Burrata with Summer Stone Fruit
Burrata with Summer Stone Fruit?! How could one resist this seasonally delicious union of seasonal BC orchard fruit and Italian burrata cheese! Topped with balsamic glaze, shallots, and sprigs of fresh basil. This appetizer is perfect for elevated outdoor entertaining, or a casual kitchen hang with friends.Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
2 ripe nectarines, pitted and sliced
2 ripe apricots, pitted and sliced
1 cup (250 ml) cherries, pitted
2 balls burrata (about ¼ lb/110 g each)
3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
½ small shallot, finely sliced
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 handful small fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, gently toss peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums and cherries. Transfer to a serving platter. Place burrata balls amongst the fruit.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, balsamic glaze and shallots. Drizzle dressing over salad and season with salt and pepper. Scatter basil leaves over salad. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
Bruschetta with Zucchini, Asparagus, Ricotta & Lemon
Dining alfresco couldn’t be fresher with this outside dining menu! Try these easy-to-make appetizers by simply slicing a baguette and topping with zucchini, asparagus, and ricotta cheese! Toast the baguette slices or serve fresh as desired. Enjoy on the patio this summer!Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
16 slices baguette, sliced about ½-in (1.25 cm) thick on a sharp diagonal
½ cup (125 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup (250 ml) ricotta cheese
2 to 3 small zucchini (about ½ lb/225 g), sliced lengthwise into thin strips
½ lb (225 g) trimmed asparagus, sliced into 1-in (2.5 cm) pieces
1 clove garlic
3 tbsp (45 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
2 tsp (10 ml) finely grated lemon zest
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely grated Parmesan
¼ cup (60 ml) walnut pieces, toasted
coarse sea salt, for finishing
fresh mint and basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
- Place baguette slices onto a baking sheet large enough to hold them in 1 layer. Brush both sides with half of the olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place in oven and toast for 5 minutes, then turn them over and bake for another 5 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Transfer toasts to a serving platter.
- Meanwhile, spoon ricotta into a colander lined with paper towels and allow to drain for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven broiler to high. In a bowl, toss zucchini and asparagus in remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer vegetables to a baking sheet and spread evenly in 1 layer. Place under broiler for 6 to 8 minutes, turning vegetables every few minutes. They should be just cooked through with a little bit of char on the edges. Do not overcook. Remove from oven, finely grate garlic over vegetables, squeeze 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice over all and toss to coat well.
- Transfer drained ricotta to a small bowl, add lemon zest and remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice, and fold together to combine. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Spread a dollop of ricotta mixture onto each toasted baguette slice and top with a few strips of zucchini and a few asparagus pieces. Sprinkle with Parmesan and walnuts, drizzle with a little olive oil and finish with coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- To serve, garnish each bruschetta with fresh mint and basil leaves; serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
Aperol Spritz Granita
Need a creative way to use your Aperol? This Aperol spritz granita is a must try and is delectably refreshing for summertime. Use as an aperitif, palate cleaner or a post meal refreshment. Pair alongside Italian-inspired appetizers like our Bruschetta with Zucchini, Asparagus, Ricotta and Lemon.Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
1 cup (250 ml) water
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
1 cup (250 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
½ cup (125 ml) Aperol
¼ cup (60 ml) Prosecco
orange slices, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, stir in orange juice, Aperol and Prosecco. Pour mixture into a shallow baking dish and place in freezer.
- After 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape granita mixture from edges of dish towards center. Repeat this process every 30 minutes until mixture is fully frozen and flaky, 2 to 3 hours.
- To serve, spoon granita into small glasses, garnish with an orange slice and serve immediately.
