Still looking for gift ideas?
I am done shopping for the holidays, not that I’m bragging, but that does give me some time to read books, actual books, rather than scroll through a glowing smartphone screen of social media updates and odd news. So, for the booklover and/or foodie and/or imbiber on your list, here are a few suggestions. Most are available locally — there’s a nice selection at the B.C. VQA store — and always online.
Fries! An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Favourite Food: a small hardcover gem written by Blake Lingle, who is the co-owner of a chain of restaurants dedicated to fries, in the “heart of potato country”… Idaho. Not so much a cookbook, but history of fries, the future of fries, and the culture of fries. Includes instructions for a secret fry handshake.
The Farmhouse Cookbook: a beautiful hardcover by Sarah Mayor, gorgeous pictures, based on family recipes from the Yeo Valley in the UK. Background info on how things are done on the farm, coupled with tasty recipes for those not watching their calories. The section titled The Fruit Garden is my favourite.
Out of the Orchard, Recipes for Fresh Fruit from the Sunny Okanagan: need I say more? From the kitchen of food writer Julie Van Rosendaal, fruit makes its way into a lot of sweet dishes, but savoury mains include braised beef shortribs with cherries, and peach thai chicken thighs. Send this to anyone thinking of visiting in 2017.
The Cooking to Get Laid Guide to Whisky and Wine: written by Adrien Sala with some expert consultation on wine and whisky, I fully intended this to be a gift. However, thanks to the concise content on types of libations, and the relatively simple recipes (grilled cheese and rosé anyone?) I decided to keep it. Part of a series from The Gentleman’s Kitchen.
Colour the Okanagan — Naramata Bench Wine Country: adult colouring is a thing. Designed by Joy Whitley Syskakis, this colouring book might come in handy after the relative have left and you need to relax. Grab some pencil crayons and a glass of wine, then illustrate your favourite Naramata winery.
Save the date
Dec. 10, Naramata Centre: Naramata Blend Cooking Class, learn to make brioche with Dana Ewart of Joy Road Catering. http://tinyurl.com/zqbzvlu
Dec. 10, Join the B.C. Wine Info Centre for Seasonal Saturdays. This weekend the featured wineries and businesses are Dirty Laundry, Evolve Cellars, Saint Q and Bareback Marinades.
Dec. 10, Township 7 Open House at their newly renovated Naramata Bench location from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas entertainment by Misty Knol from noon to 3 p.m.
Dec. 10-11, Leir House: Christmas Craft Fair presented by the Penticton and District Community Arts Council. Handmade arts and crafts, live music, and warm bevvies.
Dec. 17, SS Sicamous Heritage Park: Victorian Christmas Carols; enjoy carolers in costume, hot chocolate, and apple cider. Admission is $5, under 12 free. A fundraiser for the OSNS Child Development Centre.
Tuesdays, through December, Miradoro Restaurant: Communal Table Dinners take place Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., each one with a special theme. $35 per person www.tinhorn.com/restaurant
Friday and Saturdays, Dinner features, BRODO: Each Friday and Saturday night, BRODO in downtown Penticton features a special dinner, rotating through perogies, gnocchi, ribs, burgers. www.tastebrodo.com/blog/
Allison Markin is the food and libations columnist for the Penticton Western News. She can be reached at Allison@AllSheWrote.ca and on Twitter @OkanaganTaste.