Aromatic Beef Kabobs with Cucumber Yogurt

These kabobs make great party food for a backyard gathering. If you like, substitute ground lamb for the beef for an authentic Middle-Eastern taste. Serve with pitas warmed on the grill and cucumber yogurt sauce. 

Florentines

Popular throughout Europe, these thin, candylike cookies are filled with fruits. Keep refrigerated between waxed paper in a cookie tin, because they'll soften if kept at room temperature. If desired, drizzle with melted bittersweet chocolate.

Rum Pot Jam

All the traditional flavours of a rumtopf – a rum-soaked fruit and berry mixture – come together in this irresistible jam. Use raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries, or your own combination.

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Stuffed chicken breasts are elegant entertaining fare. Boneless breasts are fine, too, as long as they have a good covering of skin.

Brown Rice and Baby Kale Salad with Curry Dressing

Breathe new life into leftover brown rice by transforming it into a cold lunch salad. This one gets a boost of flavour from a quick dressing that's savoury, spicy and sweet. For a hit of protein, add leftover salmon or shrimp.

Stuffed Grape Leaves

Curried Lamb Triangles

Israeli Couscous Salad With Turkey and Honey-Roasted Carrots

Also known as pearl couscous, Israeli couscous is much larger than the more common North African variety, making it better suited to hearty salads. Look for it in the international section of grocery stores or substitute with barley or quinoa.

Sicilian Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Cinnamon Vanilla French Toast

At the inn this irresistible French toast starts with thick slices of Cinnamon Vanilla Bread. Egg bread (challah) is a good substitute. Serve with grilled veal sausage or bacon and top with yogurt.