Disclosure: This post has been created in partnership with the Dairy Farmers of Canada. All opinions expressed on this blog are my own.
Embrace the Holiday Spirit with the Dairy Farmers of Canada Milk Calendar and a Delicious Festive Seafood Pizza
As the festive season approaches, many Canadians eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s iconic Milk Calendar. This beloved annual tradition, spanning over 41 years – a legacy even longer than my own lifetime – always brings a special kind of excitement to our household. I look forward to spotting its familiar presence in my local newspaper, knowing that over 2 million Canadian homes in Ontario and Atlantic Canada have already welcomed their copy. More than just a tool for tracking important dates and appointments, the Milk Calendar has become an invaluable source of truly outstanding recipes. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of trying numerous dishes from its pages and have consistently been impressed by their quality and deliciousness.
Discovering Culinary Delights in the 2018 Milk Calendar
The 2018 Milk Calendar is a treasure trove of culinary inspiration, brimming with 19 nutritious and effortlessly simple recipes. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to feature ingredients made with 100% Canadian milk, celebrating the rich heritage of local, sustainable, and handcrafted foods that our nation is proud of. Beyond the recipes, you’ll also find a wealth of practical food pairing ideas and invaluable entertaining tips and tricks, making holiday hosting a breeze. Its timely delivery in November was perfect, as it allowed me to browse and pinpoint several recipes I’m eager to try for the upcoming holidays, including this absolutely mouthwatering Festive Seafood Pizza.
The culinary genius behind this year’s collection is Heather Trim, an accomplished food writer and recipe developer renowned for her innovative yet approachable creations. After thoroughly perusing the pages of the Milk Calendar, I’m particularly excited to tackle several of her recipes. What truly resonates with me is their commitment to health and the use of high-quality ingredients, ensuring that these dishes will be heartily enjoyed by my entire family. Knowing that these recipes prioritize wholesome, Canadian-sourced components gives me peace of mind and guarantees a delightful dining experience.
Putting the Festive Seafood Pizza to the Test
The December 2017 feature recipe, a Festive Seafood Pizza, immediately caught my eye. I decided to put it to the test in my kitchen recently, and the results were nothing short of “WOW”! It offers a delightful and unexpected twist on traditional pizza, promising a burst of delicious flavors. While it might appear to have a lengthy list of ingredients at first glance, I was pleasantly surprised to discover how quickly and easily it comes together, making it an ideal choice for busy holiday preparations.
What’s a pizza without an abundance of irresistible, ooey-gooey cheese? This recipe truly delivers, calling for generous amounts of shredded Canadian mozzarella – an ingredient that’s a staple in our home. My family’s love for cheese is undeniable, whether it’s enjoyed as a quick snack or incorporated into our favorite meals. The creamy, melted mozzarella on this seafood pizza perfectly complements the other toppings, creating a rich and satisfying texture that’s simply divine.
The recipe also prominently features high-quality Canadian butter, which is crucial for creating the roux that forms the base of the luxurious, creamy milk sauce. This rich foundation contributes significantly to the pizza’s unique flavor profile and smooth consistency.
Breaking away from the conventional tomato-based sauces, this Festive Seafood Pizza boasts a creamy, incredibly flavorful milk sauce crafted with 100% Canadian milk. My daughter, a true milk enthusiast, often drinks it faster than I can replenish it! I literally had to remind her to save some for the recipe, ensuring I had enough of this essential ingredient to create the delectable sauce. This commitment to using Canadian milk not only guarantees freshness but also supports our local dairy farmers.
I felt it was important to include a photo of the creamy sauce by itself, as its beautiful texture isn’t fully visible once it becomes the foundational layer of the finished pizza. This sauce is incredibly smooth, practically melting in your mouth, and its delicate richness perfectly complements the robust flavors of the seafood. It truly elevates the entire dish, creating a gourmet experience in every bite.
A Family-Friendly Culinary Adventure
One of the many reasons I adore this recipe is its family-friendly nature, making it perfect for involving children in the cooking process. The crust, made from frozen puff pastry, is remarkably easy to work with and imparts a wonderfully delicious, homemade taste with minimal effort. Kids will love the tactile experience of unfolding and preparing the pastry, setting the stage for a fun kitchen adventure.
