Cranberry & Bacon Jam Pinwheels
With holiday party season upon us, look no further for an impressive nibble to offer guests at your next soirée. The Cranberry and Bacon Jam will make more then you need for this recipe, but it is delightful wrapped up as a hostess gift or served alongside a cheese board. This recipe also easily scales up should you find you need to bake for a crowd. Simply increase the amount of puff pastry, goat cheese and pecans needed. Try pairing this recipe with Ruffino Prosecco Rose or Bartier Bros Rose 2022.Ingredients
Serves 8 pinwheels
Cranberry & Bacon Jam, make ahead, recipe follows
1 × 1 lb (450 g) package puff pastry, thawed
4 oz (110 g) goat’s cheese, room temperature
1 large egg, beaten
¼ cup (60 ml) pecans, roughly chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Start by making Cranberry & Bacon Jam.
- When ready to assemble and bake pinwheels, preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
- Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour before laying out puff pastry. Roll pastry into a 7 × 14-in (18 × 35 cm) rectangle and cut into 8 squares about 3½-in (9 cm) each.
- Divide pastry squares among prepared baking sheets. Working with 1 square at a time, place 1 tsp (5 ml) goat’s cheese at centre of each square. Top with 1 tsp (5 ml) Cranberry & Bacon Jam. With a sharp knife, cut diagonal slits in each corner to about ¼-in (0.6 cm) from filling. Bring every other corner up into centre to form a pinwheel design and press lightly to secure into filling. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with chopped pecans, if desired.
- Bake until puffed and golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely at room temperature. Can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Drink Pairings
Pesto Trees
These Pesto Trees are simply irresistible! Warm, buttery layers of puff pastry laced with umami-rich pesto and cheese will delight every palate. These skewered “trees” are perfect for guests to nibble and mingle at any festive cocktail party or open-house. They freeze well so make a few batches and stash’em away! Try pairing this recipe with Sauvignon Blanc Oyster Bay.Ingredients
Serves 24 pesto trees
1 × 14 oz (397 g) package puff pastry, thawed, chilled
½ cup (125 ml) basil pesto
3 tbsp (45 ml) shredded Asiago
1 egg
2 tbsp (30 ml) water
24 wooden appetizer skewers
Instructions
- Line 1 large and 1 small baking sheet with parchment.
- On a clean, lightly floured work surface, cut pastry in half. Roll 1 half of puff pastry to ¼-in (0.6 cm) thick. Cut an 8 × 12‑in (20 × 30 cm) rectangle, reserving excess pastry. Spread half of the pesto all over surface of rectangle. Sprinkle half of the Asiago evenly over top. Cut along shorter edge into twelve 1 × 8-in (2.5 × 20 cm) strips. Repeat with second half of puff pastry and remaining pesto and Asiago to yield a total of 24 strips.
- Fold each strip in a zigzag manner, shortening turns as pastry builds upwards, to create a narrow treetop. Insert a wooden skewer through layers of pastry. Place on large baking sheet 2-in (5 cm) apart and refrigerate for 1 hour to chill pastry dough completely.
- Roll out reserved pastry trimmings to ¼-in (0.6 cm) thick. Using a 1¼-in (3 cm) flower- or star-shaped cookie cutter, cut 24 pastry pieces. Place on small baking sheet about 1-in (2.5 cm) apart and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- In a small bowl, prepare an egg wash by whisking egg and water until blended. Lightly brush flower- or star‑shaped pastry with egg wash and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until pastry is flaky and golden. Allow to cool on rack.
- Lightly brush skewered pastry trees with egg wash and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until pastry is flaky and golden at edges.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Gently pierce a small pastry flower or star on top of each pesto tree before serving.
Drink Pairings
Maple Pancake
Imagine that your dreamy brunch pancakes were topped with whipped cream and maple syrup while you sipped on a delicious coffee. The following cocktail conveniently combines all these favourite flavours in the form of Canadian Whisky, Cabot Maple Cream Liqueur and espresso for a tasty flavour experience.Ingredients
Serves 1
2 oz (60 ml) Cabot Trail Maple Cream
¾ oz (22 ml) Canadian Club Classic 12-Year-Old Whisky
½ oz (15 ml) espresso
whipped cream, maple syrup and coffee beans, for garnish
dollar pancake, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass in freezer for 5 minutes. In a cocktail shaker with cubed ice, combine Maple Cream, whisky and espresso. Shake vigorously and fine strain into chilled coupe. Garnish with whipped cream, a drizzle of maple syrup and 3 coffee beans. Optionally, also garnish with a dollar pancake.
