As the leaves start to turn brilliant shades of red and gold, and the air becomes crisp, there’s an undeniable allure to indulging in comforting dishes that warm both bodies and souls. Fall is the season for comfort food, where the mere aroma of dishes can evoke feelings of nostalgia and warmth. Read on to discover five quintessential comfort food dishes that make autumn the most delightful, and delicious, season of them all, as well as a few of our favourite online recipes.

With its luxuriously smooth and creamy consistency, butternut squash soup captures the essence of autumn. Its velvety texture and comforting, earthy taste make it an ideal choice for savoring on crisp, chilly days. A delightful appetizer, or a heartwarming main dish, this soup stands as a timeless classic of the fall season.

Hearty and satisfying, beef stew is the epitome of comfort food. Tender chunks of beef, paired with an array of root vegetables, create a rich, flavorful dish. Its slow-cooked goodness warms you from the inside out, making it a beloved choice for family gatherings.

Mac and cheese gets a seasonal makeover with the addition of creamy pumpkin puree. This twist on a beloved classic combines the familiar cheesy indulgence with the warmth and subtle sweetness of pumpkin. It’s an excellent side dish for autumn feasts.

Chicken pot pie is the ultimate comfort food in a flaky pastry crust. Filled with a hearty mixture of tender chicken, an assortment of vegetables, and bathed in a luscious sauce that’s both savory and comforting, the golden-brown crust adds a delightful crunch to every bite.

For dessert, apple crisp is an absolute must in the fall. Sliced apples are blanketed with a crumbly topping of oats, brown sugar, and spices, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and tart flavours. Served warm with a scoop of ice cream, it’s the perfect way to end a comforting fall meal. Looking for something a bit different? Try this blueberry peach crisp.

As autumn unfolds, these five comfort food dishes encourage us to slow down and savor the simple pleasures of the season. Whether it’s the aromatic butternut squash soup, the hearty embrace of beef stew, the comforting nostalgia of pumpkin mac and cheese, the savory delight of chicken pot pie, or the sweet finale of apple crisp, each dish brings a touch of warmth and contentment to our tables. So, put on your coziest sweater, light a few candles, and relish the joys of fall through these timeless comfort food classics.

Next, learn how to host the fall-themed brunch of your dreams, and make a few signature cocktails using these recipes.

Images courtesy of: Love & Lemons, Minimalist Baker and Ahead of Thyme (Butternut Squash Soup); Martha Stewart, Once Upon a Chef and Ambitious Kitchen (Beef Stew); Minimalist Baker, Half-Baked Harvest and Inspired Taste (Pumpkin Mac and Cheese); Once Upon a Chef, Tastes Better From Scratch and Allrecipes (Chicken Pot Pie); The Chunky Chef, Belle of the Kitchen and Handle the Heat (Apple Crisp); BC Chicken Marketing Board (Chicken Pot Pie Banner Image); The Daily Meal (Apple Crisp Banner Image).

The familiar aroma of a home-cooked meal, the sound of soothing music in the background, and the sun’s warm glow peering through the window all run synonymous with a weekend brunch. This beloved tradition brings people together to bond over a shared connection, and a deep appreciation of food. Here’s how you can host your own epic brunch celebration this season.

What’s next? Read more about the one thing that’ll make entertaining so much easier; get some tablescape inspiration for your next Sunday brunch; and discover four more unbeatable recipes that’ll wow your loved ones.

There’s no denying that Sunday scaries can creep up on you after a fun-filled weekend, leaving you feeling unprepared for the week ahead. While Sunday is typically known as a day of rest, it can also be used as a day to plan, prep and get organized for the week ahead. Setting aside some time to get your affairs in order will make you feel more at ease by the time Monday rolls around. To help you get started, we’ve created a ‘Sunday Reset’ guide to keep you on track and get your week started right.

Looking for more ways to stay organized throughout the week? Check out the best cleaning style for your personality type and the ultimate key to a tidy home.

Chefs across Houston, Charlotte, Toronto and Atlanta showcase their city’s distinct regional fare through four delicious recipes prepared with love in our Empire kitchens. Give them a try in your home.

J.D. Woodward has been immersed in the world of food for as long as he can remember. “My grandfather was a chef, so growing up a lot of my memories revolved around cooking,” he says. As a lifelong Houstonian, Woodward proudly cites his hometown as his favourite food city and for good reason. “The city is diverse and eclectic. The spirit of the people who live here is what makes our food so authentic.” This was the inspiration behind the chef’s Texas striped bass recipe. “Since the fish is very much representative of Texas, I wanted it to be the star ingredient while playing on hints of Asian and Cajun flavouring.”

