Well, only food-related if you factor in that I'll be closer to all the downtown cuisine that I can wrap my grubby little fingers around, but the point is that I am moving very soon: March 31st!
This month has been excruciatingly busy, and while that is no excuse I am just stating for the record that I'll be more on top of the blogging in the future! April will be a great month!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Snack Attack! #3
Oh wow, some ridiculous favourites have popped up in recent snacking history. I have stumbled on some great treats that you guys should all be privy to immediately:
Banana Gummy Bears and Blueberry Rings:
When I was in the area of Dufferin and Steeles yesterday to run some errands, starting with Home Depot, I realized that there is randomly some great places along the way to the Superstore. Well let's not give the plaza too much credit, it has two good places: Deja Vu records and Bulk Barn, the mecca of all snacking.
I immediately honed in on the candy aisle to check for a gem I used to take advantage of, the strawberry and banana rings, a variant on the peach ring idea. Unfortunately they weren't around, but in their place were blueberry rings in the familiar thin layer of sugar that coats all great candy - only 66¢ per 100g or some such Bulk Barn pricing, I was too awestruck to really care.
However, the blueberry rings alone was not even an option; whenever I go to Bulk Barn I am undeniably overcome by the feeling of being just a kid in a candy store, which is effectively true. Luckily, I didn't even need to peruse the aisles, as a few bins away held banana gummy bears, which after a quick taste test I found resembled the uber-sweet banana popsicles of youth.
And the same price as the rings, so I could mix them without a tongue lashing (or at least a frowzy, unhappy look) from the cashier!
When I got outside the store I immediately opened the bag and after trying each separately I decided to combine the flavours, rationing two gummy bears per blueberry ring. Give it a try, it is unnecessarily brilliant; I ate an unnaturally large bag in two days and I guarantee that if there were more in front of me I would keep on going.
Cherry Chocolate Bloom Donut:
Tim Horton's has been at it for a good long while, but here's a reminder that the donut of the month concept rocks. They switch it up from one tasty treat to another, continuing to perpetuate the ideals of what I can only describe as the Canadian dream: waking up every day in a small town, lining up for two hours in the morning coffee rush (for very lackluster coffee) and then taking your kid to the rink for hockey practice before relaxing at home on a lazy Saturday - all while being as polite as you can of course. Hey, I'll take that over the American one to be sure.
I could hype this donut up entirely, but I think it would be easier to take a look for yourself:
The bloom is dipped in chocolate fondant, sprinkled with cherry and chocolate and finished with a large dollop of cherry jelly in the middle - you'd better fucking believe how awesome that is. But on their website, Tim Horton's are displaying a new key lime donut... has this one run the gamut? Check out your nearest Tim Horton's now, before it's too late!
Banana Gummy Bears and Blueberry Rings:
When I was in the area of Dufferin and Steeles yesterday to run some errands, starting with Home Depot, I realized that there is randomly some great places along the way to the Superstore. Well let's not give the plaza too much credit, it has two good places: Deja Vu records and Bulk Barn, the mecca of all snacking.
I immediately honed in on the candy aisle to check for a gem I used to take advantage of, the strawberry and banana rings, a variant on the peach ring idea. Unfortunately they weren't around, but in their place were blueberry rings in the familiar thin layer of sugar that coats all great candy - only 66¢ per 100g or some such Bulk Barn pricing, I was too awestruck to really care.
However, the blueberry rings alone was not even an option; whenever I go to Bulk Barn I am undeniably overcome by the feeling of being just a kid in a candy store, which is effectively true. Luckily, I didn't even need to peruse the aisles, as a few bins away held banana gummy bears, which after a quick taste test I found resembled the uber-sweet banana popsicles of youth.
And the same price as the rings, so I could mix them without a tongue lashing (or at least a frowzy, unhappy look) from the cashier!
When I got outside the store I immediately opened the bag and after trying each separately I decided to combine the flavours, rationing two gummy bears per blueberry ring. Give it a try, it is unnecessarily brilliant; I ate an unnaturally large bag in two days and I guarantee that if there were more in front of me I would keep on going.
