Grilled Pizza

Quick-rising (instant) yeast will have the dough ready in an hour, but you can also make it ahead by letting it rise in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or until doubled in bulk. You can substitute 250 g fresh mozzarella for the bocconcini: Just  drain it, tear it into chunks and pat it dry with a paper towel before adding it to the pizza. To turn the dough easily on the grill, gently grasp the sides with two sets of tongs.

Rosehip Cream Sandwich Cookies

Northwest Territories

Rosehips are the fruit that's left once flowers have faded from the wild roses that grow in abundance throughout the Northwest Territories. They are edible, and are a good source of vitamin C. Rosehips are used to make jams, jellies and teas. Here, cream is infused with dried rosehips to make a delicate, floral-flavoured filling – perfect for a summer cookie. Look for crushed dried rosehips in bulk food stores, health food stores or specialty tea
shops. If you have wild rose bushes nearby, harvest and dry your own.

Pure MmmMaple, Molasses and Sweet Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Pure Canadian maple syrup, pure fancy molasses and sweet mustard blend with the flavour of the two-pepper rub on pork tenderloin for an "mmm..." sweet and spicy finish. Casual entertaining proves far more enjoyable if preparation is fairly simple, allowing the cook an opportunity to benefit along with the guests. Pork tenderloin, properly skinned and cleaned, makes the perfect surface for a dry rub. Rubbed with a simple mixture of freshly ground pepper, cayenne and a dash of salt, the tenderloin can be prepared as far ahead as the night before or just before guests arrive. Initially grilled on high for 10 minutes, it is then brushed with a prepared glaze and finished grilling. Once done, it is removed from the heat and tented with foil for approximately 5-10 minutes. To serve, slice pork and fan around a platter. Drizzle remaining glaze over the meat. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes, steamed honey dill carrots and a fresh garden salad on the side. Alternately, plate individually (pictured).

Santa, Snowman and Reindeer Cookies

These fun holiday character cookies are a great afternoon project for you and the kids. Hit up your local bulk store to stock up on edible decorations for the eyes and noses. Once the cookies have cooled, divvy them up according to how you'd like to decorate them—there's enough icing to make several of each character. Keep in mind, you'll need half of the white icing for the Santa cookies, and half for the snowmen.

Oat Bran Pancakes

Gingerbread Diorama

This impressive gingerbread house is a treat to decorate. Download the templates at canadianliving .com/gingerbreadhouse and use it to cut your shapes. Then, use any leftover dough to make gingerbread people, animals and other decorations for your house. Look for cake boards at craft stores, or ask your local bakery for one.

Vera's Piroshki

Vera Kalmakoff has clearly conquered the communication barriers that growing up in the Russian-speaking community of Veregin, Saskatchewan, placed in her way. In her retired years she has started performing with ‘Senior's A GOGO', starring in an educational play about seniors and sexuality. She is a proud single mother and grandmother. She did it her way!

From: NFB.ca/bread

Sparkly Snowflake Cookies

Delightful wintry-looking cookies make great gifts throughout the holidays. How you decorate them is limited only by your imagination as you learn to mix, match and play with icing techniques.

Dried Lemon Dill Seasoning Mix

A dried herb mix is a flavourful base for dips. Visit the bulk food store and get enough for everyone on your gift list.

Best Ever potato salad

By chance I added smoked paprika to this salad, and what a great surprise in taste.