Christmas | Little luxuries for gourmets

Because we all have a little greedy fiber somewhere, here is a quasi-guarantee to please your world! Our suggestions for little luxuries for curious cooks and epicurean eaters.

Fine salt from here

It is in Les Bergeronnes, on the Haute-Côte-Nord, that a small company produces the first sea salt in Quebec with the determination to make it as pure as possible. Sel Saint Laurent draws its salt from the St. Lawrence estuary at depths of 200 m, where pollution is absent. It has also developed a unique method of extraction, using ice, which makes it possible to obtain fleur de sel quality flakes that are less iodized than most sea salts. For her Main de sel, she teamed up with La Poteuse, an artisan from Rimouski who draws inspiration from the landscapes, wildlife and movements of the St. Lawrence. This box comes with 125 g of sea salt.

Duo Main de sel, $84 a set, at the Saint Laurent Salt online store

Bee harvest 2022

Les Miels d’Anicet presents Saison, a box that brings together the four most beautiful batches of honey from its harvest of the year. The set includes a cream honey, a classic and two raw honeys with the typical flavors of the flowers of the pastures, forests and undergrowth of the Upper Laurentians. In addition to this box, there are eight other gift boxes showcasing the beekeeper’s products – from condiments to cakes, including body care, treats, jams and sauces.

Season box, $59.95, online at the Miels d’Anicet boutique (in limited quantities)

Little chocolate gems

The Lecavalier Petrone workshop-boutique is used to impressing its customers, and not just at the holidays. Advent, however, is the time of year when regulars rush to grab hold of one of the chocolatiers’ gift boxes, before they fly away like… little Lecavalier Petrone chocolates! Back in store this December 3, the Nordic box with local flavors will be offered until the products are sold out. As for the Éphémère, available for pre-order since November 18, it will arrive on December 10 in limited quantities. If we go straight ahead, let’s put it into perspective, there are always the signature boxes that offer a selection of almost-jewel chocolates in which we will most likely hesitate to take a bite.

The Ephemeral and Nordic boxes each include an assortment of eight chocolates, $25, at Lecavalier Petrone’s online store

Herbs 101

The aromatics specialists at Épices de cru have imagined an initiation box containing 12 basic spices: classics, such as paprika and black pepper, and mixtures that have become essential such as Herbes de Provence, BBQ spices or Madras curry. In addition to this 101 kit, there are 33 other more specialized boxes containing up to 12 spices to travel in flavors, explore local herbs or grilled meats, fish and spicy desserts. All Vintage Spice boxes come with a selection of recipes offered on the company’s website.

Kitchen set 101, $44, Vintage spices, available online at the Spices of Cru store

Hearty delicacies

Any occasion is good to feast on the Pied de Cochon. In this season, the restaurant offers various highly copious options in its online store – condiments, tourtière, maple foie gras, panettone or fruit cake… We may be tempted by the way by the new boxes of ready meals to cook for the preparation of cassoulet, champvallon, chômeur pudding and stew of pig’s feet presented with a terracotta cooking bowl made in Morocco.

Fruit cake, $20, and meals to cook (starting at $72) except for the chômeur pudding ($24), on the Pied de Cochon online store

Local drink

During the Holidays, the occasion is favorable to discover local wine and promote the work of Quebec winegrowers. The sommelier at La Boîte à Vins unearths the best bottles from local viticulture, usually not sold at the SAQ, and presents them as a duo in a wooden case accompanied by a greeting card. We will give him carte blanche, since the contents of the boxes vary according to the arrivals. Unless you specify your preferences.

The gift box containing two prestige bottles is offered at $79.99 on the La Boîte à vins boutique.

Other gift ideas with local flavors

All the gifts are gathered at the same address, that of Idée Cadeau Québec, which presents us with its original favorites from local merchants. You can find everything and for everyone, including several gourmet ideas, such as Choco-chai gift boxes ($88), non-alcoholic holiday Spritz ($52), La pimenterie ($45) or Apéro ($80).