LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2024

LOCAL Hot Stuff BY JESSICA HURAS

HOLIDAY HACKS Rescue 911 BY VICTORIA WALSH ’Tis the season for doing it up and

As fall segues into winter, nothing hits the spot like a warm mug of hot chocolate. Instead of the usual instant powder, try one of these intensely delicious, locally made alternatives. And if you feel like adding a splash of liqueur, we’ve got you covered.

trying new things, but sometimes that means kitchen hiccups. Before tossing anything out, try to salvage your hard work with these go-to fixes. GREAT GRAVY Got lumps? Push it through a fine-mesh sieve. Needs more flavour? Add a few dashes of Worcester shire or soy sauce. GOLDEN GLOW Is your food looking too pale? Golden colour equals flavour, so give your dish—whether it’s a pasta bake, veg gies or roast—a quick broil, while keeping a watchful eye. CAKE FAILS Is your cake dry? Brush it with simple syrup to moisten, or upcycle it into a bread pudding. Did your cheesecake crack? Cover the evi dence with fresh fruit or a topping of cherry pie filling. BETTER BENNY Did your hollandaise or Béarnaise sauce split? Bring it back by slowly whisking or blending in more melted, cooled butter, drop by drop.

SOMA CHOCOLATEMAKER MALTED MILK This creamy drinking chocolate combines SOMA’s award winning chocolate with malt powder, delivering a nutty, nostalgic flavour. Mixed with water or milk, it creates a hot version of an old-fashioned malted milkshake. 75 g, $8, somachocolate.com

Spike it with Vodkow Chocolate Orange Cream LCBO 39059, $29.95

CFX – THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY EXPERIENCE HOT COCOA BOMBS Made with three kinds of chocolate, these interactive spheres dissolve into a velvety beverage when warm milk is poured overtop. They also come with mini marshmallows to delight your inner child. Two bombs, $18.95, cfxniagara.ca

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Spike it with Ole Smoky Mint Chocolate Chip Whiskey LCBO 39055, 29.95

CENTRE & MAIN CHOCOLATE CO. SIPPING CHOCOLATE

Made with 78 per cent dark chocolate and minimal sugar, this drink is for serious hot cocoa aficionados. Blend it with milk, water or a milk alternative for a classic cup or use it to transform a latte into a mochaccino. 250 g, $25, centreandmainchocolate.com

Spike it with RumChata Cream Liqueur LCBO 380865, $39.95

NO BUZZ Under the Mistletoe

To serve a simple, zero-proof drink with lots of holiday spirit, con sider the Mistletoe Mocktail (p. 189). Riffing on a clever idea from food blogger Maria Gabriela (@marias.munchies), big, festive cubes are made from cranberries and cranberry cocktail. Placed in a coupe and topped with de-alcoholized sparkling wine, the melt ing cube slowly lends its fruity sweetness and rosy blush to the drink. A final garnish of rosemary tickles the nose with its piney scent.

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HOLIDAY 2024 ————————