PEI Cooks at Home
A Community Cookbook from Prince Edward Island
79 Island Cooks - 150 Island Recipes - 200 All-Colour Pages
PEI Cooks at Home brings together the recipes, traditions, and stories of Island home cooks from across Prince Edward Island.
Created through the PEI Good Eats online community, this cookbook captures the everyday meals, local ingredients, and shared kitchen experiences that define life on the Island — from fresh seafood and hearty suppers to homemade breads and sweet treats.
Our local food sector is challenged, as are so many across Canada. Our farmers, fishers, food makers, small vendors and our home cooks need help. So we thought we'd do what we do best - cook! And share the amazing recipes that form our PEI culinary traditions to help raise money for our beloved food producers on PEI and get Islanders back to their legacy culinary roots.
Lots of iconic Island recipes, like chowders, fish cakes, mussels, beef stews, boiled dinners and cakes, cookies and biscuits galore!
We have Acadian, Mi'Kmaq, British, Irish and Scottish-origin recipes, and many brought to PEI by our newcomers that are becoming part of our new Island food traditions.
We added a short preserving chapter as a teaser (our preserving the Island way ookbook comes out in September), and our legacy cooking teaser chapter, From my Mother's Kitchen, which showcases a few of our "hand me down recipes" and stories of our homesteads and generations of home cooks. That book will be in out in time for the holidays!
More than a cookbook, it's a celebration of Island food, people, and traditions. With real stories of PEI home cooks. Scroll down for a few samples of our recipes and stories about our PEI recipe contributors.
The Table of Contents
Appetizers & Snacks PEI-Style Donair Meat PEI Skor Apple Dip PEI Hummus and Variations PEI Charcuterie Board Tips Donair Dip (Ground Beef Version) Coady's Water Prince Corner Shop Mussels James Power Raspberry Point Oyster Mignonette Sandy's Lobster or Seafood Poutine Dave's Donair Pizza Soups, Chowders & Chilis Soups PEI Beef Barley Soup Parry's Chicken Bone Broth Marianna's Curried Butternut Squash Soup Darla's Curry Coconut Carrot Soup Darla's Hamburg Soup Janet's Quick Beef Barley Soup Janet's Stuffed Cabbage Soup Josephine's Granny King's Hodge Podge Leesa's French Onion Soup Lori's Cauliflower Cheese Soup Mona's Tomato Basil Soup Parry's Hearty Chicken Soup PEI Loaded Baked Potato Soup Macromom's French Onion Soup Sasha's Potato Leek Soup Mary's Farmers Market Minestrone Soup Debbie's Lasagna Soup Tammy's Chicken Fricot (Soup) PEI Vegetable Soup (Vegan) Rosa's Vietnamese Pho - Beef Noodle Soup Emily's Laksa Soup Chowders Carla's Chowder Cat's Seafood Chowder Chef Jamie's Hodge Podge Seafood Chowder Vickie's Corn and Bacon Chowder Donal's Lobster and Scallop Chowder Lisa's Dad's Lobster Chowder Deb's Quick and Easy Seafood Lobster Chowder Chilis Larkin's Maple Turkey Chili Michelle's Sweet Potato Chili with Turkey Allan's PEI Hearty Beef Chili Salads & Sides Allan's Fresh Corn Salad Darla's Broccoli Salad Darla's Orzo Salad Irene's Hungarian Cucumber Salad Irene's Thai Chopped Salad Judy's Potato Salad Parry's Chopped Mediterranean Salad with Variations Vickie's Antipasto Tortellini Salad Ash's Twice-Baked Potatoes Patricia's Easy Crustless Zucchini Tart Leesa's Baked Beans Leesa's Scalloped Potatoes Judy's Garden Gift Roast Tammy's Pea Risotto Tina's