A relatively sunny Monday commenced with a guava juice box from Vita, and the discovery of a despicable paper straw. No longer willing to withstand guava with a side of cardboard, I quickly disposed of the flimsy drinking device for my own Stainless one.
Out & About #996 | Salted Bread Roll Ver. 2, More Yu-Gi-Oh x Hello Kitty + Single-Digit Cycling4/20/2024 Mother Nature's indecisive tendencies towards Ontarians should come as no surprise. While one spring day can be glorious and sunny, the next could be met with rain, hail, or worse - snow. Historically, various forms of precipitation aren't uncommon during this time of year. Thus, one ought be strategic in selecting in-office days that permit exploration. A relatively sunny Monday commenced with a guava juice box from Vita, and the discovery of a despicable paper straw. No longer willing to withstand guava with a side of cardboard, I quickly disposed of the flimsy drinking device for my own Stainless one. Persistently sunny was the afternoon, which prompted the creation of an Ovaltine Latte, inspired by Good Luck HK Café's off-the-menu offering of Ovaltine Ice Cream with Egg Waffles. Consumed alongside were mini taiyaki bites - this time baked in a toaster oven as opposed to the air fryer. Despite adhering to the package directions, baking at 450 F for 10 minutes had already resulted in burnt edges and a scalding hot interior. I felt betrayed, for the air fryer instructions had yielded perfection. My next package will be baked at a lower temperature (400 - 425 F) for 10-12 minutes instead. Japanese sweet potato had also been acquired on the latest T&T expedition. Baked at 425 F for 30 minutes, the small rounds emerged tender, sweet, and not the slightest bit starchy. Furthermore, the skin peeled away effortlessly, facilitating consumption. My first office day of the work week was impossibly sunny, causing some grief along the morning commute as I squinted my eyes in a dire attempt to doze for the duration of the GO train ride. Comprehensive team attendance had prompted my fellow baking enthusiast of a coworker to supply a tray of Carrot Raisin Muffins for general consumption. In addition, a duo of traditional Bengali desserts exclusive to me. The gesture was warming, and sparked both intrigue and anxiety. The thoroughly greasy containers and mini carrying tote exuding questionable odours were brought home for sampling later that evening. The contents of one container constituted a soft, scoop-able milk-based dessert. Its aftertaste was decidedly creamy, though not exactly smooth and actually somewhat satiating. One could identify evaporated milk in its composition, similar to the "three-milk" dulce de leche cake that had left our office in a food coma. In another container were short crispy noodles that had fried (pan-fried with a generous quantity of oil) and sweetened with dark cane sugar. The Internet informed me of its name, Sewayii, though the creator noted an unconventional take on the dessert using Chinese brown slab sugar cane in place of jaggery. Either way, both were deemed an interest introduction to Bengali confectionery, yet not particularly appealing to our gustatory preferences due its oiliness and lack of structure. Over lunch, my coworker and I continued the search for Cinnamoroll, taking advantage of the concentration of McDonald's locations within the proximity of the office. My Melody and Pochacco were discovered at Queen and Church and procured at $2.25 each after tax. Given the hurried nature of the trip, I was unable to verify the condition of the boxes before departing and only discovered a damaged box upon returning to the office. Though, the boxes were further subject to strain during the return commute, for rush hour express trains do not permit trips without squishing and pushing.
