect simple Thai supper.

Easy Chicken Stock

You will never want to buy broth again after tasting this homemade chicken stock, which couldn't be simpler to make, thanks to your slow cooker. Homemade stock with no added salt is not only far more delicious than store-bought, but it also allows for better control over the amount of sodium you add to your recipes. Use whatever vegetables you have in the fridge, including the green tops of leeks and shallots, and celery leaves.

Duck Breast Wrapped With Bacon

This inspiration for this dish was to take duck, an ingredient found in traditional french cuisine, and to find a way to prepare and interpret it using other common Canadian ingredients, in a manner that is simpler, less time consuming and just as flavourful. After layering the duck with apples, shallots and spices, it is wrapped in bacon, in some way similar to how a filet mignon. In the attached picture, it is served with marinated, roasted potatoes and asparagus. A simple accompaniment, so that the intensity of dish can be enjoyed.

Vietnamese Vermicelli with Grilled Beef

Rice vermicelli is easy to find among the Asian noodles in an increasing number of grocery stores. You can substitute 2 cups (500 mL) rinsed drained cooked vermicelli pasta.

Our Favourite Thai Noodle Salad

Steakhouse Rib Eye with Béarnaise Sauce

In The Test Kitchen, we cook rib eyes to medium-rare—just enough to render some of the fat but not enough to toughen the meat. This béarnaise recipe yields a full cup; leftovers don't keep well in the fridge, so if you're serving a smaller crowd that won't need all of the sauce, consider substituting with our Shallotand-Herb Compound Butter (see below).

Hanoi-Style Vermicelli Noodles with Fish

Warm Lentil Salad with Beets & Feta

Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho with Strawberries