Cherry Chocolate Bloom Donut:
Tim Horton's has been at it for a good long while, but here's a reminder that the donut of the month concept rocks. They switch it up from one tasty treat to another, continuing to perpetuate the ideals of what I can only describe as the Canadian dream: waking up every day in a small town, lining up for two hours in the morning coffee rush (for very lackluster coffee) and then taking your kid to the rink for hockey practice before relaxing at home on a lazy Saturday - all while being as polite as you can of course. Hey, I'll take that over the American one to be sure.
I could hype this donut up entirely, but I think it would be easier to take a look for yourself:
The bloom is dipped in chocolate fondant, sprinkled with cherry and chocolate and finished with a large dollop of cherry jelly in the middle - you'd better fucking believe how awesome that is. But on their website, Tim Horton's are displaying a new key lime donut... has this one run the gamut? Check out your nearest Tim Horton's now, before it's too late!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Further proof of the asute Amélie
Amélie is one hell of a movie; what a romantic leviathan! I have not deigned to ever see The Notebook, the often-proposed greatest romance movie of all time, yet still know for a certainty that it can in no way reach the heights that Amélie has climbed - just a visually gorgeous film with the greatest love story ever, who can ask for more?
Regardless, one of the best things of the movie (besides the score) was the attention to detail of the supporting characters. One such character is Dominique Bretodeau and, similarly to the rest of the supporting cast, he has a very charming habit: "Every Tuesday, Dominique Betodeau goes out to buy a chicken. Usually, he cooks it in the oven with baked potatoes. After cutting off the legs, the breast and the wings, he'll clean up the bones with his fingers, starting with the oysters."
Now I haven't quite had a go at a chicken, but at Reggie's I've been learning how to prepare the sandwich stations and a few days ago I was asked to pick apart a turkey - with my bare hands no less! After a thorough washing my mind immediately flew to Amélie (they're very similarly proportioned birds after all) and I wondered if it would live up to Bretodeau's personal bliss.
Oh man it totally did!
Until I started working at Reggie's, I had been so consumed with the actual act of eating that I'd never really been active in understanding just how my food appeared on the plate, so therein lies some of my satisfaction. But what I enjoyed most was the near-carnivorous pleasure of ripping apart moist meat that smelled ferociously appetizing. I ate a few pieces myself and savoured the sensation of turkey straight from the oven, almost more than a Thanksgiving-prepared bird, which is far and away my favourite meal of the year.
Damn I love working with food.
Regardless, one of the best things of the movie (besides the score) was the attention to detail of the supporting characters. One such character is Dominique Bretodeau and, similarly to the rest of the supporting cast, he has a very charming habit: "Every Tuesday, Dominique Betodeau goes out to buy a chicken. Usually, he cooks it in the oven with baked potatoes. After cutting off the legs, the breast and the wings, he'll clean up the bones with his fingers, starting with the oysters."
Now I haven't quite had a go at a chicken, but at Reggie's I've been learning how to prepare the sandwich stations and a few days ago I was asked to pick apart a turkey - with my bare hands no less! After a thorough washing my mind immediately flew to Amélie (they're very similarly proportioned birds after all) and I wondered if it would live up to Bretodeau's personal bliss.
Oh man it totally did!
Until I started working at Reggie's, I had been so consumed with the actual act of eating that I'd never really been active in understanding just how my food appeared on the plate, so therein lies some of my satisfaction. But what I enjoyed most was the near-carnivorous pleasure of ripping apart moist meat that smelled ferociously appetizing. I ate a few pieces myself and savoured the sensation of turkey straight from the oven, almost more than a Thanksgiving-prepared bird, which is far and away my favourite meal of the year.
Damn I love working with food.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Snack Attack! #2
I found myself in my neighbourhood convenience store today - a sketchy convenience store that caters to the lucrative high school across the street in addition to other only seldom-seen visitors. The place closes at 8pm every day, even on a Saturday... oh, and is the only shop still standing in an old mini-strip in which the other abandoned locations were bulldozed months ago to make room for subsidized housing - the husk of the adjoining store wall is quite the eyesore. You can imagine how my presence here is a pretty rare occurrence.