Yvette Kern has called a number of places home including Ireland, Japan, Germany and over 11 different states, helping her to really appreciate a region’s local cuisine. With her and her family’s roots currently planted firmly in Waxhaw, North Carolina, the founder of personal chef service Petite Cook Charlotte is sharing her tried and true quintessential North Carolina dish: Brunswick Stew. “I attended East Carolina University with some of the best barbecue places just steps away,” she says. “My goal was to recreate the incredible Brunswick Stew I vividly remember eating throughout college. To me, this dish is the true representation of North Carolina and the warm and inviting people who live here.”

While many of us were in the kitchen whipping up banana bread during quarantine, Toronto chef Ryan Campbell was busy perfecting his peanut butter pie recipe. “In the summer of 2020, my girlfriend and I made a peanut butter pie and shared it on Instagram,” he says. “After receiving a ton of positive feedback, I started to think that this could be a dish people would want to try for themselves.” The recipe, and his new pie company Gerdie’s, were inspired by Campbell’s mom, Gerda, and the early memories he had of the two of them making the pie together. While the pie is native to the Carolinas, Campbell — chef and partner at Il Covo restaurant — was insistent on sourcing local ingredients in his Canadian rendition. “The farmers who are raising chickens, collecting eggs and processing milk are friends of the restaurant world — they support everything we do and as local chefs, it’s our responsibility to support them by shopping locally.”

With a host of unique cultural influences and an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, Atlanta’s dynamic food scene has made it the unofficial capital of the south. “Atlanta is surrounded by farms, which makes it really easy to be intentional with where and how you source ingredients,” says Chef Pat Pascarella, owner of Atlanta-based restaurants The White Bull, Grana, and Bastone. Pascarella’s Italian roots were the foundation upon which his love of food and fresh produce came to be. “My grandparents used to farm, and everything that was left in their cart at the end of the day is what they ended up cooking with,” he says. This was the inspiration behind his Cavatelli alla Carrettiera dish, an homage to his first introduction to true farm-to-table cooking, and the importance of using fresh, local ingredients.

Meet the Chefs

Interested in other recipes that can take your cooking skills to the next level? Try out Chef Sous Chef’s Sunday Best Lasagna, this 20-minute Carbonara recipe and the cookie that will win every holiday bake-off.

Is there any sound more synonymous with summer than the sweet sizzle of food on a barbecue? One of the highlights of the season is the ability to fire up our barbecues and enjoy dining al fresco with our families — and now that the weather’s warming up, so too should our grills.

And because we all know that the title of grill master is earned, not given, we’re sharing five of the best grilling tools and accessories you need to elevate your grill game this summer.

You’ve now got the tools (and the skills) to grill up something delicious, but some nights, you just want to bite into barbecue without having to do any of the prep work or cooking yourself. Not to worry — Southwestern Ontario is home to a myriad of delicious barbecue restaurants close to our communities. Check out some of our local favourites below.

If your mouth is watering after reading about all these great restaurants, why not explore more great local spots? Discover local eateries near Empire Avalon, bite into more of Kitchener-Waterloo’s great eats, discover some of the best restaurants near Empire Maven on Avenue Road, or else explore the food and drink category on our blog, which is filled with great recipes and drink ideas. Bon appétit!

Images courtesy of: KettlePizza (Pizza Oven); BBQs and Outdoor (Chimney Starter); Expertly Chosen (Bear Claws); Williams-Sonoma (Salt Block); Amazon (cookbook); Uber Eats (Premier BBQ); Lancaster Smoke House (Lancaster); Frontier Grill BBQ (Frontier Grill); Toronto Life (Cherry St. BBQ).

Buying new appliances isn’t an everyday occurrence. In fact, next to purchasing a home or a car, appliances are one of the most significant financial investments you’ll make. To ensure your selection fits your budget, needs and style, we asked for advice from the appliance experts at Whirlpool.

Set a Budget

Before you begin searching the web and heading to stores, take time to decide how much you can or are willing to invest in your new appliance(s). This amount might be a portion of a renovation or new home budget, or a rainy day fund if your oven suddenly breaks down. Either way, have an idea of what you can work with to help streamline your shopping experience and avoid disappointment.

