LCBO Food & Drink Magazine - Winter Issue 2014

So what's the skinny on the Winter issue of the latest LCBO Food & Drink magazine?  First off, the cover is gorgeous.  If blue is the new grey, which was the old beige, then I want some of that. Maybe it caught my eye because I am currently surrounded by paint chips. Or maybe it's because I love apples and oatmeal.

Rob Fiocca took the picture for the cover. Janice Poon designed the dish called Caramel Cran-Apple Stir Fry. Check out all her recipes in Food Entertaining's Stir Crazy!

The magazine this time is stuffed full of straightforward classics with the author's own personality shining through.  In fact, I have made some similar dishes already this winter.  But I am keen to try Jennifer Mackenzie's Coq au Vin.  She uses red wine. I use white.  Also, the Gratin of Potatoes by Julia Aitken uses Reblochon cheese. I used Gruyère. It's probably time I made an authentic tartiflette, rich as it is.

Brenda Morrison's Must Haves focused on grown-in-Ontario preserves. I was already familiar with Bumpercrop, Stasis Preserves, Pyramid Farm and Ferments, Rootham Gourmet Preserves and Hall's Kitchen.  But Manning Canning is new to me.  I hope Brenda will have a chance soon to try out Top Shelf Preserves from here in Ottawa.  They are worthy of keeping company with her fine list.  I currently have a thing for their pickled beets and their Sour Cherry Bourbon Jam.

Signe Langford takes us on a trip around the world in Games On! as preparation for the Winter Olympics viewing.  Now it's easy to host a party with Canada's Mini Lobster Rolls, USA's Southern-Style Chicken Nibbles with Simple Winter Slaw & Bourbon Dipping Sauce, Norway's Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Lingonberry-Port Compote, Germany's Mini Wiener Schnitzel with Sauerkraut & Creamy Roasted Beet Mustard, and Russia's Mini Lazy Cabbage Rolls with Vodka-Spiked Tomato Sauce. Who will take home the Gold?

I am getting quite a list of Must Try's. Here are the other page corners that have been turned down:

• Boudin and Mushroom Sauce with Celeriac Crème (From Nouvelle Once More by Lucy Waverman)
• Grilled Beets & Peppercorn-Beef Roast with Gorgonzola Sauce (From Fire and Ice by Victoria Walsh)
• Valentine's Chocolate Cake (From Piece of Cake by Joanne Yolles)

Plan ahead: The Spring issue hits the stores in seven weeks on Wednesday, March 5th.