Emmerdale Eden Farm's Old-Fashioned Baked Beans Rose's Potato Croquettes Nicole's Nana's Creamed Peas on Toast Mains Lori's Beef Chop Suey Chad's PEI Fish Cakes Darla's Chicken Chow Mein Duy's (Darren's) Blue Oyster Mushroom Omelet Tammy's Chicken Souvlaki Judy's Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Katie's Chicken Spinach Alfredo Lasagna Lori's Lemon Mayo Chicken Monika's Chinese Dumplings Nathalie's Chicken Curry Nicky's Thai-Style Shrimp & Veggie Curry Bowl Parry's Chicken Parmesan Parry's Greek Roasted Chicken Eleanor's Salt Cod Dinner Eleanor's Hamburg and Veggie Soup Dinner Evy-Lou's Island Savoury Meatloaf Ian's Nana's Mince and Tatties Jacquie's PEI Boiled Dinner Janet's Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce Jessica's Mama Fritz's Rutabaga Stew Judy's Braised Beef Short Ribs Lori's Lasagna Casserole Parry's Beef Stew with Lager Sarah's Roasted Rack of Lamb Josephine's Pork Chops with Creamy Mustard Sauce Amanda's Chicken Pot Pie with Keddy's Corn Danielle Boileau's Meat Pie Darla's Biscuit-Top Meat Pie Nicky's Meat Pies Lori's Meat Pies Tammy's Acadian Meat Pies (Tourtière de l'Acadie) The PEI Preserve Company's Potato Pie Nicole's Nana's Codfish Cakes Tammy's Sister Lizanne's Rapure Leesa's Macaroni & Cheese Breads & Baking Dannielle's Come to the Table Homestead Bakery's Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Darla's Baking Powder Cinnamon Rolls Darla's Bread Rolls Lori's White Bread Jennifer's Gillis Family Farms Sourdough English Muffins Judy's Tea Biscuits Leesa's Laminated Cheese Biscuits Angela's Oat Molasses Bread Ruth's Cheese Filled Bread Sandra's Lemon Curd for Her Scones Sandra's Lemon-Ginger Scones - Two Ways Tammy's Galettes Blanches (Dinner Rolls) Uncle Jimmy's Four Cents Glenna's Gluten-Free Carrot Muffins Darla's Dumplings Desserts Allan's Strawberry Shortcake Island-Style Janet's Plum Pudding Chef Amber's Sea Salt Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Darla's Lemon Cookies Darla's Oatmeal Skors Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies Darla's Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes Darla's Oatmeal Coconut Cookies Darla's Ginger Cookies Chef Jamie's Dalvay-by-the-Sea's-Style Sticky Toffee Pudding Darla's Deluxe Sticky Date Pudding and Brown Sugar Sauce Debbie's Twix Thumbprint Cookie Farmer Katie's Brown Sugar Fudge Heather's Fiber-Full Black Bean Brownies Leesa's Aunt Margaret's Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Leesa's Pineapple Carrot Cake Cindy's Strawberry Pie Darla's No-Churn Salted Caramel Ice Cream Darla's Sea Salt Caramel Sauce Debbie's Turtle Cheesecake Jo-Ann's Cherry Blossom Fudge Liz's Gumdrop Cake Mary Lou's Apple Bundt Cake with Brown Sugar Sauce Sandra's Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Uncle Jimmy's Blueberry Cake Lori's PEI Butter Tarts Charlene's Light Cheesecake Preserving Our Island Bounty Irene's Apple Pie Filling Irene's Apple Powder Parry's Ginger-Peach Butter Lori's Mom's Mustard Pickles Lori's Penny Coppers Mary Lou's Friend Margaret's Mustard Pickles Treena's Mustard Pickles Pam's Million Dollar Relish From Our Mothers' Kitchens Darla's Mom's Cheese Biscuits Lori's Mom's Biscuits Grandma McFeron Chili Sauce Allan's Mom's Macaroni and Hamburg
Endorsements
“Thank you for including us in this Island project. May it help preserve the history, foodways, and traditions of everyone who calls this Island ‘home’.”
