Food

Sea scallops contain selenium and zinc to boost your immune function and omega-3 fats that directly decrease inflammation. A 3 oz (90 g) serving provides over 50 percent of your vitamin B12 needs to repair DNA.

This seitan stew is a sumptuous vegetarian take on an old Catalonian/Spanish dish. It utilizes a traditional Catalonian sauce component—the picada-—which consists of breadcrumbs, almonds, garlic, and sometimes parsley and other seasonings. This cooking technique and the ingredients can be traced back to the Moorish occupation of Spain.

These stuffed onions will leave your crowd crying for more. Onions are a good source of vitamin B6, folate, potassium, and a very good source of vitamin C.

Serves 5

Serves 4

Nutty tasting soba noodles are bathed in a punchy cashew sauce that will surely make your lunch break a tastier affair. Don’t forget to pack the chopsticks. Poaching the chicken helps keep the meat moist. If you’re avoiding gluten, look for 100 percent buckwheat soba as some brands are also made with wheat. The noodle mixture can be served cold or warm, but should be kept chilled until lunchtime as it contains meat.

Undeniably, this is comfort food in a bowl. This method of scrambling eggs will keep them moist and light, nothing like those uninspiring dry, rubbery eggs. Taking the time to roast the tomatoes amplifies their sweetness, while a touch of basil-infused oil adds bright, fresh flavour.

What happens when a pile of rice and beans takes the place of tortillas as a base for chicken fajitas? Yum! The mango adds the perfect touch of sweetness. You can also make the creamy avocado sauce with plain Greek yogurt.

Crisp vegetables come alive with an extra hit of miso butter and a smattering of fresh spring herbs. Serve alongside a fillet of wild salmon or grilled chicken.

Teff flour lends waffles a malty backdrop while the red sauce brings a taste of spring to the breakfast table. No waffle iron? The same batter can be used to make pancakes. Both the batter and sauce can be made up to three days in advance if chilled, but it’s best used at room temperature. Keep cooked waffles warm in a 200 F(100 C) oven until ready to serve. Cooked waffles can be wrapped in parchment paper and frozen in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

You’ll be bowled over by this delightful sweet, sour, and salty flavour profile that screams Thai street food. If available, be sure to use tamarind; it infuses the sauce with its remarkable tangy personality. You can find it at most Asian and Indian markets.

This recipe is based on a traditional coq au vin recipe. Delicious when simmered to perfection, it’s been adapted to use a crisp dry Riesling rather than a typical Burgundy wine.

Here’s a recipe that ups the flavour and health ante of fried fish and chips. The oven-baked beets make for a colourful twist on french fries, which are even better when dipped in the tangy and fiery yogurt-horseradish sauce.

This easy to prepare dinner pairs coleslaw made from heart-healthy avocado with equally heart-healthy salmon. In addition to being rich in omega-3s, salmon is one of the few dietary sources of vitamin D. Danish researchers have found an association between low levels of this sunshine vitamin and an increased risk of death from any cause, including heart and kidney disease, in type 2 diabetics.

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.

Use a food processor for speedy prep. Puréeing the onions and tomatoes with spices helps the flavours blend faster, which means cooking time is slashed.      

This dish is based on Japanese ochazuke—cooked rice served in green tea, water, or broth. A few extra additions make it a satisfying and filling meal

Cooking with autumn’s bounty of apples—whether you make a big batch of applesauce or a bumper crop of apple pies—can result in a lot of peels and cores destined for the compost. Knowing how to make apple cider vinegar at home is an easy way to repurpose the scraps! Because the amount of acidity in homemade vinegar is inconsistent, it should not be used for other canning projects, but it’s delicious anywhere else you’d use apple cider vinegar. (Try it in the Broiled Scallops with Apple Gastrique recipe.) *If you don’t have a 1/2 gallon (1.9 L) jar, use a food-safe bucket and a plate to weigh down the apple scraps.

• Preserving technique: Ferment
• Yield: 1 1/2 to 2 qt (1.4 to 1.9 L)
• Time to make: 10 minutes
• Time to wait before eating: 4 to 6 weeks
• When to eat: Within 1 to 2 years

You might want to make a couple extra of these. As sweet potatoes cook, their sugars caramelize and ooze through the skins, combining with the smokiness of the fire for a completely addictive side dish.

The key to perfect blackened fish is to get the skillet nice and hot. Tilapia can be used instead of catfish if desired, and the spice mix can be varied based on your preferences.

14 oz (400 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 Tbsp (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup (75 mL) fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup (60 mL) combination of diced fresh basil, oregano, and rosemary

Serves 4

This is no ordinary side dish. Wild rice adds a nutty flavour while the cashew herb sauce lends the dish creamy goodness without all the saturated fat in dairy cream.

This is a must-make recipe if you own a pressure cooker: risotto in less than 15 minutes with no stirring! Use this basic recipe as a guideline, but add any vegetables you want and make it different every time.