Down East Haddock Chowder

Chowders are simple soups — usually just fish, potato, onion and milk. They are quick to make and among the best soups in Canada. This haddock chowder is a recreation of the popular chowder served at the Evangeline Snack Bar in Grand Pr?N.S. When asked the secret of the chowder's success, the waitress modestly answered, "We get good fish here." You might like to add a few cooked shrimp, a spoonful of fresh parsley or some crumbled bacon to the soup. If haddock is unavailable, substitute other firm white fish.

Beef Ragu Sauce

Simmer up any of these flavourful sauces to store in the freezer. About 1 cup (250 mL) sauce is enough for 3 oz (90 g) pasta (spaghetti is ideal), or one serving. In fact, you may want to double the batch; just increase the simmering time by 1-1/2 hours. Serve over pasta with Parmesan and basil in season or parsley. Beef Ragu Fill your kitchen with the wonderful aroma of this simmering ragu, an Italian meat sauce for pasta. For a faster, somewhat smoother sauce, pur?the tomatoes before adding them to the pan and reduce the cooking time by 45 minutes.

Roasted Pickerel with Mixed Grain Risotto, Sautéed Root Vegetables, and Rosemary Honey

My inspiration for the recipe began with an amazing cheese course I had at a dinner party at my sister's house. Rosemary honey drizzled on sharp cheese on a gourmet cracker. Divine! I knew my recipe had to have a rosemary honey component (and lucky for me I had overwintered a rosemary plant from my garden.) Thyme honey, my alternate choice and made the same way, was also delicious. I also wanted to focus on local prairie ingredients...you can't find lemons or olive oil here so I didn't put any in my recipe! I love risotto and thought it a good way to bring the sharp cheese into the recipe. I don't like the constant stirring of the usually method so tried local grains baked instead. The oats are creamy and the barley still has slight bite so it is a great combination. A friend who was sampling my recipe stated, "the risotto was a real surprise, the star of the show." I choose pickerel because it is a local prairie fish, is quite mild, and blends nicely with the other flavours. Rainbow trout also works nicely. The carrots and parsnips were grown locally and the rosemary honey just brings out the flavours wonderfully. To serve: Scoop a generous portion of risotto onto plates. Place an array of vegetables to the side of risotto, then top with a half fillet of pickerel. Drizzle with remaining rosemary honey and garnish with sprig of parsley. Excellent with any British Columbia Meritage or Pinot Grigio Note: If you have any leftover risotto, it is delicious for breakfast with crispy bacon on the side!

Tabbouleh

Here is an altered twist on a Tabbouleh Salad. There's a little more flavour, and a little more kick to a past recipe that may leave you unsatisfied!

Jerusalem Artichoke & Potato Soup

Spot Prawn Scampi

A delicacy prized for their sweet, succulent flavour, wild B.C. spot prawns are in season May through July. During the off-season, substitute with Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)–certified large shrimp. You can use frozen spot prawns instead, but they tend to lose their nice texture when thawed.

Tagliatelle with Parmesan, Pine Nuts and Lemon

The flavours of this simple appetizer or main course allow the characteristic of each ingredient to shine through.

Herb-Roasted Trout with Sweet Potato Frites

Serve with Sweet Potato Frites and lemon wedges.

Mediterranean Seafood Soup

This hearty broth-and-seafood combination has vibrant colour as well as terrific flavour. Choose thick (1 inch/2.5 cm) fish fillets.

Smoked Sausage Minestrone

For a cheesy crostini garnish, sprinkle toasted slices of baguette with shredded cheddar and bake in 375°F oven until cheese is melted.