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Waking to excruciating cramps that caused me to bend over the kitchen counter was not part of my Sunday morning plan. Breakfast could barely be consumed, for the sporadic pulses of pain would come between every few bites of Raisin Roll and sips of coffee. I spent most of the morning seated, then eventually resolved to reach out to the studio owner to inform her of the situation. Dal Pilates' cancellation policy was relatively forgiving: Penalties would not be incurred for correspondence made before studio closing time of the previous day. That said, I was requesting a same-day exception due to extenuating circumstances. My message was delivered around the 10 AM mark, yet neither seen nor responded to until at least 3 PM. The owner was kind enough to offer a 1:1 option to fill the slot. If desired, my browsing partner could take the slot in my absence for a private session at no additional charge. By this point, I had already deemed the situation a total loss with no chance of postponement. But when faced with the two options of losing a pricey pilates class or braving the stomach pains, I naturally took to the latter and geared up accordingly. After discussions with the owner, however, it was agreed that both members of the 2:1 package would attend the session, with me "taking it easy". The crippling pangs would thankfully lessen over the course of the day, allowing me to regain functionality bit by bit from the mid-afternoon hours into the early evening. A round of errands were performed, constituting a "primer activity" before our commute towards North York. Four McDonald's were investigated for the availability of Yu-Gi-Oh x Hello Kitty and Friends Happy Meal toys. Exodia Pompompurin and Dark Magician Hello Kitty were spotted, but Cinnamoroll was still nowhere in sight. Meanwhile, I also made an unexpected appearance at the household of my browsing partner, enlisting assistance for the transport of rice from T&T into my kitchen. Resulting from correspondence between the studio owner, the instructor, and myself, Min had adapted our class to use the Chair instead of the Reformer. She would also check in at the start of the session, as well as periodically throughout, to ensure that my stomach pains wouldn't increase in severity. I was also ensured that I could stop the session at any point in time if I did not feel well enough to continue. In order to prevent pressure on the abdomen, the class focus would be shifted towards the lower body. Though, as with all of Min's sessions, a full-body workout would be guaranteed. The warm-up involved standing behind the Chair, placing both hands of the pedals, and rolling down to press the pedals towards the ground. With only one red spring affixed to the apparatus, the starting tension was most definitely lighter than Jin, which made the exercise easier. I often anticipate the exercises to grow more challenging while progressing through the reps, thus sometimes err on the side of caution. The difference of Min vs. Jin is often next-day soreness vs. on-site burn respectively. Stepping both feet onto the pedals, we then transitioned into calves raises and drops. Next, the feet would be staggered and placed perpendicular along the width of the pedals. With one hand on the support bar and the other arm extended outwards, lateral bends would be executed as to engage the obliques and side body. This would then transition to side leg lifts while maintaining one hand on the support bar and one foot on the pedal. Turning to face the platform, we were instructed to grip both support bars and extend the arms. Keeping the arms straight and arches of the feet firmly planted on the pedals, the body would hinge backwards into a squat. As opposed to keeping the back entirely straight, we were advised to sink into the squat with a "poster tilt" of the pelvis. This equated to a moderately rounded C-curve, an uncommon alignment for conducting squats. The exercise wasn't incredibly difficult, but likely served to activate the hamstrings. With fingers wrapped about the support handles, it was far easier to reach a 90-degree seated position in mid-air than with traditional squats. Switching to sit on the platform, the legs would be drawn close to the body. Placing the heels onto the pedals, we were to bend and extend the knees to further engage the hamstrings. The tension could hardly be perceived with one red spring, so Min gradually added more spring tension, and eventually I graduated from 1 red to 1 red and 1 blue to a combination of 2 red and 1 blue. The same exercise would be performed once more with the toes planted on the pedals and heels raised to imaginary stiletto height. Addition of a green resistance band would elevate the exercise fantastically and contribute manageable levels of upper body work. The band would be sandwiched between the bottom of feet and the pedals of the Chair; both ends would be kept stable by keeping the resistance band taut and shoulders down.
Despite the seemingly simple movement, it was no easy feat to keep spine tall, shoulders down, and core engaged ("scoop the belly!") throughout. All in all, I found immense joy in this low-impact exercise - and had unknowingly prepared for it in my earlier workout of the week. The final set of exercises required rotating the body to pace perpendicular to the Chair. Standing on one side, with one foot placed onto the pedal, the knee was bent to draw the leg close, then extended to press the leg down, but not all the way to the floor as to maintain tension.
