FESTIVE FOOD SHORTCUTS
Delicious party treats you can buy and pass off as your own.
I n food-besotted Vancouver, it’s easy to lie, cheat and take credit for something you did not do. No one needs to know of your nefarious ways.
I’m talking about buying prepared foods over the festive season to lighten the holiday load, whether you’re hosting an event or are asked to take a dish to a dinner or party. No one need know the only labour required was lifting your credit card, carrying home the goods and making the food look real purty on a plate. Just act proud.
Some items will be obviously bought but in those cases, just make sure they’ll love it more than if you’d made it yourself.
Here are some cheating ways:
Great balls of rice
The folks that operated Moccia Urbani Salumeria in Burnaby for 45 years changed directions and is now a Port Moody wholesaler of arancini in five flavours: mozzarella, Italian sausage, tomato ragu, Italian fennel sausage and porcini mushroom. Urbani Foods also do the North American take on arancini — mac and cheese balls. They use quality ingredients (local pasture-raised pork, local bacon, Canadian cheddar) in their product. The risotto balls come nine to a package, cost $7.99 and require a quick heat in a hot oven. If you like, add a marinara sauce for dipping. They’re sold at Les Amis du Fromage, Stong’s, and in Safeway meat departments.
Info: urbanifoods.com
Sushi to the rescue
Fujiya, with several stores in Vancouver and Richmond, will make party trays of sushi, sashimi, chicken karaage, yakisoba, gyoza, seafood salad, chicken teriyaki salad and edamame. Prices are better than ordering from a restaurant but in a pinch, many Japanese restaurants and Asian supermarkets like T&T and Osaka Market will do up a sushi platter for you.
Info: Fujiya.ca
Tender is the night
One call and you’ve got the main act for a holiday dinner. Well Seasoned, a gourmet food store in Langley, does beef tenderloin with herbed mustard, horseradish cream, bread on the side, ready to serve. Furthermore, they do antipasto, charcuterie, vegetable or bruschetta platters for six to 20 people. Call 48 hours ahead.
Info: wellseasoned.ca
More tenderness
Tenderland Meats, 32 years and holding at the Granville Island Public Market, does the heavy lifting for the meat course. All you have to do is pop it in the oven or on the grill. You can buy high-quality marinated lamb racks, butterflied marinated lamb leg, tandoori or masala chicken breast, Maui ribs, beef and veal meatballs, dressed up and ready to hit the heat. “Easy, easy,” says owner Mike Suleman.
Phone: 604-688-6951
Vij’s, good to go
Drop his name and guests stand at attention. Buy Vikram Vij’s frozen curries in dozens of shops in Metro Vancouver, including Choices Markets, Famous Foods, Whole Foods Markets, Eden West Fine Food (Port Moody), Bruce’s Country Market (Maple Ridge), Gourmet Warehouse and IGA Marketplace. Here’s another option: Loblaw’s CityMarket in North Vancouver sells Vij’s curries in the hot foods section
— Butter Chicken, Kerala Coconut Chicken, Vegetable Korma — there are 10 dishes and basmati rice, ready to go. Just plate it real purty.
Info: vijs.ca
Cheese enhancements
Good cheese will always be welcome, but take it up a notch with special condiments from Edible Canada at Granville Island Public Market. Consider Artisan Edibles’ Champagne and Rose Petal Jelly (beautiful with brie) or the Raspberry Cardamom Jelly. (There are cue cards to help you match jellies to cheeses.) Chef Ann’s Cranberry Onion Confit in Grand Marnier or Colly’s Delicious Treats’ Red Pepper Vodka Jelly or Habanero Tequila Jellies will perk up the cheese plate, too.
Phone: 604-688-6951
Not such an odd spirit
Locally made, gorgeous Crème de Cassis by Odd Society Spirits is good to have on hand to make a big deal out of ice cream, cheesecake or jazzing up a vinaigrette. It’s made with local black currants using a secret recipe from chef Herve Martin (French Table, Hermitage). Add some to a bottle of bubbly and you’ve got Kir Royale. You’ll find it at the Odd Society Tasting Lounge (1725 Powell St.) as well as at the Winter Markets.
Info: oddsocietyspirits.com
Buche de Noel gone rogue
For something unique, Faubourg Paris pastry chef went rogue this year with his own modern takes on Buche de Noel, the traditional log cake. You only see a glimmer of tradition in the rectangular shape and hints of Christmas. There’s the Raspberry and Litchi Buche with raspberries on the “log” and the Milk Chocolate and Passion Fruit Buche, a defiant log with flavours of chocolate and a tea mousse and passion fruit cream. Order at any of the three stores or contact at catering@ faubourg.com.
Info: faubourg.com
Knock-out ice cream
You offered to take dessert to a dinner party when your life is spinning out of control? The simple solution is Earnest Ice Cream. Nothing else needed. Over the holiday season, along with the usual roster of flavours (including my faves, Salted Caramel and Whisky Hazelnut), there will be Rum and Eggnog, Dark Chocolate Peppermint, Cranberry Walnut and Gingerbread. If you want something unusual to go with the ice cream, Transylvanian Traditions Bakery at 1111 Davie St. sells kurtos kalac, a most unusual chimney-shaped cake, which “unwinds” in strips and can be broken off to eat with the ice cream.
Info: earnesticecream.com
The gluten-free solution
Can’t come up with a dessert that’ll work with a gluten free guest? Lemonade Bakery sells great gluten-free treats, but the Chocolate Silk Torte with dulce de leche and mousse layers should do the trick.
Info: lemonadebakery.ca
Big deals
If you’ve got a Costco membership, the coolers and freezers hold a lot of promise for appetizers and main courses. If the battered pepper calamari, ready to pop in the oven from the freezer section, is any indication, the quality’s good and the products are very dependable.
Info: costco.ca