Oven-Poached Salmon

This classic buffet dish is not only beautiful but also delicious hot or cold. Cutting the fish before cooking gives clean edges. To serve, garnish with more slices of lemon and fresh sprigs of parsley and thyme. Watercress mayonnaise makes a spring-fresh condiment to serve alongside (see below).

Filet of Pork with Mushrooms and Asiago

Pork tenderloin is a terrific alternative to pork roast when you're serving just a few people. Substitute shiitake or portobello mushrooms for the cremini mushrooms if you prefer. If you do not have any fresh thyme, substitute 1/4 tsp dried thyme. Serve topped with chopped fresh parsley.

Roasted Parsnip Soup

Chef Andrew Nicholson of Government House in Prince Edward Island serves this incredible cream soup at official functions. He garnishes the soup with deep-fried parsnip chips, but for a lower-fat decoration, we use chopped fresh parsley. The convection oven gives roasted vegetables a crisp exterior and enhances their natural sweetness.

Thick-Cut Veal Chops with Rosemary, Capers and Lemon

Veal piccata is a favourite trattoria dish; we have incorporated its fresh lemon-parsley notes and added pungent capers to give our veal chops a heady flavour. The restaurant-style cooking method (searing the chops, then roasting them in the oven) allows for leisurely preparation of side dishes while the thick chops cook.

Curry-Dusted Lamb Chops with Spiced Cranberry Chutney

Turmeric and other aromatic spices stand up well to a strong-flavoured meat like lamb. This dish is so easy to throw together yet elegant enough for entertaining. You can use mild, medium or hot curry powder, depending on the amount of heat you like. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired.

Roasted Chicken Breasts

Because most of the fat in chicken is in the skin, removing it — and its 16 grams of fat — makes chicken a lean choice. The parsley, lemon and garlic topping does the job the skin usually performs, keeping the breasts moist and juicy. Serve with rice pilaf and Honey Acorn Squash. Pop the squash into the oven 15 minutes before adding the chicken.

Ground Beef Pide

A delicious alternative to traditional pizza, pide is a Turkish flatbread shaped as a boat and baked in a brick or stone oven. Here we serve up a ground beef pide, but the options are limitless!

Toppings vary widely but most often include ground meat with onion, tomato, parsley and spices, as well as cheese, eggs, mushrooms, peppers, spinach and sausage.

Quick Cheesy Shells and Beef

This recipe is a quick and easy way to the warm comfort of traditional baked ziti without turning on your oven. Ground turkey or chicken can easily be used in place of beef. If you don't have Italian seasoning on hand, a mixture of dried rosemary, oregano and thyme will do the trick. Serve topped with chopped fresh parsley.

Ragout de Boulettes

"Meatball stew" doesn't convey the spicy goodness of these lean pork meatballs simmered in broth. They are perfectly delicious with a sprinkle of parsley and a bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. This is a recipe from the family collection of Andr?eauchamp of Ottawa, but variations on the theme are found in Canada wherever French is spoken. Ragout de Boulettes reheats beautifully and travels well to chalet or potluck suppers.

Mustard Thyme Pork Medallions with German Potatoes

Pork and apples are a classic pairing, but throw in a little mustard and serve over potatoes and cabbage, and you have a tasty dinner that's anything but boring. Green cabbage should not be overlooked; it's an excellent source of vitamins C and K, a good source of folate and a source of vitamin B6. Make the dish greener by tossing in a handful of coarsely chopped parsley right before serving.