LCBO Food & Drink Magazine - Autumn Issue 2012

I didn't get all giddy about the Summer issue of Food & Drink at the end of June but they sure made it up to me this time! It's been 2 days and I am still pouring over Autumn's offerings.

First, let me gush some hometown pride at seeing The Wellington Gastropub of Ottawa featured in Pub Bites by Nancy Won. We have been going to The Welly since it opened in 2006. For us it short lists as a place to go for special occasions as well. No dress code here. The special is all about the great food.

Second, it warmed me to read James Chatto calling out Kiln Haus Raisins, Canada's first native raisin, in the Trend Spotting feature. I first read about the Reif Estate Winery raisins in a Maclean's Magazine article last February. A competitor to the ubiquitous California raisin means I can now make a '100 mile butter tart' if I can get my hands on the naked ones. Am I wrong to think I may have seen them at McEwan Foods? Anyone spotted the wee gems in their neighbourhood yet? (I can't wait until they change their Facebook presence from a Group to a Page.)

Third, Toronto-based Andrea Damon Gibson of Fred's Bread is profiled by Cynthia David in Spotlight. Her wonderful bread products have made their way to Ottawa. I have enjoyed a loaf from Grace in the Kitchen in Kanata. In fact, right now I am snacking on a Red Fife Whole Wheat JoyStyx that I picked up at 42 Crichton Street Fine Foods. Andrea and her team are super busy as the website is a wee bit out of date. And no amount of scouring will turn them up on Facebook or Twitter. Yet. The bread is premium priced and it's popularity is growing.

Rarely do I mention a specific recipe from an issue beyond the Top Picks list but I was wooed by Gooey Maple Butter Tarts in Raisin the Bar by Nicole Young. Curiosity is running high. Are they as good as Marion Kane's famed recipe? Or that of Dana McCauley? Or mine?

If you are looking for the Playlist, it appears to be no more. Part of the changes for 'a new look' and 'a few tweaks' shared by Editor, Jody Dunn. I am going to miss the Shurman/Torno theming as they set us up for seasonal party times.

My top recipe picks:

• Lamb Tagine (From Raisin the Bar by Nicole Young)
• Brûléed Lemon Pie (From Sweetie Pies by Victoria Walsh)
• Onion Flowers (From Making The Cut by Lucy Waverman)
• Autumn Squash Chowder (From Pub Bites by Nancy Won)
• Tomato Balsamic Relish (From Preserving Nature by Tonia Wilson)
  
• Chewy Date and Seed Bars (From Seeds by Eshun Mott)
• Black Sesame Crackers with Black Garlic Fig Jam & Ash-Covered Goat Cheese (From Black Beauties by Christopher St. Onge) *** [Know that Major Craig's will have Canadian Black Garlic available for sale in December. I tried some at the Perth Garlic Festival. It's great. ***]
  

Plan ahead: The Holiday issue hits the stores in 9 weeks on Wednesday, November 7th.

LCBO Food & Drink Magazine - Early Summer Issue 2011

The Early Summer issue of the LCBO's Food & Drink Magazine was released in stores today!!

For those that may have caught a glimpse of the cover on their website recently, I can only assume that you have your own hardcopy in your hot little hands as we speak.

Being a bit of a fact hound, I happen to know that I am exactly 1.7 kms from 3 different outlets. It does seem a bit 'DanBrownesque' that I am in this equidistant triangle. My house is some sort of liquor mecca perhaps? For those that know me, you would agree that it is a bit overzealous coverage for my party needs. But there are times when such closeness serves me well. And today was one of those days. My favourite outlet at Kirkwood and Richmond had empty magazine racks when I dropped in at 9:30 this morning. (The Easter holidays had slowed things up. Perhaps by Noon they said.) This could have been very unsettling, but in my case, I just carried on down the road to option two. And voilà!

