I talk about food, you read it.
Misc
Bread Dipper
0Don’t you love it when you make something by accident that turns out to fantastic! I know I do.
When I was making French Onion Soup I realized that I added too much butter/oil to my onions after they started to reduce. I didn’t want to pour it out so I just let the onions cook away thinking that it would just cook off but I was wrong. It just sat at the bottom of my pot bubbling, taunting me and ridiculing my cooking abilities. After a while I spooned out as much as I could and poured it in a bowl with the hopes that it would be a yummy infusion from the garlic, onions and shallots.
I was right!! I threw in a bunch of herbs and this mistake turned into a wonderful appetizer. Using this herbed, onion infused oil as a bread dipper was the perfect thing to start out the evening. It was deliciously sweet and with the addition of herbs there was this flavour explosion that almost made me want to lick the bowl. I can’t wait to try this, on purpose, for a bread dipper in the future.
Dominican
02 months ago
in Misc
I am finally back from my honeymoon in the Dominican Republic and part of me is actually happy to be home. A small part of me was getting a little home sick but the part of me that loves to lie on the beach is thinking its time to start planning for another holiday. The biggest thing I missed was being able to see my family and friends, my puppy and not being able to cook. After 14 days of eating buffets and a la cart restaurants over and over I was almost ready to live off of Doritos, except that Doritos cost 6.00 USD a bag in Dominican. By the end I was so desperate to cook I could have jumped over the counter and slapped the chef with his spatula for overcooking absolutely everything. Needless to say I didn’t take many food photos and wasn’t excited to be blogging while in the Dominican.
There was one point that we did get to experience traditional Dominican Cuisine and I would like to say this was my Anthony Bordain, no reservations moment. We didn’t eat Balut or Guinny Pig mind you but I also wasn’t entirely sure what it was that we did eat, except for the spaghetti which I am pretty sure was for the kids. We were on a touristy excursion and we drove through some of the poorest parts of Peurta Plata. This is where you’ll see stores with sinks haning from the celing and car parts strewn across the sidewalk. Its here that the bus pulled over and we all walked into a small unsuspecting restaurant.
Immediately when we arrived the rum started pouring and before you knew it the talk of getting the mamajuana out. I had a rather bad experience the night before with mamajuana so I was eagar to just get some food in my belly. One thing we noticed is that there is a lot of stray dogs and cats in Dominican. They seem to be fairly tame and taken care of but I did find it odd that there was also something furry rubbing against my legs while I was eating.
There wasn’t a menu at this restaurant and it appeared to be another buffet. Just when I thought I was safe I see the metal food trays lined up again. This time there were only a few things to chose from so I took a bit of everything. I am not entirely sure what this all is, but the chicken was probably the best thing I ate during the entire Dominican vacation. I don’t know how it was seasoned but the flavour was amazing. There was also traditional fried plantaine, beans and rice, beef, lamb, and who knows maybe even stray dog and cat. For the most part the food in the Dominican is fairly bland but if I knew where I was in Puerto Plata I would go back to this hole in the wall in a heartbeat. Since I don’t this will be one of those meals I will just have to remember from a photo.
Caramel, pain in the Glass
65 months ago
in Misc
I know it was J’s birthday a few weeks back but there was something I wanted to tell you but I was too ashamed.
I had to make a cake mix cake.
GASP!!
I have never claimed to be a baker but on occasion I ignore that part of my brain and attempt to show off my sweet side. Well, apparently being sweet or cooking sweets requires you need to be some sort of scientist, which I am not. I prefer not to measure, and I prefer not to follow directions if at all possible (when cooking). This makes it very difficult when you need to make a birthday cake. This cake to be exact. Oh how pretty she is.
I imagined myself slicing into this decedent looking cake to show off a thick, sweet, golden caramel sauce oozing from its layers. Well, I spent all my time attempting the caramel that I didn’t have the time to make a proper cake, resulting in a cake mix.
My first attempt is thanks to David Lebovitz on how to make the perfect caramel. I started with the dry caramel method, mentioned in his post, but things quickly went sideways due to an unreasonable high cooking temperature I accidentally used. It started smoking right away and immediately started to burn. I then added the cream anyway and it was lumpy and almost curdled.
I didn’t want the caramel to defeat me so I youtubed several video’s on how to make caramel and tried again. This time I couldn’t get the sugar to stop creeping up the side of the pot. One single crystal apparently can ruin the caramel and I have several crystals.
What I ended up with was a rock hard sheet of candy. It was like glass and I am sure could be also used as a weapon. It tasted much better but for the sake of our teeth and the look of the cake I didn’t crush it up and put it into the cake. Maybe if you have a loved one in prison that needs self defence, you could use that method.
