LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2023

INSIDE SCOOP

GIFTING The Case for Wine

To help celebrate the big three-oh, we’ve put together the Food & Drink 30th Anniversary Holiday Entertaining Box ( LCBO 35522, $127.70 ). Inside you’ll find six bottles of wine—a thoughtful mixture of red, white, rosé and sparkling— perfectly paired with seasonal Food & Drink recipes. Of course, it includes a copy of the coveted Holiday issue. The boxes are on sale now at LCBO.com. Quantities are limited, so don’t delay!

ENTERTAINING GOING FOR A DIP

GIFTING OH,

Whether you boil them for quick soup—see Dumpling Soup with Mushrooms & Bok Choy (p. 242)—or steam a basket for a hot hors d’oeuvre, frozen Asian dumplings are a culinary lifesaver. Here are a few of our favourite brands to stock up on this winter.

HANUKKAH If you’re invited to a Hanukkah party, play it safe and bring a kosher wine. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent options at the LCBO. Here are two bottles that would make a Hanukkah host smile.

Mother’s Dumplings Pork and Cabbage Dumplings (600 g, $13.99, summerhillmarket.com) From the popular restaurant in Toronto’s Chinatown, these juicy dumplings are great in soup, served as dim sum or eaten like pasta, drizzled with chili crisp. The Daily Dumpling Wonton Co. All Shrimp, Carrot, Water Chestnut (470 g, $18, thedailydumpling.com) These fat, handmade Shanghai style wontons are intensely crustaceous and shine brightest in a bowl of chicken broth with sliced green onions.

Bartenura Pinot Grigio KPM LCBO 699058, $22.95 From Italy’s Lombardy region, this crisp, citrusy white is an excellent pre-dinner sipper, or pair it with poached salmon and latkes.

Surasang Korean Kimchi Mandu (630 g, $10.99, patmart.ca) Whether they’re steamed,

pan‑fried or done in the air fryer, these spicy Korean dumplings are a tasty vegan appetizer, but pass them out with a three pepper warning.

Galil Mountain Shiraz KP VINTAGES 141580, $23.65 Made in Kibbutz Yiron, this full-bodied Israeli red has dark berry flavours, good concentration and hints of vanilla.

HOT TIP

For easy dips, try Chinkiang vinegar, sriracha sauce or the quick Korean sauce of equal parts soy, rice vinegar and water with enough sugar for balance.

30 FOOD & DRINK HOLIDAY 2023