Eye for a Recipe

This spicy cassoulet from Food and Wine takes some advance planning, but the results are worth it. Soak the beans overnight, cook them the next morning and refrigerate, and then assemble the cassoulet and bake for dinner. Merguez sausages are spicy sausages made from mutton or beef; I used hot Italian sausages cut into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces instead.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Look for bacon preserved with celery salt and make sure your spices don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Use sausages and bread made with all-natural ingredients.

Soak the beans overnight

Cook bacon until fat is rendered

Add the vegetables to the bacon - this mixture will flavour the beans as they cook

Cook the beans until tender

Toast the spices for the harissa

Grind the toasted spices and combine with smoked paprika and cayenne to make the harissa

Brown the sausages

Brown the other vegetables, sprinkled with the harissa

When the cassoulet is assembled and baked, top with cubed bread

Cook under the broiler until the bread is browned and crisp

Harissa-spiced cassoulet

Ingredients:

½ pound (250 g) thick-cut bacon, finely chopped

1 large onion, finely diced

1 celery rib, finely diced

2 medium carrots, finely diced, plus 2 large carrots, cut into 2 ½ -inch (6.35 cm) lengths

14 ounces (397 g) dried cannellini beans (2 cups/500 ml), soaked overnight and drained

Kosher salt

Black pepper

1 ½ teaspoons (7 ml) cumin seeds

1 ½ teaspoons (7 ml) coriander seeds

1 ½ teaspoons (7 ml) yellow mustard seeds

1 teaspoon (5 ml) smoked paprika

¾ teaspoon (3 ml) crushed red pepper

¼ cup (60 ml) plus 1 (15 ml) tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Twelve 2-ounce (57 g) merguez sausages

2 large sweet potatoes (1 ¼ pounds/625 g), peeled and cut into 2 ½ -inch (6.35 cm) pieces

3 turnips (¾ pound/375 g), peeled and cut into 2 ½ -inch (6.35 cm) pieces

4 ounces (113 g) rustic peasant bread, crusts removed, bread cut into ¼-inch (0.64 cm) dice (2 cups/500 ml)

2 tablespoons (30 ml) minced parsley

1 teaspoon (10 ml) grated lemon zest

Plain yogurt, for serving

Preparation:

In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, cook the bacon over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat is rendered. Add the onion, celery and diced carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 8 minutes. Add the beans, cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer the beans until al dente, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, add a generous pinch of salt and let stand for 30 minutes. Drain the beans, bacon and vegetables and transfer to a bowl; reserve 2 cups (500 ml) of the cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350° F (180° C). In a small skillet, toast the cumin, coriander and mustard seeds over moderate heat, shaking the pan, until fragrant and the mustard seeds begin to pop, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder and let cool. Add the smoked paprika and crushed red pepper and grind the harissa blend into a powder.

Wipe out the casserole and heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the olive oil in it. Add the merguez and cook over moderate heat, until lightly browned all over, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Do not wipe out the casserole.

Add the sweet potatoes, turnips and large carrots to the casserole. Season with salt and black pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, 5 minutes. Add the harissa spice blend and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the bean mixture and the reserved 2 cups (500 ml) of cooking liquid and bring just to a simmer. Arrange the merguez on top. Cover and bake the cassoulet for about 1 hour, until the beans are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from the oven and uncover the cassoulet.

Preheat the broiler. In a bowl, toss the bread, parsley, lemon zest and the remaining 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of olive oil; season with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle the bread over the cassoulet and broil until golden and crisp. Let the cassoulet stand for 10 minutes before serving. Pass yogurt at the table. Serves 10-12.

From Food and Wine

This healthy and tasty stew from Canadian Living only takes about 45 minutes to make, so it’s perfect for a weeknight supper. And the leftovers are great for lunch the next day!

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I use Imagine organic chicken stock, which has no artificial ingredients. Check the label on your spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Use all-natural yogurt and fresh lemon juice.

