LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2022

Carving Boards

Epicurean makes paper composite boards that are dishwasher safe. The eco-friendly material is heat-resistant and soft enough to prevent dulling your knife, but hard enough to be long-lasting. The All-in-One Board has a juice groove (trough), non-slip feet, and comes in two large sizes (13 x 17 1/2 inches and 14 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches). $61.99 and $73.99. relishcookingstudio.com

Choose a hard wood or composite board for a long life and reliability. The material of your board affects the edge of your knife. You don’t want something so hard that it dulls the knife, but surfaces that are too soft will wear quickly and become less food-safe. It’s worth the investment for a board at least 12 x 18 inches (30 x 45 cm). A board with a trough (sometimes called a juice groove) to catch juices is best for any type of roast. If the board doesn’t have a trough, or it’s not a very deep one, place the board on a large, rimmed baking sheet, with a damp cloth between the sheet and the counter, and between the sheet and the board, to prevent slipping. CARE FOR YOUR BOARD Proper care of any board is important, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions for treating (for wood) and cleaning, and regardless of the material, let the board air-dry thoroughly in the drying rack before storing to avoid warping.

Boards with nonslip feet prevent movement as you carve. Alternatively,

place the board on a damp cloth.

For a classic wood board that’s sturdy and makes for a fabulous presentation, the Chuck Hughes Maple Cutting Board is 16 x 20 inches and a hefty 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) thick. It has a flat side and a deep trough on the other side. $139.99. thebay.com

Platters Unearth the fancy platters from storage for your carved roast presentation. Check thrift stores if you don’t have what you need already. Whether it’s vintage or modern, make sure its lip is deep enough—at least 1/2 inch (1 cm)—to catch juices and keep the meat from slipping off as it’s passed around. Keep the food arranged well inside the edge of the platter to prevent mishaps, too! OR NO PLATTERS A thick wooden board makes for a dramatic, rustic presentation. Use one with a trough to catch drips and place it where each diner can reach without passing it or pass the dinner plates to a designated serving person instead.

TIP: WARM YOUR SERVING PLATTER IN THE OVEN TO KEEP THE SLICED MEAT AS WARM AS POSSIBLE .

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