Recipes

Pesto is an intensely flavored condiment traditionally made from fresh green herbs, nuts, cheese and olive oil. It’s an incredibly easy way to add a big, bright boost of fresh flavor to nearly any dish. This version is less expensive than the classic Genovese blend of basil, pine nuts and Parmigiano-Reggiano, but with spicy arugula, peperoncini and almonds it’s just as flavorful. You can just as easily incorporate traditional fresh basil into the works if you like. Either way, you’ll discover that a little goes a long way.

Anytime I fire up my grill for supper I always look for a veggie to add to the works because grilling is not just for meat. Firm, juicy zucchini is an ideal candidate. This simple dish also shows how easily you can adapt the classic flavours of salsa to just about any fruit. Try it; you just might discover that you prefer peaches to tomatoes in your salsa!

Mussels are the world’s easiest seafood to cook, especially with a tasty beer. All you have to do is toss ‘em in a pot with the liquid of your choice and they’ll steam right open. If that liquid happens to be Upstreet’s Commons Pilsner you can count on a delicious broth perfect for soaking up and sharing with friends. A bit of crispy bacon doesn’t hurt either but remember to save a few cold ones for sharing!

Around here we tend to take our lobster pretty seriously. Nothing beats the flavour like a lobster pulled from the sea then cooked in the sea. But if you don't live by the sea, how do you make the sea? Too easy. Just remember for every gallon of water add 1/2 cup of salt.

I love fruit. I live for fruit. I'm powered by fruit! When fruit is properly ripened, it can be one of the best things to eat, so when you combine all your favourites together in a fruit salad, it can be a revelation.

How about balancing all that sweet with some sour lime, spicy chilli and cooling mint? Or what about using a secret ingredient that pairs perfectly with fruit? No one will ever know that it's vanilla adding that mysterious yet familiar flavour.

You can add a delicious spin to this classic group of Mediterranean flavours by grilling the vegetables instead of stewing them. For bright bursts of flavour I like to add lots of fresh aromatic basil leaves too. Next time you fire up your grill try preparing this recipe first, it’s the perfect side dish for grilling season. What a great way to fill half your plate with vegetables and all your plate with grilled flavour!

Summertime begs for quick, nutritious and portable food so you can get back to enjoying the great outdoors. Tuna sandwiches are a great staple but how about turning it into an Asian-inspired wrap by using rice paper and a lot of aromatic herbs. Rice paper comes as dry, brittle sheets that transform into easy-to-use wrappers that show off the beauty of the ingredients inside.

This recipe is a quick and delicious way to celebrate a few of Canada's iconic ingredients. A quick glaze of maple syrup and mustard brings the sweet and savoury, and the oats creates a hearty and whole crust. Serve it alongside other Canadian favourites, like Prince Edward Island potatoes!

This is my favourite way to toss together the amazing flavours of a Niçoise salad and skip the traditional fussy arrangement of the ingredients. My kids aren’t big fans of visible anchovies and don’t know that they’re hidden in the powerfully flavoured dressing loaded with tangy lemon, bright parsley and aromatic basil. They just know they love this salad and I love that it’s a whole meal in a bowl!

There's no need to slave over the stove or make a run to the supermarket the next time you're inspired to fire up the grill. Spicy, savoury BBQ sauce is only minutes away by simply stirring together a few pantry staples. Slather it on slow-roasted ribs, spoon it over pulled pork, or simply serve with your steak.

A pulled pork sandwich is a thing of beauty. Tender meat glistening with spicy, smoky flavour piled high on a soft bun with no adornment save for some tangy, crunchy 'slaw. The time-honoured method for making succulent pulled pork requires a smoke pit, a whole hog, and pulling an all nighter.

Luckily there's a much easier way that's just as tasty. This recipe harnesses the power of slow cooker braising to duplicate the BBQ flavours. This much simpler process skips the time and labour intensive process of grilling and smoking, which leaves more time for pulling and sandwiching. There won't be any smoke of course, but with these flavours no one will even notice.

Coleslaw is a classic pairing for pulled pork, primarily because of the crunchy texture contrasting against the soft pork. Plain cabbage can come along way with a bright dressing. My secret ingredient is fennel seeds, but it can be swapped out for your favourite herb or spice. As long as you start with mayonnaise and add something sour and something sweet, your coleslaw will taste great. It will be delicious as soon as you make it, but will taste even better the next day after the ingredients have gotten to know each other.