1. Spice Mixes by Les Filles Fattoush
A shish taouk or shawarma spice mix, or even some zaatar? The spice mixes offered by Les Filles Fattoush are an invitation to travel through cooking. In addition to seasoning your dishes with delicate aromas, this company provides work opportunities to Syrian refugee women. That’s a great way to add a special touch to your soups, couscous and stews. Various prices on lesfillesfattoush.com/en
Photo Credit : Les Filles Fattoush
2. Borealis Set by Gourmet Sauvage
Gift ideas from Gourmet Sauvage are always a guarantee of discovery. Whether it’s Labrador tea, wild mushroom mustard, cedar jelly, Saskatoon berry jam or balsam fir syrup for cocktails, all these products put the spotlight on the richness of our forests. The company even published the book Forêt, a guide to our forest products [in French only]. Offer them as a gift set, or individually. Various prices on gourmetsauvage.ca/en/
Photo Credit : Gourmet Sauvage
3. Fruitcake by Toque et Tablier
There’s nothing like offering a homemade fruitcake as a host or hostess gift. Especially when it’s locally made according to artisanal savoir-faire. Toque et Tablier specializes in its confection and is proud to rehabilitate the image of this cake by offering its own delicious version of this traditional dessert. $34.75 for a box of three fruitcakes at the RICARDO boutique.
Photo Credit : Toque et Tablier
4. Spicy Garlic Oil by Sum Sauce Lab
This lightly spicy condiment can be used in everything you cook—or almost. It’ll give a boost to stir-fried veggies, meats and even soups. Make sure you always have a jar in the fridge because, once you taste it, you’ll find it hard to go without! A delicious addiction that’s a perfect little stocking stuffer. $11.75 for a 250 ml bottle on montreal.lufa.com/en
Photo Credit : Lufa Farms
5. Citrus Marmalade by La Transformerie
Here’s an authentic artisanal product that’ll make every jam lover happy, while avoiding waste. Headed by chef Guillaume Cantin, this Quebec organization collects unsold fruits and transforms them into delicious spreads. We love their citrus marmalade, with its fruity taste that gives just enough sweetness and tanginess! From $9.49 to $10.49 for a 250 ml jar on latransformerie.org/en/
6. Festive Box of Cookies by Cabane Sur Le Roc
The Pied de Cochon’s ex-pastry chef concocts pure marvels in her maple pastry shop, where she transforms her maple syrup production into sublime candies. Three different types of chocolate bars, fruit pastes, maple sponge toffee, candy canes and shortbread cookies are offered in a pretty box that always makes a beautiful gift. Various prices, starting on November 15, on cabanesurleroc.ca
Photo Credit : Cabane Sur Le Roc
7. Caramel by La Lichée
The taste of these caramels makes us want to dip our spoon back in. The butter version will remind you of the caramel candies you used to get at Grandma’s. And when you top your pancakes with this spread, you’ll wonder why you’ve been using maple syrup all this time. You can offer a large format or a trio of mini jars that allow you to sample different flavours. $8.50 for a 275 g jar and $9 for 3 × 45 g on lalichee.co/
Photo Credit : La Lichée
8. Sea Salt by Saint-Laurent
Yep, we’ve finally got our own salt in Quebec, and not just any because it comes from the Bergeronnes, in the Haute-Côte-Nord region. Pure sea salt that comes from the depths of the St. Lawrence River, to offer to visiting French friends or anyone who likes adding a little touch of (local) saltiness to their dishes. $12.95 for a 125 g box on selsaintlaurent.com/en
Photo Credit : Sea Salt by Saint-Laurent
9. “Ciel la nuit!” Mug by Ceramicist Hugo Didier
With its large handle, this ceramic mug is a favourite of ours. It’s ready to welcome all your hot beverages this winter. Handmade in Montreal by Hugo Didier, it’s conventional oven safe, microwave safe and dishwasher safe. This mug is perfect for your coffee, tea or warm milk on Christmas morning. $24 on hugodidier.com
Photo Credit : Hugo Didier
10. Trio Set – Sweet by Cassis Monna & Filles
This splendid box set contains black currant jam, raspberry and Crème de cassis jam, and black currant jelly, all made with the berries grown on the family farm on Île d’Orléans. Three delicious products to serve on good country bread for breakfast, with waffles or on a platter with cheeses. $29.95 at the RICARDO boutique.
Photo Credit : Cassis Monna & Filles
11. Holiday Chocolate Box by État de choc
Located in Montreal, the boutique-shop État de choc offers high quality original chocolates in “bean-to-bar” mode. For the holidays, the company has created a special box containing various products to savour: a jar of pistachio spread, a hazelnut chocolate bar, a mini maple, miso and rice chocolate bar, a bag of chocolate-coated sponge toffee shards and a pouch of spiced hot chocolate. $65 on etatdechoc.com
Photo Credit : État de choc