Featuring
PB&J
When Carolan’s Peanut Butter Liqueur hit the market, it wasn’t long before a relationship blossomed with jelly. Now, the affair with jelly really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, it’s a classic flavour combination that cannot be denied. Raspberry is used in the following recipe, but you could easily substitute another favourite jelly flavour to personalize the experience. Try serving it with a slice of toast, reminiscent of nostalgic flavours.Ingredients
Serves 1
1 tbsp (15 ml) raspberry jam, plus extra to rim glass
½ cup (125 ml) chocolate-covered peanuts, finely chopped, to rim glass
¾ oz (22 ml) Carolans Peanut Butter Irish Cream
¾ oz (22 ml) Jameson Irish Whiskey
Instructions
- To prepare cocktail glass, spread a thin layer of raspberry jam on a small plate and an even layer of chocolate-covered peanuts on a second plate. Moisten rim of an old-fashioned glass with raspberry jam, then dip rim into chocolate-peanut mixture. In a cocktail shaker with cubed ice, combine Irish cream, Irish whiskey and 1 tbsp (15 ml) raspberry jam. Shake vigorously and fine strain over cubed ice into prepared glass.
Featuring
Spinach Feta Rolls
These soft rolls are lined with a savoury spinach, dill, green onion and feta filling. If you crossed a spinach pie with a cinnamon roll, you'd get these! These are a perfect bun to start your morning if you don’t want something sweet. Easy to whip up the night before to have them ready for New Years brunch. Try pairing this recipe with Four Winds Featherweight IPA or Motts Clamato Caesar OriginalIngredients
Serves 12
2 cups (500 ml) whole milk, warmed
1 tbsp (15 ml) granulated sugar
2 × ¼ oz (7 g) envelopes instant yeast
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, melted
2 eggs, divided
6 cups (1.5 L) all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping
3 tsp (15 ml) kosher salt, divided
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup (125 ml) finely chopped fresh dill
1 lb (450 g) frozen spinach, thawed, drained and excess water squeezed out
1 lemon, zest only
¼ tsp (1 ml) freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp (2.5 ml) dried oregano
2 tbsp (30 ml) sour cream
12 oz (340 g) cubed feta
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp (30 ml) whipping cream
Instructions
- In bowl of a stand mixer, combine milk, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes, or until yeast has dissolved and is bubbly.
- Add butter, 1 egg, flour and 1 tsp (5 ml) salt. Mix with a dough hook until smooth and elastic, 3 to 5 minutes. If you do not have a mixer, mix and knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Transfer dough to a clean bowl and cover with a damp tea towel. Let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour, or place in refrigerator and let rise overnight.
- While dough is rising, make filling. In a small frying pan over medium heat, sweat green onions and garlic in olive oil. Transfer to a medium mixing bowl. Add dill, spinach, remaining 2 tsp (10 ml) salt, lemon zest, pepper, oregano, sour cream, remaining egg and feta and mix well. Check seasoning and adjust, then set aside.
- Once dough has risen, roll out to an 11 × 18-in (28 × 45 cm) rectangle.
- Spread spinach mixture evenly on dough. Tightly roll into an 18-in (45 cm) log. Place log on a baking sheet and set in freezer for about 10 minutes to slightly chill dough and make it easier to handle.
- Meanwhile, line a large baking sheet with parchment.
- Remove log from freezer and lay on a cutting board. Cut into 12 even slices. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let rise for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size. If making ahead, add cut slices to baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, take out while oven preheats.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C) and set oven rack to centre position.
- Once rolls have risen, mix egg yolk and whipping cream and brush onto rolls. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden brown.
Drink Pairings
Salmon Crisps
Delicate and decadent, these impressive Salmon Crisp appetizers are unique little works of art, yet deceivingly easy to make, and oh-so-delicious! Capers offer a staccato of tangy flavours to a creamy dip that balances smoked salmon rosettes in crisp phyllo cups. Serve them at any elegant event, and watch your guests come back for more Try pairing this recipe with Quails Gate Rose.Ingredients
Serves 12 crisps
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
2 sheets phyllo pastry (about 12 × 16‑in/30 × 40 cm each), thawed
1 × 5.2 oz (150 g) package Boursin cheese
2 tbsp (30 ml) sour cream
¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped shallots
3 tbsp (45 ml) capers, drained, finely chopped
7 oz (200 g) thinly sliced smoked salmon
fresh dill, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Using a pastry brush, lightly grease 12 mini muffin cups with oil.
- Stack both phyllo sheets together. Using a sharp knife, cut into about 4-in (10 cm) squares, yielding 12 squares per sheet and 24 in total. Gently press 1 phyllo square into each muffin cup. It will naturally crease as it shapes into cup. Brush only the pastry inside of cup with oil, not the part standing over sides. Lightly press another phyllo square into cup and brush similarly with oil, pushing pastry into bottom and sides of muffin cup. Repeat with remaining 11 cups.
- Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until pastry turns light gold. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes in pan. Gently remove each pastry cup and cool completely on a rack. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to use. Can be made up to a day in advance.
- In a small bowl, mix Boursin and sour cream until fully incorporated. Mix in shallots and capers. Spoon into a piping bag and cut a small hole, about ½-in (1.25 cm) in diameter, at the tip.
- Pipe cheese mixture equally into each phyllo cup. Roll smoked salmon slices into rosettes or fold loosely over cheese filling. Garnish with dill and serve.
