STRAWBERRY MARGARITA CAKE
Ingredients
Serves 10
CAKE:
1¾ cups (425 ml) cake and pastry flour
1½ tsp (7 ml) baking powder
½ tsp (2 ml) baking soda
½ tsp (2 ml) salt
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
1 lime, zest only, finely grated
¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs
¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
¼ cup (60 ml) milk
⅓ cup (75 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
2 oz + 1 oz (60 ml + 30 ml) white tequila, divided
1 ½ oz (45 ml) orange-flavoured liqueur, such as Triple Sec or Grand Marnier, divided
⅓ cup (75 ml) seedless strawberry jam
COCONUT WHIPPED TOPPING:
2 x 14 oz (398 ml) cans full-fat coconut milk, chilled in refrigerator overnight
3 tbsp (45 ml) icing sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
1 lime, thinly sliced into rounds, for garnish
1½ cup (375 ml) fresh strawberries, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Lightly grease a 10-in (25 cm) spring-form pan and set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix together sugar and lime zest until blended and very fragrant, about 1 minute. Beat in butter until mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then beat in oil and vanilla. Gradually add reserved dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir together until just incorporated. Gradually incorporate milk into batter before adding lime juice, 2 oz (60 ml) tequila, and 1 oz (30 ml) orange liqueur. Mix until batter is uniform and smooth.
- Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes.
- While cake is baking, whisk together remaining 1 oz (30 ml) tequila, ½ oz (15 ml) orange liqueur and strawberry jam.
- When cake is done, remove from oven and place on a rack. Using a skewer or fork, pierce several dozen holes into the top of cake. Slowly pour strawberry mixture evenly over top of cake, allowing it to absorb as you go. Cool cake in spring-form pan to room temperature.
- While cake is cooling, make COCONUT WHIPPED TOPPING: Without shaking, take chilled cans of coconut milk and open them carefully. Pour out as much liquid as possible into a small bowl or container, reserving coconut cream. Save coconut liquid for another use. Place thick, white coconut cream into a large bowl and beat for 1 minute using a hand beater, or in bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Add sugar and continue whipping coconut cream on high until it has increased in volume and forms soft peaks, about 5 to 7 minutes. Beat in vanilla and refrigerate Coconut Whipped Topping for 10 minutes before using.
- Once cake is completely cooled, remove from spring-form pan and carefully transfer to a serving platter. Spread top of cake with Coconut Whipped Topping and decorate with lime slices and fresh strawberries. Serve immediately or refrigerate cake up to 6 hours. Then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Drink Pairings
TURKEY RILLETTES CROSTINI WITH CELERIAC SALAD
Ingredients
Serves about 40 crostini
TURKEY RILLETTES:
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium-sized shallot, peeled, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tsp (10 ml) chopped fresh thyme
salt and pepper, to taste
2 slices of bacon
2½ cups (625 ml) cooked, shredded, dark turkey meat
½ cup (125 ml) duck fat, divided
1½ cups (375 ml) low-sodium turkey stock
1 tbsp (15 ml) cognac
1 sourdough baguette, ½-in (1 cm) rounds
CELERIAC SALAD:
1½ tsp (7 ml) cumin seeds
1 lemon, halved, divided
½ small celeriac
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
½ tsp (2 ml) liquid clover honey
salt, to taste
¾ cup (175 ml) chopped fresh parsley
½ cup (125 ml) pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- To make TURKEY RILLETTES: Warm oil in frying pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped shallot and cook, stirring often, until starting to caramelize. Stir in garlic, thyme and pinch of salt and pepper. Allow to cook another minute. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Add bacon to a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, turning once or twice, until crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Chop into small pieces.
- In a food processor, add shredded turkey meat, shallot mixture, bacon and 2 tbsp (30ml) duck fat. Pulse until well combined and turkey is finely chopped. Slowly add 1⁄2 cup (125 ml) stock, pulsing to combine, before adding another 2 tbsp (30 ml) duck fat, pulsing until well combined. Continue alternating remaining stock and duck fat until mixture is spreadable but still slightly chunky. You may not need all the stock. Stir in cognac and season to taste. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Turkey Rillettes may be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). To make crostini, place baguette rounds on a baking sheet in a single layer, leaving about 1⁄2-in (1 cm) between each. Lightly brush both sides with a little olive oil before baking until crisp and golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Allow to cool completely on baking tray.
