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Japanese Knives and Pans
Two knives suitable for the knife nut: Haruyuki Goma Santoku is a precise Japanese blade with a comfortable and familiar Western-style handle, $185. The Masakage Kumo Santoku, forged by master blacksmith Takumi Ikeda in the Takefu Knife Village, has a spectacular Damascus finish and an attractive cherrywood handle, $403. Both will make chopping and slicing easier and more beautiful.
Ever wonder how cooks can slam those pans around as if they weighed nothing? If you have trouble lifting your giant stainless steel fry pans off the stove, take a look at the Japanese-made Kirameki carbon steel frying pan. Thin, to conduct heat quickly, light, to make it easy to handle, and long wearing, with a special magma plating that holds a seasoned, nonstick surface longer than most pans. I am loving this pan for eggs and making buckwheat blini, $35 (24cm) and $45 (28cm) at Knifewear, 10816 82 Avenue, knifewear.com.
Sinclair Street Candy
We are crazy about this soft peanut brittle made by Thane Chambers and Jason Webb right here in Edmonton. They first met in the kitchens at the Chateau Lake Louise; this sweet side project keeps their culinary muscles in shape. Find Sinclair Street Brittle at the St. Albert Christmas Market at the Enjoy Centre on November 23 and 30 and December 7 and 14. Or order here.
New Colour for Le Creuset
This soft yellow called Chamomile is the newest shade in Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware lineup. Katryna Springer at Heart of the Home finds the large Dutch Oven to be the most versatile. “It’s the only pot you need,” she says. “We cook everything in it, soups, stews and it’s fine in the oven or on the stove top.” The quality is legendary, if you weren’t lucky enough to inherit from your grandparents, start collecting now, 5.3 litre Dutch Oven, $534 at Heart of the Home, 12539 102 Avenue.
Evoolution Advent Calendar and Gift Kit
Evoolution has a stunning Advent Calendar this year, made in conjunction with local artist Jason Carter. Find 24 mini bottles of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oil and vinegar blends and sea salts tucked inside, along with a recipe book. Available at Evoolution’s three locations in Edmonton: Brewery District, Southgate Centre, Enjoy Centre and at evoolution.ca, $69.95. Delivery available Canada wide. And check out the Holiday Feast Pick 6 Pack with three olive oils and three balsamic vinegars, $41.
New Lessig Ferments Hot Sauces
Chef Roger Letourneau has added three new products to Lessig Ferments: the Pizza Oil made with slow fermented habanero, local herbs and garlic and Alberta cold pressed canola oil. The fermented Rhubarb Grenadine Syrup is made with backyard rhubarb and honey. The Green Bloody Mary Hot Sauce combines local jalapeño, Anaheim pepper, green tomato, celery and horseradish from Fifth Gen Farms. Chef recommends it for your Caesar or with oysters. The fermentation process creates depth and concentration and just the right amount of heat. Find Lessig at Acme Meat, Biera Market, Bon Ton Bakery, Bonjour Bakery, The Butchery by RGE RD, Color de Vino, Effing Seafoods, H&W Produce in Sherwood Park, Kumama in Jasper (2025), MeatHead, Modest Meats, Meuwly’s, Paraiso Tropical and Ribeye Butcher Shops.
What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce?
This sweet book for the younger set, about the joys of gardening, of sharing, and being open to the world, is by Sarah Jane Conklin with charming illustrations by Venus Angelica. Alanna is proud of her garden and all her hard work of planting and harvesting. When the delicious aromas of the sauce she is making with her Nan brings in a host of characters, Alanna is not happy, but she finds out that sharing with her community is ultimately the best thing. What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce? By Sarah Jane Conklin, $22.95, Monster House Publishing. Find at better book shops.
Delavoye Single-Origin Collection Box
Ideal for the chocolate fiend: Single Origin Collection, containing bars made from 70 per cent Venezuelan Carenero Superior, Camino Verde from Ecuador, Peruvian Cusco and Kokoa Kamili from Tanzania, the 72 per cent Dak Lak from Vietnam and the 80 per cent Zorzal from the Dominican Republic, $88. Delavoye chocolate master Antoine Lavoie chose these for the ultimate home chocolate tasting experience, “to highlight the distinct flavours and nuances derived from cacao beans sourced from six unique regions around the globe.” Or, pick up the 12-piece Nama Chocolate Box $32.95. Delavoye makes the nama (Japanese-style ganache) truffles with single-origin dark chocolate, fresh cream and butter. Find at Delavoye Chocolate Maker (10639 124 Street, delavoyechocolate.ca).
Morris & Co at Bella Casa
Fans of William Morris, the19th century textile designer and leader in the British Arts & Crafts movement, will love these new designs. Consider the 12-piece mix and match place setting by Spode in the Standen, Fruit, Marigold, Willow and Strawberry Thief patterns; lovely to look at and use, also dishwasher, microwave and oven safe. The lidded Sugar Bowl features the Golden Lily pattern from 1899. Morris aficionados will recognize the Pomegranate pattern (now called Fruit) on the Milk Jug which comes in a lovely gift box. Other Morris & Co Spode pieces can be ordered through Bella Casa, 9646 142 Street, bellacasadcl.com.