Drink Pairings
Milk Chocolate
Forty Creek masterfully crafts cream liqueurs to compliment the Canadian Whisky they use as a distinct base spirit. This cocktail is a delightful and indulgent reminder how well chocolate and dairy work so well with each other. This recipe is not only delicious with the Forty Creek “Original Cream” but is equally amazing with their “Butter Tart” or “Nanaimo Bar” options.Ingredients
Serves 1
2 oz (60 ml) Forty Creek Original Cream Liqueur
1 oz (30 ml) McGuinness Crème de Cacao
shaved chocolate, for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a Nick & Nora glass in freezer for 5 minutes. In a cocktail shaker with cubed ice, combine Forty Creek and crème de cacao. Shake vigorously and fine strain into chilled glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate.
Featuring
Green Olive & Smoked Almond Biscotti
This savoury take on a biscotti is just as at home on a cheese plate as it is next to a glass of wine. With their satisfying crunch, biscotti is an excellent canvas for spices, nuts and strong flavours. Feel free to customize the add in to create your own savoury biscotti creation. Try pairing this recipe with Friuli Pinot Grigio Ruffino Aqua Di.Ingredients
Serves about 30 biscotti
3 cups (750 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
1 cup (250 ml) pitted green olives (such as Castelvetrano), sliced in half
½ cup (125 ml) smoked almonds
½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 cup (250 ml) finely grated Parmesan
2 large eggs
½ cup + 2 tbsp (155 ml) whole milk, plus more if needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F (160 C). Line an 8-in (20 cm) square cake pan with parchment.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, olives, almonds, salt, thyme and Parmesan and mix with a wooden spoon. Make a well in centre of mixture, add eggs and milk into well and mix well to combine. If there is lots of flour left in bottom of bowl, add an extra 1 tbsp (15 ml) milk and combine to make a stiff dough.
- Press mixture evenly into base of prepared pan. Bake until puffed and just starting to brown around edges, about 30 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and set aside until cool enough to handle, about another 10 minutes.
- Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment.
- Using a sharp knife, slice cooled cake into ¼-in (0.6 cm) thick slices and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake again until crisp and lightly golden, about another 20 minutes. Transfer biscotti to racks to cool completely before serving. Can be stored, fully cooled, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Drink Pairings
Ornamental Cheese
For this cheery and delicious Ornamental Cheese appetizer, you’ll only need a handful of ingredients. It's a great recipe for those who want to prepare a bunch ahead of time and freeze them for your next festive function. Simply unwrap and thaw before serving with crackers. A festive crowd favourite for your next holiday soirée. Try pairing this recipe with Veuve Du Vernay Brut.Ingredients
Serves 3 cheese ornaments
1 cup (250 ml) goat’s cheese
½ cup (125 ml) cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup (125 ml) sun-dried tomato pesto
⅓ cup (80 ml) diced pitted Castelvetrano olives
sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme, to decorate
crackers, to serve
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, blend goat’s cheese and cream cheese. Spoon into a large piping bag with about a 1-in (2.5 cm) hole at tip. Set aside.
- Lightly grease six 2½-in (6.25 cm) silicone domes. Place a 12-in (30 cm) length of plastic wrap over each dome and press into its sides, leaving remaining hanging over.
- Pipe cheese mixture about a third of the way up each dome and smooth surface with the back of a spoon.
- Spread 1 tbsp + 1 tsp (20 ml) pesto on top of cheese in each dome and smooth with the back of a spoon.
- Pipe cheese over pesto to fill each dome, leaving ¼-in (0.6 cm) space on top.
- Top 3 domes with diced olives, using a third of the olives for each, and gently press surface. Fold overhanging plastic wrap to cover each dome and freeze for 2 hours.
- Unwrap surface of all cheese domes. Spread a thin layer of cheese mixture on top of domes without olives. Remove these domes from silicone moulds and discard plastic wrap. Place these domes face down on top of olive surface on other cheese domes, to form 3 globes. Gather plastic wrap lining each bottom dome to cover entire globe. Gently remove from silicone moulds and press domes together. Twist and secure plastic on top and place each globe back into a silicone mould.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Unwrap each globe and decorate with herbs, as desired. Serve with crackers.
Drink Pairings
Madame Boulevardier
A Boulevardier is one of the many variations of a classic Negroni, using bourbon instead of gin. The Madame Boulevardier takes on a delightful wintery twist by adding Nutty Olorosso sherry instead of red vermouth, resulting in an expression of walnut and almond flavours along with a warming dried fruit character. The sweetness is balanced by the complex bitterness of Campari for a memorable cocktail experience. Featuring Bulleit Bourbon, Campari and Oloroso Nutty Sherry.Ingredients
Serves
1½ oz (45 ml) Bulleit Bourbon
1 oz (30 ml) Campari
1 oz (30 ml) González Byass Oloroso Nutty Sherry
lemon peel, for garnish
Instructions
- Chill an old-fashioned glass in freezer for 5 minutes. In a mixing glass with cubed ice, combine bourbon, Campari and sherry. Stir well to chill and dilute, then strain over cubed ice in chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.