Hazelnuts add crunch to the soft, rich filling in this vegetarian entree – guaranteed to please cheese lovers, too.
You can turn this colourful and delicious lasagna into a vegetarian main course by omitting the pancetta.
I was inspired to do this dish because it uses several Canadian ingredients as well as different ones. I love to combine unusual tastes and combinations in my food. I saw a recipe for a Black Pearl Cake and thought that combining chocolate and Wasabi was a very interesting idea. I added sesame seeds for an interesting texture. I use complimentary seafood: halibut, crab and shrimp. They go together very well, especially the halibut and the crab. The addition of apple is because it goes very well with the crab.
This dish is rich and filling. I would suggest that it be served with a leaf salad as a main course. I have included an optional recipe for a White Pearl Trout Gratin, which has a few modifications. It is exceptional as well, as the trout is a mild slightly sweet fish. I have put in tall the ingredients as well with the recipe as the space was not sufficient for them in the ingredient list.
Put spring on your table with cappelletti (stuffed hat-shaped pasta) and asparagus. Saffron in the dough adds colour and fragrance. In a pinch, use wonton wrappers instead of the homemade dough.
I like to prepare dishes for guests that allow me to enjoy their company. In order to do this, I select dishes that can be prepared before the guests arrive and are already cooking while we are enjoying their company. My "Sure to Please" Chicken Cacciatore is a prime example of this. Over time I have made several adjustments to enhance the flavour while at the same time using healthy alternatives (eg. skinless chicken thighs and breasts; I saute ingredients in extra virgin olive oil instead of butter). Because this dish has an Italian flare, so do all the other dishes that I serve before, during and after this meal. I serve an antipasta tray as an appetizer, and toasted garlic bread, a tossed green salad with an oil and vinaigrette dressing, whole wheat spaghetti, and the same wine that is in the cacciatore. For dessert I serve Tiramisu (also made ahead). As a result, most of my work is complete before company arrives. I have shared this recipe with women who say they do not cook and I have received rave reviews from all of them - their guests loved it so much that one man ate the leftovers for breakfast the next morning. I like to make this dish in the summer, when I can use fresh produce from my vegetable garden or from the local farmer's market. My inspiration for this recipe is that I love to cook and entertain. This recipe is full of flavour, easy to prepare and tastes like you were in the kitchen all day (what a bonus!).
I love brunch. This is my favourite meal by far, and I love the ease of having something like a quiche already prepared. The flavours are always richer and more enhanced after the quiche has had a chance to sit overnight as well, which is another benefit to advanced preparation. I thought about my favourite Canadian ingredients and it really has to include crab, chanterelles, and corn. There is just something about the sweetness of the crab, the burst in your mouth juiciness of corn, and the earthiness of sauteed chantrelles with garlic that is just plain perfect. The gouda I love is from Gort's Gouda in Salmon Arm B.C., where my mom lives. It's organic and is outstanding. While the crab and the chanterelles are definitely the bell ringers on this grocery bill, the other ingredients are low cost. I buy my crab and fresh B.C. chanterelles at my local Costco for under $25 combined, which makes it even more affordable. I made this with a potato crust as I can't eat gluten, but a pastry crust would work just as well. I'd pair this with a tangy raspberry hazelnut vinaigrette mixed with fresh, tender leafy greens to round out the meal.
This simple beginner recipe is a terrific introduction to bread baking. Conveniently, it makes two loaves, so you can serve one right away and freeze the other for later. If you freeze your bread, let it cool completely before slicing so that it stays nice and moist.
This lasagna is piled high with sweet potatoes and slow-roasted tomatoes, and layered with creamy béchamel sauce—but the secret's in the fried sage leaves.
