the 12 days of christmas sale
Every day until December 23, Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca) puts something good on sale. Today it’s 20 per cent off all Stasher, those handy reusable silicone bags. Hint, December 19 and December 22 are don’t miss days. Order by phone or online and pick-up curbside.
special holiday market at the downtown farmers’ market
The Downtown Farmers’ Market is having a special pre-Christmas market on Wednesday, December 23. Pop by for those last-minute gifts and the veg for holiday menus.
it’s cookie season!
Check out these holiday cookie recipes from Gold Medal Plates winners. thetomato.ca.
what are you doing new years eve?
It’s not too soon to order the Bar Bricco NYE Kit with stuffed anolini pasta, black truffle pecorino with truffle honey, salumi, crostini, Nocellara dell Belice olives, salad and the handmade Bar Bricco chocolate bar, ($120). Add a bottle of Franciacorta from Barone Pizzini ($32-$68) to keep it sparkly. Order here: bricco-to-go.corso32group.com by December 26 for pick up on December 31.
in the weeds is here to help
The mental health help group In the Weeds has partnered with local registered psychologists to offer three free sessions to local hospitality businesses. To learn more and to sign up for the sessions, visit: intheweedsyeg.com.
kitchen by brad’s annual christmas sale
Find delicious stocking stuffers, bacon bouquets, gourmet items for your kitchen, Christmas and Boxing Day morning kits, even wonderful George Blondheim CDs. Order here: app.getoccasion.com for pick up December 22, 23 or 24.
biera box for edmonton’s food bank
This week’s Biera Box features the new Düncan beer; choice of two cheeses, sourdough focaccia, two house-made condiments and a sweet treat, $65 with $20 of that going to Edmonton’s Food Bank. Woo hoo! Add ons: charcuterie, cheese, beers, also available. Order soon: shop.blindenthusiasm.ca
more holiday menus to go
No need to cook this Christmas with the variety of dinners, holiday kits and snacks available.
The Marc’s Holiday Gift Bags: gravlax, chicken liver pate, whipped goat cheese, bacon onion jam, black olive tapenade, seed loaf, brine mix (for three litres brine), snack mix (includes nuts) and blue cheese and walnut shortbread with add ons such as duck confit wines and pantry items available. Not sure when the cut off is, so order soon: themarc.ca for pick up curbside from 1pm-3pm on December 20 or December 24.
XIX is offering Christmas dinner for pick up—roasted Four Whistle Farm turkey Breast, bacon-wrapped Wagyu X meatloaf, maple-glazed carrots, roasted sweet potatoes, sour cream mashed potatoes, San Mateo salad, fresh sourdough, cranberry compote and their signature butter cake for dessert, $52/person. Order here: exploretock.com.
Noche Buena or Christmas Eve is the big deal if you are Filipino. Family and friends come over after midnight mass and enjoy the food and the conviviality into the night. Of course, this year will be different—but still meaningful and enjoyable. The Filistix Noche Buena Christmas Feast is available for pre-order until Tuesday, December 22, $35/person; $70/ 2 and so on: filistixdelivers.ca. Pick-up is Thursday, December 24, 3pm -6pm at Filistix Downtown (10621-100 Avenue).
The Glass Monkey offers Christmas Dinner for pick-up or delivery on December 23. It’s the full meal deal—a festive salad, roast turkey with a savoury herbed stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce along with honey-roasted carrots and peas, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, house made focaccia and a fresh fruit crisp, $37/p or $74/two. It’s cooked and ready to re-heat. Order online theglassmonkey.ca, or call 780-760-2228 after noon or email INFO@TheGlassMonkey.ca, by December 20.
Edmonton’s oldest Latino grocery store, Paraiso Tropical, is taking orders for house-made Colombian, Mexican and Salvadoran tamales for Christmas and NYE. Pick-up is available from either Paraiso North (9136-118 Avenue) or Paraiso South (6926 104 Street). Order here: docs.google.com. Order deadline is Monday, December 21 and Tuesday, December 29 for NYE.
the pomegranate cinnamon fizz
Eau Claire’s Christmas Gin (with frankincense, myrrh and 23K gold) is delicious in a holiday cocktail. Watch your glass sparkle with gold flakes when you make the Pomegranate Cinnamon Fizz.
question of the week
Each week we will ask a food and drink related question and publish the most interesting answers.
This week’s Q: What is your favourite Christmas cookie?
My favourite Christmas cookies are pecan shortbread balls. My mom always made them at Christmas time and so do I. They aren’t overly sweet and the roasted pecan/shortbread/icing sugar combo is irresistible. Sometimes I amp them up and drizzle with dark chocolate. Yum.
These days we do not have many Christmas cookies, but I do like a good fruitcake.
My favorite Christmas cookie is my mom’s shortbread. I make them from scratch every year.
Florentines from The Duchess Bake Shop. Not available this year- boo hoo!
My favourite cookie is the Finnish joulutorttu (prune cookie). Can’t buy them in the stores around here, have to be made from scratch. A plate of these can be found on the table in any Finnish household at Christmas time.
