Food

Serves 10

Makes 6 cups (1.5 L)

Serves 8

Mile-High Mission-Style Chicken Burrito

Serves 12

Serves 8

These mini cups are sure to bring a little whimsy to the appetizer spread. Chipotle peppers lend some smoky heat, with the sour cream providing cooling relief for anyone in need. You can also use chopped pickled jalapenos in lieu of the chipotles if desired. Cooked turkey can be a good alternative to chicken. And consider gathering up the extra tortilla bits, brushing them with oil, seasoning as you wish (try za’atar), and then toasting in the oven. They make a good sidekick to dips.

Give a gathering some Middle Eastern flair with these one-bite wonders. Snowy white lebneh is made by draining yogurt so that it thickens and gets extra-tangy. Be sure to use yogurt with a 2% fat level or higher and one that is not Greek style. The floral and tangy spice mixture za’atar, which includes thyme and sumac, only serves to make it better. If you can’t locate za’atar, you could simply flavour the yogurt with fresh thyme and lemon zest. The lebneh is also stellar when stuffed into sweet-spicy peppadew peppers.

Who says hummus has to be in dip form? Each bite of these balls provides a sweet and savoury taste experience that will have them disappearing from the appetizer platter quickly. The quick yogurt dip provides a little smoky and creamy contrast, but can be eschewed by those avoiding dairy.

Appetizers should look as good as they taste. This one fits the bill. Elegant endive leaves provide a sturdy base for this inspiring tangy filling.

Stuffed with a punchy pesto, these umami-laced mushrooms alone can take an appetizer tray from meh to memorable. If you need to make these dairy-free for allergic or intolerant guests, you can add cheesy essence to the pesto by using nutritional yeast in lieu of Parmesan. Both the mushrooms and pesto can be made a day or two in advance, but the mushrooms are best reheated before being stuffed with the pesto.

Blini are mini pancakes that are often served adorned with caviar. But the combination of smoked salmon and creamy avocado will surely be the hit of the party. If possible, try to use smoked salmon fillets, which offer a meatier texture than the very thin-cut smoked salmon that is more common at grocery stores. You can also use smoked trout. The blini and mousse can be made up to two days and one day in advance, respectively, and chilled.

This quintessential side dish has its historical roots in the thrifty recipes to stretch day-old dry bread into one more meal. Here we turn tradition once again on its head and give the classic stuffing a whole new dimension by preparing it with homemade cornbread and making it gluten free to boot!

Feel free to use other greens along with the spinach in this show-stopping side dish. Kale, Swiss chard, and beet greens all work well. Once you master this roll, try filling it with other delectable seasonal combinations such as roasted squash and goat cheese or apples, shredded turkey, and chestnuts.

This colourful side dish is sure to shake up your holiday table. At first, vanilla might be a surprising addition to this savoury preparation; however, in combination with the curry powder, the whole is transformed into something greater than its parts.

Surprise and delight your guests by offering this scrumptious twist on the classic holiday chutney. Sour cherries are chockablock with antioxidants, which can aid in bolstering your immune system.

A great new way to showcase Brussels sprouts, this salad is sure to become an instant staple all season long. The almond garnish is made with tamari sauce, an often gluten-free sauce made from the liquid byproduct that forms during the preparation of miso paste. Beyond this salad, use these flavoured almonds to add crunch to roasted vegetables, garnish blended soups, or simply to snack on by the handful.

Think apple butter—but with pears. It’s sure to make lazy mornings that much more heavenly for the special people in your life. Beyond toast, muffins, and crackers, the pear butter is an inspiring addition to a cheese plate or even as a sandwich spread. It will keep for about one week in the refrigerator.

Almond Blueberry Pancake Mix Place 4 cups (1 L) organic whole wheat pastry flour, oat flour, or whole spelt flour, 2 cups (500 mL) almond flour, 1 cup (250 mL) dried blueberries, 2 Tbsp (30 mL) cinnamon, 2 Tbsp (30 mL) baking powder, 1 Tbsp (15 mL) baking soda, and 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) salt in mixing bowl and use whisk to distribute ingredients evenly. Divide among gift jars. Instructions: Place 1 cup (250 mL) pancake mix in mixing bowl. In separate bowl, stir together 1 beaten egg and 1 cup (250 mL) milk. Stir wet ingredients into dry and let rest for 10 minutes. Pour 1/4 cup (60 mL) batter for each pancake (makes 8 pancakes). Orange Licorice Rooibos Tea Mix Using vegetable peeler, remove rind from 2 oranges. Place orange rinds on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at your oven’s lowest temperature for 3 to 4 hours, or until rinds have dried completely and curled. Turn off oven and let cool in oven. Pulverize orange rind in spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Stir together orange powder, 2 oz (56 g) plain rooibos tea and 1 oz (28 g) licorice root. Divide tea mixture among small glass containers. Instructions: Place a heaping tablespoonful of tea mix in tea strainer and add steaming water; steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Mayan Hot Chocolate Mix Finely chop 6 oz (170 g) dark chocolate and mix with 1 cup (250 mL) cocoa powder, 2/3 cup (160 mL) coconut sugar, 1/3 cup (80 mL) powdered milk or powdered coconut milk, 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon, 1/4 tsp (1 mL) cayenne or chili powder, and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt. Pour into airtight jars. Instructions: Mix 2 to 3 Tbsp (30 to 45 mL) cocoa mixture with 1 cup (250 mL) milk of choice and warm in a saucepan. Za’atar Spice Mix Mix together 1/2 cup (125 mL) dried thyme, 1/4 cup (60 mL) crushed sumac, 1/4 cup (60 mL) toasted sesame seeds, and 1 tsp (10 mL) sea salt. Divide among gift jars. Instructions: Use in dips; blend into pasta salads; rub on fish or chicken; or sprinkle on roasted vegetables (such as winter squash, potatoes, eggplant, mushrooms), pizza, toasted pitas, scrambled eggs, and popcorn. source: "Love Bites", alive #386, December 2014

This smoky hot sauce is perfect for friends and family members who like a little spice in their life and who are probably burnt out, so to speak, with the onslaught of holiday cookies and cakes. It’s excellent when stirred into yogurt or sour cream for use in tacos, on meats, or as a dip. Dried chili options include ancho, chipotle, morita, guajillo, or pasilla. Try to use at least two different ones to give the hot sauce plenty of flavour nuances. Ancho peppers tend to be the mildest of the bunch. The hot sauce will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

A gift of homemade mustard is sure to be appreciated by the sandwich lovers in your life. Make sure to also trumpet how great this mustard is in salad dressings. The mustard packs a little bit of a sinus-clearing kick, so if you need to scale down the heat for recipients, use more yellow mustard seeds at the expense of the black ones.

Forget the tin of cookies; this bark will truly bring holiday joy. Adding in the coffee serves to heighten the chocolate goodness. The bark can be made one week ahead of time if kept chilled.

Who doesn’t love receiving from-scratch granola? Dried cherries, hazelnuts, and cacao nibs give this version a luxurious appeal and show recipients you truly care about helping them start the day in a healthy way.