Cake-and-pastry flour, which is lower in gluten than all-purpose flour, gives these golden cupcakes a fine and tender texture. Sift the flour before measuring.
Crispy, lacy potato latkes are a staple at many holiday tables. Depending on your tradition, use matzo meal or all-purpose flour, and kosher salt or table salt.
Buttermilk powder and buckwheat flour are available at bulk-food stores. To vary the flavours, you can replace the buckwheat flour with whole grain or all-purpose flour and use dried blueberries or cherries instead of the cranberries.
Challah, or egg bread, adds a fresh twist to the old-fashioned brown betty. For ultimate crispness, this classic is best enjoyed right away. To use a cobbler topping instead, omit the water and add 2 tbsp all-purpose flour to the fruit.
Caroline Gray of Pointe-Claire, Que., won accolades and first place with her Mexican-inspired recipe. Corn flour, which is finer than the usual cornmeal and closer to the texture of all-purpose flour, gives the bread its soft, appealing texture. It's available in grocery stores.
Slightly coarse cornmeal adds a pleasing crunchy texture to cornbread. No multigrain flour? Use 1/3 cup (75 mL) each all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. Be sure to measure out the ingredients before you put the skillet in the hot oven. There's just enough time to mix them while the butter melts and the skillet heats.
Red Fife wheat is a heritage grain, often used in breads, that is regaining popularity across the country. Here, it is combined with walnuts and local honey in a sweet quick bread that goes well with aged cheeses. Look for Red Fife flour in specialty or organic food stores. If you can't find it, just substitute an equal amount of stone-ground whole wheat or all-purpose flour – either works well.
Northwest Territories
Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories is a destination for fishermen from around the world. A shore lunch of fresh-caught fish is a must when fishing in N.W.T. In this version of the classic shore lunch, inspired by Greg Robertson of Bluefish Services, whole wheat flour replaces all-purpose flour and a touch of cornmeal adds a pleasant crunch to the coating. Use the freshest firm white-fleshed fish you can find, such as whitefish, pickerel, halibut or cod.
Impress guests with this simple rustic loaf, especially when it shares a plate with stunning cheeses.
