Roasted Garlic Potato and Turnip Mash

Slightly sweet and peppery turnips hold their own in this extra-creamy mash, adding a welcome hit of flavour to the classic comforting side. Make it ahead and simply pop the dish in the oven to reheat before your meal.

Pumpkin, Shallot & Brie Pizza

Gourmet Gorgonzola Burgers

You can replace the Gorgonzola with borgonzola, Stilton or fresh goat cheese, but avoid strong blues such as Roquefort or Danish. You can also omit the cheese. Garnish with arugula or frisée lettuce leaves, top with Cooked Brandied Mushrooms and serve on a crusty sourdough bun.

Pad Thai

Our delicious pad thai recipe showcases the classic Thai harmony of sweet, sour, spice and salt with plenty of sweet veggies, fresh lime juice, chili spices and roasted peanuts. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the shrimp and replace fish sauce with soy sauce.

Upside Down Chicken Coleslaw Salad

This recipe came to be when a few summers ago, we had more then alot of cabbage in the garden. My family was getting tired of cabbage rolls, fried cabbage and plain coleslaw so, I created this fun healthy dish. Since then, it has been requested by friends and family over and over again.

Ginger and Tomato Beef Short Rib Stew

Beef simmering short ribs make a flavourful stew when slow-cooked gently with root vegetables and aromatic Asian spices. You can replace the white turnips with about one-quarter of a small rutabaga, sliced thinly into bite-size pieces. Note: For this slow-cooker version, be sure to slice the turnips thinly.

Lobster Risotto

The key to a good risotto is the stock, so be sure to follow Cooked Lobster and Stock. For entertaining, prepare the lobster and stock ahead then finish the risotto once guests arrive. At the Opera Bistro, chef Axel Begner tops his lobster risotto with Bleu Geai, a mild blue cheese from New Brunswick's artisanal cheese house La Bergerie aux Quatre Vents.

Peas Pulao

The signature flavour of this fragrant Indian rice dish comes from the cinnamon stick, bay leaf and cloves. Although brown basmati rice isn't traditionally used, it adds fibre and a nice texture. Adding the frozen peas at the end keeps them bright green.

Russian Salad

Cost: $4.45 per serving

Crispy Spaghetti Squash Bake

Sweet spaghetti squash, roasted then baked with a savoury bread crumb and Parmesan topping, is a great accompaniment to roast turkey. Fresh bread crumbs make a light and crispy crust, so it's worth making your own in the food processor.