Italian

Cheese-Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto

by Giada Di Laurentiis from Giada at Home

The sweetest, best kind of dates are Medjools. They’re large, so they are easy to fill, meaty, and chewy. Stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in prosciutto, they provide a perfect sweet-salty mouthful in every bite. Serve these with a crisp white wine as the ideal before-dinner tidbit.

Fast and Easy Calzone

Submitted by Kelly Boyes, Abbotsford, BC; Tested by Tammy Ashfield

A calzone is an Italian crescent-shaped turnover that is stuffed with pizza toppings. This calzone is warm and gooey, and perfect for dinner.

Tomato Garlic Pasta

Submitted by Jean Squires, Windsor, ON; Tested by Lorie Turpin

This quick and easy-to-prepare meal is vegan and very tasty.

Spicy Calabrese Pepper Pasta

Submitted by Lisa Harmatuk, Toronto, ON; Tested by Violet Smythe

Enjoy this satisfying pasta dish with the kids or with a glass of red wine.

Cavatappi Pasta with Mustard Roasted Vegetables

Recipe Developed by Paula Bowman

Roasted in mustard and Parmesan cheese, these vegetables are great on their own as a side dish or layered on crusty bread as a sandwich with watercress. Sliced red onions, zucchini and mushrooms would be good substitutes for the vegetables called for in this recipe, depending tastes and availability.

Shrimp Pasta with White Wine Cream Sauce

Submitted by Jessica Laplante, Kelowna, BC; Tested by Diana Petrina

The crispy shrimp compliment the creamy pasta beautifully.

Decadent Gnocchi

Submitted by Angela Pokas, Toronto, ON; Tested by Diana Petrina

A creamy gnocchi that's makes a perfect last minute dinner.

Chicken Alfredo Soup

Excerpted from 100 Soups for $5 or Less

A warm, creamy soup with chicken.

Pucker-Up Psghetti

Excerpted from The Toddler Café

A light and tangy spaghetti for the lemon-lover in your house. Kids will love sprinkling on their own Parmesan.

Joey’s Scallops with Jasmine Rice Risotto

Scallops have a buttery flavour and when served over jasmine rice, are irresistable.