Cube the squash and slice the onions

Add peppers and garlic

After adding the broth and simmering the chicken, add kale and corn

Cook until the kale wilts

Chicken and Kale Stew with Chili Yogurt

Ingredients:

Chicken and Kale Stew

1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil

2-½ cups (625 ml) cubed seeded peeled butternut squash

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, finely grated or pressed

1 small finger chili pepper, (red or yellow), halved lengthwise and seeded

1 tbsp (15 ml) minced peeled fresh ginger

1 pkg (900 ml) sodium-reduced chicken broth

½ tsp (2 ml) each dried sage and dried thyme

½ tsp (2 ml) pepper

¼ tsp (1 ml) salt

450 g boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed

4 cups (1 L) chopped stemmed kale

½ cup (125 ml) frozen corn kernels

1 tsp (5 ml) lemon juice

2 tbsp (30 ml) cornstarch

Chili Yogurt

1/3 cup (75 ml) 2% plain Greek yogurt

1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh chives

½ tsp (2 ml) lemon juice

2 tbsp (30 ml) sunflower seeds, toasted

Preparation:

Chicken and Kale Stew: In Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook squash and onion, stirring occasionally, until onion is beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, chili pepper and ginger; cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

Stir in broth, sage, thyme, pepper and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add chicken; simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

Using slotted spoon, remove chili pepper to cutting board; mince chili pepper. Reserve for Chili Yogurt.

Add kale and corn to Dutch oven; cook, stirring occasionally, until kale is wilted and chicken is no longer pink inside, about 2 minutes. Stir in lemon juice.

Whisk cornstarch with 2 tbsp (30 ml) water; stir into Dutch oven. Bring to boil; cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute. Ladle stew into serving bowls.

Chili Yogurt: In small bowl, stir together yogurt, chives, lemon juice and reserved chili pepper; dollop over stew. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

Serves 6.

From Canadian Living

This recipe from Canadian Living is quick enough for a weeknight but would also be great for a casual Sunday dinner with family and friends. The chicken is flavoured with a spice rub and stuffed with lemon and orange quarters. While the chicken rests, make the delicious chimichurri, made with fresh herbs and citrus. Chimichurri, which originated in Argentina, is a green sauce served with meat.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the spices do not contain colour or anti-caking agents.

Coat chicken with spice rub

Let roasted chicken rest for 10 minutes

While chicken rests, make chimichurri

Spiced roast chicken with orange-cilantro chimichurri

Ingredients:

Spiced Roast Chicken

1 whole chicken (about 1.5 kg)

2 tsp (10 ml) vegetable oil

½ tsp (2 ml) kosher salt

½ tsp (2 ml) each pepper and tumeric

¼ tsp (1 ml) each ground allspice and ground cloves

Quartered orange

Quartered lemon

Orange-Cilantro Chimichurri

½ cup (125 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

½ cup (125 ml) chopped fresh cilantro

1/3 cup (75 ml) each chopped fresh oregano and fresh parsley

½ tsp (2 ml) grated orange zest

3 tbsp (45 ml) orange juice

2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice

¼ tsp (1 ml) kosher salt

¼ tsp (1 ml) pepper

Preparation:

Spiced Roast Chicken: Pat chicken dry with paper towel. Brush all over with oil; sprinkle with salt.

Stir together pepper, turmeric, allspice and cloves; rub all over chicken. Place orange and lemon quarters in cavity. Place chicken, breast side up, on greased rack in roasting pan.

Roast in 400°F (200°C) oven, basting occasionally, until instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 185°F (85°C), about 1 hour. Let rest for 10 minutes; discard orange and lemon. Carve chicken into portions.

Orange-Cilantro Chimichurri: While chicken is resting, in bowl, stir oil with garlic. Stir in cilantro, oregano, parsley, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, salt and pepper. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 24 hours.) Serve with chicken. Serves 4-6.

From Canadian Living

Keema is a traditional South Asian meat dish and this version from Nigella Lawson is made with ground turkey. It’s quick, easy and satisfying — perfect for a weeknight supper over steamed rice.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the rice wine has all-natural ingredients. I used Thai Kitchen brand red curry paste and tamari instead of soy sauce.

