Serve these vegetable samosa–inspired appetizers with plain Balkan-style yogurt mixed with chopped fresh coriander, salt and pepper for dipping.
Pete's Frootique of Bedford, N.S., in the greater Halifax area, is the brainchild of Pete Luckett, Canada's popular TV fruit-and-vegetable expert. As well as fresh produce, the large store includes a juice bar, a butcher, a specialty British food shop and European deli and lunch counters. Many meals-to-go can be ordered from the deli counter and some of the favourites are shepherd's pie, Greek spinach pie and this vegetable "lasagna," which includes no noodles but layers of tasty oven-roasted vegetables. You can, of course, add lasagna noodles if you wish or a layer of other roasted vegetables, such as red peppers.
Use what is fresh and available from the garden in this traditional vegetable stew called ciambotta. Many recipes also call for eggplant, but in my family it's always made with vegetable marrow. Use whatever summer squash you have and serve with crusty bread to soak up the juices.
Lamb meat and winter vegetables combine to make a thick and hearty stew.
Roasting the vegetables gives deep, rich colour to this all-purpose stock. If you like, add 1 tsp (5 mL) crumbled dried mushrooms for even deeper flavour.
Before: The original recipe has 1/4 cup (50 mL) olive oil and a whole tub of feta cheese. After: This lightened-up version increases vegetables and tosses them with balsamic dressing. Grilling instructions are added for summer months.
White vegetables don't have to be boring, as you'll see in this dish, which is the ultimate combination of the best of the fall harvest. Potatoes and parsnips continue to cook after draining, so if you're preparing this dish ahead of time, cool the vegetables quickly by spreading them on a baking sheet.
Watch how Canadian Living's Senior Food Specialist Alison Kent prepares this fragrant dish in our Test Kitchen video: Biryani-Inspired Vegetable Rice.
Grilled and lightly dressed summer vegetables are equally delicious served warm or at room temperature. Red or yellow peppers (or a combination) add colour. Leftovers make terrific sandwiches the next day.
A gift from the kitchen is a creative and delicious way of showing love to friends and family. Toss this with vegetables to roast for a savoury side dish.