- Before serving, make CELERIAC SALAD: In a dry frying pan, toast cumin seeds over medium heat until fragrant, 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Half fill a medium bowl with cold water and squeeze in juice of half a lemon. Trim celeriac and cut into 1⁄2-in (1 cm) half moons. Using a mandolin or vegetable peeler, slice celeriac into thin strips. Add strips to lemon water as they are cut to prevent browning.
- In a small bowl, whisk together juice from remaining lemon half, oil, honey and pinch of salt. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, toss together parsley, pomegranate seeds, cumin and thoroughly drained celeriac strips. Pour dressing over salad and toss well to coat. Season to taste with more salt.
- Spread 1 tbsp (15 ml) turkey rillettes over crostini. Top with celeriac salad and serve.
Drink Pairings
SUMMER SALAD IN A JAR
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 cups (500 ml) mini bocconcini, halved
2 tbsp (30 ml) sundried tomatoes, packed in oil and coarsely chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) sundried tomato oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
½ tsp (2 ml) freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh basil, some left whole for garnish, all others shredded
⅓ cup (75 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
2 cups (500 ml) grape tomatoes, halved
6 small cucumbers, thinly sliced
2 large orange or yellow peppers, seeded and cubed
3 cups (750 ml) green lettuce of your choice
⅓ cup (75 ml) pine nuts, lightly toasted
½ cup (125 ml) cooked pancetta, coarsely chopped
Parmesan shavings
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine bocconcini, sundried tomatoes, sundried tomato oil, garlic, salt, pepper and half the shredded basil. Set aside for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare dressing by combining olive oil, balsamic vinegar and remaining shredded basil leaves. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed.
- To assemble, pour 2 tbsp (30 ml) of dressing into each jar, arrange a layer of grape tomatoes, followed by a layer of bocconcini mixture, a layer of cucumbers, a layer of yellow or orange peppers and repeat until the jar is three quarters full. This will vary depending on size of jar. Add lettuce on top. Garnish with pine nuts, pancetta and Parmesan shavings. Finish with a few small basil leaves.
Drink Pairings
WHITE CHOCOLATE AND PEPPERMINT-DIPPED COOKIES
Ingredients
Serves about 20 to 24 cookies
1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups (375 ml) white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
½ tsp (2 ml) peppermint extract
2 ¼ cups (532 ml) all purpose flour
½ tsp (2 ml) baking powder
½ tsp (2 ml) kosher salt
1 cup (250 ml) white chocolate
3 candy canes, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla and peppermint extracts. Mix until combined.
- Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Add to butter mixture and mix until combined. Scoop mixture with a tablespoon and roll into balls. Place balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and flatten slightly. Bake for about 5 minutes. Rotate the sheet and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until lightly golden on the edges. Remove from oven and cool.
- Melt white chocolate in a bowl over simmering water. Dip half of each cookie in white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Place each cookie on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and let sit until chocolate has set.
Drink Pairings
SMOKED SALMON SANDWICHES
Ingredients
Serves 20
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
½ cup (125 ml) olive oil
½ cup (125 ml) grapeseed oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) packed fresh dill, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
10 thin slices pumpernickel bread
3 tbsp (45 ml) unsalted butter, at room temperature
6 oz (180 g) hot smoked salmon, sliced or chunked
microgreens, for garnish
edible flowers, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- In a blender, mix together egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, mustard and oils until well combined and a thick mayonnaise forms. Transfer to a bowl and stir in dill. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Mayonnaise should be used within 3 days of making.
- Cut pumpernickel into 3 x 2-in (8 x 5 cm) rectangles (or bite-sized, if preferred). Spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each slice and place on a baking tray. Toast in oven until they just start to get crisp, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
- To serve, spread each slice of bread with a little mayonnaise. Top with smoked salmon and garnish with microgreens and edible flowers.
