Food

Rooibos tea, along with green tea, is very high in cancer-fighting antioxidants and is highly beneficial for promoting health. The flavonoids in rooibos have been shown to make cancer cells die, decrease tumour growth, and also inhibit cancer cell proliferation.

This recipe is versatile and can replace butter on dinner rolls, sandwiches, or toast. The roasted garlic provides creaminess with a mild flavour (and far less odour than raw garlic) and the parsley adds chlorophyll and vitamin C. Experiment with other fresh Italian herbs such as oregano and basil.

Anise-Poached Oranges

Bean Cassoulet

Organic Vegetables

1 cup (250 mL) egg white (about 8 large egg whites)
2 cups (500 mL) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 mL) cream of tartar
3/4 cup (200 mL) whipping cream
1 cup fresh fruit, diced
1/3 cup (75 mL) icing sugar (optional)

If you live in the Niagara region, you can source out Pinques of Niagara for locally produced prosciutto and Persall for a cold-pressed canola that is rapidly winning over nutritionists and gourmands alike. Otherwise, find a good Italian import shop for your meat and pick up a good quality extra-virgin olive oil to substitute.

While this seasonal celebratory salad is certainly best enjoyed with the flavour and variety provided only by heirloom tomatoes, it can be enjoyed with more standard varieties as well. If an aged balsamic is beyond your pantry’s reach, try reducing an inexpensive balsamic in a pan until it reaches a consistency that coats a spoon.

Feel free to vary your fish fillets with whatever is seasonal and available. Keep in mind that whitefish is best taken off direct heat while medium rare to ensure it is not overcooked at the table.

Sinfully simple and refreshingly herbaceous, this is a brûlée to remember...and get you thinking about other savoury/sweet spins on this classic final course.

Serve this delicious appetizer on gluten-free focaccia bread or toasted baguette slices, available from health food stores and wheat-free bakeries.

This soup is easy to make, tastes great for lunch or dinner, and freezes well. If you have arthritis and find it difficult to chop vegetables, use a food processor to slice them. This dramatically reduces preparation time and gives consistent results.

Nothing’s more French than the clafoutis, and this version ups the flavour ante with chocolate, so it is best enjoyed warm.

1 cup (250 mL) organic whole wheat flour
1 cup (250 mL) organic yellow corn meal
3 tsp (15 mL) alum-free baking powder
1 cup (250 mL) skim milk or water
1/2 cup (125 mL) organic cane sugar or liquid honey (or to taste)
1 free-range egg
1/4 tsp (1 mL) sea salt
1/4 cup (60 mL) organic olive oil

Chill the tea, juice, and soda water before combining them in this delicious fruit punch.

Soy milk and soy yogourt are sweeter than their dairy counterparts, making them a perfect choice for muffins.

This salad has it all, and at a lesser gathering could provide a meal in itself. Duck makes for a refreshing departure, but feel free to work in chicken or the poultry of your preference.

Sumptuous and rich, this dish finds full expression with the exotic addition of truffles and truffle paste (available at specialty stores). Looking to lighten up? Halve the cream or measure to taste.

Bird is the word at Thanksgiving, and this pheasant dish, served on truffled spaghetti squash, sautéed rapini, and finished with a fall chanterelle brandy cream, makes for a pleasant change of feather, bedded with plenty of seasonal substance.

Silken smooth, elegant, and satisfying, this recipe can be adjusted for future use with a variety of flavours by substituting various citrus and spirits. This version is well worth the giving of thanks!

This rich and creamy gravy is both hearty and healing. Pour over vegetarian patties or loaves, sautéed vegetables, noodles, squash, or potatoes.

Fresh-tasting and forward-thinking, this is an ideal dish for tapping into the final seasonal crop of heirloom tomatoes.

Roasted Bison Tenderloin with Merlot Sauce

A last lingering look at the fresh fruits of summer, this dish works with any fruit.