LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2024

INSIDE SCOOP

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A roundup of what we’re into this season.

GIFTING Welcome Back, Potter Want a mug big enough that you can wrap both hands around it? Hamilton-based Indigenous ceramicist Rachael Chegahno— the creative force behind Good Stuff Pots (goodstuffpots.com)— offers up just this type of inviting vessel and much more. From show piece salad and pasta bowls to counter-worthy canisters and garlic keepers, Chegahno crafts gorgeous, con temporary ceramics

Odd Couple Mixing absinthe and root beer may sound like risky business, but one sip will convince you that it makes perfect sense. After all, they’re both boldly fla voured, old-timey drinks, so why shouldn’t they get along famously? Created in 2007 by Ellie Winters, the drink went on to become a cult favourite among bartenders and is just now starting to sneak into the broader spotlight. But don’t take our word for it. Give Absinthe & Root Beer (page 132) a try yourself!

that make special, one-of-a-kind gifts.

Give it a whirl in our Spiral

–VW

Cucumber Salad with Peanuts, Cilantro & Fish Sauce Dressing (page 132).

Viral Spiral One of the hottest food trends to come out of TikTok is the spiral cucumber. With a pair of chopsticks and a sharp knife, you can transform mini cucumbers into edible Slinkys. The cut is more than just a gimmick: it allows the cuke to absorb more dressing, while bits of garnish get caught in its accordion-like folds.

KITCHEN HACK Grate Job

Last year, food writer and cookbook author Frankie Gaw went viral with a simple dessert based on Taiwanese shaved ice. He grated frozen strawberries on a Microplane zester into a bowl and topped them with condensed milk, peanuts and sesame seeds. The clever hack has many tasty applications, from grating frozen peaches over an ice cream sundae to making cucumber snow to garnish gazpacho.

28 FOOD & DRINK EARLY SUMMER 2024