Appetizers | BCLIQUOR

POLENTA ROUNDS WITH CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS & CRANBERRY-ORANGE RELISH

Be the toast of the town this New Year’s by throwing a gathering full of inspired bites that are not only delicious, but also easy to whip together as well. All that will be left is to pop a bottle of Champagne and toast to the New Year.

Ingredients

Serves Makes about 24 pieces

1 tbsp (15 ml) melted unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

4 cups (1 L) warm water

1¼ cups (310 ml) polenta

1½ tsp (7 ml) kosher salt, divided

½ orange, unpeeled, cut into chunks and seeded

6 oz (180 g) fresh cranberries

⅓ cup to ½ cup (75 to 125 ml) granulated sugar

1 cup (250 ml) ricotta cheese

1 tbsp (15 ml) whipping cream

½ tsp (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper, divided

1 tbsp (15 ml) finely chopped parsley leaves

1 tsp (5 ml) finely chopped thyme leaves

4 cups (1 L) Brussels sprout leaves

2 tbsp (30 ml) grapeseed oil, plus extra for frying

Instructions

Start this hors d’oeuvre 1 day ahead of when you plan to serve. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
To make polenta, generously grease a 9 x 13-in (23 x 33 cm) baking pan with butter. In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, warm water, polenta and 1 tsp (5 ml) salt. Pour into prepared pan then bake until polenta is set firm, about 50 minutes. Let polenta cool to room temperature in pan on a wire rack. Transfer polenta in baking pan to refrigerator and chill at least 6 hours or overnight.
Meanwhile, make cranberry-orange relish. Place orange pieces, cranberries and sugar (amount will depend on how sweet you want your chutney) in bowl of a food processor fitted with steel blade attachment. Pulse, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, until mixture is finely chopped but still very textured. Transfer relish to an airtight container, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, to allow flavour to develop.
To make whipped ricotta, add ricotta, whipping cream, ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt and pepper to bowl of food processor. Fold in parsley and thyme. Refrigerate until ready to assemble hors d’oeuvre.
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
Add Brussels sprout leaves to a large bowl then drizzle with oil. Using fingers, rub oil over leaves, making sure to separate any leaves that are stuck together. Spread Brussels sprout leaves in a single layer on a rimmed baking tray and sprinkle with remaining ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt and ¼ tsp (1 ml) black pepper. Bake until slightly crispy, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Just before ready to serve, use a cookie cutter to cut chilled polenta into about 2-in (5 cm) rounds. In a frying pan over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil. Working in batches, fry polenta rounds until crisp on both sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain briefly then onto a serving platter.
When ready to serve, spread some whipped ricotta over polenta, making a little well in centre of ricotta. Place a dollop of cranberry-orange relish in well then top with a few crispy Brussels sprout leaves.

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Drink Pairings

CHAMPAGNE-MARINATED OLIVES WITH FETA

Ingredients

Serves Serves 6

2 cups (500 ml) Castelvetrano olives, drained and rinsed well under cold water

⅓ cup (75 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

¼ cup (60 ml) champagne

4 strips orange peel

2 garlic cloves, cut into thirds

1 small rosemary sprig

½ tsp (2.5 ml) fennel seeds

¼ tsp (1 ml) red pepper chili flakes

1 cup (250 ml) cubed feta cheese, about the same size as olives

Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add all ingredients except feta cheese and bring to a slow simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Turn off heat, place a lid on saucepan and let everything sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
Add feta cheese and gently stir to coat it in marinade. Transfer everything to a serving bowl and enjoy at room temperature. If desired, marinated olives and feta may be prepared up to 4 days in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.

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Drink Pairings

MUSTARD PRETZEL BITES

The perfect après treat: beer and cheese fondue with pretzel bites. Find the beer and cheese fondue recipe on our recipes page.

