Chicken Braised with Chestnuts and Shiitake Mushrooms

Few Chinese banquets are without a fancy preparation of a whole chicken or duck. The rich chestnuts and shiitake mushrooms suit the New Year's table and represent fall and winter respectively. The carrot slices stand for gold coins that welcome the coming spring with riches, and the green bok choy reminds us of summer. Don't think of this dish as only for Chinese New Year; it makes a wonderful main course at any table.

Grilled Sesame Chicken and Radish Skewers with Orange Salad

Choose similar-size radishes so they cook evenly. Grilling subdues their sharp flavour and gives them a nice tender-crisp texture. Brushing the sweet, sticky glaze onto the skewers before the last minute of cooking keeps it from burning on the barbecue and preserves the sesame flavour.

Japanese Beef Hot Pot

This broth fondue makes for an easy entertaining evening. Guests first spear paper-thin slices of beef and a variety of vegetables and mushrooms and simmer them in broth, then, when everyone has almost reached the point of satisfaction, they can add noodles to the broth and enjoy a delicious soup. You can save some preparation time if your butcher or supermarket sells presliced beef especially for this kind of Asian fondue and stocks bottled ponzu sauce.

Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi

I love Vietnamese food and have fond memories of bonding with my mother over hot bowls of pho and crisp fresh rolls. Banh mi, my favourite dish, is stuffed with aromatic grilled meat, savoury condiments and crunchy pickles. The crowning touch of this sandwich is the beautifully crisp Vietnamese roll, which you can buy in many Asian supermarkets. If you can't find one, substitute a crusty sub roll. – Irene Fong, Food specialist

Great Canadian Sushi Animals

Get wild in the kitchen with these fun sushi animals, inspired by Canada's iconic wildlife. To keep the rice from sticking to your fingers while you shape the animals, have a bowl of water beside you and keep your hands wet at all times.

Stuffed Roast Turkey with Honey & Beet Glaze

This Thanksgiving, enjoy a succulent roast turkey that's stuffed and glazed to perfection.

Shrimp & Kimchi Dumplings