Mexican Rice Bowl
Bright, fresh, and endlessly adaptable — this Mexican-inspired rice bowl brings a little sunshine to the table. It’s the kind of meal that feels at home anywhere in Canada: simple enough for a weeknight, vibrant enough for a backyard barbecue. With grilled lemon chicken, smoky chili yogurt, and all the colours of summer corn and peppers, it’s comfort food with a healthy, west-coast feel.
Chinese Egg Fried Rice (With Peas And Ham)
A true weeknight classic—leftover rice from yesterday, a handful of frozen peas, and a bit of Sunday ham become a hot, savoury bowl in minutes. It’s the kind of skillet supper that fits Canadian kitchens: practical, fast, and perfect after hockey practice or a cold walk home.
Chicken, Mushroom and Spinach Casserole
A weeknight casserole the way many of us grew up eating it here—simple, satisfying, and built from pantry staples. Tender chicken, mushrooms, and spinach tucked into a creamy sauce sparked with English mustard. It’s humble, it’s cozy, and it feeds a table without fuss.
Paella
Paella, the way we make it here, feels like humble food with a big heart—rice taking on the flavours of what’s at hand, a little chorizo for warmth, peas for sweetness, and chicken crisped in the oven so everyone gets a crackly piece. It’s the kind of pan you set in the middle of the table after a long day—boots by the door, stories starting—proof that simple ingredients, cooked with care, can gather a room and feed it well.
Hearty Mushroom Risotto
Risotto is the kind of dish that slows you down — demanding patience and rewarding it with creamy, comforting perfection. For me, it carries the memory of crisp Canadian autumns spent mushroom picking, baskets filled with chanterelles or morels, the forest floor alive with colour and scent. Across Canada, mushroom foraging has become both tradition and passion, from BC’s golden chanterelles to Quebec’s prized morels. This dish brings that wild bounty into the kitchen, pairing Italian technique with Canadian harvests for a bowl that feels rustic, seasonal, and deeply comforting.
Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini
Golden, crisp on the outside and molten inside, arancini are the ultimate comfort bite. Born in Sicily as a thrifty way to use leftover risotto, they’ve travelled the world — and in Canada, they’ve found a home at kitchens and gatherings where thrift meets indulgence. Stuffed with gooey mozzarella (or even smoky cheddar for a Canadian twist), they’re the kind of dish that turns “leftovers” into something worth celebrating.