LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2016

GIFTING  SIMPLE PLEASURES

for the tequila lover cocoa nibs, chili peppers and agave syrup recipe on page 241

Cocoa nibs are a popular product in bak- ing because they are chocolate in its pur- est form. Essentially dried pieces of cacao beans, their flavour is bitter chocolate— even a bit nutty—without being sweet. In order to create the rich syrup we were looking for, we used agave nectar, which is sweeter than sugar and also lends a more viscous texture to the liquid. Once we bal- anced out those tastes, we decided this recipe needed a kick, and fresh red chilis did the trick. You can customize the heat level for your tequila lover—the longer you leave the chili in to steep, the spicier it becomes. If you want just a tiny bit of heat, leave the chili in for just a minute or two.

Olmeca Altos Plata LCBO 454074, $31.95 For the Margarita

lover, this tequila is an excellent choice. Call- ing itself “the perfect tequila for the modern world,” it is approach- able for any audience, yet complex enough to satisfy the discerning tequila drinker. The wonderful pack- aging of Los Arango evokes fine quality, and the liquid inside doesn’t disappoint. Bottled by hand, this reposado has been aged in oak barrels for up to a year for an even richer, deeper taste.

Los Arango Reposado LCBO 47316, $49.85

202  FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2016