For the most part, I find it tricky to draw the line until an occurrence emerges repetitively, without improvement of any sort. These instances, or realizations, are often associated with annoyance, frustration, and, more commonly than not, aggression. Consequently, immediate actions are taken to prevent further happenings, or worsened impacts of a pre-existing condition. In the case of gustatory disappointments, the solution is straightforward: Invest in research, then construct it personally. Starbucks' bland and excessively pollen-like introductions of lavender onto their roster were met with a disapproving grimace. As such, the disappointment was channeled into motivation for improving the pairing. Lavender syrup would be crafted out of culinary lavender buds from NEOB, yellow rock sugar, and a 1/2 cup (125 ml) hot water. Steeping the buds in the liquid enabled delicate floral notes on the first day, then slow infusion of flavour when transferred to the fridge for three days. The syrup was floral, but not overbearing, and subtle, but still noticeable. Of course, success is not guaranteed when confronting issues involving others, their attitudes towards problem-solving (be it ignorance or passenger seat scrutinization), and long-standing habits that are troublesome instead of considerate. It is with great elation that I discuss my creations of the week: 1) Sakura Anko Pound Cake with Matcha Chocolate Glaze About 114 g of sakura anko remained after construction of the petal-adorned jelly cups. Being devoid of preservatives, I had been anxious to repurpose the product prior to mould formation. The idea was include a thin, yet recognizable layer of the rosy paste within a pound cake. Sunday Baking's Condensed Milk Pound Cake worked wonderfully for this application, for the original vanilla base would contrast nicely with soft pink, in terms of texture, taste, and hue. The paste was spread in a uniform layer about midway through the depth of the batter, then baked under the same conditions as Sunday's recipe. But whether it was due to moisture seeping out from the paste or butter mixing a soluble insertion, the inside was still very runny at the forty-minute mark. At least 15 mins more was needed for the cake to cook through; in the final five minutes, the surface was hurriedly shielded with a layer of foil from gaining colour too rapidly. Once cooled, a matcha white chocolate glaze comprised primarily of couverture with a few drops of vegetable oil was drizzled on top. Considering the number of times I had executed the formula, I saw no need to review the specified ratios. An unmeasured amount of white chocolate couverture was melted in the microwave; separately, one teaspoon of Momo Tea's Matsu would be thoroughly whisked with vegetable oil until no lumps remained. As a result of hurried maneuvers, the white chocolate was scorched, leading lumpy bits to prevail in the glaze. That said, given the strong presence of matcha, the blunder was neither perceived in the cake's appearance nor tasting profile.
With the week's pilates class scheduled for an earlier slot of 3 PM, the tension-filled commute to North York had likely only worsened with greater levels of traffic. In anticipation of the Solar Eclipse viewings, MTO signage had not only adopted French warnings, but glaringly bright cyan lettering as well. The high-contrast colours had me shaken, first for their newness and second for their presentation of information in a province where French is secondary. If anything, the English message should have been adopted in cyan, while French in orange - especially for the eastbound direction. Min and the new receptionist were the only two staff members in the studio at the time of our arrival. Having likely acquired more experience over the course of the week, the cardigan-clad receptionist ensured that our stay beyond the building doors did not persist beyond two minutes. Greatly appreciated was this swift door-opening response. Similar to her last class, Min wasted no time whatsoever, flowing through a multitude of exercises to ensure full-body coverage. At the start, she inquired of our condition - well, mine, since it always seems that the question is posed when one member has stepped away. I had noted neck pain, clarifying that it had resulted from fatigue as opposed to injury. In response to this declaration, a release segment was incorporated into the class: Placing the feet between the shoulder rests and laying the neck onto the footbar, we were instructed to turn the head towards the left and right, allowing for a gentle massage of the neck. As if the fixed plane rotations weren't already painful for me, we then proceeded with head circles in either direction. The relief was absolutely necessary, but also excruciating beyond belief given my longstanding neck tension. Interestingly, I had been shifted the second Reformer instead of the one I would normally use. Min had indicated that it was due to the gear bar setting options, though the reason for the move wasn't entirely clear to me as most Reformers could be adjusted for height differences without issues. (Perhaps it was a manufacturer defect?) The warm-up would start with hamstring stretches: both hands and one foot would be placed on the footbar, with the foot in between the hands. One