Out & About #629 | Week #4 Quarantine Update

Amidst this global pandemic, there are two types of people:

1. Those that adhere to precautions and measures implemented by the three tiers of government for the wellbeing of their citizens; and
2. Those that believe themselves to be invincible to the world and only begin to contemplate their actions - with or without remorse - upon being informed of possible exposure.

Similar to how loss from war was depicted in mandatory Canadian history courses back in our high school days, it's definitely difficult to empathize with certain emotions without firsthand experience. That said, there are those that can predict and responsibly take precautions, yet there are those that refuse to believe in reality until perpetually undoable realities culminate from their lack of prudence.

​The situation is constantly evolving and, in order to survive, so should the actions that we, as citizens, must take. Humans are dynamic and it is my utter belief that even when confronted with such a tremendous degree of uncertainty, all residents are to fulfill their responsibilities and due diligence. Beyond acceptance, it is even more crucial to respond appropriately in order to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 and its unpredictable aftermath.

​Things I learned during Corona (Rev 2):

• Innovation is the spice of life - though, I'm pretty sure most home chefs would be aware of this already. As noted previously, eggs are a very versatile ingredient, as are pantry staples like dried herbs. Even the most basic of produce has the potential for simple, scrumptious quarantine meals. Presented above and below are my own Quarantine "Bibimbap" and Basa à la King, because chicken is scarce.

• Brewing coffee is an art in itself. And while this comes as no surprise, the popularization of Third Wave coffee shops have rendered roast and brew specifics more accessible to the average consumer. From roast type to grind size, from water temperature to growing altitude, each element has the ability to tweak the properties of the resulting coffee bean - or coffee cherry seed. At times of low motivation, it is important to keep our brains and bodies functioning, whether it be through educational articles or virtual fitness circuits.
• There is such a thing as too much Dalgona. Since more or less perfecting the infamous Dalgona Coffee, orangecane and I have graduated onto whipping up alternative renditions of the frothy treat with matcha, Thai tea, and (maybe later) houjicha. Personally, Thai Tea is found to taste best on its own; swapping sweetened condensed milk for granulated sugar is blatant blasphemy.

• Laziness is an attribute implanted at deeper depths in some humans versus others, unsurprisingly. Using "no time" as an excuse for daily exercise was a phrase heard all too frequently even prior to quarantine. In our current times, especially for those that work significantly reduced hours (or don't work at all), it merely highlights one's priorities, should they reside in the realms of self-/home-improvement or pure futility.

• Being in isolation is not synonymous to being alone. Countless resources are available to maintain contact with the remainder of the world, without taking a single step beyond one's door. Prominently declared in Mississauga' Tele-Town Hall, technology is a facilitator, adopting an integral role in the forefront of this calamity. I've never been one to shy away from maximizing the potential of my resources, however it was a statement deserved to be heard by all members of the community. Change manifests only where unity and determination prevail.

​Easter weekend is nearing, thus I present to you: festively-shaped sugar cookies.

​Crafted with cocoa powder and good ol' Maxwell House (that I'll probably never drink), then adorned with some amateurish white chocolate art, is my approach to welcoming the three-day holiday.

Alongside the regular output of baked goods are proper meals - thoughtful ones, since working remotely permits meticulous preparation work.

Mild Gyu Curry crafted with softened tomatoes and the unexpected addition of corn syrup confirmed its desirability with its rapidly diminishing volume. Blanched kale, thawed baby spinach leaves, and semi-pan-fried/semi-steamed bibigo gyoza served as satisfying filler elements.​

Seared scallops reminiscent of 瑤柱 - otherwise known as conpoy were also introduced on one occasion.

Productions from the previous week were also revisited. The Lemon Yogurt Loaf was fantastic, as expected from the SK repertoire.
A hefty handful of seven bananas were set aside to make up the 680 g portion demanded from the Ultimate Banana Bread. Quite frankly, five bananas had been more than sufficient; heck, even three were enough for me. This rendition was a tad stifling due to excess moisture and depressingly minimal crunchiness.

We resorted to the recommended tin foil covering (as opposed to a lock-top lid) and toasting the slabs to reinstate its intended degree of crunch.

​I bit the bullet and set out to hone my rendition of Walnut Soup. Iteration #1 had been gritty and runny, not alarmingly so given the lack of glutinous rice flour on hand. Instead of dry roasting in a preheated oven and processing with a few tablespoons of water, I took to the stovetop method of pan-frying, processing, then immersion-blending amidst simmering. Most recipes utilized a blender to facilitate the process (and reduce equipment count), however I had steered clear of this apparatus in fear of nonuniformity. This may be a method worth comparison after the current batch is depleted.

On a somewhat related-somewhat unrelated note:

1. GOT7 will be making their comeback on April 20th!
2. Jinyoung's drama will be airing on April 25th!
3. Moonbin's webdrama will be airing on April 24th! (or April 14th for domestic users of the Seezn app)