On this day I needed snacks post-haste and was in no mood to travel for them. While this convenience store does carry overly marked up Maynards candy, I noticed a stand that carried a brand called Cottage Country, which I had never seen before but carried some familiar candies that included classic peach rings and...
Sour Cherry Balls:
Which I have not seen in so long! For those who are not familiar with these they are small red balls with a consistency comparable to jelly beans, but with a sugar infused tangy kick that makes it impossible not to overeat them, which is hell on your teeth and your stomach but absolutely worth it. Although I'm unsure if you'll run into the Cottage Country brand near you they charge only $1.99 for a bag bigger than Maynards. I've actually been back to the convenience store just to buy these, so you know they're worth it.
Cadbury Creme Eggs:
It's spring! Holy shit it's finally here, cemented by the release of Cadbury's famous treat that most people I know embrace wholeheartedly. You only have a brief window to enjoy this delectable chocolate egg! I know that I usually buy one on every visit to a convenience store - they strategically place them on the counter so that it is very difficult not to grab one on the way out. This year Cadbury has gone out of their way to market these eggs in a unique fashion: Release the goo!
...The hell?
Sure, why not. I thought they were popular enough without the awkward sexual connotations that this ad campaign allude to, but I suppose Cadbury knows best. If you want a more direct example check out the billboard at Dundas square. If April rains succeed a fan may split a giant egg down the middle and shower us all with tasty goo - Cadbury guarantees total gooey satisfaction.
If you aren't willing to make the trip check out their live feed:
To Cadbury!
On this day I needed snacks post-haste and was in no mood to travel for them. While this convenience store does carry overly marked up Maynards candy, I noticed a stand that carried a brand called Cottage Country, which I had never seen before but carried some familiar candies that included classic peach rings and...
Sour Cherry Balls:
Which I have not seen in so long! For those who are not familiar with these they are small red balls with a consistency comparable to jelly beans, but with a sugar infused tangy kick that makes it impossible not to overeat them, which is hell on your teeth and your stomach but absolutely worth it. Although I'm unsure if you'll run into the Cottage Country brand near you they charge only $1.99 for a bag bigger than Maynards. I've actually been back to the convenience store just to buy these, so you know they're worth it.
Cadbury Creme Eggs:
It's spring! Holy shit it's finally here, cemented by the release of Cadbury's famous treat that most people I know embrace wholeheartedly. You only have a brief window to enjoy this delectable chocolate egg! I know that I usually buy one on every visit to a convenience store - they strategically place them on the counter so that it is very difficult not to grab one on the way out. This year Cadbury has gone out of their way to market these eggs in a unique fashion: Release the goo!
...The hell?
Sure, why not. I thought they were popular enough without the awkward sexual connotations that this ad campaign allude to, but I suppose Cadbury knows best. If you want a more direct example check out the billboard at Dundas square. If April rains succeed a fan may split a giant egg down the middle and shower us all with tasty goo - Cadbury guarantees total gooey satisfaction.
If you aren't willing to make the trip check out their live feed:
To Cadbury!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Ch-Ch-Cheese it!
It was recently brought to my attention by a friend of mine that in all my writing about food thus far I have always made a special mention about the cheese in the dish. This should have been obvious to me because cheese has been a large part of my life for some time now. A few specific incidents spring to mind:
- One of the first memories I have of my dad and I eating together and enjoying it (I was a terribly finicky kid) was over a large chunk of old cheddar.
- My mother used to include a large block of cheese wrapped in saran wrap as part of my elementary school lunches - sometimes with crackers, but more often without.
- In grade six I stated in an orientation exercise that my favourite food was cheese, not bothering to specify any subsections to the category.
- In a discussion with my roommates last year we pondered the idea of being forced to give up some x-factor or beer (obviously one of the only true necessities) for life and if there would ever be a food/beverage option you would choose to keep over beer. The only one we could think of was cheese.
Cheese is simply the most versatile food I can think of; the inclusion or exclusion in a dish often acts as the catalyst for its success or failure in my eyes. I sincerely wish I knew more about the elusive quality of cheese, which of course lies in the original casting and aging process, but what I do know is a lifelong pursuit of great cheeses is in the cards for me. One such event has become one of the most unforgettable meals of my life.
