Japanese Fried Chicken

(Kara-age)
This is a popular staple in Japanese bento lunches. To ensure a crisp coating, toss a few pieces of chicken at a time in the cornstarch then immediately fry. This chicken is just as good at room temperature as it is hot.

Jamaican Coconut Drops

Coconut lovers will delight in these chewy, fudgy mounds.

Cream of Squash Soup with Pecan Garnish

Siu Mai Dumplings

Mango and Pork Skewers

Fresh, colourful skewers partner well with rice or noodles for dinner. Or serve as an appetizer by passing them on a large platter. Look for firm mangoes because they will soften with grilling.

Cranberry Almond Squares

Sweet-tart cranberries are cooked with a hint of orange to make an easy jam-like filling, then sandwiched between layers of crisp almond pastry. Freshly ground almonds are crunchier than the storebought ground variety, so whirl whole nuts in a food processor for the ultimate nutty crust.

Slow Cooker Apple Spice Cake

As this cake bakes, it fills the air with the heavenly scent of spiced apples. The rich nutty flavour of brown butter icing transforms this everyday treat into a company-worthy dessert. Cost: $0.50/serving

Thai Vegetable Curry Bowl

Look for Thai yellow curry paste in Asian grocery stores or supermarkets (many carry the Thai Kitchen brand). Red and green curry pastes work well too, but they are spicier. This is a gluten-free recipe, so make sure all the prepared ingredients you use, such as fish sauce, are labelled “gluten-free.”

Pork and Rainbow Vegetable Stir-Fry

This vitamin-rich dinner can be served over buckwheat noodles, brown rice, quinoa, or whatever grain your family prefers.

Char Siu-Style Ribs

These saucy, tasty ribs are inspired by Chinese-style pork char siu. To get the signature ruby red colour, we've used grenadine, but if you don't have any on hand, this recipe will still taste fantastic. For a large crowd, cut ribs into individual portions before serving.