— Jullie Pellissier Lush, Knowledge Keeper, Lennox Island Mi’kmaq First Nation
“It is a win for our kitchens, our local businesses, and the Prince Edward Island brand.”
— Mitch Martin, Executive Director, Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce
“On PEI, treasured recipes are passed from generation to generation — here, our best home cooks share theirs with you.”
— Summerside Lions Club
"PEI Cooks at Home brings together Island home cooks, local harvests, and the PEI lobster heritage that connects our tables and our community."
— Lobster PEI Cooks at Home brings together Island home cooks, local harvests, and the PEI “This cookbook proves good food doesn’t need to be complicated — just well cared for (much like oysters).”
— James Power, Raspberry Point Oysters
“If you love good food and local stories, you need to get your hands on PEI Cooks At Home. This beautiful cookbook celebrates the incredible flavours of Prince Edward Island — from fresh seafood chowder and yummy meat pies to the cozy, from-scratch dishes that make Island kitchens so special. It’s packed with recipes that feel like home and showcase the best of what our Island producers have to offer.”
— Cape Bear Farm
“Parry Aftab has created something truly special for Prince Edward Island — a cookbook that strengthens community, preserves tradition, and supports our local food sector.”
— The Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., Former Member of Parliament for Malpeque, Prince Edward Island — Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Agri-Food (Rural Development)
What’s Inside
A Complete Collection of Island Recipes
PEI Cooks at Home is filled with recipes that reflect how Islanders cook, gather, and share meals every day. From traditional comfort foods to fresh, locally inspired dishes, this cookbook brings together a wide range of flavours, techniques, and kitchen traditions. (Scroll down for some sample recipes from th cookbook.
Appetizers & Snacks
From crowd-pleasing starters to quick bites, these recipes are perfect for sharing and gathering.
Salads & Sides
Fresh, simple, and versatile dishes that bring balance and flavour to every
table.
Preserving & Pantry Staples
Techniques that help extend seasonal ingredients and reduce food waste.
Our next cookbook - Preserving the Island's Bounty - features canning, fermenting, brining, smoking, dehydrating and foraging wild foods.
Soups, Chowders & Chilis
Hearty, comforting, and deeply rooted in Island tradition — from seafood chowders to family favourites.
Breads & Baking
Homemade breads, rolls, and baked favourites that capture the comfort of Island kitchens.
From Our Mothers’ Kitchens
Traditional recipes and cherished dishes that reflect the roots of Island
cooking. (This is a photo of Allan's mother, Sally< when she was young. She passed last year. Allan shared her macaroni and hamburg recipe as his tribute. May she rest in peace.
Mains
Classic home-cooked meals made with local ingredients, from seafood dishes to hearty, everyday suppers.
Desserts
Sweet, nostalgic treats and timeless recipes passed down through generations.
