LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2024

TOIL AND TROUBLE

Seed Money BY VICTORIA WALSH

Roasting your own pumpkin seeds is simple and rewarding. Use an ice cream scoop to scrape the seeds from your pumpkin easily, then rinse in a colander, rubbing them until they’re pretty clean. (Save the stringy flesh in the freezer to add colour and sweetness to vegetable stock.) Lay out the seeds on paper towels to dry thoroughly. Toss the dry seeds with vegetable oil, salt and pepper and, if you like, your favourite spices—think chili powder, cumin and cayenne. Roast at 300°F (149°C) on a parchment-lined baking sheet until crispy and delightful!

Fun Guy To turn white mushrooms into scary skulls for pizza or a sauté, all you need is a paring knife and a straw. Halve the mushrooms (if you’re using them as a pizza topping), then poke out eye sockets with the straw. Cut two slits for the nose then scrape teeth in the stem with the knife’s tip.

You don’t need a recipe to make witches’ brew! Here’s how to conjure up your own enchanting Halloween punch. MIX MASTER: Use a combo of spirits plus juice or soda—dark coloured juices like grape or blackcurrant are best. Or make it glow with pop like Mountain Dew. VESSELS: For the full effect, whip up a big batch in a “cauldron” punch bowl and float “eyeballs” made from canned lychees stuffed with blueberries. –VW

Ghastly Garnishes Whether you’re making witches’ brew or just pouring a beer, a simple garnish can give it a frightful edge. Here are a few fun ideas:

ORANGE ZEST COINS CUT INTO JACK-O’-LANTERNS

GUMMY WORMS PIERCING APPLE SLICES

RED GEL ICING AND BLACK SALT RIMMING A GLASS

PLASTIC SPIDER ON AN ORANGE WHEEL

BLACK LICO RICE STIRRING STICKS

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AUTUMN 2024 ————————