Out & About #636 | Week #9 Quarantine Update Feat. Indoor BBQ

Whether spring is finally here to stay remains a mystery. Between the flurries, heavy showers, and odd bursts of UV rays, it's difficult to predict precisely the climate that Mother Nature has in store for us next.

Victoria Day long weekend was off to a swell start with summery temperatures, rendering it the ideal time for trail exploring - while maintaining physical distance requirements, of course. And for those that relish in A/C-prevalent environments or find barbecue grills foreign (me), oven baked hot dogs and orange-Ribena bubbles are the way to go.

Weekend morning rituals revolve about live airings of 화양연화, alternatively known as "When My Love Blooms". Following suit was the preparation of hot dog complements: Egg Salad with sweet corn kernels (and wasabi!) and a Pickled Cucumber-Onion Mix.

Rotini and SPAM were then quickly coated in tomato sauce to yield a fast food-appropriate ally. Neither canned meat (if we can address it as so) nor jarred condiments made many appearances prior to the arrival of COVID-19, however one can only chop so much and cook so much with one dominant hand and one dominant wrist.

​Sautéed button mushrooms would have been a pleasant addition to the mix, though speed was the name of the game this time. 

Notable items of  ̶c̶o̶n̶s̶u̶m̶p̶t̶i̶o̶n̶  creation over the week include:

• An obnoxiously frothy Beet Latte with an almost successful rosetta
• Baked-to-order Chocolate Chip Cookies with the most magnificent crunchy-to-chewy combination ever
• A foamy Matcha Latte

​Unsurprising it is that I've interacted more with fellow alumni in the past several weeks than in the past two years post graduation. One of my former clubmates recently shared a cheesy loaf recipe, and it was merely too straightforward not to attempt.

My distinct lack of a loaf pan with adequate length induced lateral expansion as opposed to the intended height attainment. The output shape could also, and probably more realistically, be blamed on my own incapability of forming the snug rope braid the original baker had knotted.

​It was nonetheless cheesy though, and just as delightful fresh as it was toasted a few days later.

​Our household tends to miss the midweek "Takeout Day" often. The second half of the week proves more flexible in terms of errand-running, so grocery store runs and other drives tend to shift accordingly.

​Just under two months ago marked the first Katsuya takeout meal. Revisiting the infamous Korean katsu house, I took to more Tako Wasabi, Takoyaki, as well as my go-to duo of Original Japanese Pork Tender and Katsuya Original Fish Katsu(s).

A pound of Chicken Karaage wings, complete with their trademark trio of dipping sauces, were also appended to the roster. Crunchy in the most phenomenal way possible, my system managed three medium morsels before reacting explosively with breakouts and unbearable hoarseness.

​Beyond the Cheese Loaf were Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs - seemingly another dummy-proof recipe promoting conservation of time, minimal ingredient preparation, and reducing wrist strain impacts.

Believe it or not, adapting this simple recipe yielded thin, crispy skins à la pan-frying and succulent bites of stringy flesh. ​Blanched veggies, steamed rice, and a handful of Green Giant kernels then comprised the rest of the dinner plate, ensuring a balanced supper...

...all before the ingestion of knockoff Denmark butter cookies from my childhood. (They were still quite tasty, albeit devoid of the authentic nostalgia factor.)

Restrictions on stay-at-home protocols have been loosening as of late, and heading outdoors for fresh air was actually encouraged for the first time since lockdown-esque measures were initiated.

​That said, residents were instructed to "remain local" and steer clear of gatherings of any form, even in the face of astoundingly azure skies.

​Daily life has not veered far from regular (and pricey!) runs for sustenance; summery brews and the rare snack were also acquired.
​
​Featured above and below are my spontaneous servings of Matcha Green Mandarin Ade and a Matcha Beet Latte, which was admittedly not as foamy as I would have liked.
​Spotted amidst a rainy journey to P.A.T. was Yoo Ji Tae, the lead for 화양연화.

​Concluding the week with more melodies, I'd like to announce that NU'EST's most recent release is, by far, one of my favourite works. The Nocturne comprises of six tracks, and is likely the only mini-album - besides 7 for 7 - that has escaped my default "Shuffle Play" command. Arranged in a format that eases listeners from tranquility to excitement, then melancholy, and finally terminating with alacrious affirmation.

Moon Dance - A seductive opener made even more alluring with Minhyun's intro verse, the tune truly depicts a serene scene illuminated only by the faint glimmer of the moon, tinged with the rhythm of anxious heartbeats.

I'm in Trouble - Repetitive and catchy, as title tracks should be, I'm in Trouble was a fairly familiar concept executed with unconventional visuals; personally, the choreography and styling speaks louder than the song itself.

Firework - Jinyoung's Firework will always be the first to surface in response to this keyword. The message conveyed is remotely analogous, though NU'EST's edition possesses a groovier beat with more distinctive buildup. Instead of "Feels like a firework" - the single most frequent English verse -  the line found most memorable was the clever "One two 셋".

Back To Me - Most repeated off the EP was, hands down, Back To Me, alternatively titled 평행우주 ("parallel universe"). Mid-tempo with a 90s beat drop and fantasy-like undertones, the melody captivated my heart (or ears, rather) at the first listen. The dual usage of "back to me" is another point worth noting: "I’m back to me" and "come back to me" were incorporated skillfully without appending additional words, for as we know, English is a wordy language.

Must - I predicted this to be a fan song from the start. Coherent with the theme of the album, the lyrics describe one's thoughts while restless at night, swarmed with feelings of appreciation and sentimental afterthoughts. Ultimately, the Korean title of "꼭" makes more sense than "Must", in my humble opinion.

Shooting Star - Upbeat vibes give off the impression of a rookie group production (think Produce 101 signatures), or an anthem of hope and empowerment. The underlying message is of encouragement, making it suitable for intense exercise routines or exam-cramming sessions alike (and maybe even road trips across wildlife-bearing pastures).