Warm Up with Canada’s Best Comfort Foods

Poutine

This dish combines the hearty, spicy flavors of my beloved slow-cooker short ribs with my all-time favorite comfort food: fries and gravy. With a little prep in the morning, it's just about ready when I come home from work (plus, the kitchen smells amazing!). If you are sensitive to spice, reduce the amount of Sriracha chili sauce. —Erin DeWitt, Long Beach, California

Butter Tart

I searched for the perfect butter tart for ages. After many attempts, I discovered this favorite that begs for a scoop of ice cream on top. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio

Smoked Salmon

A magazine featured this recipe years ago, and it's still my favorite way to serve salmon. Just add crackers for a super simple yet elegant appetizer. —Norma Fell, Boyne City, Michigan

Sugar pie

This rich, custardy sugar cream pie is an Indiana specialty. With just one bite of this decadent dessert, you’ll see why!

Kraft Dinner

The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

Saskatoon Berries

One year, I decided I wanted to make a wild berry jam but couldn't find a recipe, so I invented my own. — Barbara Hohmann, Petawawa, Ontario

Montreal-Style Bagels

Once you learn how to make homemade bagels, you'll never want anything else for breakfast.

French-Canadian Tourtiere

My daughter helped me come up with this recipe when we wanted a one-dish meal that was different than a casserole. This pie slices nicely and is a fun and filling dish. —Debra Dohy, Massillon, Ohio

Nanaimo Bars

This version of Nanaimo bars may claim roots in Alberta, but the original was said to be dreamed up in a British Columbia kitchen. They're three delicious layers of Canadian goodness. —Carol Hillier, Calgary, Alberta

Nova Scotian Donair

A local restaurant that's famous for pitas inspired me to make my own Greek-style sandwiches at home. Feel free to add olives if you'd like. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

Garlic Fingers

We love the breadsticks we get hot from the oven at our local pizza parlor. Now I can serve that same wonderful goodness at home. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine

Blueberry Grunt

If you love blueberries, then you can't go wrong with this easy dessert. For a special treat, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California

Jiggs dinner

Tender meat, hearty vegetables and a spicy horseradish sauce make this one of the best corned beef and cabbage recipes you'll ever make.

Maple Baked Beans

I modified this recipe to suit my family's taste. It's a great side dish for a backyard barbecue with hamburgers and hot dogs. It can be made in advance and kept warm in a slow cooked for hours without losing any flavor. —Margaret Glassic, Easton, Pennsylvania

Timbits

Enjoy breakfast the New Orleans way with these warm, crispy bites. Topped with powdered sugar, they are a delight! —Lois Rutherford, Elkton, Florida

Yellow Pea Soup

Slow-cooker split pea soup is so easy, all you have to do is dump everything into the cooker. This soul-warming soup comes together in a snap!

Caesar

With a nice level of pepper, and just enough dill from the pickle, these Bloody Marys are sure to please. To make Contrary Marys simply leave out the vodka. —Jay Ferkovich, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Pierogi

Pierogi, dumplings stuffed with a filling, make for a wonderful change-of-pace side dish. —Diane Gawrys, Manchester, Tennessee

Candy Apples

The glossy coating of these old-fashioned candy apples is hard, not soft like the more common caramel variety. It's best to lick them like a lollipop. You can also cut into wedges with a sharp knife, but the candy coating may crack. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Hot Chicken Sandwich

It doesn't get much cozier than these delightful suppertime sandwiches. They're an easy way to use up leftover turkey, and I love the way the thick toast soaks up the creamy sauce. —Carol Hull, Hermiston, Oregon

Maple

My family and friends all love it when I make this delicious French toast in the morning. It's so delicious and easy! —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Yorkshire Puddings

This easy recipe is a cross between traditional Yorkshire pudding and popovers. It makes a perfect complement to prime rib. We also like it with beef stew and steak. Make more than you need, because everyone loves it. —Emily Chaney, Blue Hill, Maine

Poutine

This Canadian comfort-food classic is even better when served southwestern style as either an appetizer or an entree. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona