This recipe was inspired by the traditional Beef Wellington but I was looking for a healthier option. It is a relatively simple recipe that serves elegantly and makes a great impression. I generally serve the salmon with asparagus and a nice leafy green salad with avocado. Leftovers can be easily reheated and I have even served cold slices of the Wellington with a lemon aioli as an appetizer.
The chefs grind fresh black pepper for all their dishes, and it's vital to the taste of these brunch specialties. The grilled zucchini salsa adds sparkle to even a simple dish of scrambled eggs, but, when you're rushed, substitute a good-quality store-bought salsa.
This broth fondue makes for an easy entertaining evening. Guests first spear paper-thin slices of beef and a variety of vegetables and mushrooms and simmer them in broth, then, when everyone has almost reached the point of satisfaction, they can add noodles to the broth and enjoy a delicious soup. You can save some preparation time if your butcher or supermarket sells presliced beef especially for this kind of Asian fondue and stocks bottled ponzu sauce.
Featuring fresh, East Coast lobster, this delicious pasta is sure to warm any lobster lover's heart and make for an impressive feast for an intimate, special reunion.
The basis of great eggs Benedict is a perfect hollandaise sauce. When making it, keep the water at a bare simmer so that the egg yolks don't scramble.
This is an elegant, health-wise version of a Canadian favourite that shows you don't have to sacrifice big taste for health. Bison is a red meat alternative that is becoming increasingly popular due to it's lower fat content and because it is naturally raised, hormone-free, nutrient-dense and tastes wonderfully flavourful. Alberta raises some of the best bison on earth, providing Canadians with a local source of this amazing food. Last year, I made a commitment to myself to live healthier and lose weight. So far, I have lost nearly 80 lbs, and attribute much of my success to being creative and finding healthy alternatives to higher-calorie favourites. In many cases, like with these bison burgers and oven fries, I find that the healthy version tastes even better than the original! I use Yukon Gold potatoes as they give the best result for oven fries, but they are also an inherently Canadian ingredient, being "invented" at the University of Guelph and produced locally all over Canada, including a farm not 5km from my residence here in BC. I love being able to buy local produce, and am often inspired by our delicious, full-flavoured local produce.The salad that accompanies this meal is a low-fat version of the traditional Caesar that is a fraction of the calories and offers a fresh, clean taste.
This entire meal is 598 calories, 20g fat, 43g protein, 71g carbs. Compare this to a conservative estimate of a typical restaurant-style 1/4 lb cheeseburger, fries with herbed mayo, and ceasar salad at 1200 calories and 77g of fat, and you can see that it's a pretty amazing reduction! As well, this meal tastes fresher, more flavourful and delicious than any from a restaurant...it's a win win!
