LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2024

SAY CHEESE

Dirty Martini Dip Olives, their brine and blue cheese make this dip a salty, umami-rich treat to share with any fan of the übertrendy Dirty Martini. Juniper-forward Tanqueray London Dry Gin (LCBO 2691, $34.70) was used to develop this recipe, but any London dry gin will work nicely, and if gin isn’t your thing, try vodka. Instead of Highland Blue, you could use Roquefort or Bleu Bénédictin. 1 cup (250 mL) pitted green olives, roughly chopped, divided 2 tsp (10 mL) finely grated lemon zest 1 tsp (5 mL) coarsely ground black pepper 1/4 cup (60 mL) extra virgin olive oil 12 oz (340 g) Philadelphia-style cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup (60 mL) olive brine 1/4 cup (60 mL) fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup (80 mL) London dry gin 2 tbsp (30 mL) dry vermouth 1/4 cup (60 mL) pickled cocktail onions, roughly chopped 6 oz (170 g) Back Forty Highland Blue cheese, crumbled Crostini for serving 1. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup (125 mL) olives, lemon zest, black pepper and olive oil. Mix until combined. Set aside at room temperature. 2. Place cream cheese in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle. Mix on low for 30 seconds. Add olive brine, lemon juice, gin, vermouth, pickled onions and remain ing 1/2 cup (125 mL) olives. Mix on low until fully incorporated. Add Highland Blue and mix on low until just combined. Transfer dip and olive mixture to separate airtight containers. Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 3 days.

3. To serve, transfer dip to serving dish and top with olive mixture. Serve with crostini.

BACK FORTY HIGHLAND BLUE A blue-ribbon winner at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Highland Blue is one of the only raw milk blue cheeses produced in Canada. Made from ewe’s milk, it has blue’s patented funk and tang, but its softer saltiness and buttery undertone give it a balanced character that a lot of blues lack. It would be wonderful served with a postprandial bottle of port, and it shines in this trendy dip with all the robust flavours of a Dirty Martini.

Makes 4 cups (1 L)

WHAT TO SERVE Tio Pepe Extra Dry Fino LCBO 231829, $19.95 You could always mix up a batch of Dry Martinis; alternatively, a powerful, salty fino sherry served very cold is a fine match.

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———————— HOLIDAY 2024