Food

Wild salmon is by far the best salmon you can get — it is sustainable and is more healthful than farm raised. Over-fishing, pollution, and the damming of rivers have depleted populations of wild salmon around the world, but in the Pacific Northwest locals are fiercely active in their efforts to protect the wild salmon population. A few years ago my sister surprised me with a chartered fishing trip out of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, which was a great opportunity to learn about the native species of fish in the area, including salmon. Sadly, the salmon evaded us that day, but we did accidentally catch a bald eagle that snatched a cod we were reeling in. The bird got tangled in the line and for a minute we were really concerned we would have to remove the line from an angry bald eagle. Lucky for everyone it managed to free itself and we were all spared.

Many of us have heard stories of bygone days when lobster was considered poor man’s food. Now the price of lobster makes it a special occasion treat, no longer something fishermen use as bait or garden fertilizer, which is all the more reason to avoid waste and use it entirely — antenna to tail. Ask your fishmonger to choose females for this recipe, only the female lobsters will have the roe (eggs) needed to flavor the butter for the sauce. (Raw lobster eggs are dark green and called roe, when the eggs are cooked they turn red and are called coral.) Making fresh pasta is easier than you think. If you’re not ready to take the leap, substituting your favorite dried pasta will still yield delicious results.

Many factors influence the taste and texture of oysters; from the farming methods and geography of where they’re raised, to water salinity, temperature, diet, and of course the length of time they’ve been out of the ocean before they’re on your plate. It’s not surprising that my favorite oyster farm happens to be where I’m from, D’Eon Oyster Company in Nova Scotia. There are hundreds of oyster varieties in the United States alone and I recommend visiting an oyster farm if you have an opportunity. Many farms host summer events and there’s nothing like a freshly shucked oyster with a glass of bubbly on a hot day. Oysters are versatile and can be eaten raw, pickled, fried, grilled, or even poached. Eating them raw with just a little bit of mignonette on top is classic. The vinegar mixes with the oyster’s brine and together it’s a perfect combination.

Hodge Podge is a traditional Nova Scotian soup and a staple at summer potlucks. It’s made with seasonal whole baby vegetables from the garden so feel free to change things up to make your own variation depending on what is in season. Adding smoked trout gives it hardiness and complexity. Sometimes I include a version of this on the menu at Halifax or Coast Kitchen using smaller vegetables and finishing the soup with a creamier broth. To avoid disappointing guests at the restaurant who are looking for the traditional Nova Scotian dish, the name is changed to Smoked Trout Chowder.

Broccoli stems have a great crunchy texture and high nutritional value. It’s a shame they’re often wasted more than they’re used. This recipe uses primarily stems, but you can always add more florets. The vinaigrette is my go-to dressing at home and in the restaurants. It tastes great with almost anything. You’ll have extra dressing and it keeps in the fridge for a couple of weeks. The secret ingredient is nutritional yeast, which my mom introduced me to as a popcorn topping when I was little. It works well as a substitute for grated parmesan in dressings and pesto. Important note: do not confuse nutritional yeast with baking yeast. They are quite different and cannot be interchanged.

This not-too-sweet chocolate dessert has a boost of fibre from chia and is topped with luscious raspberries for a classic combination. Cinnamon and chocolate are natural friends that will get along famously with a hint of tahini as well. Mix and chill this dessert in the jar or ramekin you’ll serve it in.

This chicken dinner comes together in a snap and is filled with iron-rich spinach and an extra hit of fibre from antioxidant-rich artichokes. The addition of lemon, thyme, and broth make for a brightly flavoured sauce that is tempered with a creamy spoonful of yogurt.

This version of turmeric tea leans heavily on the ginger, and its flavour is strong, spicy, and soothing. Using whole turmeric versus powder will give you more curcumin, the active component of turmeric with healthy anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is not easily absorbed by the body, but adding pepper and fats such as olive and coconut oil increases the body’s ability to absorb it.

If you enjoy a savoury snack, look no further than this yogurt bowl. Protein- and probiotic-rich yogurt is topped with spiced sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, and a drizzle of olive oil and cilantro. A little prep goes a long way toward making this a convenient and satisfying snack. Cook the potatoes in advance so the bowl can be quickly assembled at snack time.