Does anyone have a fool proof way of caramel making? Practice makes perfect so I shall try again……to be continued.
Be Right Back
17 months ago
in Misc
Well, you’ve probably noticed that I have been missing lately. I have an explanation…….I am getting Married tomorrow!
Wish me luck, pray for rain and Cheers! I will soon return as a MRS 
Summer Fresh Salads from Safeway
08 months ago
After work on Monday I wanted to rush home, get some food on the table and watch the Canucks game. This meant I would be making something that wasn’t fussy, easy to make, and wouldn’t require a lot of prep. I ended barbequing turkey burgers but I really didn’t have the time to make a side. I could have thrown together a warm potato salad or a tossed salad but like I said, I wanted to be sitting on my bum watching the game so I took the easy way out and bought a couple salads from Safeway.
I don’t normally purchase these types of sides but in those moments when time and attention matters then you may have to turn to these deli made salads. I have in the past bought from Price-mart which were a total waste of money but Safeway’s summer salads seemed fresher, and with a lot more flavour.
First I grabbed the Greek pasta salad. It was skinny penne pasta with an olive oil vinaigrette, green peppers, tomato, onion and feta. There was a decent amount of feta and the flavours were okay. It probably could have used a little less oil, and maybe some more seasoning but not bad.
The other salad I purchased was the Potato Caesar Salad with Bacon. This one had a hint of bacon flavour and I couldn’t see any actual pieces so I assume they were very tiny. The Caesar flavour was also subtle but the salad itself was nice and creamy.
I think both of these salads were better than most of the grocers deli out there but of course still will never beat home made. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy these again in a rush. The main disappointment was that they’re a little on the small side, which is why I ended up buying 2 and 2 was just enough for 3 adults.
Corona in beach attire?
08 months ago
in Misc, Product Reviews
Ahhhhh, summer. The sun has been shining and we need to celebrate. We can do this by cracking an ice cold beer and enjoy the warmth.
What’s that? Corona has dressed up for the occasion? How thoughtful!
For a limited time this summer, you can pick up a 6 pack of Corona decked out in some new summer outfits. Okay, they’re not outfits but they do add some colour to your fridge and your patio party! There are 6 different wraps that decorate the bottles and I find them quite fun. I have already purchased them twice this year and will probably do so again. Yes, I am a sucker for marketing!
I could eat a horse!
09 months ago
in Misc
Eat like a horse or eat a horse?
I recently read an article on The Huffing post that Top Chef Canada presented horse meat as competition ingredient. This episode is being aired tonight, May 16th. This apparently doesn’t sit well with a lot of Canadians though and many have decided to boycott the show. The boycott is largely by people who preserve horses as companions or pets.
Now, if you think of a regular horse, perhaps you’ve rode a horse, you probably can’t imagine sitting down with a knife and fork and eating it. If you think of a cow on the other hand, perhaps you’ve seen them aimlessly wondering a field and pooping. I bet you can imagine sitting down to a nice steak….right? Let’s not assume that butchers are harvesting horses that pets of any kind. The horses are being raised for food just like cattle. They don’t get to eat sugar cubes and apples or get a scratch on the nose. They don’t get cute names and bows tied around their ears. They’re strictly for food. I’m wondering if the same people who are boycotting the show are also people who don’t eat meat of any kind. You can’t really say no to horse and then chow down on a bison burger can you? I’ve seen goat brain on the show but nobody got bent out of shape about that.
With all that said, its probably apparent that I would eat a horse. I haven’t but it wouldn’t be something id be afraid to try. This isn’t because I don’t like horses. I love horses! I think they’re super cute and intelligent but its meat and I like meat. I also like cows, pigs and chickens and I eat those too. I have also eaten ostrich, kangaroo, deer and buffalo before as well, why? Because its meat and I will NOT discriminate!
Now before you boycott my blog I do want to let you all know that I see the issue and maybe serving horse on Canadian TV is a little too sensitive. We wouldn’t give dog to Top Chef Contestants even though its eaten in other countries. If there was a Top Chef India I could assume that Cow wouldn’t be in their baskets. So, maybe Top Chef will apologise and we won’t have to worry about what other pets are being chopped up and served. Until then…maybe just change the channel!
Herbs!
09 months ago
in Misc
I’d like to introduce you to my little friends…
In December I let you all know about the Areogarden my mom got J and I for Christmas. Well, now that the sun keeps poking its head I wanted to expand the little herbs and get them outside. I started a few new herbs and so far they’re doing great. When it gets too cold out I will re-start the Aerogarden again to have the handy counter herbs again. There is nothing like cooking with fresh herbs so get your green thumbs out get growing.
Cilantro
Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Chives
Italian Parsley
Oregano
