
Butternut Squash Pilsner Mac & Cheese
Nothing hits the spot on a crisp fall day like a soul-soothing bowl of creamy mac and cheese. In this decadent adult version, we have created a creamy cheese sauce using four types of cheese and have added butternut squash and pilsner beer for an extra layer of earthy depth in the final dish. Serve this Mac & Cheese with Josh Cellars Chardonnay or Parkside Dawn Pilsner.Ingredients
Serves 4
½ medium butternut squash (about 1 lb/450 g)
4 tbsp (60 ml) unsalted butter, divided, plus more to butter skillets
1 large shallot, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp (30 ml) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 ml) dry mustard
1 cup (250 ml) Parkside Dawn Pilsner
1 cup (250 ml) whole milk
½ cup (125 ml) whipping cream
4 oz (110 g) sharp cheddar, shredded
2 oz (60 g) aged Gruyère, shredded
2 oz (60 g) goat’s cheese, crumbled
½ cup (125 ml) freshly grated Parmesan, divided
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 lb (450 g) cavatappi pasta
½ cup (125 ml) panko bread crumbs
1 tsp (5 ml) fresh thyme leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Butter four 6-in (15 cm) cast iron skillets and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.
- Scoop out seeds from butternut squash and discard or reserve for another use. Place squash cut-side down on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and roast until point of a knife or fork easily pierces squash skin and flesh, about 45 minutes. Keep oven on. Let squash sit at room temperature until cool enough to handle, then scoop out softened flesh and place in a medium bowl. Discard skins. Mash flesh with a fork or potato masher until a thick paste forms. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter. Add shallots and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook another 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Sprinkle flour and dry mustard overtop before stirring well into onion mixture, then let cook, stirring often, for 1 minute. Stir in pilsner and bring mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes. Add milk, cream, cheddar, Gruyère, goat’s cheese, ¼ cup (60 ml) Parmesan and 1 cup (250 ml) mashed butternut squash (reserving remaining squash for another use), stirring until well incorporated and cheeses have melted. Purée sauce with an immersion blender or blend in a blender until smooth. Taste and season as desired with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook cavatappi pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions.
- Meanwhile, melt remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter, then transfer to a medium bowl and mix with remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) Parmesan, panko and thyme. Set aside.
- Drain pasta, return to saucepan and stir in reserved cheese sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Divide sauced pasta among skillets. Top with a generous sprinkle of panko mixture before transferring skillets on baking sheet to oven. Bake until panko is lightly browned and cheese sauce is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.
Drink Pairings

Beet Brownie & Cointreau Cheesecake Swirl Bars
Roasted beets add richness and a slight garnet colour to these over-the-top brownie bars. Once cooled and cut, these bars travel well and make ideal host gifts. These Beet Brownie & Cointreau Cheesecake Bars can be gifted alongside Five Farms Single Batch Irish Cream Liqueur or a bottle of Cointreau.Ingredients
Serves 16 bars
2 large beets (about 10 oz/280 g total)
4 oz (110 g) cream cheese, room temperature
2 tbsp + ½ cup (155 ml) granulated sugar, divided
5 large eggs, room temperature, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) Cointreau
1 orange, finely grated zest only
1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter
8 oz (225 g) dark chocolate, roughly chopped
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (60 ml) cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 ml) baking powder
¼ tsp (1 ml) fine sea salt
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
½ cup (125 ml) light brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- Trim beets, then peel and pierce each with a fork several times. Wrap each in foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast until fork-tender, 50 to 60 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
- Meanwhile, make Cointreau cheesecake mixture. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, 2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar, 1 egg, Cointreau and orange zest. Stir with a fork until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350 F (175 C). Line a 9-in (23 cm) square baking pan with parchment and set aside.
- Roughly chop beets and weigh out 8 oz (225 g). Add to bowl of a food processor or blender and purée until smooth, scraping down sides of processor bowl or blender pitcher as needed. Transfer beet purée to a medium bowl.