It was during my brief stint in Italy, the spring of 2007 - my dad and I were in the middle of our biking portion of the trip. We would bike towards a location and stop midday at a town or small village to explore and eat. On our way to a city called Montepulciano we stopped at the base of the large approaching hill to eat at a small diner that really seemed to stand by itself. In Italy there are typically three courses to each meal: the antipasto, first course and second course, and you were expected to order two of them. I noticed that one of the antipasto options was simply "formaggio," so I chose that in addition to a wild boar pasta as my main course, thinking it would be light enough that I could get back onto my bike and easily tackle the uphill climb.
I was presented with Pecorino cheese, which was everywhere in Tuscany, in three separate large slices: one was very young cheese, one was aged for about a year (described as a medium flavoured cheese) and the last was aged for several years. I was given three small vials of jelly that was specifically meant for the cheese depending on age. The young cheese was complimented with a strawberry balsamic jelly, the medium cheese was eaten with an eggplant jelly and the old cheese with a green tomato jelly, all of which were sweet. I can say with confidence that I have never been so impressed with cheese in my life. The young cheese was nearly as soft as a ricotta, the medium cheese had the stirrings of the older flavour in it while the old cheese was lambasted with it - and it was obvious that each of the jellies was painstakingly chosen. I will never forget this meal, particularly because after this large serving of cheese in addition to the wild boar pasta I was weighed down significantly, making the uphill climb ludicrously difficult.
So there you have it. Cheese - possibly the best edible entity on this planet. The older the better!
- One of the first memories I have of my dad and I eating together and enjoying it (I was a terribly finicky kid) was over a large chunk of old cheddar.
- My mother used to include a large block of cheese wrapped in saran wrap as part of my elementary school lunches - sometimes with crackers, but more often without.
- In grade six I stated in an orientation exercise that my favourite food was cheese, not bothering to specify any subsections to the category.
- In a discussion with my roommates last year we pondered the idea of being forced to give up some x-factor or beer (obviously one of the only true necessities) for life and if there would ever be a food/beverage option you would choose to keep over beer. The only one we could think of was cheese.
Cheese is simply the most versatile food I can think of; the inclusion or exclusion in a dish often acts as the catalyst for its success or failure in my eyes. I sincerely wish I knew more about the elusive quality of cheese, which of course lies in the original casting and aging process, but what I do know is a lifelong pursuit of great cheeses is in the cards for me. One such event has become one of the most unforgettable meals of my life.
It was during my brief stint in Italy, the spring of 2007 - my dad and I were in the middle of our biking portion of the trip. We would bike towards a location and stop midday at a town or small village to explore and eat. On our way to a city called Montepulciano we stopped at the base of the large approaching hill to eat at a small diner that really seemed to stand by itself. In Italy there are typically three courses to each meal: the antipasto, first course and second course, and you were expected to order two of them. I noticed that one of the antipasto options was simply "formaggio," so I chose that in addition to a wild boar pasta as my main course, thinking it would be light enough that I could get back onto my bike and easily tackle the uphill climb.
I was presented with Pecorino cheese, which was everywhere in Tuscany, in three separate large slices: one was very young cheese, one was aged for about a year (described as a medium flavoured cheese) and the last was aged for several years. I was given three small vials of jelly that was specifically meant for the cheese depending on age. The young cheese was complimented with a strawberry balsamic jelly, the medium cheese was eaten with an eggplant jelly and the old cheese with a green tomato jelly, all of which were sweet. I can say with confidence that I have never been so impressed with cheese in my life. The young cheese was nearly as soft as a ricotta, the medium cheese had the stirrings of the older flavour in it while the old cheese was lambasted with it - and it was obvious that each of the jellies was painstakingly chosen. I will never forget this meal, particularly because after this large serving of cheese in addition to the wild boar pasta I was weighed down significantly, making the uphill climb ludicrously difficult.
So there you have it. Cheese - possibly the best edible entity on this planet. The older the better!
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