Featuring
Cava Sangria with Blackberries & Peaches
Take sangria to the next level by making it with cava! This white sangria is delighted with blueberries, peaches, and sprigs of aromatic rosemary. Use fresh or frozen fruit for whichever is handy! Pre-make this and have it ready for a backyard barbecue or a picnic!Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) water
1 sprig fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
3 cups (750 ml) dry or semi-dry Cava
½ cup (125 ml) Cointreau
½ cup (125 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
¼ cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 ripe peaches, each pitted, sliced into 6 to 8 pieces
1 cup (250 ml) fresh blackberries
club soda, to serve
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water and rosemary sprig. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- In a large pitcher, combine rosemary simple syrup (including the sprig), Cava, Cointreau, orange juice and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Add peaches and blackberries and stir to combine. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- To serve, pour sangria into glasses filled with ice. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with rosemary sprigs. Serve immediately.
Featuring
Coastal Collins
Keep it local with the Coastal Collins which highlights the characteristics of the spirit. Complimented with a little sea salted honey cordial, and fresh ginger then finished with soda and a lemon twist. The overall profile will be both savoury and fresh, perfect for seaside sipping!Ingredients
Serves 1
2 coins fresh ginger (about 1-in/ 2.5 cm each), peeled and sliced
1½ oz (45 ml) Shelter Point Single Malt Whisky
½ oz (15 ml) Sea Salt Honey Syrup*
¾ oz (22 ml) lemon juice
2 oz (60 ml) soda water
1 lemon peel, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle fresh ginger, then combine whisky, Sea Salt Honey Syrup and lemon juice. Add cubed ice, shake gently then strain into a collins glass. Top with soda water before filling the glass with cubed ice. Garnish with a lemon peel expressed over surface of the cocktail.
- *To make Sea Salt Honey Syrup, in a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup (80 ml) boiled water, ⅔ cup (160 ml) honey and ½ tsp (2.5 ml) sea salt. Stir to mix then transfer to a sealed container and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Makes 1 cup (250 ml).
Featuring
Peach Tart
How could one say no to celebrating Canada Day in style with a cocktail like the Peach Tart! Highlighting Canadian whisky with a peachy twist. This sour-style cocktail is sure to delight whisky drinkers and sour connoisseurs alike!Ingredients
Serves 1
lemon wedge, for rimming glass
crumbled ginger cookie, for rimming glass
1 egg white
2 oz (60 ml) Crown Royal Peach Whisky
½ oz (15 ml) Rich Demerara Syrup*
¾ oz (22 ml) lemon juice
Instructions
- Moisten outer rim of a chilled cocktail coupe glass with a lemon wedge and rim glass with crumbled ginger cookie. In a cocktail shaker, combine egg white, whisky, Rich Demerara Syrup and lemon juice. Shake without ice to emulsify ingredients. Fill cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously, then fine strain into prepared cocktail coupe glass.
- * To make Rich Demerara Syrup, in a small saucepan, combine 1 cup (250 ml) demerara sugar with ½ cup (125 ml) water. Simmer and stir to dissolve. Do not boil. Transfer to a clean, sealed bottle and store in refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Makes 6 oz (180 ml).
Featuring
Old Orchard
The Old Orchard is a take on an Old Fashioned, a classic spirit-forward cocktail. This variation uses apricot liqueur for a touch of sweetness and is accented by walnut bitters.Ingredients
Serves 1
2 oz (60 ml) Forty Creek Barrel Select Canadian Whisky
¾ oz (22 ml) Bols Apricot Brandy
2 dashes Walnut bitters
dried or fresh apricot, for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass with cubed ice, combine whisky, brandy and bitters. Stir to chill then strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass over cubed ice. Garnish with dried or fresh apricot on a cocktail pick.