would then extend and bend the knee, keeping the ball of the foot planted on the footbar. Two counts of upper and lower back extensions/stretches would follow; swinging one leg on either side of the Carriage, we'd push out against the footbar and flatten the back to the best of our abilities while pressing hips down. The lower back and hip flexors are perpetually tight for me. Min assisted by gently pressing down the lower back for a better stretch. Lower body warm-up would involve placing both feet on the footbar and bending/extending the legs for a few reps. Only one red spring was used, sharply contrasting against the minimum two red spring count of Jin's routines. Both feet would then be thread through the tension straps. At this point, I requested the addition of greater tension, though could not confirm whether the instructor had added one white or one blue. The exercises performed would include:
Next, one tension strap would removed from one leg. We'd continue with the same tabletop extension as before, but this time isolating one leg at a time. Needless to say, this was noticeably more difficult with more shakiness witnessed, especially when the weaker left leg was thread through the tension straps. On the final extension rep, the legs would remain extended for rotations. Inner thighs would be engaged thoroughly to keep the ring in place while twisting the lower body in the direction of the leg with the tension strap. In other words, if tension strap was on right leg, the lower body would rotate towards the right as much as possible without lifting the left hip off the Carriage. This exercise served to target the adductors, abductors, and obliques. We all returned to the office from Easter weekend feeling a tad groggy, but nonetheless in high spirits. Having switched the weekly meeting to an earlier slot in the week, I was eager to partake in office socialization and, of course, discussion of four-day undertakings. Personally, my extended long weekend hadn't been nearly as enthralling as I would have previously enjoyed. Cleaning, chores, and errands constituted the bulk of my waking hours, with just one day of nonstop activity. Being at home enables creativity in consumable creations though. A Hot Thai Tea with Matcha Foam proved scrumptious, while a $6.99 package of frozen mini taiyaki revealed themselves a spectacular find. When subject to a direct comparison to Kevin's Taiyaki, the bite-sized pieces were found crispier - yet not at all greasy! - with an exceptional, textured bean filling. Moreover, the bag's contents could be rendered ready-to-eat in just six minutes in an air fryer - fabulously more convenient than venturing to Koreatown, withdrawing cash, and queuing for the overpriced, now-mediocre product. Continuing to sample the non-alcoholic purchases from T&T, I was re-acquainted with my disdain for aspartame, responding to the hollow sensation by compensating with intake of sugary or calorie-dense snacks. It was deduced that one ought simply reach for proper distilled beverages when met with the desire to drink. Hakutsuru's sake never fails to deliver; though, a cocktail of gold tequila, lemon juice, and lemon-flavoured Montellier is best reserved for someone who enjoys citrus-smoky pairings. My single in-office presence was met with dreary, drizzly conditions yet again. Such climate urged me to seek shelter indoors, namely perusing the Eaton Centre - now shortened to "TEC" for some odd reason. At its north end was a new Starbucks location, termed "TEC North" to differentiate from the longstanding kiosk at the concourse level. CAMP Cube was revisited with the aim of obtaining the $5 CF Shop! Card my coworkers had received from the installation. Observed during this trip was the presence of microphones along the ceiling and potentially cameras installed within, for the robot would extend compliments to those donning vivid-hued apparel. Trivia questions were trickier this time around, with answers predominantly called out by other attendees of the space. Regardless of our answers, the robot still bestowed us with a chance to escape unscathed. The green prize corresponded to my preferred reward. As droplets began to descend across the downtown core, my footsteps quickened in the direction of Hazukido's Atrium location. The monthly promotion of complimentary Tea Jelly had concluded. I took to a duo of an Orange Americano (again) and Mille Feuille Croissant as afternoon snack support. (The rusk by the cashier had also been contemplated, though dismissed on the basis of being pricier than a freshly baked concoction.)
Read Part 1 HERE !
The drive to Rogers Reservoir Conservation Area was quicker than expected. In just thirty minutes, we'd exit the 404 and meander our way through residential grounds in search of signage.
When Google Maps had announced our arrival while crossing an overpass, I was utterly perplexed. Pulling over to determine our relative location was not an option, for the installation of on-street cycle tracks had eliminated shoulders on both sides of the street. Taking a quick gander at the route map, I made a U-turn at Mount Albert Road and 2nd Concession Road, heading west on Mount Albert until hitting Yonge Street. At the southeast corner of the intersection would be one of Nokiidaa Trail's asphalt lots.