- Place butter and chocolate in a medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula, cook mixture until melted and smooth, about 4 minutes. Stir chocolate mixture into beet purée until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl, combine remaining 4 eggs, vanilla, brown sugar and remaining ½ cup (125 ml) sugar and whisk with a hand mixer until lighter in colour and aerated, about 2 minutes. With a rubber spatula, fold beet mixture into egg mixture until just combined. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan, reserving about ⅓ cup (80 ml), and smooth into an even layer. Top brownie batter with dollops of Cointreau cheesecake mixture and dollops of reserved brownie batter. Using tip of a knife, lightly mix and marble 2 batters together.
- Bake until a knife inserted into centre comes out with just a few moist crumbs sticking to it, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer pan to a rack to cool to room temperature. Cut and serve. Bars can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Drink Pairings

Red Wine Pasta
Look no further for a quick and impressive meal perfect for a cozy date night or simply a chilly Thursday evening. To make this pasta more substantial, cooked slices of fennel sausage are a delicious addition. We recommend pairing this Red Wine Pasta with Côtes Du Rhône Famille Perrin Réserve or Salentein Portillo Uco Valley Vegan Pinot Noir.Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large shallot, finely diced
kosher salt, to taste
¼ tsp (1 ml) red pepper chili flakes
1 × 750 ml bottle Salentein Portillo Uco Valley Vegan Pinot Noir
1 lb (450 g) spaghetti
¼ cup (60 ml) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more to serve
chopped fresh parsley leaves or chopped fresh baby arugula leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil.
- In a large, high-sided skillet, combine oil, garlic, shallots, a good pinch of salt and red pepper chili flakes. Place skillet over medium heat and, stirring occasionally, cook until garlic and shallots are softened and translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Slowly pour in red wine, taking care as wine may splatter. Increase heat to medium-high and bring sauce to a boil.
- Meanwhile, season boiling water generously with salt. Add spaghetti, bring back to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
- Transfer spaghetti to skillet with red wine sauce and cook, stirring occasionally with tongs, until spaghetti is bright red and al dente and most of wine has been absorbed, 4 to 8 minutes. Stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Divide pasta among serving plates before topping with chopped parsley or arugula and extra Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings

Sweet Potato Cookies with RumChata Frosting
A twist on the pumpkin spice craze, here sweet potato adds an earthy sweetness to these lightly spiced, soft and cakey cookies. Topping them with decadent RumChata Frosting makes sure that no one will be able to resist a second cookie. Enjoy this cookie with Rumchata Cream Liqueur.Ingredients
Serves 30 cookies
SWEET POTATO COOKIES
1 large sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped
2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
½ tsp (2.5 ml) baking powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) fine sea salt
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground nutmeg
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground ginger
⅛ tsp (a pinch) ground cloves
10 tbsp (150 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature
¾ cup (180 ml) granulated sugar
½ cup (125 ml) packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
RUMCHATA FROSTING
1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups (1 L) icing sugar, divided
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground cinnamon
¼ tsp (1 ml) fine sea salt
⅓ cup (80 ml) RumChata Cream Liqueur
Instructions
- To make the cookies, bring a saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add sweet potatoes and cook until fork-tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Use a fork to mash warm sweet potatoes until smooth, with few to no lumps. Set aside 1 cup (250 ml) mashed sweet potatoes and reserve rest for another use.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves until well combined. Set aside.
- In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until well combined. Stir in egg, then add reserved sweet potatoes and vanilla, mixing until well combined. Scrape down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
- Using a 1½ tbsp (22.5 ml) cookie scoop, scoop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2-in (5 cm) apart.
- Bake 1 tray at a time until cookies are puffed and set, 13 to 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- To make the RumChata Frosting, in a large bowl, combine butter, 2 cups (500 ml) icing sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and RumChata. Using a hand mixer, beat until smooth. Add remaining 2 cups (500 ml) icing sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Frosting can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature and rewhip before using.
