Etcetera

Soleterra d’Italia Charcuterie From Modena, in Italy, Soleterra d’Italia have built a facility near Acme, producing authentic Italian, gluten and lactose-free, cooked and cured meats in Alberta with Sunterra Farms’ pork. We tried 5 salamis and really enjoyed them: smoky, garlicky Ungherese; Finocchio (fennel); sweet garlic and pepper Milano; spicy Calabrese; and peppery Toscano—and we’re supporting local producers too! 250 g salami sticks $9, 125 g packs Modena ham and prosciutto $5–$7 at Sunterra and Co-op stores.

Venetian Republic By Nino Zoccali, Thomas Allen & Son, $50. From the 8th to the 18th centuries, the Venetian Republic was a world power, and Zoccali has focused on the four key regions of Venice, the Veneto, the Croatian coast, and the Greek islands – all of which have their own cuisines. This beautiful book explains this history, along with photographs and wonderful recipes such as Prosecco and Snapper Risotto, Ionian Island Bruschette, Roasted Venetian Duck and Prunes, and Valpolicella Spiced Pears.

Nude sodas Now with over a dozen flavours, Nude vodka, gin, iced tea, and tequila sodas are only 100 calories per can, with no added sugar or sweeteners, and gluten-free too. We can’t promise no hangover, but these are certainly refreshing. We tried 7 flavours—our favourites? Mixed Berry, Cranberry Raspberry, and the classic Lemon Gin Soda, all about 5 percent ABV. Gives new meaning to all sorts of phrases, so this summer spend time on the links with a couple of Nudes! $12–15 for a 6-pack.

40 Culinaire | April 2020 Sunterra croissants Sunterra have a new croissant program led by Sami Cocaj, whose family has a 300-year tradition of baking in Kosovo. After bringing his recipe and process to the operations team it was love at first bite, and Cocaj now makes enough dough, with no preservatives or additives, for 1,000 croissants every morning. He leaves it to rest for 24 hours, before adding cheese, chocolate, almonds, or leaving plain, to make his buttery, flaky croissants—delicious! 4-pack $6–$9 at all Sunterra stores. Ninja Air Fryer What fun we had putting the new Ninja Air Fryer through it’s paces! Of course it makes great fries and wedges—and chicken wings too— with up to 75 percent less fat than traditional frying, but it also roasts, bakes, reheats, and dehydrates. We’re all a bit more conscious about our food choices these days, and the Ninja makes for a speedy, cost-effective, and guiltfree way to enjoy our favourite fried dishes at home. It’s easy to clean too! Around $189 at Canadian Tire stores.

Cauliflower Power By Lindsay Grimes Freedman, Workman Publishing $28. Cauliflower has gained respect in recent years, and now we love it as a pizza base and the star of many appies. Freedman has taken it to another level though, with 75 easy-to-follow recipes for breakfast treats such as vanilla waffles, cinnamonpecan coffee cake, cauli tots, and more, as well as lunch and dinner recipes— and strawberry ice cream, chocolate mousse, and candied bites for dessert! A lovely, colourful little book.

Will your products be winners in 2020?

Registration is now open!

Celebrating Alberta’s Best Beverages Visit culinairemagazine.ca/aba to enter your wines, beers, spirits, mixers, coolers, and soft drinks for the 2020 Alberta Beverage Awards.

Registration Deadline June 26 Judging Takes Place July 13–15

For more information, contact competition director Tom Firth: tom@culinairemagazine.ca