Marinate ground turkey

Saute peas and onion

Add turkey and cook until done

Serve over rice and sprinkle with cilantro

Ingredients:

1 lb. (454 g) ground turkey

12 green onions, chopped

2 cups (500 ml) frozen peas

2 teaspoons (10 ml) peanut oil

4 tablespoons (60 ml) rice wine

4 tablespoons (60 ml) cilantro, chopped

Sauce

4 tablespoons (60 ml) gochujang (red pepper paste)

2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey

2 tablespoons (30 ml) rice wine

4 tablespoons (60 ml) soy sauce

2 teaspoons (10 ml) garlic, chopped

Korean Rice or Basmati or sushi rice

Preparation:

In a large bowl whisk together sauce ingredients, stir in ground turkey.  Set it aside to marinate for about 5 minutes.

Heat a wok or large skillet on high.  While it’s heating up pour boiling water over peas in a strainer or colander.  When the wok is hot, add the oil and stir in the onions and peas.  Stir fry for about 3-4 minutes.

Add the turkey with it sauce and stir fry until no longer pink.  About 5 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) rice wine with a little water to get all the juices left in the marinating bowl and add to the wok.  Continue to cook for a couple of minutes.

Serve over rice and top with cilantro. Serves 4.

From Nigella Kitchen

This recipe from Canadian Living calls for udon noodles — thick white flour noodles used in Japanese cuisine — but any long pasta goes well with this medley of seafood and vegetables.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the seafood has no sulfites added and that the scallops are dry – meaning they are untreated with preservatives and sear well. I can’t find additive-free oyster sauce, so I have included a recipe below.

Use the larger, "dry" scallops and pat the seafood dry with a paper towel before cooking

Cook the seafood and set aside

Stir fry remaining ingredients and add the seafood back in to heat through

Stir-fried seafood noodles

Ingredients:

4 tsp (18 ml) vegetable oil

225 g jumbo shrimp, (21 to 25 count), peeled and deveined

225 g jumbo scallops, (20 to 40 count), patted dry

1 tbsp (15 ml) minced peeled fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 pkg (each 200 g) fresh udon noodles

4 heads Shanghai bok choy, (about 450 g total), cut in ½ -inch (1 cm) wedges

2 cups (500 ml) sliced stemmed shiitake mushrooms

1 sweet red pepper, thinly sliced

2 green onions, sliced diagonally in ½ -inch (1 cm) thick pieces

2 tbsp (30 ml) oyster sauce (see recipe below)

¼ tsp (1 ml) pepper

Oyster sauce

1 ½ tbsp (25 ml) soy sauce

1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar

1 ½ tsp (7 ml) cornstarch

Preparation:

Pat shrimp and scallops dry with a paper towel. In large nonstick skillet or wok, heat half of the oil over medium-high heat; cook shrimp and scallops, stirring frequently, just until shrimp are pink and scallops are opaque, about 3 minutes. Remove to plate; set aside.

In same skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat; cook ginger and garlic, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add noodles, bok choy, mushrooms, red pepper, green onions and 2/3 cup (150 ml) water; cook, stirring, until noodles are softened, about 4 minutes. Add shrimp, scallops, oyster sauce and pepper; cook, stirring, until combined. Serves 4.

From Canadian Living

Smoked salmon, sour cream with chives, a crispy potato cake — this simple but rich and satisfying combination would be a great dish to make for your valentine this weekend.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use butter that does not contain colour and make sure the sour cream is additive-free. Look for naturally smoked salmon.

Grate the potatoes and toss with butter, flour, salt and pepper

Press the potato mixture into a heavy skillet

Cook until browned on one side, then flip and cook until done

Skillet Rösti with Smoked Salmon

Ingredients:

½ cup (125 ml) melted unsalted butter, divided

1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil

3 russet potatoes, peeled, grated and squeezed dry in clean tea towel

2 tbsp (30 ml) flour

½ tsp (2 ml) kosher salt

¼ tsp (1 ml) black pepper

3 tbsp (45 ml) snipped chives, plus more for garnish

1 cup (250 ml) sour cream

Generous 9 oz (275 g) smoked salmon or smoked trout or gravlax

Preparation:

Add 1 tbsp (15 ml) melted butter and 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil to 8-inch (20-cm) skillet and heat over medium heat.

Add grated potatoes to a large bowl and toss with remaining melted butter, flour, salt and pepper. Toss until well combined.

Tip mixture into hot pan and press down firmly with hand or spatula to help it form a solid cake. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes or until it is golden brown underneath (you can check the colour by gently lifting up the edge of the rösti with a spatula, but don’t do this too early as the rösti may come apart).

