Jennifer’s kitchen CRUSHES
Food editor Jennifer Bartoli shares the culinary picks she’s coveting this month.
1. Licorice chocolate
During a trip to Iceland, I fell in love with the country’s signature licorice-flavoured chocolate bars. The combination, finished with a sprinkling of sea salt harvested from the Westfiords, is unusual but phenomenal. Omnom Lakkrís + Sea Salt Chocolate, $12, chocexchange.com.
2. Purple reign
With a nutty flavour, a toothsome texture and a gorgeous hue, purple rice (sometimes called black rice) is my current grain of choice. I love it served with a coconut milk–based curry and a sprinkling of cashews.
3. Legendary lox
This documentary takes you right to the beginnings of New York City’s Russ & Daughters, the famed Jewish specialty-foods shop that’s renowned for its smoked fish. Through the story of the immigrant family who founded the shop, this doc gives you a peek into New York’s food history and leaves you longing for a taste of the store’s pastrami-cured salmon. The Sturgeon Queens, $15, itunes.ca.
4. Good measure
These display-worthy measuring cups are an easy way to give your kitchen equipment an inexpensive update. Owl measuring cups, $25 per set of four, indigo.ca.
5. Flaky perfection
Having grown up in France, I’m of the mind that nothing can beat a freshly baked croissant—but these oven-ready pastries are a close second. Ace Bakery Bake Your Own Butter Croissants, $5 per box of three, loblaws.ca.
6. The new chip in town
Parsnip chips are my pick for a healthier potato-chip alternative. For those who don’t already love the root vegetable, I guarantee these will change your mind. Eat Your Parsnips, $5.50, hardbitechips.com.