Are you willing to share the secret ingredients that go into making your signature dish? We hope so, because we’re about to share a ton of simple recipe ideas that are sure to impress your guests and make them want to recreate them as soon as they get home! One day, even your children will say “Share your recipe with me!”—a heart-warming compliment that proves just how good of a chef you really are. Until then, we’re here to explain how compliments can help your children grow.
Compliments are beneficial to a child’s development
Every parent knows that children need our support and approval in order to feel secure and appreciated. But is there a “right” way to compliment our kids? “As a parent, it’s best to celebrate adequate efforts or behaviours, rather than successes or achievements,” points out Dr. Véronique Ménard, psychologist. It’s better to compliment our children by saying “Good job! You worked hard to improve your kick at soccer!” rather than “Congratulations! You scored a lot of points this game!” This way, you’re celebrating one of their intrinsic qualities, such as perseverance.
The psychologist also recommends asking your child to explain the process they applied to attain their result: “Let’s say your child created a pretty structure with building blocks—you could ask them how they went about making it, instead of simply complimenting the finished product.” By doing so, you’ll get a better understanding of what qualities allowed them to arrive at such a satisfying result, such as dexterity, determination (they might have started over several times!), and talent for matching colours!
*Follow Dr. Véronique Ménard, psychologist, on Instagram and Tiktok, where she shares practical and fun advice!
Dressed-up macaroni
A Quebec family classic, today’s macaroni recipes are often extra gourmet and sophisticated. In fact, most of them are fancy enough to serve on any occasion. Macaroni and applewood smoked cheddar cheese, macaroni with kale and caramelized onions, or mac and blue cheese with walnut topping... such recipes can easily be elevated to a whole new level when you opt for top-quality ingredients. Have fun personalizing your recipe and experimenting with various Quebec cheeses, or add white wine, fresh herbs, or spices like nutmeg. You’ll see—your guests will lick their plates clean!
Compliments products that are perfect for these recipes
Osso buco, chops, and tenderloin: it’s pork-tastic!
Pork is economical and ideal for making delicious dishes for a fraction of the cost of beef or chicken. At your next dinner party, why not try a pork osso buco? Tomato sauce lovers will be charmed by this recipe, featuring white wine, fresh sage, and oregano. You could replace the sage and oregano with fresh thyme and basil, and garnish your plates with lemon zest before serving—it’s totally up to you!
You could also opt for this Oriental-style osso buco, whose harissa paste will take your taste buds on a culinary journey, or this recipe, which will whisk you away to Morocco with its cinnamon and prune aromas.
Pork chops are another great dinner option, especially when they’re stuffed with goat cheese and served on a bed of bruschetta (homemade or store-bought). If you’re in the mood for tenderloin, know that you can cook it in the oven or on the BBQ, and it pairs perfectly with slightly sweet marinades and sauces. Which of these savoury sauces will you try: hoisin, chocolate and molasses, or maple syrup?
Compliments products that are perfect for these recipes
The secret’s in the sauce…
Sauces are filled with flavour and can elevate any dish! The secret to a good sauce is finding the perfect balance between broth, butter, or cream, with a touch of onion, garlic, mustard, white or red wine, lemon, vinegar, natural sugars, and a variety of spices and aromatics. What’s better drizzled over flank steak than a creamy pepper sauce? Or how about a chimichurri sauce to marinate and top your BBQ or oven-baked chicken breasts with? And for restaurant-worthy eggs benedict, whip up a batch of this yummy hollandaise sauce.
Compliments products that are perfect for these recipes
… but also in the frosting!
Chocolate ganache, cream cheese frosting, cream, butter, and coconut topping, healthy date coulis, etc.: what would cakes and desserts be without such fantastic frostings? Now it’s your turn to follow our recipes to a T, double the portions, and put a smile on everyone’s face! You can also play around with different cake and topping combos. Once again, just let your imagination run wild!
Compliments products that are perfect for these recipes
