Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Out & About #874 | Taiwanese Pineapple Cakes + Playdium Brampton

1/29/2023

0 Comments

 
In-office days are generally more entertaining than a work-from-home routine. However, the pandemic has taught me to appreciate stability in the mundane, as well as the bonus hours of sleep.
Picture
Picture
Instead of braving the pending snow storm, as my carpooling partner had opted to do, I rearranged my schedule to navigate into the city in the earlier half of the work week. Taken along for the ride was my standard breakfast fix of banana bread and iced coffee (cold brew this time); a generous wedge of Matcha Nian Gao joined the 9 AM party.
Picture
​A bustling office encouraged me to venture outside for the midday break.
Picture
Northwest of the intersection was Yonge-Eglinton Centre, where I steadily ascended to the second floor in search of Mr. Buttons (and Mr. Tophat). Both fuzzy snowmen had disappeared from the shelves, leaving only elves and Santas in their place.
Picture
Picture
As I maneuvered back to the ever-chaotic intersection, a rowdy homeless man was observed shouting - at nothing in particular - while glaring at the mass of pedestrians waiting to cross. He hovered about the southeast corner of Yonge/Eglinton, stepping into live, southbound traffic several times throughout the spectacle. He continued shouting as we collectively passed him by. I was hesitant to turn my back on him, yet ever more petrified to lock eyes. Resorting to sticking close to the girl before me, I rushed past the grimy presence with urgency in each step.

​The re-configured pedestrian access had shifted foot traffic closer to the centreline of the roadway, creating a wind tunnel where commuters would be pelted with precipitation.

Due to wind conditions, navigating any further than Belsize Drive would entail an unpleasant trek back. I looped back after confirming the status of Gong Cha's storefront ("Coming soon" it still reads.), avoiding the southeast corner altogether by routing up and down the stairs of the 2200 Yonge building that houses Merrithew's corporate training centre.
Picture
Picture
Picture
East of the intersection is The Social Blend, which remains utterly unaffected by the pedestrian walkway shift. From the monthly selection of rotating flavours, I pointed towards Black Sesame, Fenglisu, and Hotteok to take home. An Earl Grey Puff and Dulce Latte are also added to my order.

Unlike the last visit, the girl behind the cashier was neither as attentive nor amicable. Despite absence of a queue, she proceeded with my order in a hurried manner, sliding the Earl Grey Puff towards me between the POS tablet and brewing apparatus, then the remaining three macarons on the other side of the counter. Before I could request a bag for my purchases, she dashed away with looking back even once. Her gaze remained as far from me as possible, prompting me to withdraw my own plastic bag for carrying.
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Out & About #873 | Chinese New Year Visuals

1/22/2023

0 Comments

 
During my childhood years, Chinese New Year was primarily an at-home event - either undertaken as a weekend celebration or incorporated as an after-school activity. Amongst my peers, there was minimal awareness surrounding the event; at the time, I had found a given, seeing that none shared the same ethnic background.
Picture
​However, with each passing year, knowledge about the holiday seems to surge at a global level. These days, it's not uncommon to find physical sources of information at Indigo or even greeting cards at the local Rexall. As the festivities become more well-known though, it has also given rise to terminology debates.
Like most Chinese Canadians and Americans, I've referred to the day as "Chinese New Year". In recent years, we've reworded references to "Lunar New Year" to include other cultures that also celebrate. "Lunar" is an inclusive reference, but it should be noted that customs are vary vastly across regions within the same country, let alone different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Both terms are valid, yet not indicative of any particular practices. 
​Showcased on this space are my household's traditions, which are Cantonese Chinese in nature. However, there are many methods of welcoming the arrival of a new year - and to each their own. To the comprehensive cluster of celebrators, Happy Lunar New Year! And to those celebrating the Chinese way, be it with fish, dumplings, or fenglisu, Happy Chinese New Year!
Picture
New Year fare spans a wide variety of items, from elaborate entrées to sweet and savoury snacks. "Smiling" Sesame Balls, known familiarly as 笑口棗, is a popular pick in our household. A tray from Summit Garden had been purchased last year for mid-day munching, but the foil container's contents was very much satiating and reeking of grease.

