Etcetera

Krooked Kraut

Chef Lyndon Hertz has been on our radar for some time, and we’re delighted to report that not only can you find him, with Jared Salekin and Lenna Parent, at Calgary’s Fresh & Local Market & Kitchens (Krooked Lucy's), you can find his deliciously tangy Kraut in four flavours: Hot Classic, Fennel and Garlic, Pineapple Ginger, and the most popular - Dill Pickle, online at zinykfarms.com, @krookedkrautyyc, at The Blue Store in Inglewood, and YEG Smoked Meats. Perfect on pizzas, perogies, sausages… 430 g $15.

The Unofficial Hogwarts Cocktail Book

Attention Potter Heads! For the most devoted muggles, the holidays are also a magical time to enjoy a favourite series about a favourite boy wizard. From “Wingardium Mimosas” to some “Good old-fashioned liquid luck” this grown-up guide to adult cocktails has you covered – even if young at heart. $27 Ulysses Press.

A Spice Affair

4th generation Montreal spice merchant, Ayman Saifi, launched his range of vegan, non-GMO, nut- MSG- and preservative-free, spices in 2016, using only top quality raw brown or maple sugar, and sea or pink Himalayan salt. The BBQ sets are always best sellers, and we know why - they’re simply superb! They partner with One Tree Planted, and plant trees each month for all their spice lovers too. Holy Grill 12-pk BBQ Set $99, BBQ Master 6-pk set $69, aspiceaffair.com.

Jolene’s Maple Tea Gift Set

For the Holiday season, Banff-based Jolene’s Tea House have infused premium organic black, green, and rooibos tea leaves with maple sugar from Quebec for a decadent, limited edition trio of teas, packaged in a gorgeous terracotta-coloured gift box. $50 at jolenesteahouse.com.

Soul Bowl Sauces

During the pandemic, Red Seal Metis chef, Adam Trotchie, used his time wisely to create comfort food sauces. Trotchie is also a Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, so his sauces use wholefood ingredients and organic spices, and are dairy- sugar- and glutenfree. They’re excellent - full-flavoured, rich, and complex. Just add veggies or your favourite protein to the Butter Chicken or Rosé Sauce for a quick and delicious meal. 475 mL $13 at Bite, Amaranth Edmonton and Calgary.

CookingPal Multo

If you ever saw “The Jetsons” and couldn’t wait for what life might be like in 2062 – well we’re well ahead of schedule, the future is here! While we don’t all want robot cooks at home, we could probably all use a hand, and Multo By CookingPal is ready to be just that – and more. With its wi-fi smart tablet, you can easily follow hundreds of recipes or use your own, as this device weighs your ingredients then chops them and mixes them, sautés or blends them, steams, kneads, slow cooks - leaving you free of the kitchen to get on with other things. It’s a well-made, quality, innovative device with more than 15 functions; perfect for novices, and with manual modes for experienced cooks. $1,560 amazon.ca. Oh, did we mention that it’s a rice cooker and yogurt maker too – and cleans itself?