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About the Show HostMichael has been cooking professionally for over 20 years. An honours graduate of Culinary Institute of America in New York, his career has spanned the globe from stints in a Michelin three-star restaurant in London to South America, the Caribbean, North America and some of Manhattan’s finest kitchens. He is an award-winning cookbook author, newspaper columnist, roving Canadian cuisine ambassador and home cook. But Smith says his favorite role by far is Dad, at home on PEI with his partner Rachel and their son Gabriel.~~~~~~~~~~~~Episode 1 –  Easy Asian Beef StewMotivated by the cold weather, Chef Michael creates a comfort-food dinner for two with an Asian theme. Featured dishes include a beef blade simmering steak, baby spinach, bean sprouts and hot cocoa.Recipes from this episode:    * Orange Ginger Beef    * A Cup of Hot Mocha    * Hot Hot CocoaEpisode 2 –  East Coast ChowderHost Michael Smith discovers a bounty of culinary pleasures on the beaches of his East Coast home, when he takes his son Gabe digging for clams. Featured dishes include Clam Chowder, Biscuits topped with brown butter, and a simple Green Salad with Sherry Maple Vinaigrette.Recipes from this episode:    * Brown Butter Spread    * Frozen Butter Biscuits    * Sherry Maple VinaigretteEpisode 3 –  Vanilla Chicken DinnerAfter a day in the workshop, Host Michael Smith builds an entire meal around vanilla. Featured dishes include Braised Chicken Thighs, Couscous, Endive Salad and an easy Panna Cotta – all with a subtle taste of vanilla.Recipes from this episode:    * Rosemary Vanilla Chicken    * Belgian Endive Salad with Vanilla and Raisins and Vanilla Vinaigrette    * CouscousEpisode 4 –  Tomatoes 101Inspired by his garden, Host Michael Smith creates a meal relying entirely on a common ingredient – fresh tomatoes. Featured dishes include Roast Penne Pasta, Green Salad with Tomato Lemon Vinaigrette and Tomato Water Martinis.Recipes from this episode:    * Penne with Roast Tomato Sauce    * Tomato Lemon DressingEpisode 5 –  Steak for OneAfter an energizing bike ride, Michael has worked up an appetite for a protein-packed meal. He decides to prepare a dinner for one based on a Japanese belief that there is a fifth taste sense after sweet, sour, salty and bitter. It’s called “umami” and it triggers our need for protein. Michael combines a New York strip loin steak with hearty shiitake mushrooms, a bacon and potato cheese tart, and tops it off with steamed asparagus.Recipes from this episode:    * Pan Roast Strip Loin with Tarragon Onion Butter    * Miso Broth    * Potato Bacon Cheddar TartEpisode 6 –  Simple Baked TroutThree generations of Smiths go on a fishing trip, and Chef Michael Smith creates a meal with the catch of the day. Featured dishes include Pan-fried Whole Trout, Baked Trout Filets, Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Barley Risotto.Recipes from this episode:    * Pan Fried Trout with Barley Asparagus Risotto    * Balsamic Fennel Seed Vinaigrette    * Oven-Dried Tomatoes 3    * Tuna Fish Sandwich    * Arugula Eggplant Salad with Balsamic VinaigretteEpisode 7 –  Apple Braised PorkAfter spending the afternoon picking apples with his family, Chef Michael Smith goes out on a limb and works an apple theme into several savoury dishes. Featured dishes include Apple Braised Pork Shoulder, Roasted Acorn Squash and Spätzle.Recipes from this episode:    * Apple Braised Pork with Whole Wheat Spätzle    * Acorn Squash with Applesauce    * Applesauce    * Spice Baked AppleEpisode 8 –  Spicy Southwestern SoupTo test whether spicy heat can actually help you cool down, Chef Michael Smith experiments with chilies and creates a few versatile chili-infused soups and salads that complement almost any dish. Featured dishes include Grilled Corn Soup with Roasted Red Peppers, Chicken and Cheddar, Fennel Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette and Red Pepper Puree for garnishing.Recipes from this episode:    * Southwestern Corn Soup with Red Peppers    * Chicken Broth    * Fresh SalsaEpisode 9 –  Spicy Barbequed LambChef Michael Smith takes his cooking outdoors and grills a leg of lamb over a wood fire when a friend and fellow chef comes to visit. Featured dishes include Sun-dried Tomato/Olive/Mint Salsa, Grilled Polenta and roasted vegetables.Recipes from this episode:    * Grilled Lamb with Dried Tomato Mint Tapenade    * Corn PolentaEpisode 10 –  Tarragon Roasted LambChef Michael Smith palns a birthday feast for his partner Rachel and experiments with lamb, her favourite food. Featured dishes include Rack of Lamb in a Tarragon Crust with a Zinfandel sauce, Foccacia, Bulgar and hearty Beet Greens.Recipes from this episode:    * Roast Rack of Lamb with Grain Mustard Crust and Zinfandel SauceEpisode 11 –  Outdoor FavouritesChef Michael Smith takes his son on his first camping trip and prepares fun and easy meals ready to be fired up on the grill. Camping favourites include Fresh Salmon with an Asian flavour base wrapped in foil, Roast Potato Salad, Vegetable Kebabs and homemade Marshmallow Smores.Recipes from this episode:    * Grilled Vegetable Skewers    * Roast Potato SaladEpisode 12 –  Classic Chicken DinnerChef Michael Smith makes a cosy family meal of simply spiced Roast Chicken and Garlic Steamed Broccoli with homemade Mashed Potatoes with Brown Butter and Vermouth Sauce.Recipes from this episode:    * Brined Roast