LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2023

INSIDE SCOOP

ENTERTAINING Beer Up

This time of year, you can find dozens of mixed beer packs at the LCBO, perfect for trying new brews or adding variety to your holiday bar. Here are three of our favourites.

BAKING HACK Wisdom of Age HYPOTHESIS Chilling drop cookie dough before baking makes better cookies. Whether you call it resting, ripen ing or aging, chilling dough (for 30 minutes to 4 days) is a step many bakers swear by. It firms up the fat so cookies spread less, and lets the flour absorb more moisture and develop complex flavours. RECIPE Tara O’Brady’s amazing “Basic, Great Chocolate Chip Cookies” from her cookbook Seven Spoons (Appetite by Random House, 2015). TEST The dough is portioned with an ice cream scoop. Some are baked immediately, and the rest are chilled and baked in four stages— after 2, 24, 48 and 72 hours. RESULTS 2 hours: spread a little less, but no difference in flavour or texture. 24 hours: noticeably better—more even browning, deep butterscotch flavour and slightly chewier. 48 hours: no different from 24. 72 hours: didn’t spread as well. CONCLUSION If you have the time and patience— i.e., you’re not baking with kids— portion and chill drop cookie dough overnight for the best results.

Cowbell Brewing Co. Winter Mixer LCBO 34286, 6 pk, $20.45

Side Launch Lager Pack LCBO 34283, 4 pk, $21.50

Chimay Triology Gift Pack LCBO 519223, 3 pk, $15.95 A trio of strong Trappist beers—red, white and blue—from the iconic Belgian brewery plus a branded beer chalice.

This lager quartet includes popular Northbound, two seasonals (Mountain and Dark) and exclusive Festbier, plus a stein to enjoy them in.

This six-pack features plenty of fan favourites and a few festive brews, including Latte Nitro Brown Ale and Gingerbread Porter.

TRADITIONS DIWALI When: November 10 to 14; main day is November 12

What: A five-day Hindu festival, also celebrated by Jains and Sikhs, that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness with many rituals including home-cleaning, lighting candles and lamps, sweets, gifts and fireworks. Essential Dish: Laddu, a sweet ball made from flour (wheat or chickpea), sugar syrup, ghee, dried fruits and spices. Gifts: Nuts, sweets, candles and anything gold.

DIWALI PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/AJAYKAMPANI

34 FOOD & DRINK HOLIDAY 2023