LOCAL FLAVOUR: Salvatore's of Oakville

It's not any chef who can say they've fed the likes of the late Pope John Paul II, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, former U.S. president Bill Clinton, actors Daniel Craig and Robert DeNiro, as well as Saudi royals.

Winter Miso Soup

Winter Miso Soup – courtesy Whole Foods Market 4 dried shiitake mushrooms 3 tbsp wakame flakes 1 small turnip with greens, rinsed 2 tsp sesame oil 1 cup yellow onion, thinly sliced 2 medium carrots, cut into matchsticks ¼  cup barley miso 1 green onion, thinly sliced RINSE shiitakes and …

LOCAL FLAVOUR: Watermark Taphouse & Grille

Not everyone can take a former East Side Mario's site, completely renovate, rebrand and open a California fusion Canadian gastro pub in an expanding town full of franchises and photocopied retail outlets. But not everyone can work with their entire family 12 hours a day, six to seven days a week either.

Mini Yorkshire Puddings with Roast Beef

-recipe courtesy Foodland Ontario; ontario.ca/foodlandMini Yorkshire Puddings with Roast Beef Start your holiday parties with adorable tiny Yorkshire puddings filled with the best of roast beef dinner fixings – beef, horseradish, Ontario carrots and mashed potatoes. Makes 36 mini Yorkshire puddings 2 Ontario eggs1 cup Ontario Milk½ tsp salt1 cup …

FOOD: Tarts

Pie is certainly a traditional dessert to serve with a holiday meal, but the pastry and filling pair seem so much more special when prepared in individual sized portions. Almost any recipe can be converted for use in smaller size tart shells of your choice, but here are three of our favourites.

Michael’s Back Door

Established in 1981, Michael’s Back Door Restaurant has been providing Mississauga and the GTA with award-winning cuisine and professional courteous service in a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Principle owners Michael Morra and Michael Morra Jr. along with partner Anthony Coffa invite you to experience creative Italian, continental fare offering the freshest …

Sugared Cranberries

Sugared Cranberries-courtesy Whole Foods Market/wholefoodsmarket.com Sweet and tangy sugared cranberries make a surprising addition to candy bowls, your favourite apple pie recipe, cheesecake or baked brie. 3 cups sugar 2 cinnamon sticks 6 whole cloves 3 cups water 3 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed 1 cup superfine sugar MIX sugar, cinnamon …

Spanish-Style Collard Greens

– courtesy Whole Foods Market Spanish-Style Collard Greens2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 tbsp sherry vinegar ½ tsp Dijon mustard ¼ tsp crushed red chile flakes ¼ tsp fine sea salt â…“ cup dried currants 1 bunch collard greens (about ½ pound), ribs removed, leaves very thinly sliced 2 oz …

Peppered Chicken Liver & Andoulle Sausage Pate with Mushroom Ketchup

– courtesy Paradiso, Burlington Peppered Chicken Liver & Andoulle Sausage Pate with Mushroom Ketchup 1 ½ lbs chicken livers, cleaned1 lb Andoulle sausage, casings removed2 cups onion, chopped1 lb butter, ½ lb cold2 cloves garlic, minced3 oz Bourbon                            2 tbsp fresh herbs, finely minced                        2 tbsp black peppercorns, course ground1 …