An air fryer edition was attempted, but not by yours truly. At this point, I will declare my passive role in the construction of all featured New Year sustenance.
Picture
Picture
The Air Fryer 笑口棗 were crunchy on first day, and coated liberally with sesame seeds for maximum texture. They did not split - "smile" - and adopted a denser profile overall, growing progressively rigid over the following days. This variation was modestly sweet and savoury, and thankfully nowhere near as greasy as the storebought renditions.

​​Classic Nian Gao (or Leen Go/年糕) is an indispensable element of the New Year. Our household favourite features nutty, caramel-like tones of cane sugar in perfect harmony, aromatic coconut milk, and sublime chewiness. The formula was perfected after several years of trial and error, witnessing drastic development since the initial attempt in 2017.
Now, it is my absolute favourite part of welcoming another year, to such an extent that it regularly reenters the post-CNY scene as my choice of birthday cake.
Picture
​While most families take to pan-frying centimetre-thick slices (with or without egg) for a grilled mochi-like finish, I gleefully delve into freshly steamed variations without reservation. The supple, subtly sweet qualities of steamed nian gao are incomparable to the stiff, tacky supermarket portions, which are only capable of being revived by additional oil.
Picture
Picture
Picture
The classic New Year Cake contains a small amount of oil in its batter, with a bit more for the pan. Excessive greasing can result in a slick, irregular surface though, thus caution is advised.
Picture
Picture
After a two-year, COVID-induced hiatus, the New Year Eve Market returned to Fo Guang Shan Temple, albeit subjected to a distinct reduction in scale. Instead of occupying the entirety of the basement level, the vendor count was halved - no, pared down to one third - of past years.
Picture
Picture
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Out & About #872 | Matcha-Oolong Mochi Brownie + Pre-CNY Visuals

1/20/2023

0 Comments

 
As those with distinct preferences shall inform: Cravings are unique and exceedingly specific.
On days where I yearn for chocolate, the desired format may be liquid (hot chocolate), toothsome (truffles), crunchy (clusters or chocolate bars with nuts), fudgy (brownies), or beyond these profiles entirely.
Picture
For at least one week, I had contemplated the possibility of swirling three flavours into Sunday Baking's Mochi Brownie. Success had been seen with both the original in a loaf pan and swirled with matcha in a standard square baking pan. I continue to experiment with my stash of Paragon tea powders, as eager to unlock new flavour profiles as to deplete them before expiry.
Picture
​Commencing with the mochi layer, I exercised caution to prevent scorching of the mochi mixture. Ever since replacing our microwave, I've noticed the need to reduce reheating times by at least 20%. This mochi was no expectation, for ten seconds on full wattage had rendered it lumpy and rigid. Water was gradually mixed into the dough in an attempt to reinstate its chewy qualities.
The result was acceptable, albeit thinner and retaining less structural integrity than desired.

​For any future mochi-crafting endeavours, it is recommended to grease the bowl beforehand. The spoon spatula pictured in Sunday's video was a great alternative to the flat scraper spatula, providing more control and kneading power.
Picture
​Next came formation of the batters. The original recipe called for two eggs. Despite having contemplated doubling the recipe and making two loaves (chocolate-matcha swirled and chocolate-oolong swirled), I ultimately opted to utilize three eggs instead of four. Adhering the roughly the same formula as my reduced sugar Oat Fudge Bar layer, I painstakingly prepared three batters.

This was a truly tedious process. While the original chocolate layer was a breeze to prepare, Matcha and Oolong required first melting white chocolate callets and butter together, then portioning them out as evenly as possible before whisking in the respective tea powders.
A total of four bowls piled in the sink, including the one for mochi. Then came the spoon spatula and three whisks. Instead of the "one-bowl, hand-mixed" format that SK often advertises, I had - accidentally, mind you - embarked on the path of more dishes.
Picture
Even with each layer comprising of only 46 g of granulated sugar, the result was still too sugary for my liking. I allude this finding to the existing sugar content in the white chocolate couverture, for I had not experienced this issue with semisweet Surfin.
In spite of this, the crackly surface and fragrant, chewy cross-sections were phenomenal. Fearing that the brownie would result cakey as opposed to fudgy, I removed the pan at the 48-minute mark. The underside of the centre was a bit damp at this point, though I had tested other sections of the slab sufficiently with a toothpick and deemed it done.
Its crackly surface, contrasting textures, and splendid aromas were absolutely captivating. That said, peak gustatory performance lasted just one day. Witnessed on the subsequent day was an overall dampness, followed by rigid, unyielding mochi. Heating individual pieces led to disintegration of the brownie, making it an unviable option to reinstating chewiness. I quickly resolved to undertaking future trials in the warmer months, hoping for the assistance of increased humidity levels.
The middle of the week saw Jinyoung's long awaited solo EP release. In the office, I could hardly reveal my excited demeanour, especially with a new member of staff seated directly before me the entire duration of the day.
Picture
Picture
"Cotton Candy", as well as the other four tracks on the album were played on loop that day - both in the office and the commute home.
​When lunchtime arrived, I decided to venture a bit further than normal.
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Out & About #871 | Sapin Sapin, Matcha Chiffon + Victoria Sponge Cake

