Roasted Garlic and Beet Salad

Folate is necessary to prevent neural tube defects in developing fetuses, and there is growing evidence of its role in preventing hardening of the arteries. Garlicky beets and their greens are a tasty way to get your folate.

Turkey Burritos

Turkey and vegetables all rolled up in a whole wheat tortilla make this perfect for recharging your child's batteries at lunch. The burritos can be made ahead and either arranged in the glass baking dish or wrapped individually and frozen. Just thaw and increase cooking time by 10 minutes. You can cook the burrito the night before and just have your child rewarm it in the microwave at school.

Thai Pork Skewers

This savoury peanut sauce uses a bit of Thai red curry paste, which once opened, can be refrigerated for up to one year. Of course, you can omit it and still have a flavourful marinade.

Spiced Pork Stew

Pickling spices and mint give pork a tasty pickup. For drama, serve the stew in large hollowed-out crusty rolls.

Air-Dried Bison with Roasted Beet and Pear Salad

Air-dried bison is a specialty product you can replace with air-dried beef, a Swiss item known as bundenfleisch. In a pinch, prosciutto provides a nice cured flavour.

Aged Cheddar and Bacon Tartlets

Chili Shrimp Wonton Cups

Be sure to use a ripe mango for this recipe to ensure that its sweetness complements the heat in the marinade. Wonton wrappers are usually found in the produce section of grocery stores.

Veloute la Tomate

Restaurant critic Jacob Richler shared his blockbuster menu for Mother's Day in our May 2004 issue of Canadian Living. It begins with this easy, tasty soup. "Making it is a cinch, and, so far as I know, it meets all mothers' criteria, which is to say it tastes good, is good for you and is not especially fattening."

Swiss Cheese and Bacon Braid

This stuffed loaf is attractive to look at and a delight to the taste-buds! I usually serve it as a main course at lunch along with a mixed green salad. Sometimes TWO or more loaves show up at a potluck, a family dinner, or on a holiday brunch table. And every time I bake it, the compliments abound.

Skillet Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

Simmering the potatoes right along with the chicken makes for an easy one-pot supper. Sweet potatoes are high in fibre (about 4 g per 1/2-cup/125 mL serving). They are also very high in beta-carotene and a good source of vitamin C, both of which are antioxidants. Add Creamy Coleslaw and green beans to round out the meal.