- Once cool, spread a dollop of RumChata Frosting on cookies. Serve right away or store in an airtight container in a single layer in refrigerator for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Drink Pairings

Guinness & Oyster Sauce Pot Roast
Comforting Sunday roast with an unexpected savoury twist. Rich and malty Guinness mingles with luxurious oyster sauce and exotic spices. This is like a warm hug from a faraway friend. This dish is best enjoyed with a glass of Tom Gore Cabernet Sauvignon or Guinness Draught.Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil, divided
3 lbs (1.4 kg) beef chuck or bottom blade roast
2 large carrots, cut into 1½-in (4 cm) pieces
2 stalks celery, cut into 1½-in (4 cm) pieces
1 yellow onion, diced small
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (250 ml) fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
1-in (2.5 cm) knob fresh ginger, sliced ⅛-in (0.3 cm) thick
1 × 440 ml can Guinness Draught
2 cups (500 ml) low-sodium beef stock
⅔ cup (160 ml) oyster sauce
2 tbsp (30 ml) dark soy sauce
4 whole cloves
3 dried bay leaves
2 whole star anise
1 stick cinnamon
½ tsp (2.5 ml) black peppercorns
1 lb (450 g) Yukon Gold nugget potatoes
3 tbsp (45 ml) cornstarch
chopped green onions, for garnish
chili-garlic oil, to serve
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil. Add beef and brown on all sides. Transfer to a slow cooker along with carrots and celery.
- To same skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil and sauté onions, garlic, mushrooms and ginger until softened and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in Guinness, scraping up any brown bits stuck to bottom of pan, then transfer to slow cooker along with beef stock, oyster sauce and dark soy sauce.
- With a small piece of cheesecloth, prepare a sachet of cloves, bay leaves, star anise, cinnamon stick and black peppercorns. Tie tightly with butcher’s twine and add to slow cooker.
- Set slow cooker to low and cook for 6 hours. Add potatoes and adjust slow cooker temperature to high. Cook until beef is fork-tender and potatoes are soft, another 2 to 3 hours. Can also be cooked in 300 F (150 C) oven, covered, for 3½ to 4 hours, with potatoes added after first 2 hours.
- Transfer beef, carrots, potatoes and mushrooms to a serving dish.
- Strain cooking liquid into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Make a slurry by mixing cornstarch with just enough water to make a thin paste, then whisk this into simmering broth. Pour thickened gravy over roast or serve on side.
- Serve garnished with lots of chopped green onions and chili-garlic oil on side.
Drink Pairings

Chicken Adobo-au-Vin
A French bistro classic with a Pinoy twist. Umami-rich notes of mushroom and soy are brightened with a hit of red wine vinegar and loads of freshly cracked pepper. For best flavour, we recommend See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Noir save the rest for a glass with your meal or pair with Fort Berens Riesling.Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 cups (500 ml) See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Noir, divided
⅓ cup (80 ml) red wine vinegar
¼ cup (60 ml) dark soy sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) light soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) coarsely cracked black peppercorns
5 bay leaves, fresh if available
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
10½ oz (300 g) tocino*
2 tbsp (30 ml) coconut oil, plus more as needed
8 cremini mushrooms, quartered
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
5 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp (30 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tbsp (30 ml) brown sugar
sliced green onions, for garnish
steamed white rice, to serve
* Tocino is a sweet, cured, Filipino-style pork bacon available at most Asian grocers.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup (250 ml) red wine, vinegar, dark and light soy sauces, cracked black pepper, bay leaves and chicken and toss to coat. Cover and marinate, refrigerated, for 3 to 4 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).
- In a small saucepan with salted boiling water, blanch tocino for 3 minutes, separating pieces that stick together. Strain and cut into ¼-in (0.6 cm) thick strips. Set aside on a paper-towel-lined plate.
- Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towel; reserve marinade. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, warm coconut oil. Working in batches and starting skin-side down, brown chicken on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Set aside on a plate.
