June 29 2016

sip your way around alberta

Curious about the burgeoning craft beer scene? Want to experience a distillery tour? Crazy about mead? Find all 32 Alberta craft breweries, fruit wineries, distilleries and meaderies in the Sippin’ Alberta Craft Beverage Trail Guide available for download at albertaculinary.com. The handy guide divides the province into six regions and offers hours of operations, directions and tour info, along with stories about the makers and their products. The print version will be available at Visitor Information Centres, at all stops along the trail and also in some liquor stores. Check it out!

SipAB

chile on sale!

The wines of Chile are on sale during Unwined’s worldwide wine sale at both locations, downtown (#203, 10205 101 Street, Edmonton City Centre) and in St Albert (2, 512 St Albert Trail). Look for barbecue worthy bargains at 20 per cent off until July 2.

chilcas_03_descabezado_volcano

mark the date

Italian Centre Shop’s Southside (5028 104A Street) is ten years old and they are having a party, Saturday, September 10 from 11am – 3 pm. Food sampling and demos, bocce, soccer, music, dancing, and yes, there will be cake. Check out the newly renovated Spinelli Bar Italia!

another season of green and gold

The Green & Gold Community Garden is now open for business, 118 Street and 60 Avenue (South Campus of the U of A; enter the University Farm off 60th Avenue) on Tuesday nights 7pm-8:30pm and Saturdays 11am-1pm. Find early season lettuce, arugula, mustard greens, Swiss chard, garlic scapes, chives, lovage, herbs, sorrel and rhubarb. A map, directions and info on fitness classes and Nordic walking is available at www.greengoldgarden.com

earl’s got the message

The Alberta and Saskatchewan Earl’s restaurants will be serving Canucky beef from now on. Not only is the beef Canadian born and bred, it is raised without steroids, antibiotics or added hormones and they can prove it — it’s 100 per cent traceable through a standardized auditing process.

“We’ve been raising our cattle to meet the standards that Earls has been seeking because we believe it’s in the best interest of the animal as well as the consumer,” says Kirstin Kotelko, Spring Creek Ranch. “We’re happy that Earls has made this type of farming a priority in how they source their beef.”

The other ranching partner currently is Beretta Family Farms. Earl’s expects to have truly Canadian beef in all its restaurants as more ranches begin to follow standard certification practices.

To celebrate and thank guests for their support, Earls offers $5 off steaks and hamburgers until June 29.

happy canada day cocktail

We think Ungava gin is about as Canadian as it gets. We also think L’Habitant, a riff on the Negroni served long with soda, is a luscious way to toast Canada Day. It was also the feature cocktail at the Smithsonian Gala on the PM’s trip to Washington earlier this year.

L’Habitant by Joshua Groom

2 oz Ungava Gin
2 oz Campari
2 oz sweet vermouth
orange zest
fresh rosemary sprig

Load alcohol in mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain over new ice in two glasses. Finish with soda and garnish with rosemary and orange zest. Makes 2 drinks.

ungava-cocktail

the last of the asparagus

Edgar Farms asparagus is just about done for the season. If you are able to get your hands on one last bunch this weekend here’s a fine way to serve it for breakfast.

Breakfast Asparagus
Cooking asparagus in an almost dry cast iron skillet results in flavours akin to roasted. Delicious with eggs and toast, maybe some hash browns and grilled tomato. Grate over some Parmigiano if you have.

½ bunch asparagus
1 T butter
2 oz sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper

Heat butter to foaming. Lay asparagus in the pan and shake from side to side to coat asparagus. Cover tightly and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. Check asparagus and turn as needed to make sure the stalks cook evenly and the tips don’t burn. Continue cooking a few minutes longer, or until asparagus is tender but still crisp and bright green. Season. Serves 2 asparagus lovers.