Stir-Fried Beef and Vegetables

Added flavour comes from tamari soy sauce (available in health food stores), which has a more pleasant taste than most soy sauces; substitute Japanese soy sauce if tamari is unavailable. Oyster mushrooms enrich the stir-fry, too, but regular mushrooms can be used. If you like more heat, add 1/4 tsp (1 mL) hot pepper flakes.

Honey Ginger Pork Chops

Serve with Long-Grain Rice and Asian Brussels Sprouts Toss (see recipes below).

Romaine Salad with Bacon and Hard-Cooked Eggs

Here's a slight twist to the ever-favourite Caesar salad.

Balsamic Grilled Red Onions

Don't forget onions as a dish on their own. Grilling brings out their sweetness, balanced by the balsamic vinegar seasoning to make a great side dish for grilled meats.

Jerk Shrimp Skewers

Just a little bit of prepared jerk sauce is all you need to spice up seafood. Add tropical flair (and offset the heat) with slices of fresh pineapple.

Grilled Asparagus with Curried Yogurt Dressing

Double Bean Salad

To retain the colour and crispness of the beans, make this salad as close to the time of your get-together as possible.

Deep-Fried Calamari

With all the ingredients prepped, this crisp, light, crowd-pleasing appetizer is ready in seconds flat.

Red Pepper Fish Packets

For a Valentine's presentation, seal the fish in parchment paper packets instead of foil. The paper becomes golden and translucent. Place a packet on each person's plate to open at the table.

Golden Chicken

For flavour, baste with a disposable brush of herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage and/or bay leaves) tied together.