- To same pan, add tocino and cremini mushrooms and sauté until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes, adding a bit more coconut oil if needed. Add onions and garlic and continue cooking until onions have softened, then sprinkle with flour and stir. Deglaze with remaining 1 cup (250 ml) red wine, loosening any browned bits stuck to pan. Pour in reserved marinade, brown sugar, browned chicken and any accumulated juices and bring to a simmer.
- Transfer to oven and cook, covered, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C) when probed with a meat thermometer at thickest point, about 30 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, arrange chicken on a serving dish, then top with tocino, onions, mushrooms and sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with plenty of steamed rice to soak up juices.
Drink Pairings

Parsnip Loaf Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting & Brandy Snaps
This showstopping loaf cake showcases the sweeter side of the humble parsnip. Widely available during cooler months, parsnips have a nutty, earthy, starchy and naturally sweet flavour. Complemented by big swoops of decadent Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting and crisp Brandy Snaps, this cake can easily stand alongside more elaborate fall treats. Serve this Parsnip Loaf Cake with Forty Creek Butter Tart Cream Liquor.Ingredients
Serves 10
PARSNIP LOAF
1 cup (250 ml) cake flour
¾ cup (180 ml) all-purpose flour
⅓ cup (80 ml) almond flour
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) ground ginger
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) ground cinnamon
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground allspice
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cardamom
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
½ tsp (2.5 ml) baking powder
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup (125 ml) packed light brown sugar
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) finely grated orange zest
2 large eggs, room temperature
2½ tsp (12.5 ml) vanilla extract
⅓ cup (80 ml) plain Greek yogurt
1½ cups (375 ml) peeled and shredded parsnips (2 to 3 medium parsnips)
BROWN BUTTER CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
6 tbsp (90 ml) unsalted butter
4 oz (110 g) cream cheese, room temperature
2 tsp (10 ml) liquid clover honey
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt
1½ cups (375 ml) icing sugar, sifted, plus more as needed
1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) whipping cream, as needed
BRANDY SNAPS
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter
½ cup (125 ml) liquid clover honey
¼ cup (60 ml) firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
¾ cup (180 ml) all-purpose flour
⅛ tsp (a pinch) fine sea salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground ginger
1 tbsp (15 ml) St. Rémy VSOP Brandy
Instructions
- To make the parsnip loaf, Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Line a 5 × 9-in (2 L) loaf pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides.
- In a medium bowl, whisk all flours, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whisk butter, both sugars and orange zest on medium speed, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, until well combined and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, whisking well after each. Add vanilla, whisking well to incorporate. Alternate adding dry ingredients in 3 additions and yogurt in 2 additions, whisking slowly after each addition until just combined before adding next. A few flour streaks are okay. Remove bowl from mixer and use a rubber spatula to fold in shredded parsnips.
- Scoop half of batter into prepared loaf pan. Evenly smooth into corners. Scoop remaining batter into pan and smooth into an even layer.
- Bake loaf until risen and golden brown, 55 minutes to 1 hour. A wooden skewer inserted into centre of cake should come out clean or with only a few moist crumbs. Cool cake in pan on a rack for 20 minutes. Carefully remove cake from pan with help from excess parchment before removing parchment from cake. Continue cooling cake on rack to room temperature.
- When ready to serve, dollop and spread Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting overtop cake and garnish with some Brandy Snaps. Slice and serve with extra Brandy Snaps on side.
- BROWN BUTTER CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- Start by making brown butter. In a small frying pan over medium heat, melt butter. Once butter starts to foam, whisk continuously until brown bits start to form. Remove from heat, pour browned butter into a bowl, skim and discard any foam from top and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
- To make frosting, in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream ¼ cup (60 ml) room-temperature brown butter, cream cheese, honey, vanilla and salt until creamy and well combined, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add sifted icing sugar ½ cup (125 ml) at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of mixing bowl as needed. Beat on high until frosting is fluffy and holds a peak. If frosting is too thick, add 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) whipping cream, beating until well incorporated. If frosting is too thin, beat in more icing sugar, a couple of tablespoons at a time, until desired texture is achieved. Frosting can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week. Bring frosting back to room temperature and whip to revive before frosting cake.
