what to serve

Beer and cider are natural choices for casual entertaining. Chilling cans or bottles in a bucket of ice ties in with the casual vibe and your beverages will chill much faster! The selection for this menu includes Railway City Dead Elephant IPA (LCBO 272104, 473 mL, $3.20), a nutty ale that would be perfect with the roasted chickpeas. Cider’s versatility with food is demonstrated here as it dovetails effortlessly with the ingredients in the spinach salad. The Thornbury Village Craft Apple Cider

(LCBO 333583, 473 mL, $3.25) has a crisp delivery of apple flavour that lifts the bacon vinaigrette to a new level of deliciousness! To accompany the Jambalaya Pasta, the award-winning

Woodhouse Lager (LCBO 459537,

473 mL, $3.00) brings fruity notes and a refreshing finish. Beer lovers know that a robust and malty stout is an exceptional dessert pairing. Broadhead Dark

Horse Stout (LCBO 437244, 473 mL, $3.10) has a chocolatey sweetness that is sublime with the banana toffee pie.

For big groups, use your table as a buffet, and buy a stack of inexpensive trays so guests can eat off their laps. FOOD AND RESTAURANT-SUPPLY STORES STOCK CUTE (AND RECYCLABLE) TAKEOUT TRAYS, CARTONS AND BOXES THAT ARE PERFECT FOR SERVING SNACKS.