Suffolk Cyder Mussels

This juicy dish of mussels in a mouthwatering cider and vegetable broth is just made for mopping up with lots of crusty bread.

The saying that mussels are in season when there’s an “r” in the month holds true, and you can enjoy them fresh from September to April, depending how warm and early autumn and spring are. Brancaster Staithe, in North Norfolk, is particularly famed for this delicious shellfish, and signs outside many cottages proclaim “mussels for sale.” They’re well worth shelling out for.

Chicken & Mushroom Lasagna

Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pies

Don't let the ingredient list intimidate you. This recipe yields two pies – one for dinner and one to freeze for a busy day ahead.

Beef Ragu Sauce

Simmer up any of these flavourful sauces to store in the freezer. About 1 cup (250 mL) sauce is enough for 3 oz (90 g) pasta (spaghetti is ideal), or one serving. In fact, you may want to double the batch; just increase the simmering time by 1-1/2 hours. Serve over pasta with Parmesan and basil in season or parsley. Beef Ragu Fill your kitchen with the wonderful aroma of this simmering ragu, an Italian meat sauce for pasta. For a faster, somewhat smoother sauce, pur?the tomatoes before adding them to the pan and reduce the cooking time by 45 minutes.

2003 International Chowder Winner

John Petcoff, co-owner of seafood restaurant Oyster Boy in Toronto, carried off the grand prize at last year's chowder simmer-off at P.E.I.'s International Shellfish Festival. For more "Champion Chowders," check out the September issue of Canadian Living.

Slow Cooker Southwestern Beef Stew

You can treat this chili-inspired stew as a model for pork or lamb. Feel free to replace the lima beans with peas if they're handier or better liked.

Cajun Beef and Okra Stew

Cajun seasoning, okra and sausage transform plain old stewing beef into a lively gumbo. When cooked, the okra acts as a natural sauce thickener. You can make this dish even heartier by serving it over a steaming bowl of rice.

Milanese Veal Stew

Sandra Proulx and Tracy Zambonin teamed up to open their personal-chef business, Cooks On The Run in Stittsville, Ont., after graduating from a culinary arts program last year. They have a knack for polishing up hearty dishes like this Italian stew. "This is a big hit with the young families we work with," says Proulx. "The kids like it because the meat and vegetables are in easy-to-manage pieces, while the grown-ups find it slightly sophisticated." Serve the stew with egg noodles to sop up the rich sauce; they cook in less time than it takes to reheat the stew.

Dalvay Seafood Chowder

This chowder comes from executive chef Andrew Morrison of the spectacular Dalvay By-The-Sea Heritage Inn and Dining Room on P.E.I.'s North Shore. Morrison garnishes his bisquelike chowder with chervil and lobster roe. Many fishmongers sell fish stock, or you can make your own. In a pinch, dilute bottled clam juice with water or substitute chicken stock.

Crown Roast of Pork with Prune and Bacon Stuffing

A crown roast is the perfect cut for tableside carving – and offers great value for feeding a crowd in style.