Frankly, I hadn't recalled when exactly Rogers Reservoir had earned itself a spot on my to-go list. Neither in the neighbourhood of high-desire POIs nor home to stunning views, my bookmark prompted further research the night before. Being situated in a predominantly residential area with little transition in elevation, the trail was comparable to Riverwood Conservancy back home.
Weather conditions were splendid for the trek. Sunny, blue skies, temperatures hovering between the positive single- and double-digits, and occasional gusts of wind made for the perfect spring saunter.
Tree cover was minimal, unlike that of southwest Sauga trails. Open areas granted an unobscured view of the skies above, though also subject us to beaming UV rays and the will of Mother Nature in an unapologetic manner.
Generally speaking, the trail was very easy - ideal for families with small children, physically active elderly, and amateur to experienced cyclists. The path featured varying widths of paved and unpaved sections, the latter being gravel, dirt, or boardwalk and bridges. One could enjoy a scenic view of the Holland River on both the north and south sides, and eventually connect to 2nd Concession Road and East Gwillimbury GO station at grade level, if desired.
The downside was that the trail would not loop. From the getgo, I had been surprised with Dal Pilates' decision to match clients with instructors based on schedule availability rather than maintain the same instructor for the duration of the package for continuity and steady progress. We had belatedly been told that our preferred instructor, Jin, would be leaving the North York location for good due to commuting hassles and exclusively working out of the studio's newer Wellesley location starting April. Needless to say, I advocated for one more class with her, even if the slot was inconveniently early at 10 AM. My negotiations with my browsing partner ultimately proved successful; I'd adopt the role of the driver for the day, which also bestowed full power over the itinerary. Arriving in North York prior to 1 PM on Sundays was synonymous with complimentary metred parking. Naturally, I'd park closest to the Kingsdale Avenue entrance, where we'd shiver in wait of a member of staff to allow us into the building. The receptionist was neither the one from our first few classes nor Min, but an unfamiliar face with a positively petrified demeanour. Once in the building, Jin welcomed us into the facility with a joyful smile, and responded with surprise when I pointed out it would be her last day. The class would be conducted strictly using the Chair and a foam mat laid on the floor before its pedals; the Reformer would not be touched at all! Our warm-up would comprise of a standing rolldown: With one hand placed on each pedal, we were instructed to sequence through the spine, engaging the core as we resisted the pedal. After inhaling in the bent position, we would exhale and slowly return to standing. At least ten reps were executed, each becoming progressively more difficult. The move was indeed challenging compared to the standard rolldown, since resisting spring tension demanded more core control. Standing cat cows were also conducted in the bent position, with hands resisting the pedal tension while transitioning in and out of flexion and extension. We were then directed to lay in supine position on the foamy mat. Bending the knees while keeping feet (and inner thighs) together, bridge articulations would be performed. The instructor reminded us to "keep the ribs closed" and articulate all the way back to neutral pelvis upon returning to the starting stance. Bridge variations would follow in the forms of:
Once the glute muscles were active, we scooted further down the mat to hook the heels onto the pedals of the Chair. With the feet flexed, the pedals would be drawn down/close to the hips for lying hamstring pulls. Next, the ball of the feet would be positioned against the pedal, lightly pressing onto the component while executing the same bridge series as before. Needless to say, the bridge articulations, tabletop lifts, and leg extension lift and lowers were much harder while using the apparatus. Most intense were the unassisted articulated bridges, which involved shifting the Chair closer to the lower body but away from the wall beside which it rested. By reducing points of support for the Chair, one was to draw from core strength to prevent pushing the equipment. A combo move of an articulated bridge and crunch was appended to the end of the sequence for isolated core work. Surprisingly, the session did not comprise of any arm or upper body isolations, though one could argue that pressing the hands into the mat during bridge articulations would work the triceps, while keeping the shoulders down would engage the upper back. As with previous classes, pulses were not included, and few holds if at all. In order to instill some degree of relief for the hamstring and thighs, the final ten minutes would be allocated towards stretching. After verifying comfort levels, we were instructed to face one another and take a firm grasp of each other's hands for assisted stretching. Propping the bottoms of the feet together, each leg would be raised to tabletop, then extended and retracted. Finishing on a strong note, both legs would be extended in an open teaser position, simultaneously serving to lengthen tight muscles and strengthen the core via balancing needs. Inner thigh stretches would also be undertaken, where the partners would take turns pushing against the other's calves with the inside of the foot. Amongst all the classes taken at Dal Pilates to date, this fifth session bore the greatest similarities to my mat practice at home, blended with a bit of Well+Good mobility fundamentals. Having been the studio's first users of the day, the space was still relatively cool. With the conclusion of class, however, more clients filed into the compact corridor, consequently contributing to heat generation. North York exploration would commence around the 11 AM mark. While I embraced the breezy, single-digit temperatures and low levels of foot traffic, my browsing partner argued the advantages of wandering about in the later hours. "Nothing is open yet!" "Well nothing is open when we come at night either!" I retorted. Most of the businesses of interest would indeed remain shuttered until 1 PM, coinciding with the periods where pay parking would be enforced. Heading northbound, we passed pending openings, including yet another bubble tea venture coming to the former Hey Sugar and supposedly renowned milk tea destination.
