Zehrs

Dense, moist, and intensely chocolaty, this divinely rich chocolate layer cake is an absolute showstopper. It’s brimming with both bittersweet cocoa powder and couverture dark chocolate, along with sweet cultured butter and brewed coffee.

With an aromatic blending of toasted fennel seeds, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns and star anise, and infused with fresh ginger and chopped coriander, this luxuriously rich and smooth roasted butternut squash soup is a complementary meeting of both French and Asian-inspired flavours.

Do not crumble corn bread too finely for this stuffing; 1-inch (2.5 cm) chunks work best. If using to stuff a turkey, stuff loosely and roast until a thermometer inserted in centre of stuffing reads 165°F (74°C). You can bake any remaining stuffing in a separate dish.

Somewhere between a soup and a stew, this hearty gumbo gets its thickness from brown rice instead of the usual flour-thickened broth. Pack leftovers in a thermos for a warming school lunch.

With its contrasting and complementary textures and flavours, and showcasing smoked salmon and lemony, briny caper berries, this delightful appetizer is elegant as a dinner party starter course and comforting enjoyed as a casual cold weather dish. For brunch, serve with poached or scrambled eggs.

Classic Southern fried chicken is given a smoky, fiery kick of Moroccan-inspired spices, including crushed red chilies, cumin, and garlic, in this 5-ingredient comfort food favourite. Crisp on the outside and juicy inside, serve piping hot, or refrigerate and enjoy later on a picnic with coleslaw.

This Asian-inspired vegetable dish makes a great side to a chicken or beef stir-fry, or serve with rice for a vegetarian meal.

With an abundance of mixed, exotic mushrooms, lemony capers, fresh herbs and garlic, and tossed with a creamy rich sauce, and tender tagliatelle, this authentically Italian pasta dish needs only a leafy green salad and dry white wine to enjoy with it.

Succulent, golden-crusted fish is topped with a piquant, fresh herbed salsa, featuring our subtly fiery South American aji chili pepper-stuffed green olives. Another firm-fleshed fish, including ocean perch, cod or salmon fillets, could replace the halibut.

Made with a trio of tangy cheeses, rich extra-virgin olive oil, fresh herbs and garlic, and our authentic Italian San Marzano tomatoes, our exceptional baked lasagne is quick to assemble and can be made ahead, making it ideal for a crowd. Serve with a leafy green salad tossed with vinaigrette.