The Early Summer issue is my second favourite next to the Holiday edition. It tends to scream new season in a way you can actually trust and believe. The winter fatigue is loosening its hold and we are pushing forth from our stale cocoons much like the buds and blooms around us.

This issue is more than pretty. It is packed with tempting recipes perfect for family time and party time. As I was racing through the pages I was struck by how dead easy so many recipes appear to be. Perfect timing with Mother's Day just weeks away.

I may just refer to this as 'The Lucy Edition' with so many of Ms. Waverman's creations tucked between the pages.

The highlights for me:

• Lemon Roulade with Whipped Cream Limoncello & Lemon Thyme (From What's Fresh for Dinner by Lucy Waverman)
• Fettuccine with Pancetta, Pine Nuts & Arugula Sauce (From Dressing Up with Greens by Marilyn Bentz-Crowley)
• Honeyed Grapefruit Gelée with Orange Blossom Water Syrup & Fresh Fruit (From Blossom Season by Christopher St. Onge)
• Shrimp with Caramel Sauce (From Australia's Regional Cuisine by Lucy Waverman)
• Japanese Chicken Curry (From Global Chicken by Lucy Waverman)
• Creamy Barley Risotto with Asparagus & Porcini (From Meatless Marvels by Michael Fagan)
• Ale Braised Short Ribs (From Opening Weekend by Julia Rogers and Tonia Wilson)
  

I had a good chuckle at The Family Weekend Playlist. Rick Shurman and Earl Torno included some oldie goldies like When You're In Love With a Beautiful Woman by Dr. Hook and Let Your Love Flow by The Bellamy Brothers. Family Weekend Playlist? More like Making Family Weekend Playlist! They did include some dock rockers like Sunny Days by Lighthouse, Down On the Corner by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. A great list nonetheless and worth a look. You can purchase it online.

Plan ahead: The Summer issue hits the stores 9 weeks from today on Wednesday, June 29th.

Now time to curl up for a more leisurely browse as I nurse my second Flat White.

LCBO Food & Drink Magazine - Holiday Issue 2010

The Holiday issue of LCBO's Food & Drink magazine came out yesterday. My anticipation of its arrival every few months, borders on compulsive. Yep, I even set my alarm to get to my neighbourhood location at Richmond and Kirkwood for their 10:00 am opening. The Holiday issue is probably my most favourite. In our home, my rule is that the Christmas decorations can 'legally' go up the day after Remembrance Day.

Yesterday morning the mister took the liberty of adding the pickup task to HIS to-do list as a gesture of helpfulness but also to be 'efficient'. To not have that hot little number in my hot little hands at 10:05 am pushed me out of my comfort zone, for sure.

But now that I have it, I am dreaming of sugar plums. Okay, well maybe there aren't actually sugar plums dancing in my head, but I have to say the Suppli Al Telefono appetizer stopped me in my tracks. Party Apps by Cobi Ladner and Tonia Wilson will be a go-to article for amping up the yummies at our book club Christmas party. [These gals are regular readers of F&D too!]

Even better, I may finally conquer the construction of the Parisian macaron. I have had these Marie-Antoinette-style sweets straight from Laudrée in Paris, and I am now ready to follow every minute detail on 'mastering macarons' laid out in the article Macaron Magic by Dana McCauley.

A new dinner menu is forming as I ogle the Large Lobster Tails with Dill Butter & Pistachios on Saffron Risotto with Leeks from Dressed for Dinner by Marilyn Bentz-Crowley.

I know my turkey leftovers are headed for Curried Turkey in Naan Bread thanks to Remains of the Day by Signe Langford and Monda Rosenberg.

I could go on and on. The weight of this magazine alone at 890 grams says it all. This edition is PACKED with everything you need for the holiday season, including a Holiday Playlist on page 38 by Rick Shurman and Earl Torno that mixes the familiar traditionals with some up-beat, peppy numbers.

I am guessing that this is probably their hottest issue of the year. You need to get out now and pick it up!