This creamy pie is delicious cut into wedges and served cold at a picnic. It's also wonderful served warm from the oven.
A braided crust and leaf-shaped cutouts give this seasonal favourite an extra-special presentation. And the flavour? Unparalleled. Our secret ingredient is tapioca starch, which thickens the strawberry juices for a glossy, clump-free filling.
Buttery shortbread gets a warm hug from spiced gingerbread dough in this mash-up of two favourite holiday cookies. A nutty brown butter glaze brings the two flavours together.
This intensely rich dark chocolate cake is for grown-ups only (but you can find the recipe for our kid-friendly version, Spiced Chocolate Bundt Cake, below). We used Cabernet Sauvignon for its balance of deep fruity and black pepper flavours, but you can use whatever type of red you have on hand. A sprinkling of our Candied Sage gives the cake an extra-special finish.
One of the pleasures of the cooking traditions of the British Isles is seafood pie, with its bounty of northern seafood in a creamy sauce topped with flaky pastry. You can make the pie a day ahead and refrigerate it or freeze it. If you prefer, use pie pastry (one double-crust recipe) instead of puff pastry.
This twist on strawberry shortcake uses sweetened mini versions of bannock, a traditional aboriginal bread, in place of the usual biscuits. The maple-kissed toffee sauce adds an extra Canadian touch.
Comfort food at its finest, this classic creamy casserole packs buttery herb-flecked pastry and rich savoury chicken in every delightful bite.
Tender beef, sharp cheese and fresh herbs elevate simple pasta dough into elegant ravioli that are packed with flavour. Pulsing the ingredients together is the secret to creating the best texture. Just be sure to use well-marbled short ribs and add any fat to the food processor along with the meat—the result will be a filling that melts in your mouth.
Menu:
Lake Brome Duck Breast with Cranberry and Kumquat Chutney
Oven Roasted Nova Scotia Organic Fingerling Potatoes
Organic Nova Scotia Carrots in Maple Syrup Glaze
Salad of Organic Nova Scotia Micro Greens and Sprouts with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette and Honey Goat Cheese Puffs
Inspiration: The inspiration for this meal comes from the 100 mile challenge featured on Food Network. I am currently involved with a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm here in Nova Scotia and am quite passionate about eating Slow Food, which is locally grown. I want to reduce my carbon footprint by using as many ingredients as possible that come from the province where I live in rather than from afar. It is nice to know, not only where your food comes from, but who grew it as well. Our children are quite excited each week to see our food box arrive, and always wonder what our farmer has sent us. Part of what I like about this recipe is that although it appears complicated, it really is quite simple and requires nothing out of the ordinary for most kitchens these days, with the exception of the kumquats. I have also included the recipes for the side dishes I like to serve with this meal. Preparation time includes preparing and cooking the side dishes as well. There are substitutions for the vegetables, for example using new baby potatoes or baby carrots, and substituting a peppery arugula for the micro greens. Food doesn't have to be pretentious or difficult to taste good. This recipe calls for one duck breast for each person, which for some appetites may be alot. The recipe could be stretched to serve 8, if the breasts are on the larger side. Wine Pairing: Jost L'Acadie Blanc Chardonnay (The Flight of the Silver Dart Commemorative) or Domaine de Grand Pre L'Acadie Blanc
Presentation: When presenting this dish, place a spoonful of the chutney in the centre of a warmed plate. Slice the duck thinly crossways and fan half over either side of the chutney. I place the carrots at one end of the plate with a bit of the glaze and the potatoes at the other, and drizzle balsamic glaze on each plate.
