Crawford - Farm to Chef

To cookthere is nothing else Id rather do. Consider this book your official invitation to cook with me for an entire year, to discover all the seasons together. I am, as you may already know, a champion of all things local and seasonal. Supporting local farmers and growers has become my way of life both at home and in my restaurants. I have such admiration for those who have dedicated their lives to growing, harvesting and sharing ingredients bursting with flavour and perfection.

Every season is memorable for its own special reasons. Spring is about beginnings, a season when you are completely re-energized. The weeks of grey and cold are over, that final layer of snow melts away, and we finally come out of hibernation. I find the first signs of spring so uplifting: the warmth of the sun in the morning, that fresh crisp air, a robins nest that sits on the ledge just outside my bedroom window with tiny blue eggs nestled in it. Everything is alive again. Its time to start planting, planning and mapping out the firsts of the season. I get excited about heading back to the farmers market, where everyone feels a genuine warmth and excitement about the season ahead. Farmers unveil the bundles of asparagus, bushels of ramps and fiddleheads, baskets of strawberries, and rhubarb for days. Were reacquainted with the familiar faces that we havent seen in months. It is a short season, and there is not an exuberant amount of ingredients to work with, but what there is has so much personality, vibrancy, intensity and beauty.

Summer is about sharing. Its time to explore, spend time outdoors, cook with family and friends, go on a road trip and barbecue. For me it is about gathering around the campfire, the laughter, the stories we share. I love the fun and lightheartedness that summer brings, and the food for me must always reflect that. There is a certain beauty and simplicity when cooking at this time of year. You will never run out of fresh, flavourful ingredients: those brilliant cherries and beans, sweet and tender corn dripping with butter, grilled summer squash, tomatoes just picked from the vine seasoned with nothing more than chilies and basil, and of course a refreshing cocktail or two. Letting the food speak for itself is the best thing about cooking in summer.

I love everything about the autumn: drives up to the cottage, warm sweaters, the gold and red hues of the fall leaves, fields of pumpkins, the stillness of the lake, getting a roaring fire going, the smell of warm spices. In the kitchen, autumn is all about the harvest. I love baking, roasting and preserving. Its the season to take advantage of the last big harvest before winter. Bring out the big pots for soups and stews and the jars for jams and jellies, and gather the apples, beets or grapes. The Sunday roast dinner is back, and there is always a mug of warm apple cider and a plate of crisp pear fritters nearby.

When I think of winter, I think about family, friends and comfort. Its a wonderful opportunity to be at home with the ones you love. When winter hits, Im ready for it. I get excited about the first snowstorm, and even more so, the cellar Ive stocked with everything that has been preserved. Winter and eating go hand in hand. Bring on the bakingbreads, cookies, loavesand savoury rich sauces! Surround yourself with the comfort of potatoes, onions, squashes and hearty roots like rutabaga and turnips. I embrace the season and relish (no pun intended) all it has to offer. I love to invite friends over for a spontaneous potluck after an afternoon of skating. Its a magical time of year.

I cant wait for you to discover and be inspired by the fruits and vegetables local to your towns and cities. This collection of recipes should provide an encouraging foundation for any home cooks seasonal journey. Not only were these recipes so much fun to create, but they are an absolute pleasure to prepare, and most important, they are simply delicious. I guarantee many will become your go-to favourites. Cooking really is all about sharing, and Im thrilled to share with you dishes that celebrate and embrace the beauty and abundance of the seasons.