Zehrs

Whether you love it or hate it, at least a handful of dinner guests at Thanksgiving will expect pumpkin pie for dessert. Give the people what they want with this perfectly-spiced, creamy version. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

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.

Butter tarts are a Canadian classic. How to make them more Canadian? Why, add a little maple syrup! If your family does not like raisins, leave them out- buttertarts are equally delicious without them.

Don’t be intimidated by making your own pie crusts- keep this basic recipe in your recipe files. It perfectly fits a 9-inch (23 cm) pie plate, without trimming away extra dough- simply tuck the extra underneath for double thickness at the edge. If your circle is less than perfectly round, you can trim one side after fitting it into pie plate and add to opposite side. If using for a savoury pie, such as tourtiere, omit the sugar.

We added cranberries for a tart twist to a cool-weather classic. No need to thaw the cranberries first- they easily cut in half. You can serve crisp warm or at room temperature, making it a good make-ahead dessert for the holiday meal. Serve with vanilla ice cream for an extra-special treat.

Canadians love pecan pie, a southern specialty. We’ve added a good amount of maple syrup for some local flavour. Heavenly, but heavy! Make when you have guests to share it with.

Lots of studies over the years have shown a correlation between family dinners and less depression and delinquency in teenagers. Bond with your kids over the dinner table with this quick, assemble-your-own fajita dinner. For a more indulgent dinner, serve with shredded lettuce, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

Our new andouille sausages make the perfect base for a southern-style jambalaya. Although the list of ingredients may look long, it’s all cooked in stages in one pan, so it’s actually fairly easy to make. Bonus- it uses one whole package each of broth, tomatoes, sausage and shrimp, so no nasty bits of leftovers to go bad at the back of the fridge.

If you’re looking for a veggie-based, sophisticated lunch to pack for work, this is the wrap for you. Feta cheese and pine nuts give it a Mediterranean feel.

This hearty cold-weather meal comes together in one skillet, a plus for busy families. Lots of veggies and herbs keep it fresh and light-tasting, despite the amount of meat.