Whole grains such as spelt and other high-fibre foods such as kale, beets, and apples help promote a healthy gut and ease digestion. This fibre-packed salad has a bright, slightly sweet flavour with a hint of apple and a tangy lemon juice dressing. Choose a crisp, sweet-tart apple such as Pink Lady for best results, and don’t skip massaging the kale, which helps it to soften up. Kale holds up well, even once dressed, so any leftovers (assuming there are any) will last until the next day in the refrigerator.

Egg bites are a delicious and convenient way to get some protein in the mornings. These ones get an extra nutrition boost with antioxidant-rich sweet potato and spinach. Using grated sweet potato ensures all of the ingredients cook evenly during the baking time. Once you’ve made these—and tasted their goodness—they’ll become an easy addition to your breakfast repertoire.

This recipe leaves out the crusty bread that a traditional banh mi sandwich includes, but we promise you the flavour is not lacking. It hits all the Vietnamese flavour profiles you’re expecting in this classic dish, including sweet, spicy, and sour with a punch of umami.

These finger-licking tacos are sure to be a Friday-night favourite or staple on taco Tuesdays. Butter beans are loaded with protein and lend a perfect creamy texture to these tacos. Baking the coleslaw adds a fun twist to this classic staple accompaniment. Serving the coleslaw right from the oven will be just the crunch these tacos need.

A take on traditional Chinese-style fried rice, this fried quinoa version is packed with protein and bursting with vibrant veggies. Add some extras or stick to these healthy ingredients for takeout style you won’t soon forget. Swap out pork for ground chicken or make it plant-based by choosing a meatless ground variety.

Is pizza night getting old? Ready for a new take on a family favourite? Try this delicious upgrade on typical pizza. This version, using roasted grapes and butternut squash, is bursting with flavour and satisfying pizza appeal and packed with nutritious ingredients that are less heavy than typical pizza. Invite the entire family to make personal versions for a fun family-style pizza night in.

Feeling like your favourite Indian takeout tonight? This plant-based curried bean and potato dish is an easy, delicious take on a classic Indian specialty. This version is made with a warm, mild traditional Indian curry, but can be made spicier with a green, yellow, or red Thai curry, if preferred.

You might think of protein as something you mainly get from a meal and, therefore, not a component of dessert. But, if you’re going to opt for dessert from time to time, why not consider working in ingredients that go big on this important macronutrient? It’s easier (and more delicious) than you may think!

Tender tofu and fresh-tasting mango sauce combine to make a nutritious, Japanese-style dessert with little effort. But don’t worry: your dessert will not taste beany. Silken soft tofu has a rather neutral flavour. The key here is to use blocks of very soft tofu as opposed to firm or extra-firm versions.

Fool is a classic English dessert made, traditionally, by folding a stewed fruit into a creamy, sweet custard. This modern take adds layers of sweet pumpkin flavour and swaps out much of the cream for higher-protein Greek yogurt. The crunchy chocolate topping is a special finishing touch.

Blondies are basically “blonde brownies.” There is no cocoa or melted chocolate in the batter of a blondie. Here, the nutritionally lacklustre all-purpose flour is swapped out for puréed beans for a higher dose of protein. The end result is just as tender and chewy without any noticeable bean flavour. A great potluck dessert option, too. If desired, chopped nuts can be used instead of chocolate chips.

This protein-heavy, plant-only sweet bread is great for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. Sweet potato provides natural sweetness, while peanut butter adds richness to each slice. Serve with your favourite jam or jelly, or even a smear of cream cheese.

Surprise yourself with a rich and creamy, lemon-forward cottage cheese cheesecake that is much higher in protein than classic versions. A nut-based crust brings healthy fats to the dish and additional satiating protein. Serve it with berry sauce for a beautiful sweet tang and visual appeal. No springform pan? You can also make the cake using a regular round cake pan, but the recipe might make more cottage cheese filling than the pan can hold. 

Mousse—a perfect ending to a delicious meal, yet so much more. Our mousse can stand alone as a decadent treat served anytime of day. It’s made from the creamiest soy in combination with dark chocolate and espresso for an added kick.