LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2020

CIDER HOUSE BOOM

CIDER PAIRING

This delicate and elegant perry, a cider produced from pears, was an easy choice for this sophisticated and refreshing salad. The flavour of pear is a lovely complement to the blue cheese. And the cider’s round, fruity nature helps temper the mild bite from the piquant radishes and lightly bitter

Pack ingredients separately and assemble on the spot to keep everything fresh and attractive.

radicchio and endive. Victoria Pear Cider LCBO 648410, 473 mL, $3.65

APRICOT, RADISH & ENDIVE SALADWITH BLUE CHEESE VINAIGRETTE This complex salad hits all the taste notes by using radicchio and endive for bitterness, vinegar for tartness, blue cheese for salti- ness, radishes for piquancy and apricots for some sweetness.

2 tsp (10 mL) grainy mustard 2 tsp (10 mL) honey 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt 3 tbsp (45 mL) white wine vinegar 1/4 cup (60 mL) olive oil 1/4 cup (60 mL) favourite creamy blue cheese, e.g. Saint Agur, Bénédictin Bleu, Cashel Blue, etc. 5 cups (1.25 L) Boston or bibb lettuce, washed and torn into large pieces 1/2 head of radicchio, cored, quartered and sliced into strips 1 Belgian endive, sliced crosswise into rings 2 to 3 fresh apricots, pitted and sliced 3 radishes, very thinly sliced into rounds 1/3 cup (80 mL) pecans, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped

1 In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, honey, salt and vinegar until combined. Whisk in olive oil. With a fork, mash cheese into vinaigrette until it is in pea-sized pieces. Place in a portable container until ready to use. 2 On a large platter, place lettuce in the middle, surround with radicchio, place endive in the middle and top with apricots, radishes and pecans. Shake vinaigrette and pour over entire salad. Toss well to evenly coat and serve.

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, ONTARIO | ARDIELCIDERHOUSE.CA Ardiel Cider House

The Ardiel family has been growing apples and tending orchards for almost a century. It is now fourth generation, led by John and Lynda Ardiel, along with sons Liam and Greg, who continue the growing tradition. They produce ciders from apples and pears as well as a hopped version called Big John named after one of their favourite tractors.

Serves 6 to 8

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EARLY SUMMER 2020 FOOD & DRINK