Chatelaine December 2022

When thinking of maple syrup, a few images come to mind: fluffy flapjacks glistening with a thick golden glaze, tree trunks punctured with spigots over metal buckets primed for sap collection and the iconic 11-point leaf that symbolizes the Canadian identity. However, maple syrup goes beyond its traditional Canadiana associations, proving to be a versatile ingredient that can be integrated into various dishes for an unexpected flavour profile. This holiday season, when preparing food for a jubilant get-together, try these two recipes from Maple from Canada’s extensive collection of mouth-watering entrées, appetizers, cocktails, and other fine fare that showcase this traditional staple’s delectable nuances. THE MAPLE MARGARITA Preparation time: 10 minutes Yield: 1 cocktail Ingredients • 3 oz lemonade• 1 oz acerum (maple spirit)*• 1 oz reposado tequila• 0.5 oz…

I’M NOT ENTIRELY SURE when I turned into someone who starts listening to holiday music in late October—instrumental only, but still—or who decorates the house in early November, or who puts up multiple trees, but, alas, that is now me. What can I say? I’m highly susceptible to Christmas creep. I love the comfort and escapism that embracing the holiday season can bring, regardless of what’s happening in my life or the world at large. (And, trust me, I know awful things are happening all the time.) After years of indifference, I’ve fully embraced cookie exchanges, matching pyjamas and the mind-lulling predict-ability of made-for-TV holiday movies. And I have no regrets. Unsurprisingly, our holiday issue is always my favourite. And the crown jewel of this issue is our annual Made-in-Canada…

A FAIR POINT Last month, we featured The Great Canadian Baking Show co-host Ann Pornel in Style Crush. But, as one reader noted, our celebration of Pornel’s personal style was juxtaposed by a problematic fall film pick: I was delighted to see plus-size actor and comedian Ann Pornel in your last issue (“Sweet Dreams,” November 2022). The accompanying photo of Pornel is beautiful and shows her sense of style and fun. The fact that she said “fat” and “fun” in the same sentence made me so happy! However, I turned to literally the next page in the magazine to see The Whale in “What To Watch This Fall.” The Whale is a movie that dehumanizes both fat and gay folks, and Brendan Fraser has been rightly criticized for wearing a…

Crunchy and saucy ramen? Have it both ways by roasting your noodles on a sheet pan. ✷ Curry-Coconut Sheet Pan Noodles with Chicken and Kale PREP 15 MIN; TOTAL 30 MIN SERVES 4 This recipe is inspired by cookbook author Hetty McKinnon’s ingenious sheet pan noodle technique and influenced by the flavours of khao soi, a Thai dish known for its contrast in textures. Roasting the noodles in the oven allows the top surface to crisp up, while the layer below stays tender and moist. ⅓ cup yellow Thai curry paste⅓ cup coconut oil4 tsp fish sauce, divided4 85-g pkgs instant ramen noodles, flavour packets reserved for another use4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs¼ tsp fine sea salt1 cup red onion, thinly sliced1 tbsp lime juice½ cup coconut cream1 bunch Tuscan kale, stems…

I’m obsessed with my skin. But I’m not getting any younger, so it needs a little more attention. I particularly love my night time skincare routine because I consider it self-care, as a way of soothing myself before bed. These days, I know what my skin needs, which changes depending on how it’s looking and even fluctuates based on external factors in my life. Because of what I do for a living, I’m constantly testing new products, and have had the chance to discover some tried-and-tested favourites. I’ve been using the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum for over a year, even before it was launched to the public. When I was reading about the product, I liked that it said hydrating, and that it’s an antioxidant. It’s a…

“There are unique physiological processes happening in our skin,” she explains. “It makes new collagen while you sleep, blood flow is boosted and muscle tension is reduced.” Combine that with the fact that your skin isn’t busy dealing with aggressors like pollution or UV, and it’s just a better time for products to work harder. Cue the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum, formulated to take full advantage of that dermal downtime. It contains several powerful ingredients that immediately caught Dr. Carroll’s attention, like the hyaluronic acid. “Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning its true magic lies in its ability to replenish moisture,” says Dr. Carroll, pointing out that one gram can hold up to six liters of water. “It helps your skin stay moisturized overnight, which can improve…