Mules, Ham and Tuscan soup

drink like a viking at aligra

It’s called the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage and you don’t have to be a marauding Viking to enjoy it. Taste Alberta meads from Chinook Arch Meadery, Grey Owl and Fallen Timber on Tuesday, March 20 at Aligra Wine & Spirits (WEM, 8882 170 Street). Tix: $30/p; http://aligrawineandspirits.com

do good with earth group

You may know about the Earth Water connection with United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). It has expanded in some delightful ways. Scona School is supporting the program and the Italian Centre Shops stock Earth Tea and Coffee. As well, the Strathcona high school students plan to host a 24-Hour Bikeathon (March 16,17) to provide 100,000 meals in Edmonton via the Edmonton Food Bank. It’s the largest school fundraiser of its kind in the country, organized and managed entirely by the students.

Donate to the Strathcona Bikeathon here. Contribute to the campaign by dropping off groceries in the bins at the Italian Centre shops. Take a selfie, share on social with the hashtag #ICSfeedsyeg and you will be entered in draws for ICS gift cards. More details are available in-store.

shane chartrand on tomato radio

Tomato Radio’s guest this week is the imitable Shane Chartrand. Cooking show alumni, Gold Medal Plates Edmonton champ and all-round super chef, Shane is just about to debut the refresh at SAGE. Find the podcast on https://soundcloud.com/tomatoradio.

ham for easter

Looking for ham for the Easter weekend? Acme Meats (9570 76 Avenue) will have both bone-in hams and smaller cuts they call nuggets. Best to pre-order by March 23 to make sure you are not disappointed. Here’s how Corey the butcher cooks a ham: “For the bone in hams, I would score the skin in a crisscross pattern, cover with a lid or tinfoil, then roast in a medium oven until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. I would remove the lid for the last 30- 40 minutes to allow the crackling to crisp up nicely. The ham nuggets are already fully cooked, so they just need reheating.”

Irving’s Farm Fresh offers whole, half or quarter bone in hams, that can be either hickory smoked, or unsmoked, which the Brits call a gammon joint. They also do nuggets, which are smaller, rolled boneless hams, from 1½ lb up to about 4 lb. Nicola Irving suggests ordering soon for the best selection, especially if you also want bacon for Easter brunch. She also recommends ¾ lb per person if you are buying a bone-in ham, or a ½lb per person if boneless. Keep in mind Dorothy Parkers dictum — definition of eternity? Two people and a ham.

eau claire debuts the new mule

The EquineOx Mule has come to town. The ready-to-drink cocktail (the first made-in-Alberta premium bottled craft cocktail) combines Eau Claire Distillery’s Prickly Pear EquineOx spirit with Annex Ale’s fresh and spicy Ginger beer. “I wanted to create something that was refreshing and perfect for summer, that I could be proud of and enjoy myself,” said Eau Claire’s master distiller, Caitlin Quinn. Enjoy on its own or with lime. Find at better wine shops or ask them to order it; sold in a four pack, 341 mL each, $15.

ribollita

Chef Daniel Costa shared classic Tuscan recipes in the latest Tomato. Make his substantial ribollita (bread and vegetable soup) on a blustery March day.