Just the Best: Favourite Recipes from Canada's Top Food Writers

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Sixty-seven of Canada’s best-known food writers contributed to this
collection of more than 160 tested recipes, assembled as a fund-raiser
for the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund. The list of cooks
includes Pierre Berton, Elizabeth Baird, Margo Oliver, Edna Staebler,
and numerous other well-known columnists, magazine food editors, and
cookbook authors.

As might be expected, most of these folks have sophisticated tastes and
have never had to consider “food” and “budget” in the same
sentence. Stand by for Warm Lamb Salad Dijonnaise, Asparagus Wrapped in
Prosciutto, Baked Garlic with Warm Brie, Seven Vegetable Broth with
Walnut Garnish, and Sun-dried Tomato Pesto.

While not all the recipes reach so far into Yuppiedom, even the
simplest and plainest of the collection have flair and something to set
them apart from the ordinary. Staebler contributed Mom’s Coleslaw,
which is richer and smoother than mom ever made. Thelma Dickman’s
bread-and-butter pudding transcends the mundane with rum and three cups
of whipping cream. Michelle Ramsay’s potato salad is sensational—no
surprise, as it contains two cups of lobster.

For each meat, fish, and pasta dish there are two wine
recommendations—one if the dish is for a dinner party and the other if
it is to be served at the kitchen table.

Although unusual, the recipes can be approached with confidence: not
only is each from someone who knows food and loves to cook, but each was
retested by the cookbook committee.

For those who entertain a lot or who enjoy turning out something
special for Sunday-night family dinners, this book’s ideal.