- BRANDY SNAPS
- Preheat oven to 325 F (160 C). Line a baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with honey and sugars, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Once at a rolling simmer, allow mixture to bubble and cook for 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in flour, salt, ginger and brandy until just combined. At this point, batter can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator until ready to bake, up to 4 days.
- Using a measuring teaspoon, drop rounds of batter onto prepared baking sheet. Only do 6 to 8 dollops of batter, as cookies will spread out significantly in oven.
- Bake until bubbling, lacy and golden brown, 10 to 13 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven and allow brandy snaps to cool on sheet for about 2 minutes. Gently lift snaps 1 at a time and drape them over a rolling pin. Once cool, remove brandy snaps from rolling pin and repeat with remaining batter. These are best enjoyed within a day of making.
Drink Pairings

Gochujang Bolognese
Spicy, rich and deliciously funky gochujang comes together with classic additions of tomato, red wine and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Monte Antico Toscana and Gray Monk Pinot Gris make great drink pairings with this Gochujang Bolognese.Ingredients
Serves about 6 cups (1.5 L)
4 tbsp (60 ml) olive oil, divided
1 lb (450 g) extra-lean ground beef
8 oz (225 g) ground pork
1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1-in (2.5 cm) knob fresh ginger, finely minced
2 medium carrots, cut into ¼-in (0.6 cm) dice
½ yellow onion, cut into ¼-in (0.6 cm) dice
1 stalk celery, cut into ¼-in (0.6 cm) dice
¼ cup + 1 tbsp (75 ml) gochujang paste
1 cup (250 ml) Monte Antico Toscana
1 × 28 oz (796 ml) can crushed tomatoes
3 cups (750 ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
2 tsp (10 ml) white pepper
2 fresh bay leaves
10 to 12 shiso leaves or fresh basil leaves, shredded
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
cooked pasta or steamed rice, to serve
finely sliced green onions, for garnish
freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet or heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, warm 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil. Add ground beef and pork and cook, breaking up any large chunks, until nicely browned. Drain meat in a colander to remove excess fat. Set aside.
- To same pan over medium heat, add remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, sesame oil, garlic and ginger and sauté for 30 seconds. Add carrots, onions and celery and cook until onions have softened, about 5 minutes. Add gochujang and stir well until gochujang begins to caramelize. Deglaze with Monte Antico Toscana and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits.
- Add browned meat back to pan along with crushed tomatoes, stock, white pepper and bay leaves. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until sauce has thickened and meat is tender, about 2 hours. If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or stock as needed.
- To finish, remove bay leaves, add shiso and season to taste. Serve tossed with pasta of choice or over a bed of steamed rice, and garnish with finely sliced green onions and lots of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days or in freezer for up to 6 months.
Drink Pairings

Fall Medley Salad with Bourbon Vinaigrette
Add some vibrant colour to your holiday table with this gorgeous salad Fall Medley Salad. Filled with a cornucopia of seasonal produce and crowned with a zippy Bourbon Vinaigrette, it’s a fresh, festive side dish, perfect for any fall gathering. Look to Jim Beam Kentucky Bourbon for a great pairing option for this salad.Ingredients
Serves 8-10
1 medium acorn squash, halved, seeds removed and sliced
1 cup (250 ml) peeled and halved cipollini onions
8 oz (225 g) halloumi, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) cubes
3 tbsp (45 ml) grapeseed oil
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 cups (750 ml) water
1½ cups (375 ml) uncooked farro
Bourbon Vinaigrette, make ahead, recipe follows
2 small bulbs kohlrabi, peeled and sliced paper-thin
4 cups (1 L) mixed baby greens
2 rainbow carrots, peeled into ribbons
1 Gala, Honeycrisp or Cosmic Crisp apple, halved, cored and thinly sliced
¼ cup (60 ml) toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
⅓ cup (80 ml) pomegranate arils
⅓ cup (80 ml) microgreens, for garnish (optional)
BOURBON VINAIGRETTE | Makes about 1½ cups (375 ml)
¼ cup (60 ml) Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
1 tbsp (15 ml) minced shallots
2 tbsp (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp (30 ml) liquid clover honey
¾ cup (180 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
- Place squash and onions on 1 sheet and halloumi on other sheet. Drizzle squash, onions and halloumi equally with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange vegetables and halloumi in a single layer on trays and roast, tossing once or twice, until squash is tender, onions are soft and halloumi is golden brown around edges, 20 to 30 minutes.
