Food

This protein-packed superfood salad combines omega-rich trout, lentils, crispy veggies, and a creamy warming curry dressing to create a nutritious and elegant weeknight meal in a bowl. Salmon can be substituted for trout if desired.

Tahini adds richness to the broth of this satisfying plant-based stew that’s perfect for any nippy night. If possible, prepare this stew a day or two in advance of serving, as the flavours only get better with time. Each bowl is also a rich source of fibre to help bolster digestive health. Look for za’atar and harissa at Middle Eastern grocers.

This is basically a warm hug in a bowl—a simple stew that celebrates the flavours of the season. With nourishing ingredients and minimal effort in the kitchen, this meal tastes best with a big hunk of sourdough for dunking and good company to share it with. If desired, you can swap out the turkey sausage for a plant-based version and the sage for fresh rosemary.

A tribute to the bounty and beauty of nature, this chocolate bark is studded with nuts, seeds, and berries and flavoured with the warming spices of ginger and cinnamon. Adding sweet paprika and chili also gives an interesting kick to a winter favourite. Cut back on the red pepper flakes if you prefer a less spicy version. Chocolate contains tryptophan—an essential amino acid—that helps our brain produce serotonin. Eating chocolate is a delicious way to get a mood boost, which can help lift our spirits when sunlight levels are low.

Up your omega-3 intake with these easy-to-make salmon parchment pockets. The sockeye fillets are first rubbed with a marinade of juniper berries, citrus zest, and garlic before being enclosed in parchment. Juniper has a strong and piney flavour and lends a unique tang to this dish. It also contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. Be sure to capture the juices that arise during steaming.

Escarole is a bitter green that stands up to heat and is suitable for grilling, braising, or using in soups. In this salad, it’s broiled with radishes before being dressed in a sweet, garlicky dressing that cuts the bitterness. Escarole is high in folate (vitamin B9), important in red blood cell formation, and vitamin A, important in immune function and eye health. Like kale and other cruciferous vegetables, it’s also very high in vitamin K, which assists in blood clotting.

In Japan, it’s a custom to eat kabocha squash on the day of the winter solstice as a symbol of good health. In fact, kabocha squash contains cancer-fighting antioxidants such as beta carotene and lutein. It’s also full of fibre and vitamins A and C. We’ve made a roasted version dressed in a sweet and tangy marinade that’s sprinkled with sesame seeds before roasting in the oven. The remaining marinade, full of ginger, tamari, and red pepper flakes, is used as a dressing to further flavour the squash.

This is a spin off the classic, without the Grand Marnier. The depth of orange is derived from a generous piece of orange peel simmered in the tea.

Tarts are timeless, and a good tart is always a people-pleaser. And who doesn’t love something with chocolate in any form? This classic tart is so easy to make with fresh fruit and hints of orange in a delicious chocolate crust. Once firm, it cuts like a dream into 16 easy slices.

This cozy winter drink is perfect for sipping by the fireside. Serve it up with our Maple Pecans. It’s soothingly delicious and creamy served hot or cold.

Here’s the perfect recipe for a fireside snack attack. It’s so easy and can be made ahead and stored in a tightly covered container in the fridge or freezer without losing crispness. Delicious served with a hot toddy.

With tons of citrus hints in this dish and the pungent Greek flavours of olives, artichokes, and garlic, keeping it simple is the perfect choice. Fill a beer glass with ice cubes and top with equal parts unsweetened grapefruit juice, sparkling soda, and a splash of honey syrup. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

This recipe is something of a classic; it’s so easy to make. But this version introduces a little extra zing for when the season revs up and all you want to do is curl up in front of the fire for a cozy eve. All it takes is one pot for cooking and a single bowl to toss with remaining ingredients. It doesn’t get much easier than that. The gremolata gives it that zesty, zingy punch.

A nonalcoholic full-bodied red wine works well with this Mediterranean staple-with-a-difference. But if you’re looking to keep it light, simply fill a glass with ice, sparkling water, and equal parts fresh mint and lemon slices. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.

With its smoky paprika and subtle earthy flavours of saffron, anyone eating this paella will be looking for seconds. It’s a delightfully cozy dish and easy to make ahead for a crowd. Serve with crusty bread, a dish of roasted Spanish olives, and roasted peppers; finish with a drizzle of good quality olive oil.

Most curries are well served with nonalcoholic semi-sweet white wines such as Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. But if you’re looking for a mocktail with a different punch, a mixture of lime, mint, and ginger is also refreshing and cooling.

This one-dish curry is a perfect dish to have on hand when the fire’s cozily crackling and guests are lingering. It takes just minutes to prepare and no time to cook. Serve ladled over steaming forbidden black rice, it’s comfort in a bowl. Plus, it’s low on dishes too!

The perfect companion for our Middle Eastern-inspired comfort in a bowl, this mocktail is as easy as it is unique and delicious.

Cozy comfort in a bowl—this dish with charred vegetables offers flavours from Tunisia and other regions in the Middle East. And who wouldn’t want a bowl of Middle Eastern spices to warm the tongue while satisfying the belly on a cold winter night?

Serve your delicious Creamy Feta Dip with this zesty sparkling mocktail and you’ll have folks lining up for more. For an extra flavour boost, add a little fresh tarragon.

Fireside nibbles—one simply can’t get enough of them. This eye-catching dip is so easy to prepare: just whip it up in a blender and serve with your choice of veggies or bread crisps for scooping. It’s equally delicious spread on crostini and topped with bruschetta.

Inspired by the flavours of Vietnamese-style summer rolls, this satisfying dinner is built around a marinated flank steak that will stretch to feed a crowd. Marinating flank steak over several hours tenderizes a cut that starts out tougher than some others but can’t be beat for flavour. The marinade flavours of lemon grass, lime, mint, cilantro, and red chilies shine through and are topped off with a spicy mango dressing. Those enjoying this board can choose to eat salad-style or make lettuce wraps filled with slices of beef and a host of crunchy vegetables.

Give veggies and dip a punch of protein with this savoury white bean dip. Roasted garlic gives this dip a mellow but rich flavour. The vegetables can be changed up according to the season, but don’t skip the beautiful Belgian endives. Their slightly bitter flavour makes an excellent contrast to the slightly sweet dip, and they work as a built-in scoop.