Chicken    * Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes    * Chocolate Chip Cookies 2    * Power SmoothiesEpisode 13 –  Aromatic Duck BreastChef Michael Smith has been travelling on business and looks forward to reconnecting with his family and his own kitchen. Featured dishes include Pan-Seared Duck Breast marinated in Thyme, Mustard and Soya Sauce, Bibb lettuce with Goat Cheese Vinaigrette and Gnocchi with Sweet Baby Peas.Recipes from this episode:    * Pan Roast Duck Breasts with Grain Mustard and GnocchiEpisode 14 –  Fennel Fish StewStarting with fresh halibut, haddock and a little East Coast inspiration, Chef Michael Smith devises a Mediterranean-style Fish Stew with Fennel and Tomato and a tangy orange and garlic garnish.Recipes from this episode:    * Mediterranean Fish StewEpisode 15 –  Three Meat PastaAfter a long day of errands and chores, Chef Michael Smith opts to make a quick and easy meal. Featured dishes include a tasty three-meat pasta sauce with beef, pork and veal, Roasted Garlic Bread and a salad of romaine lettuce with croutons and Italian dressing.Recipes from this episode:    * My Favourite Meat Sauce for Pasta    * Italian Basil Salad with Red Wine Herb Vinaigrette    * Roast Garlic BreadEpisode 16 –  Easy Pizza PartyStarting off with a good tomato sauce base, Chef Michael Smith serves up a rich and zesty pizza that appeals to both adults and kids.Recipes from this episode:    * Pizza Parlour Sauce    * Butterscotch Sauce    * Pink LemonadeEpisode 17 –  Simple Chicken StewChef Michael Smith believes cooking is like life – have an adventurous spirit and see where it leads you. Using chicken thighs and different types of mushrooms, Michael creates an impromptu chicken and mushroom stew. Mashed potatoes, carrot sticks and sautéed asparagus complement this meal.Recipes from this episode:    * Chicken and Mushroom Stew    * BrowniesEpisode 18 –  Lazy Day Beef StewWith summer fast approaching the Smith family is busy with their annual spring-clean, and the refrigerator is no exception. Michael decides to use up all his ingredients to prepare one of the last hearty meals of the season, a beef stew with aromatic vegetables and potatoes. Homemade whole-wheat cheddar biscuits are the perfect accompaniment.Recipes from this episode:    * Biscuit-Crusted Beef Stew    * Coconut Macaroons    * Country Inn PancakesEpisode 19 –  Easy Thai DinnerChef Michael Smith receives a postcard from a friend in Thailand, inspiring him to explore Thai flavours at home. Featured dishes include a Thai noodle dish, Cucumber Salad, Steamed Asian Greens with Spicy Peanut Sauce, Pineapple Salad.Recipes from this episode:    * Red Thai Curry Noodles    * Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce    * Cucumber Mint Salad with Spicy Asian Dressing    * Pineapple with CilantroEpisode 20 –  All-Veggie DinnerA last-minute dinner guest, who happens to be vegetarian, prompts Chef Michael Smith to raid his refrigerator and pantry for an all-vegetable meal. Dishes include a power-packed protein soup served with Asparagus Salad and Pita chips.Recipes from this episode:    * Vegetable Power Protein Soup    * Asparagus Red Onion Salad    * Pickled Red OnionsEpisode 21 –  Great Grilled BurgersA package of fresh ground beef motivates Michael to find new ways of spicing up the usual burger, including adding blue cheese and bacon to the mix. Smashed Potatoes with Fennel and Caesar Salad perfect this mouth-watering meal.Recipes from this episode:    * Beefy Burgers with Smashed Potatoes    * Caesar Salad with Lemon Parmesan Dressing    * KetchupEpisode 22 –  Lobster Three WaysChef Michael Smith gets inventive with some fresh lobster from he’s picked up from the wharf. Dishes include a traditional macaroni and cheese dish made decadent by adding lobster and a simple lobster salad.Recipes from this episode:    * Lobster Macaroni and Cheese    * Cocktail Sauce    * Salt & Pepper WatermelonEpisode 23 –  Pan-Roasted Salmon SupperWalking along the shoreline with his son, Chef Michael Smith spots fresh mussels and is immediately struck with an idea for a seafood delight using these gems as the centerpiece. Dishes include Cornmeal-crusted Salmon Filet with Basil and Pesto infused Mussel Broth and Steamed Spinach.Recipes from this episode:    * Cornmeal Crusted Salmon with Basil Mussel Broth    * Basil Pesto 2    * Smoked Salmon SandwichEpisode 24 –  Simply Seared TunaAn Asian theme emerges as Chef Michael Smith sears tuna steaks crusted with a variety of three peppercorns. Other dishes include Braised Leeks cooked in a Red Wine Broth, Ginger Mint Salsa and a basic salad with Japanese Vinaigrette.Recipes from this episode:    * Tuna with Pinot Noir Leeks and Ginger Mint Salsa    * Asian Spinach Salad with Miso Ginger VinaigretteEpisode 25 –  Easy Jerk ChickenChef Michael Smith takes chicken in a new direction when he experiments with chipotle peppers to create a deep smoky marinade. A Jamaican theme quickly emerges when he adds molasses and limes.Recipes from this episode:    * Jerk Chicken with Brown Rice    * Fennel SaladEpisode 26 –  Simply Turkey Dinner Chef Michael Smith demonstrates you don’t always have to wait for a special holiday to cook turkey. With freshly picked wild blueberries, Michael creates a vinaigrette for the spinach salad, which is a perfect complement to the roast turkey breast.Recipes from this episode:    * Spice Roast Turkey Breast    * Brown Rice and Lentils    * Fruit Crisp