LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2022

Recipes With wine, beer and spirit pairings by the LCBO’s Customer Engagement Group.

light with a lighter or match (if you have trouble lighting the chips, add a bit of torn paper). Carefully place the bowl into the pumpkin. 5. Add the pumpkin “lid” to the bowl. This will stifle any flames, and the pumpkin will start to smoke. 6. To serve, remove the lid, and ladle the cocktail into cups with ice, if desired. Garnish each with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick. CHOCOLATE BOMBS Half-sphere silicone moulds work best, but you can also use parchment paper cupcake liners. The bombs won’t be perfectly round, but they’ll still be effective and delicious. You can buy chili imbued chocolate bars to make your bombs, or make your own with our perfect recipe here. 12 oz (340 g) semi-sweet chocolate, in bars or chips 1/4 to 1/2 tsp (1 to 2 mL) cayenne to taste 1 cup (250 mL) mini marshmallows 2. If using chocolate bars, chop finely. Set one quarter of chips or pieces aside, and add the rest to the double boiler. Stir continuously as the chocolate melts. Never let the chocolate get too hot to the touch (not above 210°F/100°C). 3. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the remaining chocolate in two batches until incorporated (if the chocolate isn’t melting, you can place back onto the boiler briefly). Add cayenne and stir well. Makes 6 servings 1. Set up a double boiler.

Inside Scoop from page 19

CLASSIC CRANBERRY SAUCE Sweet-tart cranberry sauce is a must with turkey. Not only is it a breeze to make, it keeps for weeks in the fridge, allowing you to prep way ahead. This style is a little looser—think plump cranberries in a light syrup—but if you prefer it jammier, cook it 3 to 4 minutes longer, stirring often. If you’re using frozen berries, there is no need to thaw them. 1 bag (12 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries, about 3 1/2 cups (875 mL) 3/4 cup (175 mL) granulated sugar 3/4 cup (175 mL) cranberry juice 1. Place ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to maintain a vigorous simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes—most skins will have split. Remove from heat. (Don’t worry if it looks runny. Most of the liquid will get absorbed by the berries, and what’s left will thicken.) Cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks. CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH PORT & FENNEL SEED Make Classic Cranberry Sauce, but substitute light brown sugar for granulated sugar, and substitute ruby port for cranberry juice. Add 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) fennel seeds before cooking. CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH HONEY, ORANGE & GINGER Make Classic Cranberry Sauce, but use 2/3 cup (150 mL) honey instead of granulated sugar, Makes 2 cups (500 mL), about 8 to 10 servings

and substitute 1/2 cup (125 mL) pulp-free orange juice for the cranberry juice. Add 2 tsp (10 mL) finely grated ginger and 1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated orange zest before cooking. CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH APPLE, MAPLE & THYME Make Classic Cranberry Sauce, but use 2/3 cup (150 mL) pure maple syrup instead of granulated sugar, and substitute 1/2 cup (125 mL) apple juice for the cranberry juice. Add 1 tsp (5 mL) chopped fresh thyme before cooking. WarmWelcomes from page 43 SMOKING PUMPKIN SPICE Everyone loves a jack-o’-lantern. This one does double duty as a cocktail smoker! Our bourbon and amaro pumpkin punch is placed inside a carved pumpkin, then smoked with mesquite chips for an experience you (and your guests) will never forget.

1 medium-size pumpkin 6 oz bourbon, such as Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select (LCBO 480624, $53.25) 3 oz amaro 1/2 cup (125 mL) canned pumpkin pie filling 3 cups (750 mL) apple cider 3 oz lemon juice 1/2 cup (125 mL) mesquite chips Apple slices and cinnamon sticks to garnish 1. Cut off top of pumpkin (ensuring opening is large enough to fit your punch bowl) and remove seeds. Cut two eye holes, a nose and mouth, or any pattern, as desired. 2. Fit an 8-cup (2-L) heatproof bowl into the pumpkin, making sure there is some room around the bowl. 3. Remove the bowl, add all ingredients except mesquite chips and garnishes to the bowl and stir well to mix.

4. Sprinkle mesquite chips into the bottom of the pumpkin, and

158 FOOD & DRINK AUTUMN 2022

SHOP ONLINE AT LCBO.COM