Ingredients

Serves Serves 4 to 6

1½ cups (375 ml) warm water

2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar

1 package (2¼ tsp/7 g) dry yeast

⅓ cup (75 ml) butter, melted

2½ tsp (12.5 ml) salt

3 tbsp (45 ml) grainy mustard, divided

4½ cups (560 g) all-purpose flour

16 cups (4 L) water

½ cup (125 ml) baking soda

1 egg, beaten

1 tbsp (15 ml) whipping cream

2 tbsp (30 ml) coarse sea salt

Instructions

In bowl of a standard mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, add water, sugar and yeast. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes.
Add butter, salt, 2 tbsp (30 ml) grainy mustard and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Continue mixing for another 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic and pulls away from sides of bowl.
Take a separate bowl and grease sides with vegetable oil. Place dough in the bowl and coat it with oil. Cover with shrink wrap or a tea towel and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, about one hour. Alternatively, let it rise overnight in the refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). In a large pot, bring 16 cups (4 L) water to a boil. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium and carefully add baking soda. This will make the water rise up, so be careful. Turn the heat back up to high. Line a baking pan with parchment paper
Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a rope about 1-in (2.5 cm) thick.
Cut the ropes into 1-in (2.5 cm) pieces.
Drop 12 to 15 pieces of dough into pot, let water return to a boil then continue to cook for about 30 seconds. Remove pretzel bites with a spider or large slotted spoon and drain. Lay pretzel bites on baking sheet, leaving at least 2-in (5 cm) between each bite. Continue working until all pretzels have been boiled.
Mix egg, whipping cream and remaining grainy mustard. Brush pretzels with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
Bake pretzels until they are golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with fondue.

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Drink Pairings

BEER & CHEESE FONDUE SERVED WITH MUSTARD PRETZEL BITES

The perfect après treat: beer and cheese fondue with pretzel bites. The pretzel bites recipe can be found on our recipes page.

Ingredients

Serves Serves 4 to 6

½ lb (250 g) Brussels sprouts, halved

2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup (250 ml) pilsner beer

½ lb (250 g) Gruyère cheese, grated

½ lb (250 g) raclette cheese, grated

¼ lb (125 g) fontina cheese, grated

¼ lb (125 g) smoked Gouda cheese, grated

1½ tbsp (22 ml) cornstarch

1 tbsp (15 ml) whipping cream

4 chives, thinly sliced

Mustard Pretzel Bites, make ahead, recipe follows, to serve

1 large garlic sausage, sliced 1-in (2.5 cm) thick, to serve

2 radicchios, cut into 8 pieces, to serve

1 apple, cored and sliced, to serve

6 radishes, halved, to serve

1 small jar cornichons, to serve

16 cherry tomatoes, to serve

3 endives, quartered, to serve

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast until golden brown and cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside.
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring garlic and beer to a simmer over medium heat. In a bowl, toss grated cheeses with cornstarch. Once beer starts to simmer, reduce heat to low and add in a handful of cheese at time, stirring well after each addition and only adding more once cheese has melted. When all cheese has been incorporated, add cream and mix well. Transfer to a pre-warmed fondue bowl, garnish with chives, and serve with Mustard Pretzel Bites and remaining ingredients.

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Featuring

CRANBERRY, GRAND MARNIER & PECAN RELISH

This delicious homemade preserve is the perfect accompaniment to your holiday entertaining spread. Wrap up a jar or two in a curated gift box of edible treats and you are sure to be the gifting superstar this year!

Ingredients

Serves 3 cups (750 ml)

1½ cups (375 ml) granulated sugar

⅓ cup (75 ml) Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge

1 cup (250 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice

1 tsp (5 ml) finely grated orange zest

5 cups (1.25 L) fresh or frozen cranberries, divided

½ cup (125 ml) chopped toasted pecans

Instructions

In a heavy-bottomed, medium-sized saucepan, combine sugar, Grand Marnier, orange juice and zest. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring, just until sugar has dissolved.
Add 4 cups (1 L) of cranberries and cook, stirring, until they pop, about 7 minutes. Add remaining 1 cup (250 ml) cranberries and cook for another 2 minutes—these berries will retain their shape. Stir in pecans, then spoon into six ½ cup (125 ml) sterilized jars. Wipe rims of jars clean and seal. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Serve alongside turkey and all the trimmings.

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Drink Pairings

FIG & RUM CONSERVE

Ingredients

Serves 2 cups (500 ml)

1 lb (500 g) dried Mission figs, stemmed and coarsely chopped

1 cup (250 ml) Sailor Jerry Spiced Navy Rum, divided

¼ cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice

¾ cup + ½ cup (175 ml + 125 ml) water

1 tsp (5 ml) grated fresh ginger

⅓ cup (75 ml) dark brown sugar

1 pinch salt

Instructions

In a medium, heavy-bottomed, saucepan, combine figs, ½ cup (125 ml) spiced rum, lemon juice, water, ginger, brown sugar and salt. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring, until figs are very tender and no liquid remains in pan, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Add remaining ½ cup (125 ml) spiced rum to pan. Using a handheld blender, process mixture until smooth. Spoon mixture into eight ¼-cup (60 ml) sterilized jars. Wipe rims of jars clean and seal. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Use as a condiment on cheese and charcuterie boards.

