Arctic Char Crudo with Cranberries and Puffed Rice

Fried Olives with Spicy Antipasto Mayonnaise

We could say that this cake is the apple version of banana bread. Not too sweet, it’s the perfect afternoon snack. A generous quantity of apples are used both inside the cake and as toppings. With just the right acidity, Cortland apples also soften nicely once cooked.

To make this chocolate mousse, you’ll need only three ingredients, plus a little elbow grease to beat the eggs until the mixture forms a ribbon, i.e., until they’ve gained volume. Incorporate melted chocolate at the very end to create a dense mousse. Pour the mixture into ramekins and leave them in the fridge for a little weeknight treat.

Puff pastry, jam and a little sugar come together in this pretty turnover, called “jalousie” in French. This expression comes from a type of window shutter, “gelosia,” which originated in Italy and whose openings can be adjusted to allow one to look out without being seen. The slits in the dough are reminiscent of these shutters. No doubt your colleagues will be jealous when they see your dessert at lunchtime.

It’s plum season and they’re the stars of the syrup in this smooth cocktail. Mix it with aquavit, a Scandinavian alcohol similar to gin, and a dash of lemon for a hint of freshness. It’s like having one foot in summer and one foot in sweater season just around the corner!

So cute, mini bell peppers are available in most grocery stores now. They’re often eaten as crudités, but in this recipe, they’re roasted in the oven, then marinated in oil, parsley and red wine vinegar to transform them into condiments. They’re perfect with charcuteries for cocktail hour, they make the ideal companion to grilled meat and they’re fantastic toppings in a sandwich.

We completely fell in love with this meal-salad. The dressing includes habanero chili, a very spicy orange chili that’s tempered with honey, peach wedges and grilled bell peppers. Add texture and flavour to this dish with shrimp dipped into lightly beaten egg and cornstarch, which make them extra crunchy when cooked. A super fresh salad, with a hint of heat.

To make the most of the last summer evenings outdoors, we were inspired by a fresh cheese appetizer on the menu at the Café RICARDO restaurants. In a shallow plate, spread roasted plums and top them with a lovely plump ball of burratina, prosciutto slices and basil. Try it before the season is over!

Made with a fragrant broth and a piece of meat that cooks all day in the slow cooker, this hearty soup will be waiting for the family after school, when everyone’s back home. At dinnertime, simply add the vegetables and udon noodles, which can be cooked quickly before garnishing each bowl. A well-earned pause from the everyday whirlwind.