Look Inside -
Our Table of Contents
Appetizers & Snacks PEI-Style Donair Meat PEI Skor Apple Dip PEI Hummus and Variations PEI Charcuterie Board Tips Donair Dip (Ground Beef Version) Coady's Water Prince Corner Shop Mussels James Power Raspberry Point Oyster Mignonette Sandy's Lobster or Seafood Poutine Dave's Donair Pizza Soups, Chowders & Chilis Soups PEI Beef Barley Soup Parry's Chicken Bone Broth Marianna's Curried Butternut Squash Soup Darla's Curry Coconut Carrot Soup Darla's Hamburg Soup Janet's Quick Beef Barley Soup Janet's Stuffed Cabbage Soup Josephine's Granny King's Hodge Podge Leesa's French Onion Soup Lori's Cauliflower Cheese Soup Mona's Tomato Basil Soup Parry's Hearty Chicken Soup PEI Loaded Baked Potato Soup Macromom's French Onion Soup Sasha's Potato Leek Soup Mary's Farmers Market Minestrone Soup Debbie's Lasagna Soup Tammy's Chicken Fricot (Soup) PEI Vegetable Soup (Vegan) Rosa's Vietnamese Pho - Beef Noodle Soup Emily's Laksa Soup Chowders Carla's Chowder Cat's Seafood Chowder Chef Jamie's Hodge Podge Seafood Chowder Vickie's Corn and Bacon Chowder Donal's Lobster and Scallop Chowder Lisa's Dad's Lobster Chowder Deb's Quick and Easy Seafood Lobster Chowder Chilis Larkin's Maple Turkey Chili Michelle's Sweet Potato Chili with Turkey Allan's PEI Hearty Beef Chili Salads & Sides Allan's Fresh Corn Salad Darla's Broccoli Salad Darla's Orzo Salad Irene's Hungarian Cucumber Salad Irene's Thai Chopped Salad Judy's Potato Salad Parry's Chopped Mediterranean Salad with Variations Vickie's Antipasto Tortellini Salad Ash's Twice-Baked Potatoes Patricia's Easy Crustless Zucchini Tart Leesa's Baked Beans Leesa's Scalloped Potatoes Judy's Garden Gift Roast Tammy's Pea Risotto Tina's Emmerdale Eden Farm's Old-Fashioned Baked Beans Rose's Potato Croquettes Nicole's Nana's Creamed Peas on Toast Mains Lori's Beef Chop Suey Chad's PEI Fish Cakes Darla's Chicken Chow Mein Duy's (Darren's) Blue Oyster Mushroom Omelet Tammy's Chicken Souvlaki Judy's Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Katie's Chicken Spinach Alfredo Lasagna Lori's Lemon Mayo Chicken Monika's Chinese Dumplings Nathalie's Chicken Curry Nicky's Thai-Style Shrimp & Veggie Curry Bowl Parry's Chicken Parmesan Parry's Greek Roasted Chicken Eleanor's Salt Cod Dinner Eleanor's Hamburg and Veggie Soup Dinner Evy-Lou's Island Savoury Meatloaf Ian's Nana's Mince and Tatties Jacquie's PEI Boiled Dinner Janet's Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce Jessica's Mama Fritz's Rutabaga Stew Judy's Braised Beef Short Ribs Lori's Lasagna Casserole Parry's Beef Stew with Lager Sarah's Roasted Rack of Lamb Josephine's Pork Chops with Creamy Mustard Sauce Amanda's Chicken Pot Pie with Keddy's Corn Danielle Boileau's Meat Pie Darla's Biscuit-Top Meat Pie Nicky's Meat Pies Lori's Meat Pies Tammy's Acadian Meat Pies (Tourtière de l'Acadie) The PEI Preserve Company's Potato Pie Nicole's Nana's Codfish Cakes Tammy's Sister Lizanne's Rapure Leesa's Macaroni & Cheese Breads & Baking Dannielle's Come to the Table Homestead Bakery's Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Darla's Baking Powder Cinnamon Rolls Darla's Bread Rolls Lori's White Bread Jennifer's Gillis Family Farms Sourdough English Muffins Judy's Tea Biscuits Leesa's Laminated Cheese Biscuits Angela's Oat Molasses Bread Ruth's Cheese Filled Bread Sandra's Lemon Curd for Her Scones Sandra's Lemon-Ginger Scones - Two Ways Tammy's Galettes Blanches (Dinner Rolls) Uncle Jimmy's Four Cents Glenna's Gluten-Free Carrot Muffins Darla's Dumplings Desserts Allan's Strawberry Shortcake Island-Style Janet's Plum Pudding Chef Amber's Sea Salt Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Darla's Lemon Cookies Darla's Oatmeal Skors Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies Darla's Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes Darla's Oatmeal Coconut Cookies Darla's Ginger Cookies Chef Jamie's Dalvay-by-the-Sea's-Style Sticky Toffee Pudding Darla's Deluxe Sticky Date Pudding and Brown Sugar Sauce Debbie's Twix Thumbprint Cookie Farmer Katie's Brown Sugar Fudge