SMOKE SIGNALS

Smoky flavours make for superb comfort foods, so let us guide you step by step through DIY smoking— for unparalleled taste rewards.

THE DEEP, RICH FLAVOUR of smoke is welcome anytime, but is especially comforting during the chill of winter. Stovetop smoking is an easy, inexpensive way to introduce its unforgettable warmth to all sorts of dishes, desserts included. With the novice in mind, these five recipes all start by smoking a single ingredient to be used in a recipe afterwards. It’s simple, rewarding work and each recipe hints at other uses for those smoked foods. Once mastered, smoking foods will leave you wanting to expand your repertoire to include other more adventuresome ingredients: the method for smoking cream works for crème fraîche and yogurt as well, you don’t need to limit the nuts to pecan (smoked almonds!), and why not smoke sweet potatoes, or even halved or quartered squash using the method for the potatoes? There are straightforward instructions for building your own stovetop smoker and Tips for Success too. Now’s the time to give this exciting technique a try, while the scent of summer’s best BBQ is both a distant memory and a long wait ahead.