LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2024

BITS AND BUBBLES

WHAT TO SERVE Popcorn has a wonderful flavour affinity with Chardon nay, the white star of the classic Champagne blend of grapes; Champagne’s toasty brioche notes will also find echoes in the snack. Alternatively, zero in on the dark chocolate with a lightly sweet, sparkling red Lambrusco. Pink Prosecco adds an extra fruit dimension to the party.

Kettle Corn Party Mix Kettle corn becomes a salty-sweet sensation when it’s elevated with all kinds of tasty things, including candied pecans, coconut chips and dark chocolate shards. It’s a party in a bowl, a party anyone would be lucky to be invited to. Serves 10

3 tbsp (45 mL) 1/4 cup (60 mL) 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (60 + 30 mL) Salt to taste 1/4 cup (60 mL)

vegetable oil

1. For the kettle corn, heat oil in a large pot over medium. Add sugar and popping corn, and cover. Shake pot constantly until popping beings to slow, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and continue to shake while last few kernels pop, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a large bowl and season with salt. 2. For the pecans, line a small baking dish with parchment. In a medium frying pan, heat brown sugar, cinnamon and water over medium. Stir occa sionally to help sugar melt. Once small bubbles appear, stir in pecans to coat. Transfer to prepared dish. Season with salt. Let cool at least 15 minutes. 3. Transfer pecans to bowl with popcorn, breaking up any clusters. Add Corn Pops, coconut chips, ginger and chocolate. Mix to combine. Serve or transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.

sugar

popping corn

dark brown sugar

1 tsp (5 mL) 2 tsp (10 mL)

cinnamon

water

11/2 cups (375 mL) 2 cups (500 mL)

pecan halves

Corn Pops cereal or similar coconut chips candied ginger, dark chocolate, broken into bite‑size shards finely diced

1/2 cup (125 mL) 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (60 + 30 mL)

7 oz (200 g)

Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne LCBO 563338, $86.15

Chiarli Castelvetro Lambrusco LCBO 604, $12.95

La Marca Prosecco Rosé DOC LCBO 20799, $22.95

170

———————— HOLIDAY 2024