Cornish Hens with Quinoa Stuffing
Nov 3, 2022
When it's time for réveillon (a special feast on Christmas Eve in Quebec), this is the pie that welcomes everyone to the table. The super-flaky crust is loaded to the brim with a subtly seasoned meat filling.
Presentation is everything when it comes to your Thanksgiving spread, and this elegant stuffed roast, brushed with an apple and Dijon glaze, is absolutely stunning.
Tourtiere is the creme de la creme of pies. Lightly spiced and herbed, this pork pie is especially anticipated for Christmas Eve celebrations, but it's equally tasty throughout the holidays and winter months. Tourtiere is completely make-ahead, delicious when turkey or chicken take over for pork and perfectly complemented by a tangy relish such as chili sauce.
This turkey is full of flavour thanks to the brine and smoke. Cooking on the barbecue not only allows you to smoke the bird but also keeps your oven free for other dishes. For best results, do not use a bird larger than 13 lb (6 kg) on the barbecue. You'll need about 2-1/2 cups applewood chips; be sure to soak them in water for an hour before using.
My family and I own a 16 acre farm of organic cranberries. When I saw the challenge was to use local products, I couldn't resist working with this wonderful, beautiful and tasty fruit. I serve these with roasted buttercup squashe. The sweetness of the squash blends well with the sweetness of onions and cranberries.
The bold flavours of Japanese togarashi, ginger and miso add a trendy twist to the beloved burger.
Smoking turkey with applewood chips imparts a subtle sweet flavour that will make your meal extra special. If you love a strong smoky aroma, opt for a more potent wood, such as hickory. Always read the label before buying a turkey; for this recipe, you'll want an unseasoned bird, as turkeys labelled "seasoned" have already been salted.
Comfort food at its finest, this classic creamy casserole packs buttery herb-flecked pastry and rich savoury chicken in every delightful bite.
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!
