LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2021

EDITOR’S NOTES

It’s time to soak up the sun!

After what felt like the longest winter ever—and a chilly spring—we can finally expand our living space by getting out onto our porches, decks and balconies. In this issue we dive into summer’s arrival with a range of seasonal drinks, food, décor and tips to help get maximum enjoyment out of this precious season. First off, you’ll need to spruce up your outdoor space. In “Patio Perfection,” starting on page 66, Erin McLaughlin and Christopher St. Onge cover every detail from basic décor and just-right accessories to small- bite nibbles paired with delicious drinks—as well as personal touches that will give your space enviable style. Even if it’s just for two, you can now rival the best patios in town. Next, if you haven’t already, dust off the grill and start making plans for cooking outdoors all summer long. Our Food Editor, Eric Vellend, with recipe developer Tonia Wilson-Vuksanovic, has compiled a top-10 list of everything you need to know to hone your skills and stay on top of the latest grilling trends. Wine Can Chicken, anyone? Check out the list, starting on page 43. The backyard’s all ready, now it’s time for a drink—and simplicity is key at this time of year. Find your ideal Chardonnay style on page 35,

or your favourite new summer brew on page 111. Explore the range of innova- tive gins popping up on LCBO shelves with our Drinks Editor, Charlene Rooke, for a different G&T experience every day of the week, starting on page 86. And, on page 95, gear up for Canada Day by perfecting the art of the Caesar and creating your own signature version. Finally, be sure to take full ad- vantage of the prized produce now showing up in our farmer’s markets: treasures like morels, garlic scapes and fiddleheads, not to mention fresh Canadian seafood, are all at their peak right now. Just like summer, their seasons are oh so short, but definitely worth seeking out. We’ve put a host of those ingredients to very good use in “Early Risers” and “All Surf, No Turf ” on pages 80 and 103. And for dessert? Don’t bother turning on the oven. Treat yourself to one of the no-bake goodies from our story on page 53— and savour it out on the patio you worked so hard to create. Cheers to a summer full of al fresco moments: we hope you enjoy the issue!

PORTRAIT BY JAMES TSE

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EARLY SUMMER 2021 FOOD & DRINK