Food

The date and pecan crust in this dish balances the slight gaminess of the venison, which is increasingly available at specialty meat shops. Green beans and turnip make great side dishes.

In the 1970s every bride-to-be was almost guaranteed a set of French onion soup bowls as a shower gift. This lighter version of that popular soup is my idea of a comfort food.

This light cream soup has a woodsy flavour and is excellent as a first course or as a light meal served with crusty rolls and a main course salad.

Kanafa is a pastry similar to a stringy version of phyllo that is found in the freezer section of Middle Eastern and Greek food shops. Ras el hanout means “head of the shop” in Arabic and is a popular blend of herbs and spices used across the Middle East and North Africa, most often including cardamom, clove, cinnamon, paprika, coriander, cumin, mace, nutmeg, peppercorn, and turmeric. It is also often perceived as an aphrodisiac!

Kecap manis, a key ingredient in this recipe’s marinade, is an Indonesian soy sauce that usually contains star anise, garlic, and palm sugar, giving it a slightly sweet flavour and a syrupy texture. Marinating overnight gives the beef tremendous flavour and texture. You can find Japanese cucumbers at Asian or Middle Eastern markets; substitute English cucumbers if necessary.

The length of time will vary depending on what size of green lentils you use. I choose the larger organic green ones for a more solid texture. The recipe is usually ready in 4 1/2 hours. If you use the smaller green lentils, they cook quicker and have a softer texture.

Barley is truly the unsung hero in the soluble-fibre world. This super grain is one of the richest sources of both soluble and insoluble fibre, which can help lower cholesterol. This hearty vegetarian main course is ready in 2 to 3 hours and can be stored in the fridge (already cooked) for up to 3 days.

1 Tbsp (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
1 3/4 cups (425 mL) onions, diced
1 cup (250 mL) celery, diced
2 to 2 1/2 cups (500 to 625 mL) orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, peeled and cut in 1 in (2.5 cm) cubes
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp (5 mL) sea salt
Ground black pepper to taste
2 tsp (10 mL) chili powder
1 tsp (5 mL) paprika
1/2 tsp (2 mL) freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp (2 mL) cumin
1/4 tsp (1 mL) cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2 mL) crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
1 1/4 cups (310 mL) dry red lentils
2 1/2 cups (625 mL) water
1 - 28 oz (796 mL) can crushed tomatoes
1 - 14 oz (398 mL) can black or kidney beans, rinsed
1 bay leaf
3 Tbsp (45 mL) freshly squeezed lime juice
Lime wedges (for serving)

1 Tbsp (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) onion, diced
1 cup (250 mL) celery, diced
3/4 cup (180 mL) carrots, diced
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp (2 mL) sea salt
Ground black pepper to taste
3/4 to 1 tsp (4 to 5 mL) curry powder
1 tsp (5 mL) paprika
1/4 tsp (1 mL) dried thyme
2 cups (500 mL) dry red lentils
3 cups (750 mL) vegetable stock
4 to 4 1/2 cups (l to 1.1 L) water
2 1/2 tsp (12 mL) fresh rosemary, chopped
2 1/2 Tbsp (37 mL) apple cider vinegar

The word sushi doesn’t actually refer to raw fish but to a boiled rice dish flavoured with vinegar. Hence sushi doesn’t have to contain fish.

A spoonful of jarred pesto, curry powder or paste, crushed garlic or ginger, or a shot of Tabasco stirred into the buttermilk will add subtle flavour to your finished chicken. Panko is available at Asian markets and gourmet stores as well as some grocery stores.

This salad is a one bowler; throw all ingredients into one bowl, toss, and go. You do need 2 cups (500 mL) cooked leftover rice, so make some extra the night before. Store the leftovers in the fridge for the salad.

Combining nutrient-dense watercress with heart-healthy avocados and lycopene-rich ruby red grapefruit make this salad a winner in more than just the taste department. Pack this healthy salad for your next picnic.

While flank is leaner than T-bone or prime rib, this marinade ensures you won’t miss the quintessential steak flavour.

This classic steakhouse appetizer has been given a healthy makeover by baking instead of deep frying.

Great as a steak sidekick, baked sweet potato fries save you plenty of calories and offer up hefty amounts of the antioxidant beta carotene. (pictured with Lemon Tofu Cheesecake, Caesar Salad, Herbed Sweet Potato Fries, and Baked Coconut Shrimp with Apricot Dipping Sauce)

2 yellow onions, peeled and diced
1 Tbsp (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups (1 L) tomatoes, chopped
Sea salt and fresh pepper to taste
1 cup (250 mL) basil leaves

No time or energy to cook? This simple but flavourful dish is comfort food, Italian-style.

Use the best olive oil you can get your hands on for maximum flavour, says David Rocco. This whole grain salad works well warm or cold.

A foolproof way to make crowd-pleasing rice.

A classic that’s equally delicious with tuna, shrimp, mackerel, mahi-mahi, sea bass, flounder, and sole. Wild Pacific salmon is a less contaminated, more eco-friendly choice than farmed salmon.

Smoked trout and mackerel are good stand-ins for salmon. Choose wild Pacific salmon rather than farmed.

Slender apple wedges soak up the maple-ginger sauciness from the pork. Cooking apples such as Honeycrisp, Jonagold, or Golden Delicious work well here.