Heather's Fiber-Full Black Bean Brownies Leesa's Aunt Margaret's Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Leesa's Pineapple Carrot Cake Cindy's Strawberry Pie Darla's No-Churn Salted Caramel Ice Cream Darla's Sea Salt Caramel Sauce Debbie's Turtle Cheesecake Jo-Ann's Cherry Blossom Fudge Liz's Gumdrop Cake Mary Lou's Apple Bundt Cake with Brown Sugar Sauce Sandra's Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Uncle Jimmy's Blueberry Cake Lori's PEI Butter Tarts Charlene's Light Cheesecake Preserving Our Island Bounty Irene's Apple Pie Filling Irene's Apple Powder Parry's Ginger-Peach Butter Lori's Mom's Mustard Pickles Lori's Penny Coppers Mary Lou's Friend Margaret's Mustard Pickles Treena's Mustard Pickles Pam's Million Dollar Relish From Our Mothers' Kitchens Darla's Mom's Cheese Biscuits Lori's Mom's Biscuits Grandma McFeron Chili Sauce Allan's Mom's Macaroni and Hamburg
Featured Recipes
A Taste of What You’ll Discover
From comforting classics to fresh Island favourites, these recipes offer a glimpse into the flavours, traditions, and everyday meals shared across Prince Edward Island. Here is a selection of cookbook recipe samples to try.
Featured Recipes
A Taste of What You’ll Discover
PEI Cooks at Home began as a simple idea sharing recipes among a growing community of Island home cooks.
Through the PEI Good Eats group, thousands of Islanders came together to exchange meals, cooking tips, and everyday kitchen experiences. What started as a digital space quickly became something more a reflection of how people across Prince Edward Island cook, connect, and care for one another through food.
From that community grew a collection of recipes shaped by real lives dishes passed down through generations, inspired by local ingredients, and shared with the intention of bringing people back into their kitchens.
More than just a cookbook, PEI Cooks at Home is a snapshot of Island life where food, family, and tradition come together at the table.
Why It Matters
More Than a Cookbook A Way to Strengthen Island Food
PEI Cooks at Home is part of a broader effort to reconnect Islanders with their kitchens, support local food producers, and strengthen the Island’s food system. Across Prince Edward Island, families are looking for ways to cook more at home, make the most of their food budgets, and reconnect with traditions that once shaped everyday life. At the same time, farmers, fishers, and food producers are working to sustain their livelihoods in a changing environment. This cookbook helps bring those worlds together encouraging practical home cooking while supporting the people who grow, harvest, and produce food across the Island.
Supporting Local
Producers
Helping farmers, fishers, and local food businesses connect with Island households.
Bringing People Back to Home Cooking
Encouraging simple, everyday meals that strengthen family and community connection.
Reducing Waste & Supporting Sustainability
Promoting food preservation and better use of local ingredients to build a stronger food system.
What People Are Saying
Celebrated Across Prince Edward Island
From community leaders to local organizations and food producers, PEI Cooks at Home has been recognized as a meaningful reflection of Island food, people, and tradition.
Where to Buy
Find Your Copy Across Prince Edward Island
PEI Cooks at Home is available through a growing network of local vendors across the Island. From markets and shops to community partners, each location helps bring this cookbook closer to Island homes.
We encourage you to support local businesses by purchasing your copy directly from these vendors.
When You Leave the Island,
Take a Piece of It Home with You
Experience the recipes, stories, and traditions that define Prince Edward Island kitchens.
Whether you're cooking for family, sharing meals with friends, or simply reconnecting with the joy of home cooking, PEI Cooks at Home invites you to be part of something meaningful — rooted in community, local food, and everyday life. Take a piece of our kitchens home with you, to yours.