- While vegetables and halloumi roast, cook farro. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat. Add farro, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed and farro is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover and fluff with a fork. While warm, drizzle with a couple tablespoons of Bourbon Vinaigrette and stir to incorporate. Set dressed farro aside to cool to room temperature. Farro can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- In a small bowl, toss kohlrabi with a drizzle of Bourbon Vinaigrette until lightly coated.
- When ready to assemble salad, on a large platter or in a large salad bowl, gently toss mixed greens and farro to combine. Artfully arrange squash, onions, halloumi, kohlrabi, carrots, apples and walnuts. Top with a generous drizzle of vinaigrette before garnishing with pomegranate arils and microgreens, if desired. Enjoy immediately.
- BOURBON VINAIGRETTE | Makes about 1½ cups (375 ml)
- Place a tea towel under a medium bowl. In bowl, whisk bourbon, shallots, vinegar and honey.
- Place oil in a measuring cup. Gradually drizzle oil into bourbon mixture, whisking constantly, until dressing is homogeneous and thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Drink Pairings

Halloweenies
Bring a bit of whimsy and fun to the party with these quick and easy sausage roll canapés. In a pinch, use store-bought grainy mustard and spike it with a splash of Dark Matter. Enjoy these Halloweenies with Hoyne Brewing Dark Matter beer.Ingredients
Serves 8-10 people. Makes about 20 canapés.
HALLOWEENIES
1 lb (450 g) frozen puff pastry sheets
1 lb (450 g) sausages (maple breakfast or a thinner type such as merguez or sujuk)
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp (15 ml) milk
edible eyes or sour cream and green peppercorns, for garnish
DARK MATTER HONEY MUSTARD
½ cup (125 ml) yellow mustard seeds
¼ cup (60 ml) black mustard seeds
¾ cup (180 ml) Hoyne Brewing Dark Matter, plus more as needed
2⅛ tsp (10 ml + a pinch) salt, divided
½ cup (125 ml) malt vinegar
2 tsp (10 ml) granulated sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) granulated garlic
¼ cup (60 ml) liquid honey, plus more to taste
Instructions
- To make the Halloweenies, thaw puff pastry in refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours.
- If using merguez or other longer sausage, cut into 3½-in (9 cm) long pieces.
- On a lightly floured surface, use a pizza cutter to cut puff pastry sheets into ⅓-in (0.8 cm) strips. Wrap each sausage with 2 or 3 strips of puff pastry, as needed, leaving a small gap near 1 end to place eyes in step 6. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, loosely cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C) and set rack to centre position.
- To make the honey mustard, In a small pan over medium heat, toast mustard seeds until warm and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and pour in Dark Matter to cover. Add a pinch of salt, stir well and add more beer to cover again. Seal jar and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours.
- The following day, in a food processor, combine soaked mustard seeds, vinegar, sugar, remaining 2 tsp (10 ml) salt and garlic and pulse to preferred consistency.
- To finish, combine mustard with honey, adding more honey to taste. Mustard can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk egg yolk and milk. Remove wrapped sausages from refrigerator and brush tops with egg mixture. Transfer to oven. Bake until sausage reaches internal temperature of 165 F (74 F) and pastry is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Garnish each canapé with 2 edible eyes or 2 small dots of sour cream with green peppercorns set in centre of each. Serve with Dark Matter Honey Mustard.