LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2015

MUSIC Contributor Ann Lough suggests these four Christmas albums to get you and your guests in the holiday spirit.

STORE-BOUGHT UPGRADES Not everything has to be made from scratch. Recipe developer Kristen Eppich suggests these four seasonal upgrades to store- bought foods for your holiday gatherings.     (1) Use a small pastry tip to pipe plum jam into plain glazed doughnut holes, a few teaspoons in each. Top each with a thin slice of raclette and broil just until warm, right before serving. (2) Press vanilla ice creamwith the back of a spoon until softened, stir in add-ins—think chopped fruitcake, mincemeat, cranberry sauce or crumbled ginger cookies—then refreeze. (3) Drain 2 cups (500 mL) mixed olives and place in pan over high heat. Add 2 sprigs rosemary, 1 Thai chili and 2 long slices of orange peel, pith removed; cook, shaking, for 2 minutes. Add 2 tbsp (30 mL) orange juice and cook until evaporated; serve warm. (4) Roll a 300-g goat cheese log into a mix of 1 cup (250 mL) chopped pistachios, ½ cup (125 mL) chopped dried cranberries and 2 tbsp (30 mL) finely chopped parsley, until coated.

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas, Ella Fitzgerald, 2002, Verve/ Universal Fifty-five

years after being recorded, this cocktail party classic by the finest voice in jazz shows no signs of getting old.

Best of Christmas Cocktails, Various Artists, 2007, Capitol Holiday

1

2

kitsch at its very best, this collection of favourites is joyful, festive and guaranteed to be infectious.

What a Night! A Christmas Album, Harry Connick, Jr., 2008, Sony Covering both standards and

originals, this album sets a positive mood with its crooning vocals and kickin’ big-band orchestra.

3

4

It’s Christmas, David Myles, 2014, Little Tiny Records The warm and inviting down-home

music from this Canadian singer- songwriter reminds us of the simple joys of the season.