Meatlicious Lasagna

This recipe is easy to make and tastes great. You can use this recipe for fresh lasagna or oven ready. You may need to use less or more sauce depending on which one you decide to use. Refrigerate any leftover sauce for a quick weeknight pasta dish. Lasagna trays may vary depending on the size of lasagna sheets you are using. Makes approx. 2 trays.

Chicken and Vegetable Coconut Rice

Simple Pasta and Fagioli Soup

This thick, hearty soup is adapted from a recipe by George Cifa of the Stratford Optimist Club in Stratford, Ont. It's featured in the cookbook Simply Soup by the Alzheimer Society of Perth County, Ont., based on the society's annual Soup's On fund-raiser, which attracts huge lunch crowds to enjoy soups made by the city's restaurants and service clubs.

Fiesta Friday Casserole

Celebrate the end of the week with this southwestern-style bake that is an all-in-one entree and salad. A crisp lettuce, such as romaine, iceberg or green leaf, works best. If cilantro isn't a family favourite, substitute parsley. Serve with sour cream.

Smoked Fish and Chorizo Chowder

Michael Howell, chef and owner of Tempest Restaurant in Wolfville, N.S., sent us this recipe for the rich, creamy and delightful chowder that is featured at his restaurant as part of the Taste of Nova Scotia's Chowder Trail. This recipe calls for smoked haddock, but any hot-smoked fish, such as trout or salmon, will work. Garnish with snipped fresh chives, if desired.

Santa Fe Pot Roast

This updated standby has a bit of a kick, which can turn into a punch by adding 2 tbsp (25 mL) more chilies. If you can't find canned chilies, use half a sweet green pepper plus 1/2 tsp (2 mL) hot pepper sauce.

TVP Tacos

TVP, or textured vegetable protein, is a dried soy product available in granules or chunks that, when cooked, resemble the texture of ground meat. Available in the health food section of grocery stores, bulk food stores and health food stores, TVP is a very economical way to get protein into a vegetarian diet. Like tofu, TVP has a mild flavour and absorbs the tastes that cook with it.

Chicken Fingers with Sweet Potato Oven Fries

Serve with: Carrot, broccoli and rutabaga sticks. Crushed melba toasts make an especially crisp coating for chicken fingers. Sweet potatoes are a healthful change from regular potatoes.

Japchae

The name for this quintessential Korean dish literally means “a mixture of vegetables.” The recipe is so easy to customize; just add your favourite veggies, such as bok choy, bean sprouts or zucchini. The sweet potato vermicelli are long, so cut them with kitchen shears to make them easier to eat.

Creamy Shells With Ham and Peas

If you're a fan of creamy pasta, this twist on spaghetti carbonara will not disappoint. Using raw eggs might seem strange, but cooking the mixture just slightly on the stove top right before serving thickens and cooks the eggs into a lovely, creamy sauce (with no lumps). Top with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.