It might also be worth establishing a contingency fund to account for potential additional expenses related to your appliances, such as those for a countertop. Certain appliances, like ovens or cooktops, might need specific installation conditions to function properly and safely. This could involve modifications to the existing countertop to ensure proper ventilation, electrical connections, or space requirements.

Pictured: The Honeysuckle model home at Empire Avalon in Caledonia, Ontario.

In today’s marketplace with such a large range of tech functions, design styles and energy efficient features it can be overwhelming to decide what you need. Syed says asking yourself a few questions can help:

1. Is there a cost to install the appliance? (Gas appliances typically come at a higher premium).
2. Will the appliance be built into the space or freestanding?
3. What are my style or profile options? (French door fridge versus bottom freezer, front load versus top load laundry).
4. Will I do a lot of cooking? (Those aspiring to cook more may prefer gas appliances and a larger refrigerator).

Please note: Built-in appliances need to be discussed and provisions ordered at homeowners’ Pre-Construction appointment due to gas and electrical rough-in requirements. Appliance specifications must be submitted at the Interior Finishes appointment.

Thanksgiving is one of the most wonderful times of the year, but it can also be one of the most time-consuming holidays to prepare for, as well. If you’re hosting family and friends over for dinner, you don’t just have to dress the table and make your home look festive — it’s probably safe to assume that you’ll be in the kitchen all day long preparing your favorite meals, too. To make your dinner plans easier than ever this year, we’re encouraging you to put some popular appliances to work. Read on to learn how to cook an exceptional Thanksgiving meal in an instant.

Whether you’re cooking up a storm, supplementing your Thanksgiving menu with a few online orders, or just picking up dinner from a favourite restaurant (there’s nothing wrong with that!), we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. For your next dinner party, learn how to make Chef Sous Chef’s Sunday best lasagna, and the one thing that will make entertaining so much easier.

Images courtesy of Whole Foods Market, The Spruce Eats, Betty Crocker, Goode Co., Gold Belly, Simply Recipes.

It’s time to preheat your oven — holiday baking season has arrived. If you’re finding yourself feeling a little overwhelmed about what to bring to this year’s holiday cookie exchange, look no further than Chef Sous Chef’s Amaretti Cookies. Made with a few simple ingredients, this gluten-free, dairy-free Italian cookie is sure to be a Santa-approved crowd favourite.

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Combine the almond flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and the salt in a small bowl, then set aside.

3. In a large bowl, use a whisk or hand beaters to beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Pour in the amaretto and whisk until combined.

4. Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the egg whites, and use a spatula to gently fold them into the mixture until it forms a dough.

5. Spread 1/3 cup of granulated sugar and the icing sugar on separate plates. Form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll them in the granulated sugar until coated, then roll in the icing sugar. Place on the baking sheet, leaving at least 1 inch between each cookie. Press two to three almond slices into the center of each cookie.

6. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the edges are just starting to brown.

7. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Our fourth and final event in our #EmpireAdulting series was a huge hit, thanks to Chef Mat Sutherland and his team from Etobicoke’s Cheese Boutique who entertained and educated us with their love for wine and cheese. The Empire Phoenix Presentation Centre in Humber Bay Shores was set up like a comfy living room with velvet couches and chairs, perfect for mingling and wine and cheese tasting. Guests filled the room as Mat began his presentation, and his team served hors d’oeuvres straight from their new For the Love of Cheese cookbook, accompanied by a variety of global wines that paired perfectly with the complexity of flavours and cheeses on hand.

Empire Phoenix in South Etobicoke’s Mystic Pointe neighbourhood is crafted out of the idea that owning a home doesn’t mean sacrificing your lifestyle.

Looking for some new recipes to try out? Be sure to visit our blog for great food and drink inspiration, including Sunday Best Lasagna, 20-Minute Carbonara and easy and delicious work-from-home lunch ideas.

From busy moms to multi-tasking millennials (and especially busy, multi-tasking millennial moms) meal-prep is an inevitable part of our days off. While some people relish this task, most people find it a chore.

Not us, we love meal prepping because it helps us to stick to our health goals, save money and can even be a great bonding time with family. It took us a while to get to this level of prep-love, so we’re using our experiences to share the 10 common mistakes that might be standing in the way of you and meal prep success.

For great meal ideas, why not try a Sunday Best Lasagna or 20-Minute Carbonara?