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Drink Pairings

BOURBON-SOAKED CHERRIES

Ingredients

Serves eight 1-cup (250 ml) jars

2 lbs (1 kg) frozen cherries, defrosted and well-drained

½ cup (125 ml) water

1½ cups (375 ml) Luxardo Cherry Liqueur

1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract

1 small cinnamon stick

½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar

2 cups (500 ml) Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon

Instructions

Line a large tray with paper towels. Spread out cherries in a single layer and allow to drain for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture, then pat cherries dry. Divide cherries between eight 1-cup (250 ml) sterilized jars. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine water, cherry liqueur, vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, sugar and bourbon. Over medium-high heat, bring mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick.
Carefully pour hot bourbon mixture evenly over cherries. Wipe rims of jars clean and seal. Cool for 1 hour, then refrigerate cherries for at least 3 days before using or store in refrigerator for up to 1 month. Serve in your favourite Manhattan or Old-Fashioned cocktail.

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Drink Pairings

MEYER LEMON & CHAMPAGNE PRESERVES

Ingredients

Serves 2½ cups (625 ml)

1½ lbs (750 g) Meyer lemons, or thin-skinned regular lemons, scrubbed, ends trimmed, very thinly sliced, seeds removed

2 to 2½ cups (500 to 625 g) granulated sugar, approximately

½ cup (125 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice

1¼ cups (310 ml) Champagne

Instructions

In a medium, heavy-bottomed, non-reactive pan, combine lemon slices and enough cold water just to cover. Bring to a medium-high simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and repeat this step one more time. Allow lemons to cool, then pat dry.
Place lemon slices in bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse several times or until mixture is fairly smooth, with some small chunks of lemon remaining. Remove lemons and weigh them using a kitchen scale. Return lemons to large saucepan. Weigh out the exact same amount of granulated sugar as lemons and add to saucepan along with lemon juice and champagne. Stir well.
Over medium-high heat, bring mixture to a boil, reducing heat if necessary to avoid scorching lemons. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook mixture for about 30 to 40 minutes, stirring often. Continue cooking until preserves thicken and become jamlike.
Remove from heat and immediately spoon into sterilized jars. Wipe rims of jars clean and seal. Cool for 1 hour and store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Use as a condiment on cheese and charcuterie boards, or on toast and scones.

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Drink Pairings

APPLE & CALVADOS BUTTER

Ingredients

Serves 3 cups (750 ml)

6 lbs (3 kg) Jonagold or Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) pieces

1 cup (250 ml) lightly packed golden brown sugar, or to taste

1 large pinch fine sea salt

¼ cup (60 ml) unsweetened apple cider

1 vanilla bean

½ cup (125 ml) Père Magloire Fine VS Calvados

Instructions

In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine apples, brown sugar, salt and apple cider. Halve the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape seeds from pod. Add seeds and pod to saucepan and stir to combine.
Over medium-high heat, bring mixture just to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking for approximately 1 hour, stirring frequently and mashing apples with the back of a spoon until they are fully cooked and no lumps remain. (Cooking time will vary depending on apple type.) Add Calvados and cook for another 30 minutes, or until almost all liquid has been absorbed into apples.
Remove from heat and remove vanilla bean. Spoon apple butter into sterilized jars. Wipe rims of jars clean and seal. Cool for 1 hour and store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Use as a sweet side on crêpes, toast or French toast.

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Drink Pairings

PISTACHIO KALE PESTO*

How about a Do-It-Yourself gift box? Fill your gift boxes with some homemade delicious treats. It’s a gift you can make, pack, pair and share!

Ingredients

Serves 1 cup (250 ml)

1 garlic clove, minced

½ cup (125 ml) unsalted, shelled pistachios

1 small bunch kale, about 3 handfuls, stems removed

½ lemon, juice only

½ cup (125 ml) grated Parmesan

½ cup (125 ml) olive oil, plus more if needed

1 tsp (5 ml) chili flakes, or to taste

salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a food processor, place garlic, pistachios, kale, lemon juice, Parmesan, olive oil and chili flakes. Blend on high until smooth. For a thinner pesto, add more olive oil a few teaspoons at a time until desired consistency is reached. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
*If packaging as a gift, be sure to keep refrigerated as long as possible before gifting, and then have recipient refrigerate it as soon as possible.

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Drink Pairings

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