Post-pizza cravings had conjured a vivid image of fluffy sponge and cream, possible fitted with fresh fruit. "I want cake - Strawberry Shortcake." was announced while aimlessly sauntering through Yonge North York BIA's latest silk lantern exhibit at Mel Lastman Square. 1) Strawberry Shortcake The timely purchase of discount Driscoll's strawberries, as well as discovery of their mould-bearing state, had facilitated the experiment accordingly. Heavy cream was already on hand; just one sponge - and perhaps two hours of active labour - stood between me and a delectable slice of cake. Needless to say, there was little to no resistance in commencing the process, though an unexpected water shutdown did cause a delayed start. Sunday Baking's recipe would be modified minimally for this trial, for it was already scaled for a 6" aluminum pan. The general formula would be as follows, noted with adjustments by yours truly:
Adjustments: - Temperature + Ribbon Stage: When constructing genoise, raising the temperature of the eggs to 45 C ensures optimal aeration, thus promoting volume without compromising structure. Should the double-boiler step be omitted, as I often do for the sake of speed and fewer dishes, conducting visual checks is pivotal for success: the hue should be pale yellow, while the whipped mixture should be able to sustain a trail on the bowl's surface for a few seconds before slowly vanishing - the "ribbon stage". (The consistency is depicted clearly in a number of Cooking Tree's videos.) This is especially important to note if working in a cold kitchen, as Canadian winters (and faux springs) tend to generate in. Tip: One can also be mindful of changes in viscosity while using a hand mixer, as greater friction results from a thickened, stabilized mixture. - Cream Filling: Sunday's recipe called for 450 g of heavy cream and a 1:10 ratio of sugar to cream. I settled for depleting the remainder of my cream carton and preserving the second container on hand and scaling the amount of sugar accordingly, however it is advised to adhere to the directed quantity to ensure adequacy in frosting the exterior. Ultimately, my rendition adopted the format of a naked cake due to insufficient cream. - Chill Time: To prevent my cream filling from weeping, 1 tbsp of gelatin was dissolved in an unmeasured quantity of water, let cool, then incorporated using sacrificial mixing. Given the introduction of liquid, the cream filling was more difficult to work with and chilling was non-negotiable before slicing and serving. Cream whipped to medium-stiff peaks (without the addition of gelatin) could likely be sliced in about three hours.
Alternating at-home recovery and errand-running has proven somewhat sustainable for my Sunday schedule, particularly since sleeping early always seems ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ to be denied. The first half of the weekend had been allocated towards chores, including cleaning until nearly midnight. Perpetually perplexing to me is how even the grandest efforts appear to bring about few physical improvements to the area, but I digress! My forever helper is not attuned to operating on EST, which usually results in delayed arrivals, and further delays due to my lack of punctuality. Shops at Don Mills had been designated as the first destination on the itinerary. We arrived at the asphalt lot just before 2:30 PM, at which point I exited from the vehicle to find surprisingly mild conditions and close to no residual ice masses after the previous day's heavy snowfall. The two objectives of the visit had been The Body Shop's liquidation sale and Hazukido x Daan Go's collaboration space. When the fair trade beauty giant was discovered shuttered and vacated, we ventured along the other corridors within the retail plaza, noting new openings and persistent presences. Hazukido and Daan Go's collaboration space was discovered far more compact than envisioned. The location was supposedly a dedicated facility for workshops and special events, though the limited number of tables, stacks of boxes along the perimeter of the seating area, and nonexistent selection of exclusive items deterred from a longer stay. With little else of interest, we continued on our way following use of their indoor plumbing services. Although a logistically odd choice, the Barber Greene Plaza had intentionally been planned as the second stop, in fear that my browsing partner would exceed my anticipated browsing period.
