This classic warm-you-up stew becomes even more comforting when made with well-marbled pot roast rather than the usual stewing beef. The fat melts slowly as it cooks, tenderizing the beef into juicy melt-in-your-mouth morsels. A slow finish in the oven gives the stew its rich, hearty texture.
I love meatballs and so does my family. Let's be honest, who doesn't? So this challenge offered the ideal excuse to whip up some seriously delicious and moist veggie-dense meatballs. A few helping hands in the kitchen make quick work of forming the balls. A pan of oven-roasted potato wedges is the perfect side dish, and a great way to use more of the homemade ketchup. – Rheanna Kish, senior Food specialist
The ingredient list may look long, but the techniques are straightforward and the results well worth the effort.
Being vegetarian doesn't mean you have to skip the traditional tourtiere. TVP, or textured vegetable protein, is a dried soy product available in granules or chunks that, when cooked, resemble the texture of ground meat. Look for it in the health food section of grocery stores. Serve this tourtiere with Tomato Pear Ketchup.
This traditional pea soup is the ultimate in Quebec-style comfort food. Look for an unsmoked ham hock in the meat department of your local supermarket. If you can't find one, a smoked ham hock will work – just reduce the salt in the recipe to 1/4 tsp.
This classic is usually made with ground pork, often with the addition of potatoes for thickening. Mushrooms are unconventional, but tourtière fans will be happy with the extra flavour.
Start a new tradition with a sage-and-oregano corn bread stuffing for roast turkey. If time is too tight to make Corn Bread Loaf, buy corn bread at a local bakery; you'll need 3 lb (1.5 kg).
You can turn this colourful and delicious lasagna into a vegetarian main course by omitting the pancetta.
The secret to making this dish ultimately delicious is simple: Leave the cans on the shelf and use only fresh East Coast clams. For an even more spectacular chowder, serve it in bread bowls you make by hollowing out small round loaves or extra-large crusty hamburger buns.
This one-pot meal is loaded with juicy chicken, smoky bacon, hearty potatoes and tender-crisp veggies. We like to call it comfort in a bowl.
