Food

Brown rice and two varieties of lentils cook in one pot with broth, coconut milk, and simple spices. Nourishing spinach and sweet green peas bring this meal to life. It’s true sunshine in a bowl for those cold winter nights.

Sprouted tofu and mushrooms soak up a delicious tamari marinade before being baked along with prepared vegan potstickers and bok choy. A tasty sauce, sesame seeds, and a bed of whole grains to serve tie everything together. Adjust the heat level of this dish in the sauce or at the table so kids can partake.

Canned beans are braised with cherry tomatoes, fennel, and health-boosting spices, making for a satisfying topping for whole grains, sprouted wheat pasta, or sourdough bread. A refreshing side of creamy cucumber salad makes this meal feel whole. This is a great excuse to experiment with a new-to-you spice.

This nourishing Northern Thai coconut soup has brown rice standing in for noodles. Vegans can enjoy the meal with chickpeas or tofu, while omnivores can enjoy it with chicken. Colourful toppings soak up the spicy, soupy base. Swaps from traditional khao soi ingredients have been made for convenience, allowing this to be assembled on a weeknight.

No draining or cheese sauce-making required! Cauliflower stands in for milk in this nostalgic, cleaned-up comfort food recipe that’s ready in as little as 20 minutes. The easiest method for this is using a multi-cooker, but stovetop instructions are included if you don’t have one.

This puffed pancake is the perfect start to a holiday morning. Unlike traditional pancakes, this one only requires a quick stint in the oven to produce a lovely soufflé effect that sinks soon after it leaves the oven. Its pillowy sunken middle lends itself to cradle all kinds of toppings, either sweet or savoury. Here, we went with a seasonal cranberry compote spiked with some citrus. However, feel free to adorn as you like.

Gingerbread is a quintessential holiday flavour that lends itself to a variety of applications both sweet and savoury. Here we showcase it in a make-ahead breakfast that is crowned with warm caramelized pears and toasted nuts. The combination of warm and cold elevates this breakfast from a simple bowl of oatmeal into something a little special, fit for the holidays. Feel free to double or triple the recipe should you need to feed a larger crowd.

A popular breakfast dish throughout the Middle East, shakshuka is traditionally made by poaching eggs in a spicy tomato sauce. Here, we’ve shaken things up by replacing the eggs with seasoned and seared tofu, and we’ve included an extra helping of protein by adding crispy spiced chickpeas to fuel you up for a busy day ahead.

Inspired by a classic Swedish treat, these rolls are the perfect breakfast pastry when you’re looking to impress. While classic breakfast rolls can take the better part of a day to assemble and bake, these rolls come together quickly and easily in about an hour, leaving you with more time to pursue other holiday endeavours.

With only six simple ingredients, this holiday treat is a delicious, quick, and easy-to-make snack or dessert. See the recipe video here.

Quiches are the blank canvas of the breakfast world. There are so many ways to flavour them, depending on what is seasonally available and your taste. Here, we’ve kept it simple with spinach and some smoked gouda cheese. The crowning glory, though, is the simple pepper relish served on top of each slice. The bright acidity cuts through the richness of the quiche and will keep you coming back for bite after bite.

The combination of warm chocolate and the coveted mandarin orange makes this a holiday classic perfect for an intimate dinner party. Almond flour along with hemp hearts deliver healthy fats and protein and keep the cake gluten free and moist, removing the need for any additional oil or butter in the batter. A tiny drizzle of olive oil poured over the mandarin-encrusted top and a pinch of salt bring out the sweet flavour of the mandarins.

These Swiss chard bundles deliver scrumptious holiday flavours in nutritious fibre- and protein-packed parcels. Sweet potato, quinoa, and cranberries scented with thyme and rosemary make for a delicious and satisfying combination of flavours.

There’s nothing like a roast to feed a crowd. These lean pork tenderloins will reign at the buffet table and will be equally enjoyed hot or cold. Simply prepared with a rub scented with the flavours of your favourite apple pie, the meat is roasted and rested to retain its juices before being laid out on peppery arugula leaves simply dressed in a classic vinaigrette.

With citrus season upon us, what could be better than a classic fennel and orange salad? It’s light and refreshing, a perfect balance to heavier holiday meals, with a boost of vitamin C to boot. This version adds delicious crunchy cabbage and the bright juiciness of pomegranate. Perfect for sharing, this salad comes together quickly, and the flavour combination is sure to wow at any party you bring it to.

Rich, tasty crab, sweet apple, licorice-scented tarragon, and a touch of lemon make these stuffed endives a classy crowd pleaser. The filling is easily prepared in advance and can be chilled until ready to serve, but this dish also comes together quickly enough to be done right before stuffing into leaves.

Many of us have discovered the magic of roasting Brussels sprouts to completely transform them, imparting rich, nutty flavour. Skewered on toothpicks, they’re perfect for a party appetizer. When drizzled with pomegranate molasses and paired with a smoky red pepper hummus dip assembled from cupboard ingredients, they’re next level—all while being an absolute cinch to put together.

This hearty version of traditional sloppy joes has a tidy helping of sleep-aiding dietary fibre, thanks to its payload of smoky lentils. Swapping out the doughy bun for sweet bell pepper ups the nutritional ante and visual appeal. It’s also superb as leftovers.

If you’re hungry for a nighttime snack, then spoon up this creamy, sweet-tart yogurt bowl to help promote some sweet dreams. It’s also a great breakfast option with a little granola tossed on top. The cherry compote can be made up to 5 days in advance.

For many of us, turkey is a comfort food that recalls happy memories. This stew is one that is comforting both to make and to eat. Simmered slowly over a few hours, turkey drumsticks deliver rich flavour as well as a huge punch of protein. Tarragon gives it a fresh, bright pop of flavour that balances the earthy richness of the stew.

Shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort food, and this plant-based version is no less so, incorporating miso and mushrooms for savoury goodness. Its crowning glory is the fragrant topping made with the winning combination of sweet potatoes and sage. Plus, it’s got a whopping amount of vitamin D, to help see you through these winter days.

What can be more heartwarming than pancakes? These pancakes are fun to make, pretty on the plate, and really pack a nutritional punch. The buckwheat and banana combination delivers delicious sweet and nutty flavour as well as 25 percent of your recommended daily helping of fibre, and plenty of vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.

During these cold-weather months, nothing says comfort like warm spices including cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. They not only taste delicious, but will infuse your house with heavenly and inviting aromas. The crumble can be made days in advance and stored in an airtight container, making this dessert quick and easy to prepare. Chai tea is a simple way to infuse intense flavour with minimal prep and effort.