Shortbread Cookies All Grown Up
Sophisticated product takes food show by storm
My top pick from the Toronto Food and WIne Show is the new product from M+G Kitchens. Sophisticated shortbread just in time for your holiday entertaining.
Shortbread - not just sweet anymore.
Toronto Life Magazine notes the trend in December's Quest column: "Spanish...call it polvorones; the French, sablés. Even China and India have savory shortbread..."
I can't say I've ever heard of a shortbread type of thing in a Chinese or Indian restaurant or home but I did find a fledgling company offering a marvelous array of sweet and savory shortbreads at the Toronto Food and Wine Show.
The M+G Kitchens booth was one of my favorites, maybe even worthy of "Best in Show."
I first spied the perfect little cubes of something in the VIP tasting area where a herd of 20-somethings (obviously on comp'ed tickets from whatever company they worked for) were squarely positioned in front of these platters of dainty little cubes. These kids were chowing down like it was free appetizers at a college bar happy hour. Which for them, I imagine was pretty close to the truth. I couldn't get near the crumb-ringed table and soon gave up.
Worth the Wait
When I found the booth in the larger exhibition area, I could immediately tell this was not staffed by mindless booth bimbos (and I do mean that in a gender-non-specific way). Sure enough, anyone stopping by M+G Kitchens' booth received good pairing information, free samples and a delightful introduction to their offerings. If memory serves Liako and his partners (Pamela Hols MacDonald, Peter Christamtsis) who were top students in culinary school were catering together. They came up with the intriguing savory cubes of shortbread for an event. It was such a hit, they were encouraged to launch their company.
I was most intrigued by the savory flavors:
- Herbes de Provence; Morrocan Spice; Smoked Paprika; Coconut Curry.
- Sweet flavours include: Vanilla, Buttercrunch Pecan; Chocolate Hazelnut; and Chai Spice. Tomorrow I’m putting out Moroccan Spice and will probably save the Chai for a dessert tray.
These are delicate gems, and packaged in a terrific red-orange square-bottomed bag. They would make a perfect hostess gift, especially if paired with a nice cheese. The shortbread cookies themselves are made into little cubes that look beautiful on a cheese plate or dessert tray.
Exotic Jellies are another product line and include Blood Orange, Honey & Chili; Smoked Paprika; Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime Leaf and Ginger. Glaze for a yummy holiday roast? Cocktail ingredient?
Shortbread bits:
- January 6 is National Shortbread Day – why not celebrate with a treat from M+G Kitchens
- Shortbread cookies called "Lorna Doones" were introduced by Nabisco in 1912. According to the excellent Foodreference.com, the origin of the name is somewhat of a mystery.
- Mexican Wedding Cookies - popular Christmas cookies are a shortbread cookie based on Spanish polvorones.
For pairing ideas drop me a line, Liako sent me a list of his personal recommendations.
It looks like M+G Kitchens will soon have much wider distribution (and the walnut shortbread cookies in the photo are a new addition.) Keep your fingers crossed and do add some of their delicious, delicate, savory shortbreads to your holiday table!