Children are naturally enthusiastic about helping to add toppings, transforming meal preparation into an engaging activity. I frequently invite my youngest daughter into the kitchen when I’m cooking, using these moments to share culinary tips and foster her love for cooking, much like my own. It’s a wonderful way to bond and pass down valuable life skills.
An added benefit of involving children in the cooking process is that they become significantly more inclined to try recipes featuring new ingredients. To my surprise, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed this seafood pizza, despite not typically being a big fan of seafood. I believe the irresistible combination of the yummy cheese and the creamy sauce played a significant role in winning her over, proving that a little hands-on involvement can make all the difference in expanding picky eaters’ palates.
Versatility for Any Holiday Occasion
The remarkable versatility of this Festive Seafood Pizza makes it an absolute standout for holiday entertaining. It can be elegantly served as a main course, perhaps paired with a fresh green salad for a delightful supper, or creatively cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces to serve as a sophisticated appetizer at any holiday gathering. Regardless of how you choose to present it, I can confidently say it will be devoured in a flash, leaving guests utterly impressed and craving more!
Prior to discovering this recipe, I had never considered adding seafood to a pizza, making this a truly unique culinary revelation. This particular recipe masterfully combines three delectable varieties of seafood: delicate smoked salmon, succulent shrimp, and tender scallops. This harmonious blend of flavors creates a truly delicious and unexpected twist on a classic dish, ensuring a memorable experience for anyone who tries it.
The 2018 Milk Calendar will undoubtedly take pride of place on my fridge, and I fully intend to recreate December’s Festive Seafood Pizza recipe multiple times. With several holiday parties on my calendar, I’m confident that my friends and family will be thoroughly impressed by my newfound culinary skills. A heartfelt thank you to the Dairy Farmers of Canada for providing such wonderful inspiration!
Get Your Own Milk Calendar and More Recipes!
To secure your very own copy of the Milk Calendar and explore a myriad of other mouth-watering recipes, simply visit milkcalendar.ca. The website is also a fantastic resource, featuring insightful videos, helpful cooking tips, and clever tricks to elevate your culinary game.
Did you get your copy of the Milk Calendar? If so, what recipe are you most looking forward to trying this year? Share your favorites in the comments below!
You might also enjoy these other delightful recipes: Chicken Caesar Pizza, Pizza Soup, Chicken Pesto Pizza, Christmas Lasagna, Buffalo Chicken Pizza and Vegetable Pizza.
Connect with the Dairy Farmers of Canada on Facebook and Instagram for more delicious inspiration and updates!
Seafood Pizza
Saved!
Ingredients
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry 450g pkg, thawed
- ¾ cup cooked small shrimp thawed if frozen
- ¾ cup uncooked small scallops thawed if frozen
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp dried thyme leaves
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 package smoked salmon 70g package, thawed if needed
- ½ red pepper
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- microgreens optional
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 425°F. Unroll pastry and place side by side (overlapping slightly to form pizza crust) to fit on a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Press overlapped dough together so it sticks. Prick all over with a fork. Fold and press ½ inch (1 cm) of pastry all around outside edge to form a rim. Refrigerate until ready to use.
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Using your hands, over the sink, squeeze out excess water from shrimp and scallops. Place in paper towel then gently squeeze again.
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Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 1 min. Sprinkle with flour, thyme and salt; whisk. Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, whisking for 2 min or until smooth and thickened. Turn into a bowl and refrigerate.
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Slice salmon crosswise. Chop red pepper into ½-inch (1 cm) pieces. Remove pastry from fridge. Thinly spread with milk sauce. Sprinkle with half the Mozzarella. Scatter with red pepper and onion. Add shrimp, scallops, smoked salmon and remaining cheese.
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Bake 18 min or until a deep golden brown. Let stand for 5 min before slicing. Garnish with microgreens.
Notes
Equipment
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Cheese grater
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Parchment paper
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Baking sheet
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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