Out & About #674 | Halloween Happenings (COVID-19 Edition)

​The time has arrived for trick-or-treating. Despite health and safety concerns surrounding the event, the act of making neighbourhood door-to-doors was not banned by public officials; it was merely a matter of operating safely within COVID guidelines.

Older generations such as myself have not partaken in this particular act for well over a decade, though circumstances may differ depending on the spectrum of ages housed within one residence. Less inclined to the fearful aspects of the holiday, my Halloween festivities normally revolve around last-minute costumes and the occasional themed treat.

​Mississauga's alternative approach to celebration involved a self-led scavenger hunt at the City Centre's go-to outdoor event space. Celebration Square, which now features social distancing circles, was decorated, minimally - if I may add - with a Monster Fitness Course and trivia questions referring to various parts of the city. Installations such as the Queen of Halloween and Monstrous Mum Living Mural were striking displays of colour fit for photo-taking.

​We spent just under twenty minutes parading the perimeter of the square, after which chilly conditions prompted our return indoors.

Residents had been encouraged to experience the exhibit in costume, and while I had been hoping to recreate a subdued vampire ensemble reflective of JBJ95's Jasmin practice, I found myself at odds with the absence of a structured cape.

​I settled instead for all-black attire and skeleton tights, promising the secure a cape for next year. (But don't quote my forgetful self for that.)
An aristocrat look emerged with the addition of a (faux) fur jacket and cozy plum hat.

The shopping centre was also decorated minimally, disappointingly so. In the past, it wasn't rare to spot costume-donning individuals working the retail floor, however spirits appeared to have diminished despite zero reduction in customer traffic.

Following a brisk round of errands, I sought out a Penguin on the Ice. Similar to the "hot" No. 9 I had sampled a few days prior, The Alley seemed to have a knack for presenting hot beverages in a lukewarm manner. Else, I blame the cold grass jelly.

​On the other hand, the bubble tea shop successfully redeemed itself via thorough adoption of Halloween decor. From eyeball string lights to a skeleton dog, it was a nice touch to the otherwise dull mall atmosphere.

​Back home, we celebrated with hotpot and cake - neither particularly relevant to black-orange scheme, yet executed for the sake of the day itself

​Fresh salmon slices, cuttlefish balls, and soy dipping sauce with an abundance of scallions and garlic characterized the experience. In the name of frugality, such copious amounts of meat had not purchased for years. The flickering blue flame summoned feelings of indulgence cuddled with nostalgia.

​In terms of dessert, I had taken the liberty of combining Sunday Baking's genoise base with an airy, creamy mousse to yield a decadent yet refreshing double-layer cake.

The inclusion of homemade blueberry-cherry jam added a sweet tang and delicate purple tint, which was contrasted with the application of pecan chocolate bark.

​Decorations are honestly the bane of my existence, and I ought to have known that impromptu frosting ideas were best left buried (and buried deep). While a mousse layer constructed entirely off intuition had materialized without issues, the same could not said about an attempted chocolate ganache border.

Regardless, the results remained satisfying to the gustatory and olfactory senses.

​​Other outings of the week were exclusively limited to the gathering of sustenance.

Among these trips was the redemption of Meet Fresh's scratch card vouchers. An Almond Soup with Tofu Pudding was secured alongside my default Herbal Team, though I'd highly advise against it. The dessert is no more than a depressing mix of starch-thickened, almond extract-containing fluid with synthetic-tasting almond slivers.

​The complimentary Egg Pudding, by contrast, was delicious, and easily a return purchase with the exemption of tapioca pearls.

​I proceeded to polish off the remainder of the spooky pumpkins and bodacious black cats, and ultimately gifted several out of concern of tardy consumption speeds.

​Progressively more distinguishable microfoam pours, lunch leftovers, and a scalding McD's Cappuccino constituted the week's work-from-home snapshots.

​With Chi-Mac's boneless Honey Garlic chicken having left such a tremendous impression, I made an immediate return the next day for Jjajang Myun (짜장면), Half-Half Chicken (Original Fried + Seasoned), and Fishcake Soup (오뎅탕).

Again, the chicken was presented in the absence of pickled radish cubes (known as the quintessential 무/mu). Being boneless and of a decent portion, this aspect could be neglected. The original fried variety was on the soggy side, while 양념/yangnyeom was a tad sweeter than it was spicy. With pigment acting as an indicator for 고추가루/gochugaru content though, the seasoned selection definitely delivered its fair share of fieriness.

​So far, it seems that The Fry excels at the crunchy Original and Green Onion, while Sikgaek and Chi-Mac are neck-in-neck for the Yangnyeom. In terms of sauciness and depth of flavour though, Chi-Mac has the upper hand.

Included in the oden soup was a variety of fish cakes and even several slices of crunchy onion.
​​The jjajangmyeon was delicious as well, albeit less meaty than the Chinese-operated Korea House by Christie.

Creations of the week were limited, reasonably so given the excessive count noted in previous entries. Chocolate Mousse singles were the only compilation besides blanched veggies.

It is with optimism that a reduction in kitchen experiments shall lessen painful pangs down wrist and swelling in fingers.