1/15/2023

0 Comments

 
Mercury levels have begun to stoop this week, easing into a drizzly conditions hovering about the freezing mark. This climate conjures reluctance to head outside, and instead pairs well with indoor activities and cozy beverages. Nestled next to me, as I grudgingly undertake manual labour that ought be - and could easily be -automated, is Mr. Buttons.
Picture
Picture
Picture
The marshmallow-topped mocha in the last month has been swapped for a feel-good detox of yuzu, ginger, and lemon. Meal choices have similarly gravitated towards warm broths with subtler profiles. A bag of macaroni dating back to peak COVID grocery restocks was unveiled; the pasta was paired with kale and blanched pork shoulder strips in pleasantly tart tomato soup accented with sweet onions.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Resulting from an unfulfilled trip to Thornhill were persistent cravings and curiosity towards Filipino bakery and kakanin offerings. It was only a matter of time before this thirst for knowledge prompted my own rendition of Sapin Sapin. Without any familiarity with the authentic version, I relied heavily on YouTube sources to guide me through the process.

In the absence of ube extract, I utilized pandan. In order to minimize the number of dishes, I turned towards my toaster oven instead of setting up the steamer. In the face of a constant stream of emails, I skipped the step of sieving the mixture before steaming. Lastly, in an attempt to re-purpose the remaining quantity of coconut milk from my Pandan Honeycomb Cake experiment, I converted the measurements from US to metric and scaled the ingredient amounts accordingly, admittedly hastily while rushing through the tutorial at 2x playback speed.
Picture
Picture
​The batters were compiled after a rushed lunch, then allowed to rest for roughly forty minutes while I burst out to complete errands. Each layer was steamed in a greased 6-in pan in the toaster oven for 10 minutes, using the steam-bake function, and then cooled to room temperature before removing. With the exception of the centremost section of the bottom layer, the creation unmoulded with extreme ease.

Read More
0 Comments

Out & About #870 | A New Year Feat. Oat Fudge Bar (Ver. 4) + Pistachio Strawberry Cake

1/8/2023

0 Comments

 
The seemingly reflective nature of New Years has slipped by me in the midst of tumultuous return to work measures.
Picture
Picture
After recovering from late NYE happenings (complete with a failed McD's run), I awoke to a groggy state, then gradually eased myself into productivity, first chores then the compilation of SK's Lemon Potatoes.
Picture
Picture
Maximizing an unused packet of Little Gems from Christmas dinner, I swiftly removed questionable bits of the baby potatoes and halved them for increased surface area. The recipe was executed in a square baking pan doubly lined with foil, as opposed to the rectangular pan I tend to gravitate towards for roasting. The decision had been made on the basis of potato count, though I'll be reverting to the larger pan in future attempts to ensure uniform heat exposure and distribution of the lemon-infused chicken broth mixture.
Picture
Picture
A Lemon Taiyaki obtained from a recent P.A.T. run was sampled throughout this construction process. The pastry wasn't discovered to be expired until at least twenty four hours following acquisition. I toasted it nonetheless, and was rewarded with nothing more than a dense, cakey batter and dimensionless, starch-thickened sugary filling. This Kevin's Taiyaki was utterly unsatisfactory, unlike the crispy-custardy goodness of the Koreatown.
Picture
Picture
​At being made aware of my sudden Thai Tea cravings, the sleepy polar bear responded promptly by offering delivery of Yang's. Alas, the tea shop was discovered closed upon arrival. Mango Sticky Rice was a runner-up, but logistically unviable; Basil Box was the closest alternative, but somehow had run out of Thai Tea. Thairoomgrand's obscenely sweet was procured, yet served only to appease Thai tea needs by 70%.

Read More
0 Comments
    Picture

    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

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Calgary 2023
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.