LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2021

INSIDE SCOOP

I feel like chicken tonight THE TAKEAWAY

Whether it’s from a fast-food chain or your neighbourhood pub, the fried chicken sandwich is an unstoppable force. The combination of crunchy chicken, tart pickles and spicy sauces makes it tricky to match with wine, but Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Organic Sparkling Riesling VQA ( VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 370361, $20.95) is up for the task. This sparkler has the racy acidity to cut through the sandwich’s richness, while its lively mousse refreshes the palate for the next bite.

Jam session ASK AN EXPERT Thinking about taking the plunge into jammaking this summer? For tips and inspiration, we talked to Germaine Catchpole of Mnopgwad Preserves (mnopgwad.com), a First Nations-owned company specializing in unique jams. Why shouldhome cooksmake their own jam? You can pick out what’s in season and support local growers. They last a long time, and you can gift them. People appreciate handmade items. Plus, it’s a great skill to have. What equipment is needed? A sturdy pot for cooking fruit and a long wooden spoon to stir; a stockpot for submerging and sterilizing jars; Mason jars, which grocery stores carry in sum- mer; and tongs for hot jars. You could go out and spend money on kits, but most things you have at home.

What’s a good fruit for novice jam makers? I would go with blueberries. There’s no prep—just wash them up. They don’t take a lot of time to cook and are more forgiving for beginners. What are some commonpreserving mistakes to avoid? The biggest thing is don’t underfill or overfill your jars—just leave a ¼-inch headspace. An underfilled jar creates an air pocket, and it might spoil. If it’s over- filled, it might not set properly. Inspect jars for cracks. You can reuse jars, but use new lids and rims—it looks better if you’re giving a gift. Anything else youwould like to add onmaking jamat home? Use very fresh fruit and you will get the best-tasting jam. Don’t rush. It’s supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable process.

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SUMMER 2021 FOOD & DRINK