Tropical Tutti-Frutti Punch

This refreshing fruit-and-cream concoction makes a great centrepiece for a children's party or a backyard barbecue with tropical food. Although coconut allergies are very rare, make sure your guests know that the punch contains coconut milk.

Mediterranean Spice Mix

Pork Sandwiches With Asian Mango Slaw

Crusty rolls absorb just the right amount of dressing from the slaw to add flavour without becoming soggy. Beef, chicken, fish or shrimp can easily be substituted for the pork.

Toffee Banana Family Tree Cake

Celebrate this summer's reunion with a cake displaying your family tree. To get it to the picnic, cover it with a cake dome, or place toothpicks at 2-inch (5 cm) intervals around top edge and drape with plastic wrap, then transport it in a cooler.

Chile Rellenos

A bit time-consuming, but worth the effort, these cheese-stuffed and fried peppers are a Mexican staple. Fresh poblano peppers are mildly hot and darker green with more tapered tips than sweet green peppers. If they are unavailable or if you want a milder version, use small sweet red or yellow peppers.

Salmon Pasta Salad for Four

This speedy dish is ready in the time it takes to cook the pasta.

Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

This salad is simple to assemble for a quick family meal.

Stilton Cheescake with Walnut Crust

Rumpot

This mix of fruit preserved in rum is a fabulous way to enjoy summer fruits right through the winter spooned over ice cream or pancakes. Begin preparing the mixture when strawberries are in season and add seasonal fruit right into fall. Each addition should be about 1 lb (500 g) of prepared fruit. To have the Rumtopf ready by December, make the last addition by the first week of October.

Strawberry Rhubarb Tart

When you're 131 years old, there has to be a pretty special dish to match the celebration. Here it is — fresh strawberries fanned over a tangy rhubarb sauce in a buttery shortbread pat-in pastry. Extra maple leaves set off Canada's favourite summer combo of rhubarb and berries. Better than a birthday cake any day!