Here are a few “secret ingredients” used by world-renowned Chef Marco Pierre White that you can keep on hand not only for holiday meals, but to simplify your grocery list all year long. Visit knorr.ca for more recipe ideas:

(NC)—Looking for unique ways to liven up holiday entertaining? Then why not try fresh, local Ontario Craft Beer and discover the difference it makes to your meals, entertaining, food pairing and gift giving.

“Serving craft beer is a great way to spice up your holiday entertaining,” says Canada's first-ever female beer cicerone, Mirella Amato of beerology.ca. “Pairing beer with food is a growing trend and with so many fresh locally-brewed beers to choose from, there is a brew for every occasion. There are also tons of fun, seasonal spiced beers available at this time of year. These beers are a treat on their own.”

(NC)—Along with the highest quality wine, fashion, cars, and health spas, Europe is also in the lead with its chocolate. This means that giving, serving, or simply sharing the rich and creamy taste of such a specialty is going to make any moment festive.

“Chocolate is indeed a source of European pride,” says Nick Mattiace, spokesperson for gourmet brand, Ritter Sport. “In fact, it was Europe's discriminating consumers who first demanded the exact cacao content in the dark chocolate we buy. Today, this percentage is readily seen on the packaging of many of the better brands—and now it gives consumers everywhere the fun of testing all the flavour variations as the cacao is increased to replace sugar and fillers. Taste, texture and aroma are paramount to this experience, but so is the knowledge that the intense antioxidants in dark chocolate may be a credible agent in fighting disease.”

(NC)—With holiday season in full swing, have you thought about what appetizers to serve at your next get together? Why not fresh Canadian mushrooms? Fresh mushrooms are easy to prepare, flavourful, elegant, and not to mention packed full of nutrients.Including fresh mushrooms is a great way to add some tasty nutrients to your holiday meals. One hundred grams (100 g) of fresh mushrooms counts as 1 serving of Fruits & Vegetables. Mushrooms are also low in calories, carbs and fat, they provide vitamins, minerals, fibre, antioxidants, and are the only vegetable with Vitamin D. Not to mention they have no cholesterol or sodium.