When nicely browned on the bottom, loosen rösti from the pan with spatula and slide it onto a plate (remember, the skillet handle will be hot). Place another plate on top and holding both plates together, flip them over. Carefully slide browned-side-up rösti back into the skillet and continue cooking for 6 to 7 minutes more, or until golden brown on bottom and cooked through. Remove from heat and slide rösti onto a serving plate.

Stir chives into sour cream.

Top warm rösti with curls of smoked salmon and dollops of chive sour cream, plus more chives for garnish if you please. Serves 2-3

From Food and Drink

This is a vegetarian lasagna, but you won’t miss the meat, thanks to the mushrooms, peppers and cheese. You can even make it ahead, so it’s perfect for supper after a day outside skiing, skating or snowshoeing.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure your dry spices do not contain colour or anti-caking agents. I used President’s Choice tomato paste and PC Blue Menu diced tomatoes. Check the cheeses to make sure they don’t contain colour or preservatives.

Cook and drain 9 lasagna noodles

Saute the mushrooms and onions

Add spices, tomatoes and peppers

Layer the noodles, sauce and cheese

More cheese on top

Bake until bubbly - you can also put it under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the top

Ingredients:

9 precooked lasagna noodles

2 teaspoons (10 ml) vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped

½ lb (226 g) fresh mushrooms, sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried oregano

1 teaspoon (4 ml) dried basil

¼ teaspoon (1 ml) hot pepper flakes

¼ cup (60 ml) tomato paste

1 19-ounce (560 ml) can diced tomatoes (undrained)

1 red peppers and 1 yellow pepper, coarsely chopped

Salt and pepper

2 cups (500 ml) non-fat cottage cheese

1/3 cup (75 ml) freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon (5 ml_ dried oregano

3 cups (750 ml) shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese

Preparation:

Sauce: In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat, cook onion and mushrooms for 5 minutes or until tender, stirring often. Add garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, hot pepper flakes, tomato paste and tomatoes; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add sweet peppers; simmer for 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Filling: combine cottage cheese, half of the Parmesan and the oregano; mix well.

Assembly: in 13×9 inch (33 x 22 cm) baking dish, spread 1 cup (250 ml) tomato sauce over bottom. Top with layer of noodles. Cover with half of the cottage cheese mixture, then one-third of the mozzarella cheese and one-third of the remaining sauce. Add another layer of noodles; spread with remaining cottage cheese mixture. Layer with half of the remaining mozzarella, then half of the sauce and final layer of noodles. Top with remaining sauce and mozzarella, then Parmesan. (Lasagna can be prepared to this point, covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day. Add 15 minutes to baking time).

Bake, covered, in 350F (176C) oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Uncover and bake for 10-15 minutes longer or until hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serves 8.

This soothing soup from Nigella Lawson’s Kitchen is true comfort food. While you quickly marinate pork strips, cook the noodles and drain them. Saute green onions and ginger, add the pork and then hot stock. Once the pork is cooked, add the bean sprouts and bok choy and simmer until the bok choy softens a bit. Then ladle it into your bowl, garnish with chopped hot pepper and enjoy. Cook’s note: I used udon noodles instead of ramen noodles and they worked very well.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use fresh lime juice and tamari instead of soy sauce. Use a fish sauce that does not include MSG or sodium benzoate; I use Cock brand. Check to make sure the paprika doesn’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Imagine organic chicken stock is additive-free.

Marinate and cook the pork

Add the stock and bring to a boil

Add the bok choy

Vietnamese pork noodle soup

Ingredients:

10 oz (280 g) pork tenderloin, cut into thin discs and then fine strips

2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice

2 tbsp (30 ml)  soy sauce

½ (2.5 ml) teaspoon paprika

2 tbsp (30 ml) fish sauce

8 oz (250 g) ramen noodles

1 tbsp (15 ml) garlic oil

6 thin or 3 fat green onions, finely sliced

1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh ginger

1 quart (1 litre) chicken stock

10 oz (280 g) bean sprouts

2 small baby bok choy, torn into pieces

2 teaspoons (10 ml) chopped red or green chili pepper

Preparation:

Put the strips of pork fillet into a bowl and add the lime juice, soy sauce, paprika and fish sauce, but don’t let this stand for more than 15 minutes.

