Haddock with Light Cream Sauce

Melting cheese into poaching liquid makes a quick, smooth sauce. You can substitute a dry white wine for half of the stock. Serve with green beans and roasted squash. A boiled potato tossed in parsley can't be beat as the starch.

Smoked Mackerel Pate

Mackerel was once regarded as a poor man's trout, but these days it's more appreciated for its gutsy robust flavour, plus it's been deemed an ocean-friendly option for fish lovers. If you like, garnish with more chopped fresh parsley or green onion.

Mint and Pistachio Pesto

This pesto is the perfect way to use up the fresh mint overtaking your garden. Using equal amounts of mint and parsley ensures the mint does not overpower the other ingredients. Serve with lamb chops or toss with cooked bulgur or couscous for a refreshing salad.

Fiesta Friday Casserole

Celebrate the end of the week with this southwestern-style bake that is an all-in-one entree and salad. A crisp lettuce, such as romaine, iceberg or green leaf, works best. If cilantro isn't a family favourite, substitute parsley. Serve with sour cream.

Creamy Herbed Risotto With Shrimp

Peppered Lamb Medallions with Mint Butter

New Zealand lamb medallions are available frozen in packages of four. Other cuts (such as 3/4-inch/2 cm thick boneless lamb leg steaks or 1-inch/2.5 cm thick loin chops) are just as delicious. If you can't get fresh mint, use parsley.

Pork Persillade

Persillade, a simple French mixture of parsley and garlic, adds elegance and flavour to meat. A pork roast is perfect for entertaining a small group since this cut is inexpensive but looks impressive. Choose either a six-bone rib roast or a centre-cut loin, which is usually cheaper.

BARLEY SALAD

This delicious, sweet and savoury salad may appear to have a lot of dressing, but the barley and apricots will absorb most of it while it stands, adding lots of flavour. Brighten it up by stirring in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley just before serving.

Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomato Lasagna

Broiled Salmon With Sweet Corn and Barley Risotto

Pot barley takes a bit longer to cook than the arborio rice commonly used in risottos, but it doesn't require constant stirring and is packed with fibre. Chervil is a mild aromatic herb with a subtle anise flavour; use parsley if you can't find any.