Good food, good wine and love!

By the time February rolls around, it’s very easy to succumb to the winter blues - to get caught up in the depression of the grey, dreary days, and to long for the sunshine of the summer. At this time of year, I like to delight in the rich flavours of good food and wine - to remind myself of the bounty that is available to us year-round!

In this issue, we share some fun kitchen toys that will add some spice to your kitchen, and your food, and get you excited to host your next dinner party.

We’re also pleased to introduce you to our product of the month, elegant Laguiole steak knives, which got us thinking, why can’t we light the barbeque during the winter months as well?

February is also the month of love, so stop by the store to see what we have to please your sweetheart who loves to spend time in the kitchen, or for items to help prepare a romantic Valentine’s Day meal!

WINTER RED TAG CLEARANCE SALE!
Up to 70% off in-stock clearance items.

In this Issue

• Culinary Events and News
• Did you know?
• Laguiole Steak Knives
• Fun Kitchen Toys
• BBQ Recipes and Rubs
• Wine Pairings

Culinary Events and News

February 15 to March 4, 2012
WinterFeast A Culinary Experience in the Hills of Headwaters
www.winterfeast.ca

Congratulations To:
Betty J. the January winner of a Schlemmertopf clay baker.

February Subscriber Draw
All subscribers to our electronic newsletter in January will be entered in a draw to win a set of six Laguiole steak knives, valued at $79.99.

Subscribe to Secrets from our Kitchen

Did you know?

• According to a German study, eating from a red plate can reduce consumption by up to 40%.
• It takes the milk of 50,000 cows to produce a day’s worth of chocolate at Hershey’s main plant in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
• The Romans discovered oysters to be an aphrodisiac as early as the second century.
• In the 1800s, chocolate was commonly prescribed to ease the heartache of a lost love.
• In 2007, Italy unseated France to become the biggest wine drinking country in the world.
• Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day in the late 1800s.
• The Egyptians first used corks as stoppers thousands of years ago.
• More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold in the U.S this Valentine’s Day.
• Canadians spend over $5 billion on wine every year.

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Laguiole Steak Knives

Elegant French Design

Made in France, Laguiole steak knives might not be what you expect from a steak knife. Their delicate, sleek design, combined with the forged stainless steel blade means these knives will look great on the table at your next dinner party, but will also get the job done at a summer-time barbeque.

Durable and Practical

The sturdy and practical design of Laguiole steak knives indicate a standard of quality that will last for many years. One solid piece of forged stainless steel runs from the tip of the blade, to the base of the handle, and is encased with a black horn handle. This means the blade will never snap off, becoming separated from the handle. These knives come with a 5 year warranty.

$79.99 for set of 6

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Fun Kitchen Toys

Cooked to perfection!

These handy little thermometers let you cook steaks to perfection, to individual tastes. Simply insert the stainless steel probe into your steak, pork chop, or burger and get a simple reading of rare, medium or well done. Hand wash only.

$7.99 for set of 2

Get a grip!

A unique twist on the classic kitchen tong design. These silicone tongs have a built-in set of stainless steel “teeth” to help you get a better grip! Perfect for raw or cooked meat, and other heavier food items that you don’t want to touch with your hands. Available in 9.5 and 12-inch lengths.

$16.99 for 9.5-inch
$18.99 for 12-inch

Add a splash of flavour...

Made with Ontario grown garlic, the Garlic Steak Splash from the Garlic box is an easy way to add depth and flavour to any meat dish. Simply splash it on chicken, steak, seafood or any meat as it’s being grilled, seared or fried, right in the pan, to turn up the flavour dial!

$5.99 for 250 ml bottle

Aerating Wine Pourer from Trudeau

Impress even the most discriminating wine connoisseur at your next dinner party, with the Aerating Wine Pourer from Trudeau. This innovative pouring spout fits on any wine bottle, and instantly improves bouquet and flavour by injecting air into the wine as you pour - equivalent to decanting for 30 minutes.

See the Trudeau Wine Aerator in Action:
Video Link >

$24.99 each

Year-round Grilling

There’s no reason we have to say goodbye to grilling in the winter, especially with the mild weather we’ve been having this season! There are many ways to enjoy the great tastes of the grill all winter long.

If you don’t feel like braving the elements to grill, stop by the store to check out some stove-top grills from Lodge Cast Iron and delicious spices, sauces and rubs from the Garlic Box and Gourmet du Village!

Versatile Dry Rub for the Grill

Rub this simple mix of spices on any meat before tossing it on the grill!

• 1/2 cup paprika
• 6 tablespoons garlic powder
• 6 tablespoons salt
• 5 tablespoons ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons onion powder
• 3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons dried thyme

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Massage into meat prior to grilling. Store leftover mix in an air-tight container for future use.

Easy Meat Marinade

• 6 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons chopped chives
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Combine all ingredients, except chives, in a bowl. Pour mixture over resting meat in a pan. Sprinkle with chives. Let sit for at least one hour prior to cooking, or overnight in refrigerator, for maximum flavour absorption.

Enjoy your wine -- in so many ways!

Wine has been an important element of human culture for centuries. It is a beverage that can accompany a meal, or that can be used to create and transform the most humble culinary creation. Wine acts as a flavour agent and can be used in a variety of culinary applications. The acidity of wine helps balance flavours and as such is often used in stocks and in braising. You will also often find recipes that call for wine as a flavouring agent in wine jellies, soups and reductions.

Tips for cooking with wine

• Try replacing the water or stock in your favourite recipe with one of your favourite wines.
• Mix a little bit of wine with some oil to baste meat or poultry.
• Warm wine slightly before adding to red meat dishes, as cold wine tends to toughen meat, whereas warm wine serves as a tenderizer.
• Add a couple of tablespoons of red wine to pan drippings to create a rich brown gravy for red meat.
• When serving wine with dinner, use either the same wine that you used in cooking, or match with a wine in the same family, in order to balance your meal.
• Always remember -- if you won’t drink it, don’t put it in your cooking!

Recommended culinary wine pairings

Red meat & red meat dishes - Young, full bodied red wines
Red sauces - Young, full bodied robust red wine
Beef stock based soups, stews & casseroles - Earthy red, full bodied wine
Fish, shellfish, seafood - Dry white wine
Poultry or pork - Dry white wine
Light or white cream sauces - Dry white wine
Seafood soups & stews - Crisp, dry white wine
Vegetable soups & consommes - Sherry, or any similar dry fortified wine
Sweet desserts - Sweet white wine or sweet fortified wine

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