Out & About #638 | Week #11 Quarantine Update Feat. The Browniest Cookies

5/31/2020

Unpopular opinion: The economic pillar shall forever supersede the social pillar.

If there's anything I retained from my twice-enrolled, once-failed, and once-grudgingly-re-enrolled second year environmental course, it's the concept of The Three Pillars. Prior to undergoing any work, a project should be evaluated against the economic, social, and environmental pillars as criteria for execution.
And while each of these elements are pivotal in decision-making, one tends to forget to nothing can operate in the absence of economics. For without capital, there is no funding for implementing environmentally sustainable measures. For without work, one cannot afford to sleep with a roof over his or her head, regardless of whatever respect society shoves.

I abide by a pragmatic approach to living, because where there is a cause, there is an effect - most evident in the re-emergence of COVID in areas that were once deemed to have entered a "safe(r)" zone. Regardless of the sun's position in the sky, work is work, and work needs to be done. I'm not one to protest sanity breaks, of course, and was more than willing to justify it with a cool cup of CoCo after a tumultuous Monday.

Being thoroughly drained by an endless assortment of tasks (the "cause") yielded an out-of-character meal of instant noodles (the "effect"). The foray into fast food was a result of exhaustion and a consequential reluctance to cook. For the wellbeing of my tastebuds, the so-called broth of dehydrated MSG particles was diluted with thrice as much water, then had its nasty, hollow aftertaste nullified with a turmeric cold brew.

I suppose anxiety is a common spur of sugar-laden creations, for a dream about emails set me off in pursuit for brown butter cookies. "But not just any brown butter cookies." my subconscious announced, "We're doing matcha."

An embarrassingly elongated roster of attempts in my back pocket, I opted to modify Tasty's edition, for I had not the patience to caramelize butter and strum my digits along the table edge as it re-solidified. Truthfully, it was my own fault; I oughtn't complain.
I'm not, really.

Brown butter is aromatic in ways unique to itself - an acquired redolence, if you will - and, just as many other bakers will heed, is worth every second of added effort. But alas, the luscious caramelized bits were nowhere to be tasted in the final product, overwhelmed by none other that sugar: a sickening sweetness capable of driving some to the point of lunacy. Admittedly, the texture was quite a nice mix of crunchy and chewy, though nonetheless a subpar formulation in my books.
Woe is me for straying from the great SK!

Matcha White Chocolate Cookies aside, I also took the liberty of preparing freezer-friendly burritos. Drawing inspiration from croissant master Kiano, my spinach-scrambled-eggs-and-SPAM edition was my easiest mid-day meal since salad (dressing-free, of course).

Lunch was succeeded by a drive throughout the GTA, in which I was faced with the appalling discovery that Torontonians simply do not care for social distancing. Aghast was I to lay eyes on the 30% that sported masks, the groups of friends that were gathering all too jovially, and furthermore the resumed congestion on the DVP and 401. The situation is unbelievable, given that it's only been slightly over two months since a State of Emergency was declared.
Another unpopular opinion: Compromising the wellbeing of others in addition to the provincial and national economy is not grounds for relieving lack of social interaction.

Had I not been antsy for an afternoon pick-me-up, we likely wouldn't have been informed on such ignorant practices in the city. My last visit to Thank U Coffee (588) had taken place quite a while ago, thus I was looking to familiarize myself with their updated warm weather menu. Ordering in advance on Ritual is no longer a viable option, but the couple will gladly take walk-ins.

The Canadian Latte had distinctive notes of maple, and was wonderfully soothing on a scorching summer day, or any day really. Refreshing with the zestiness of orange, the Hawaiian Latte was an uplifting beverage that even contained bits of orange pulp! Both drinks had been requested in the cafe's trademark cans, so I remain uncertain about their tone and consistency. That said, the latter was definitely a latte; it didn't curdle though, so my assumption is the usage of a non-dairy alternative for milkiness.

As we pulled away in preparation for departure, we came across a campground at George Hislop Park (and a man casually reading on a nearby bench). Apparently, it was only one of many that had surfaced as of late. As noted by a local, several had begun to appear by the DVP as well.

We had an unexpected encounter with rush hour traffic, acid-induced appetites kicked to the curb by orangecane's dainty cheese straws.

Google Maps rerouted us towards Midtown, where I laid eyes on the future Mount Dennis terminus for the very first time. It was a formidable sight, despite traffic being reduced to one lane. It prompted me to consider future development potential of the neighbourhood, for venturing to the west end, just past St. Clair and Eglinton, were poverty-stricken areas with conditions comparable to the likes of Hamilton.

Hi Sulley!

Muscle strains and general sleep disruption have been regular occurences as of late, and were only further exaggerated by carbohydrate overdose. Interestingly enough, sudden spikes in blood sugar impose minimal effect on such issues (or so I'd like to believe).

When The Night Baker re-introduced Quezo Royale, a lover of stars and pigs expressed underhanded disgust towards my awe. "Don't get suckered." she declared with unmistakable disinterest. "You can do better."
And while I didn't believe that my food-related burn scars were sufficient in crowning me with cookie-formulating superpowers, I couldn't resist the challenge. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but in this circumstance, I was rewarded with the Browniest Cookies.

The filling was adapted from Cooking Tree: a mixture initially of decent consistency that later turned sloshy. Ratios were maintained, though the lack of structure may have been owed to the substitute of soy milk, since dairy wasn't readily available at the time. Shredded mozzarella and Monterey Jack were appended to the custard prior to chilling - it was a cheese custard filling after all.

The first batch was baked at 350 F for 14 minutes on the bottom rack, in the lower third of the oven. Many warn of burnt cookie bottoms, though I personally did not experience this issue. The heat controlled spreading, further resulting in a crisp exterior and gooey, stringy centre. It was, truly, the browniest cookie ever.

Supposedly the "sweet spot" (no pun intended) for cookies, cakes, and muffins alike, baking on the middle rack under identical conditions boasted a softer core and barely-set, custardy centre. The edges were less crunchy this time around, though its profile was more reminiscent of a warm brownie.

Both creations were delicious, albeit slicker than desired. Consumed fresh, the middle rack provided decadence in the form of cookie; for leisurely consumption (read: next-day devouring), I'd recommend utilizing the bottom rack to prevent excessive moisture buildup. A soggy cookie is a far cry from with one that is soft-baked.

With Mother Nature gracing us with more forgiveable climate, I proceeded to make my grocery runs following a caffeinated breakfast with a side of layered coconut jelly.

Along the way, a highly coveted Sausage Bun was acquired. A Double Baked Almond and Double Baked Pistachio Croissant were also obtained en route home; prices have surged from $3.75 to $3.85 per piece since my last visits.