There seems to be some misconception that those that enjoy food can also eat copious amounts of it. This is not true. I've always been equipped with a fairly small appetite. As the years go on, the capacity has diminished further, with difficulty consuming liquids and solids at once without feelings of discomfort. Hence, the traditional breakfast layouts have always perplexed me: a platter of eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, fruit, and coffee is an extravagant North American take often viewed as the equivalent of two meals. Needless to say, there appears no need to dine out for the first meal of the day: Why relinquish hard-earned funds to be served sustenance I could cook myself with ease and in bulk? A single slice of toasted Challah from COBS Bread dressed with homemade pineapple jam and a cup of cold brew is more than sufficient to start the day. Wrist pain has been undeniable (985) as of the past week. That said, the desire to bake is also one that cannot be stifled, simply due to physical setbacks. Braving the persistent discomfort, I powered through to re-purpose eight spotty bananas into banana bread. Two loaves could be constructed from the medium-sized fruit. 1) Marbled and Jacked-Up Banana Bread The marble is no newcomer to the household, however my coworker's introduction to Jacked-Up marked a banana bread revolution. Additions of salted butter and rum contribute impressive complexity, boasting an entirely different unique profile from its marbled neighbour. Remnants of the toasted, finely chopped pecans from the Carrot Pound Cake were utilized to differentiate the loaves, simultaneously bestowing an element of crunch to the alcohol-infused treat. Another aspect of note was the use of Kirkland vanilla extract in the Marble and homemade vodka-based vanilla extract in Jacked-Up, which, if you ask me, were absolutely appropriate decisions. Although less concentrated in hue, the DIYed edition was far more aromatic in comparison. Both loaves were savoured with glee and shared with those in proximity. About four slices of each were then frozen for later enjoyment. 2) Steamed Red Bean Buns The impromptu encounter with Bao House's Red Bean Buns had my mind whirring. In short, I hadn't been pleased with their $3.99 trio. For an establishment priding themselves in Chinese baos, the order had drawn disgrace; the buns could have been fluffier, but the filling was, without a doubt, the worst part of it all. And perhaps the average person would have sampled the texture-less monstrosity, reviewed the associated the price tag, and deemed it passable. Well, suffice to say, I cannot classify as "average" in my quest for good food. Homemade red bean buns would constitute a two-part project that, unfortunately, would not commence until the early afternoon hours due to schedule conflicts. First up was the red bean filling. In order to speed up the process, I turned to the Instant Pot. It was neither an appliance I had ever used previously, nor was it mine to start.
Diving in head first, I'd skim Just One Cookbook's advertisement-laden recipe page instead of reading the manual. She would categorize red bean paste into two categories: tsubu-an and koshi-an, respectively referring to chunky and smooth variations as well as their applications. My heart yearned for a textured rendition, thus I adhered to the formula for tsubu-an. The pressure cooker edition specified the following:
My attempt would involve 325 g of red beans instead, for I had been keen to empty the second-last container in my inventory. Other ingredient amounts of scaled up accordingly. It wasn't until that the unwashed beans and water had been inserted and locked within the Instant Pot that I realized the omission of dried tangerine peel, 陳皮. It was a pivotal ingredient in accentuating the profile of Chinese Red Bean Soup (紅豆沙) that I wished not to exclude. Consequently, I'd run the Instant Pot on the Bean/Chili setting for an additional fifteen minutes after the prescribed twenty-five minute first round. |
Who Am I?Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics. Archives
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