Drink Pairings
RASPBERRY YOGURT POPS
Ingredients
Serves 10 Ice Pops
3 cups (750 ml) fresh raspberries
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) lemon juice
pinch of kosher salt
2 cups (500 ml) plain Greek yogurt
¾ cup (175 ml) milk
½ cup (125 ml) liquid honey
1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest
10 popsicle sticks
Instructions
- Mix raspberries, sugar, lemon juice and salt in a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
- Strain juice from saucepan into a small saucepan, reserving raspberry pulp. Cook juice over medium heat, stirring constantly, until reduced to a syrupy consistency, about 10 to 15 minutes. Once reduced, add to berry pulp and stir together to blend. Bring to room temperature and refrigerate until cold.
- In a mixing bowl, combine yogurt, milk, honey and lemon zest and stir until combined. Spoon yogurt mixture and berry pulp in alternate layers into ice pop moulds. Insert sticks and freeze until firm, about 3 hours or preferably overnight.
Drink Pairings
SENSATIONAL SALAD
Ingredients
Serves Serves 4
PICKLED RADISHES:
1 bunch red radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
½ cup (125 ml) each distilled vinegar and water
1 tbsp (15 ml) pure maple syrup
1 tsp (5 ml) fennel seeds
PUMPKIN PURÉE:
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 large shallot, peeled and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
⅓ cup (75 ml) orange juice
1 cup (250 ml) unseasoned pumpkin purée
¼ tsp (1 ml) Chinese 5 Spice
¼ cup (50 ml) whipping cream
SALAD TOPPERS:
1 cup (250 ml) small cauliflower florets
6 Brussels sprouts, trimmed and separated into individual leaves
1 small carrot, peeled
100 g pkg goat’s cheese, shaped into quenelles
½ cup (125 ml) fresh sheep’s sorrel*
cayenne pepper
Instructions
- To make PICKLED RADISHES: Arrange radishes and onion in alternate layers in a 4-cup (1 L) Mason jar. In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, maple syrup and fennel seeds. Bring to a boil and stir to blend. Pour hot mixture over radishes and onions, press down to fully immerse slices in liquid. Set aside, uncovered, and allow to reach room temperature before tightly sealing and refrigerating. Can be served immediately or refrigerated for several weeks.
- To make PUMPKIN PURÉE: Heat oil in small frying pan. Add shallot and garlic, sauté until soft. Add juice to deglaze pan. Stir in pumpkin purée, Chinese 5 Spice and cream. Whisk over medium-low heat until mixture is thick enough to hold its shape. Transfer to a squeeze bottle and set aside.
- To make SALAD TOPPERS: Bring water to a boil. Place cauliflower florets in a sieve and plunge into boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and place in a bowl of ice water. Strain well, transfer onto a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat process with Brussels sprout leaves. Shave peeled carrot into thin, julienne strips.
- In a small bowl, stir goat’s cheese vigorously with a fork until softened and creamy. Take 2 small teaspoons and dip both into warm water. Shake off excess water and, with one spoon, take a scoop of creamy cheese and pass mixture repeatedly between spoons, smoothing each side until a neat quenelle is formed. Place on a chilled plate and refrigerate until ready to serve. Salad ingredients can be refrigerated for up to 1 day until ready to serve.
- To serve, pipe a circle of Pumpkin Purée onto inside rim of plate. With back of a spoon, smear purée in a whirl around rim of plate. On ⅓ of plate, assemble a collage of cauliflower florets, sprout leaves and twisted curls of carrots strips on purée. Place drained pickled radish into vegetables along with a few sorrel leaves and goat’s cheese quenelles. Dot quenelles with a pinch of cayenne. Serve salad immediately.
- *Sheep’s sorrel is available in specialty and natural food stores. It is also found growing wild in most vegetable gardens all season long where climates are moderate. Alternatively, use micro-greens if not available.
Drink Pairings
ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUT SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 8
½ cup (125 ml) wild rice
2 cups (500 ml) vegetable stock or water
2 lbs (1 kg) Brussels sprouts, trimmed
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive or grapeseed oil
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup
1 tbsp (15 ml) hazelnut or almond butter
½ cup (125 ml) pomegranate seeds
½ cup (125 ml) hazelnuts, toasted, chopped
Instructions
- Arrange oven racks in top and bottom third of oven before preheating to 350 F (180 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In large saucepan, combine rice and stock over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until some grains start to split, 40 minutes. Drain well and transfer to large bowl.
