Delicious Summer Dishes with a 'Berry' Creamy Twist

New recipes infuse local flavour into meals by adding fresh berries and Real Cream

TORONTO, July 3, 2014 /CNW/ - Fresh local berries are out in abundance this season, which means berry-inspired recipes are ripe for the picking. Summer is the perfect time to try the magical culinary combination of fresh berries and Real Cream made from 100% Canadian milk in meals. To capture the flavour of summer, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), BC Dairy Association, Alberta Milk, SaskMilk, and Dairy Farmers of Manitoba have teamed up with chefs from across Canada to create new recipes that combine berries and cream. Chefs Julian Bond (Vancouver), Michael Allemeier (Calgary), Devan Rajkumar (Toronto), and Richard Julien (Halifax) have each created two sumptuous recipes for Canadians to enjoy this season.

"The combination of berries and cream is so simple, sweet and close to home that any Canadian can experiment with this magical pairing," said chef Michael Allemeier. "The recipes we've developed are a great starting point; they're familiar recipes that add something new with a local twist."

The all-star chefs created a total of eight recipes that span every course from appetizers to sides, to mains and desserts and represent culinary traditions in their home regions. All recipes can be found at www.AnyDayMagic.ca, a website designed by DFC and its partners to help busy Canadians put simple and delicious any day meals on the table with the help of Real Cream.

"In the summer months, there is such a great variety of local, fresh berries which pair beautifully with Real Cream," said chef Devan Rajkumar. "I want to encourage Canadians to rethink this classic pairing and apply it to both savoury and sweet dishes."

The chef's recipes, featured on www.AnyDayMagic.ca, include:

• Chef Julian Bond's
  • Chorizo and Two-Berry Compote Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Parsley Cream Sauce; and
  • Strawberries and Cream Whoopie Pies.
• Chef Michael Allemeier's
  • Berry Delicious Potato Salad; and
  • "Waldorf" Berry Salad.
• Chef Devan Rajkumar's
  • Strawberry-Lime Gazpacho with Spiked Cucumber & Fresh Whipped Basil Cream; and
  • Maple-Blueberry Chicken Stuffed with Canadian Brie and Basil Crème.
• Chef Richard Julien's
  • Grilled Asparagus with Creamy Raspberry and Dijon Vinaigrette; and
  • Bumble Berry Cheesecakes Wrapped in Phyllo with Sweet Creamy Strawberry Caramel.

"These recipes will make it easier for Canadians to put fresh and local flavour on the dinner table in simple and interesting ways," said chef Richard Julien. "The beauty of the pairing made it easy for us to get creative and come up with innovative recipes that taste like comforting classics."

"Berries and cream belong in more than just dessert; the combination can infuse appetizers, mains and sides with summer flavour," said chef Julian Bond. "These recipes explore a lot of the possibilities we take for granted and are a must-try this summer."

In addition to these delicious recipes on www.AnyDayMagic.ca, Canadians can discover any day meal ideas using 5 per cent to 35 per cent cream, plus recipes from Canada's top food bloggers participating in The Great Cream Challenge. Each month, bloggers are challenged to develop themed recipes featuring Real Cream. For instance, for the month of July, bloggers were tasked with creating new chilled soup dishes featuring Real Cream.  DFC is inviting fans to try the recipes for themselves and vote for their favourite online for a chance to win prizes. Visit www.AnyDayMagic.ca for more information.

About the Chefs
Chef Julian Bond is Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts' (PICA) Executive Chef and Vice President. This British-born and trained chef has been making his mark on the Vancouver local food & hospitality industry ever since he was recruited to Canada in 1995. Chef Bond has been behind several award-winning restaurants, mentor to over 2,200 culinary school graduates, and has pioneered conservation and awareness initiatives that include Vancouver Aquarium's Ocean Wise Program, Chefs' Table Society of BC and the Green Table Network.

Chef Michael Allemeier is a Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC), Canada's highest professional culinary accreditation designation, and is a member of the international food and wine organization La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Currently, he is mentoring the new generation of cooks at SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology).

Chef Devan Rajkumar is the executive chef at Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau, Canada, and is branding chef for the critically acclaimed catering company, The Food Dudes. His passion for food and culinary matters come through in his work both as a chef, culinary instructor and high-end caterer.

Chef Richard Julien is the go-to chef in the Maritimes for culinary entertainment experiences. He is the founding member and owner of Chef LIVE! a Halifax based catering and culinary entertainment company in which he and his staff perform food network style cooking shows in the comfort of guest's homes. In addition to the home chef program, Chef LIVE! offers custom catering for high end events, as well as recipe development and trade show performances to corporate clients.

About Dairy Farmers of Canada
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) strives to create favourable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry, today and in the future.  DFC promotes quality Canadian dairy products made from 100% Canadian milk as part of a healthy balanced diet. 

About BC Dairy Association
The BC Dairy Association (BCDA) is a not-for-profit organization that represents the BC dairy industry, by advancing the legitimate business interests of BC's dairy farmers and by raising awareness of the dynamic, economically sustainable nature of the industry, which consistently supplies high-quality products to consumers. BCDA implements innovative advertising, promotion and nutrition education programs and advocates for producers' concerns such as the environment, animal welfare, product safety, employee training, trade and regulatory matters.

About Alberta Milk
Alberta Milk is a non-profit organization that represents the province's dairy producers in policies and transportation, marketing and education, research and administration. Our vision is to grow a vital, sustainable and prosperous dairy industry.

About Sask Milk
Sask Milk, proudly representing Saskatchewan dairy producers, creates and maintains progressive policies, programs and services that support the production and marketing of safe and healthy milk and milk products for consumers.

About Dairy Farmers of Manitoba
Dairy Farmers of Manitoba is committed to producing milk according to the highest standards of quality and is totally financed by are represents all dairy farmers in the province.

SOURCE: Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)

Beatrice Bastedo / Fiona Robinson, Merkato Communications, 416-915-4408 ext. 103 / ext. 102, [email protected] / [email protected]