Cook the noodles according to packet instructions and then refresh in cold water.

Heat a wok or a deep, heavy-based frying pan, then add the garlic oil and fry the spring onions and ginger for a minute or so. Add the pork and its liquid to the wok, stirring as you go.

Cook the meat in the pan for another 2 minutes, then make up the chicken stock with boiling water, add the hot stock to the pan and bring to the boil.

Check the pork is cooked through, then add the bean sprouts and baby bok choy. Add water if the soupy base has evaporated too much – about ½ cup (125 ml) of freshly boiled water should do the trick, but you may not need it.

Arrange the drained noodles equally in two large or four small warmed bowls, ladle over them the pork and vegetables, and finally the soupy stock. Scatter the chopped chili on top and serve. Serves 4.

From Kitchen by Nigella Lawson

This tasty one-pan meal from Canadian Living is great for a weeknight supper. Sprinkle chicken pieces and vegetables with spices, arrange in a roasting pan and bake for 40 minutes. Add more cayenne to boost the heat of the jerk spices.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure your spices don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents.

Mix together spices for the jerk spice blend

Sprinkle chicken and vegetables with spice blend and arrange in roasting pan

Bake until the chicken is done

One-Pan Jerk Chicken Dinner

Ingredients:

2 tsp (10 mL) dried thyme

1 tsp (5 mL) garlic powder

¾ tsp (4 mL) salt

½ tsp (2 mL) each ground allspice, ground coriander and ground ginger

¼ tsp (1 mL) pepper

Pinch cayenne pepper

8 skin-on chicken drumsticks, or a mixture of thighs and drums, (about 900 g total)

300 g white or yellow-fleshed potato, (about 1), cut in wedges

300 g sweet potato, (about 1), cut in wedges

1 sweet red pepper, cut in 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick slices

1 small onion, cut in wedges

Preparation:

In small bowl, whisk together thyme, garlic powder, salt, allspice, coriander, ginger, pepper and cayenne pepper.

In plastic bag, add chicken and 4 tsp (20 ml) of the thyme mixture. Holding bag closed, shake to coat chicken.

In lightly greased large roasting pan, toss together white potato, sweet potato, red pepper, onion and remaining thyme mixture; arrange vegetables in single layer. Add chicken.

Roast in 425°F (220°C) oven until juices run clear when chicken is pierced and potatoes are softened, about 40 minutes. Broil until chicken and vegetables are golden, about 3 minutes. Serves 4.

From Canadian Living

While I enjoyed the holiday turkey and prime rib, I wanted to start off the early days of 2016 with some lighter fare. This spicy pasta dish from Cook’s Illustrated fit the bill perfectly. The pepperoncini (pickled hot peppers), tomato paste, red pepper flakes, anchovies and cheese add depth of flavour to pureed canned tomatoes. The sauce takes about 30 minutes to make and can be prepared in advance and refrigerated. Cook’s Note: Anchovies are salty, so consider omitting the added salt.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Unico tomatoes and anchovies are additive-free. I used President’s Choice pickled jalapenos. Check the spices for colour and anti-caking agents and make sure the cheese does not contain colour.

Saute spices, tomato paste, anchovies and peppers

Simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes

Penne Arrabbiata

Ingredients:

1 28-ounce (796 ml) can whole peeled tomatoes

¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

¼ cup (60 ml) stemmed, patted dry, and minced pepperoncini

2 tablespoons (30 ml) tomato paste

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon (5 ml) red pepper flakes

4 anchovy fillets, rinsed, patted dry, and minced to paste

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) paprika

Salt and pepper

¼ cup (60 ml) grated Pecorino Romano, plus extra for serving

1 pound (454 g) penne

Preparation:

Pulse tomatoes and their juice in food processor until finely chopped, about 10 pulses.

Heat oil, pepperoncini, tomato paste, garlic, pepper flakes, anchovies, paprika, ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt, and ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) pepper in medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until deep red in color, 7 to 8 minutes.

Add tomatoes and Pecorino and bring to simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve ½ cup (125 ml) cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to pot. Add sauce and toss to combine, adjusting consistency with reserved cooking water as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve, passing extra Pecorino separately. Serves 4-6.

From Cook’s Illustrated