LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2024

HEAT WAVE

Sweet Heat A hit of spice can take your summer desserts from tame to tantalizing.

SUGAR AND SPICE

Borrow a page from Mex ican culinary traditions, which see zesty Tajín sprinkled over fresh fruits like mango, pineapple, cantaloupe and watermelon to enhance their flavour. Try using it as a punchy topping for a platter of your favour ite ripe summer fruits.

Fruit and spice are also a harmonious duo when it comes to ice cream. Explore the fusion by tossing in finely diced, seeded jalapeños when making fruit-based ice creams, gelatos or sorbets, such as peach, strawberry or lime.

Chili and chocolate have shared a delicious partner ship since the Mayan and Aztec civilizations first paired them. Adding a bit of chili powder into a chocolate dessert, whether it be icebox cookies or creamy mousse, continues to unlock delightful and nuanced new flavours.

HOW TO MAKE HOT HONEY Whip up this trending condi ment at home without breaking a sweat. Thinly slice 1 or 2 hot peppers of your choice (see pepper guide on p. 116) per 1 cup (250 mL) of honey. Bring chili and honey mixture to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and let mixture infuse for around 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how intense you want the final flavour to be. Let honey cool, then strain into a small jar, and cover and refrigerate up to 4 weeks. Drizzle on pizza, roasted meats and veggies, or add it to dipping sauces and dressings.

CHILI CRISP SUNDAE P. 124 Here’s proof that chili crisp does indeed make everything taste better—including ice cream. The contrast between the crunchy crisp and creamy ice cream is surpris ingly satisfying, while the interplay of sweet and buzzy flavours is the stuff dessert dreams are made of.

118 FOOD & DRINK SUMMER 2024