- Trim Brussels sprouts and separate leaves. Place on prepared baking sheets, drizzle with 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive or grapeseed oil and toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer on baking sheets and season with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper. Bake until crispy and starting to turn golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Whisk together lime juice, vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, maple syrup and hazelnut butter until well incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- To serve, stir dressing into wild rice before folding in Brussels sprouts leaves. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with pomegranate seeds and hazelnuts. Best served warm or at room temperature.
Drink Pairings
ROAST CHICKEN WITH ROOT VEGETABLES
Ingredients
Serves 4
CELERIAC PURÉE
1 small celeriac, peeled and cut into 2-in (5 cm) chunks
1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
ROAST CHICKEN WITH ROOT VEGETABLES
2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 2-in (5 cm) chunks
2 carrots, washed and cut into 2-in (5 cm) chunks
1 yam, washed and cut into 2-in (5 cm) chunks
1 fennel bulb, washed and cut into 4 even- sized wedges
4 garlic cloves, chopped
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) salt, divided, plus extra if needed
1 tsp (5 ml) pepper, divided, plus extra if needed
3 to 4 lb (1.5 to 2 kg) free range chicken, rinsed and patted dry
1 sprig fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh thyme
3 fresh sage leaves, chopped
1 lemon, zest and juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
- In a medium pot, place celeriac in cream with salt and cover. Cook over medium heat until celeriac is very tender. Purée with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth.
- In a large bowl, toss parsnips, carrots, yam, fennel and garlic with half of the olive oil and salt and pepper. Transfer to a 9 x 13-in (3.5 L) roasting pan and spread out to an even thickness.
- Rub remaining olive oil, salt and pepper over chicken. Tuck rosemary, thyme and sage into the cavity of the chicken and place it on top of vegetables in roasting pan. Roast uncovered until the juices of the chicken run clear or internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C) on a meat thermometer.
- Remove pan from the oven. Using tongs, lift chicken from vegetables and place on a large, deep plate to rest for 10 minutes. Remove any excess fat from the vegetables using a spoon. Add lemon zest and juice to vegetables and toss to mix evenly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Lay a sheet of foil loosely over top and keep warm in a 300 F (150 C) oven.
- To serve, carve chicken and serve with roasted vegetables and celeriac purée.
Drink Pairings
SPICED BEEF EMPANADAS
Ingredients
Serves 24
2¼ cups (560 ml) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp (5 ml) fine sea salt, plus extra to taste
½ cup (125 ml) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
2 large eggs, divided
⅓ cup (75 ml) ice water
1 tbsp (15 ml) vodka
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 small yellow onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ lb (250 g) ground beef
⅓ cup (75 ml) golden raisins
2 tbsp (30 ml) tomato paste
1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
¼ tsp (1 ml) each, ground cinnamon and smoked paprika
½ tsp (2 ml) each, dried oregano and crushed red pepper flakes
½ cup (125 ml) sour cream
¼ tsp (1 ml) lime zest
juice of half a lime
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sift together flour and salt. Add butter and incorporate with fingertips or pastry blender until mixture resembles a coarse meal with pea-sized lumps of butter.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg, water and vodka. Add to flour mixture and stir with a fork until a shaggy mixture forms. Turn out onto a clean work surface and knead once or twice to bring dough together. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, make filling. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and beef and cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink. Stir in raisins, tomato paste, vinegar, cinnamon, paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes and a good pinch of salt. Remove from heat and allow filling to cool to room temperature.
- Lightly dust work surface with flour and roll out chilled dough to ¼-in (0.5 cm) thickness. Using a 3¼-in (8 cm) round cookie cutter, cut out circles. Re-roll dough as needed until you have 24 circles. Divide beef mixture among circles, brush edges with water, fold in half to create half-moons and press edges with a fork to seal. At this point, empanadas may be placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet and frozen until solid, about 1 hour, before transferring to an airtight container. Can be frozen for up to 5 weeks.
- When ready to serve, preheat oven to 375F (190 C). In a small bowl, whisk remaining egg. Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush with egg. Bake until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes, or 40 to 50 minutes if baking from frozen.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together sour cream, lime zest, lime juice and cilantro to blend. Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Serve empanadas while still warm on a platter with lime cream alongside.