Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy

Oven roast cuts of beef, such as sirloin tip and inside and outside round, are less expensive than premium cuts and can make fine roasts. However, because they are less marbled with fat, they need help to keep them succulent. Here we use a tasty garlic-and-herb-infused butter to do just that.

Beef Stew with Potato Crust

November nights are meant for enjoying the rich flavours of a stew made from root veggies and tender beef and topped with an epic potato crust.

Boeuf Bourguignon

The secret to meltingly tender beef is all in the right cut: a well-marbled cross-rib pot roast. Bourguignon means as prepared in Burgundy, a district synonymous with Pinot Noir wine. So it makes sense to use a Burgundy or New World Pinot Noir both for braising and serving.

Curried Eggplant Rolls

Massaman curry powder is a bit hotter than regular grocery store curry blends. If you can't find it, mix regular curry powder with a pinch of cayenne pepper. And don't worry if you don't have an immersion blender for the sauce: A regular blender will work just fine too. If you're not avoiding dairy, a dollop of Balkanstyle plain yogurt on top is a nice way to cool the heat.

The Ultimate Beef Stew Recipe

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.

Margarita Shrimp Pipette

Tomato-scented rice pilaf topped with red beans is the perfect authentic accompaniment to tequila-kissed shrimp. Serve with lemon wedges for an extra burst of acidity.

Tasty Tourtière Turnovers

Potato and Spring Vegetable Gratin

This flavourful and elegant side dish is the perfect accompaniment to any roast. Fennel mellows as it cooks, adding just the right amount of aromatic sweetness to the final dish. Assemble the gratin the day before, leaving only the topping and baking to take care of prior to dinner. 

Herb-Rubbed Roast Turkey with Fresh Sage Gravy

Dressed in a classic array of herbs that you'll find in your pantry, this turkey is one that your family can enjoy for years to come. To add even more herb flavour, we've added fresh sage to the gravy, but feel free to omit it, if desired.

Grilled Rack of Lamb with Blueberry Shiraz Reduction Sauce

I am very excited about entering my recipe in the 2009 Canadian Living Cook of the Year Contest. I am an avid home-cook and love creating new and exciting home recipes to make for my family and friends. I am a firm believer in seasonal cooking, using the freshest ingredients available, and making use of local ingredients whenever possible. Consequently, I was delighted to see that this year's contest was to feature Canadian ingredients. I wanted to take things a step further and include some local Newfoundland ingredients. Newfoundland and Labrador has some wonderful producers for fresh, often organic, produce, seafood and meat products...and of course the island is well known for it's abundance of wild berries. Berry picking is a provincial past-time in late summer and early fall and many families, including my own, can be found on the hillsides or barrens, bent over and collecting gallons of sweet, juicy berries to be used fresh, or to be frozen for use during the long winter months. I knew as soon as I read about this year's contest that I wanted to feature these berries, along with our wonderful, locally-raised lamb and artfully crafted local wines, in my recipe. I hope you enjoy a taste of Newfoundland!