Featuring
Vodka-Jellied Panna Cotta
These rainbow-layered panna cotta cups are sure to delight guests at any Pride or rainbow-themed event! Spike the jelly with any vodka for an extra kick.Ingredients
Serves 8 to 12, depending on size of glasses
6 tbsp (90 ml) water, divided
4½ tsp (22.5 ml) gelatin, divided
3 cups (750 ml) whipping cream, divided
1½ cups (375 ml) half-and-half cream, divided
6 tbsp (90 ml) granulated sugar, divided
¾ tsp (4 ml) salt, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract, divided
½ × 3 oz (85 g) package grape-flavoured jelly crystals/powder
3 cups (750 ml) boiling water, divided
2 cups (500 ml) ice-cold water, divided
18 tbsp (270 ml) vodka*, divided
½ × 3 oz (85 g) package blueberry-flavoured jelly crystals/powder
½ × 3 oz (85 g) package lime-flavoured jelly crystals/powder
½ × 3 oz (85 g) package lemon-flavoured jelly crystals/powder
½ × 3 oz (85 g) package orange-flavoured jelly crystals/powder
½ × 3 oz (85 g) package strawberry-flavoured jelly crystals/powder
whipped cream, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with a tea towel. Place eight 3-in (7.5 cm) wide dessert glasses, or smaller glasses as desired, on the sheet. (Note: Glasses need to be at least 3½-in/9 cm deep.) Set aside.
- Place 1 tbsp (15 ml) water in a small bowl and sprinkle with ¾ tsp (4 ml) gelatin. Set aside for 5 minutes to bloom.
- In a small saucepan, heat ½ cup (125 ml) whipping cream, ¼ cup (60 ml) half-and-half cream, 1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar and ⅛ tsp (a pinch) salt just until it starts to boil. Remove from heat. Add ½ tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla extract and bloomed gelatin. Mix well until gelatin has fully melted.
- Pour about ¼-in (0.6 cm) panna cotta evenly into each dessert glass. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until fully set.
- In a small saucepan, combine grape jelly crystals with ½ cup (125 ml) boiling water. Stir until crystals fully dissolve. Add ⅓ cup (80 ml) ice-cold water and 3 tbsp (45 ml) vodka. Mix well. Pour about ¼-in (0.6 cm) grape jelly mixture evenly over set panna cotta in dessert glasses. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until fully set.
- Continue alternating panna cotta and jelly layers, following the process above to make and chill each layer before adding the next one, and replacing jelly flavours to follow a rainbow order of colours: blueberry, lime, lemon, orange and strawberry. Note: Strawberry jelly will be the last layer of this dessert.
- Top with whipped cream as garnish, if desired, before serving.
Drink Pairings
In Bloom
Spirits in Bloom, the cover cocktail is spring in a glass.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Tanqueray London Dry Gin
¾ oz (22 ml) Bols Elderflower Liqueur
¾ oz (22 ml) lemon juice
2 slices cucumber
spring flowers, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker with cubed ice, add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and cucumber slices.
- Shake vigorously and fine strain over cubed ice in an old-fashioned glass.
- Garnish with spring flowers.
Featuring
Whiskey & Nut Baked Camembert
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish-inspired brunch!Ingredients
Serves 8
oil, for greasing
1 x 16 oz (500 g) Camembert wheel
3 tbsp (45 ml) Irish whiskey
1 cup (250 ml) mixed nuts (such as pecans, almonds, cashews)
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves removed from stem
3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed from stem
3 tbsp (45 ml) maple syrup
flaky sea salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Irish soda bread, for serving*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). With a neutral oil, lightly grease a small baking dish or pie plate, preferably one that can also be used for serving.
- Score top of Camembert cheese, cutting about ½-in (1 cm) deep. Place in prepared baking dish, scored-side up. Drizzle whiskey over top of cheese and set aside for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, roughly chop nuts and add to a small bowl along with rosemary leaves and thyme leaves. Toss to combine.
- Top cheese with nut and herb mixture. Drizzle maple syrup over top and bake in oven until cheese is warm and softened and nuts are fragrant, about 10 to 12 minutes. Check on cheese often while it bakes. If nuts start to brown too fast, cover loosely with foil. Season warm baked cheese with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and black pepper. Serve immediately alongside slices of Irish soda bread.
- *Purchase store-bought or you can find this recipe with the Irish Coffee Soda Bread Pudding recipe.