I commenced these weekly updates without the vaguest idea of their duration. The intent was to document happenings throughout the pandemic, at a local, municipal, and federal level, perhaps one day utilizing these sources as points of reference. Yet, without my knowledge, these 7-day recaps evolved into stories of the standard work-from-home employee, overtaking the daily activities we had once known.
We've arrived at the 52nd week mark: precisely one year of COVID-19 being designated a global pandemic.
I had hoped to look back at this period of hardship, extracting the lessons that could propel humanity to sageness. But I guess we can't do that, at least not yet.
We've arrived at the 52nd week mark: precisely one year of COVID-19 being designated a global pandemic.
I had hoped to look back at this period of hardship, extracting the lessons that could propel humanity to sageness. But I guess we can't do that, at least not yet.
The current phase of life has far exceeded the stage of acceptance. Masking is a generally accepted practice, along with commercial grade sanitizers and Lysol at every goods and service outpost. Canadians have made grand leaps by way of virtual queuing, simplified online shopping, and automated systems, however there are countless gaps that remain.
It is with optimism that I gaze at the path before me:
It is with optimism that I gaze at the path before me:
- Obscure as a foggy cliff on a dreary autumn day;
- Unpredictable with steep slopes and hidden tree roots; and
- Potentially grieve-inducing like unpaved sidewalks with unpainted trip hazards.
Do you wonder, do you wonder, do you wonder like I do? I do, a lot. But in anticipation instead of fear.
Creations of the week included:
1) Whole Wheat Bread
Creations of the week included:
1) Whole Wheat Bread
Having finally depleted the 5 kg bag of plain bread flour to ever grace our tiled floors, I moved onto the whole wheat edition secured just prior to the second wave of the virus.
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Substituting in a 1:1 ratio using Bake from Happy Kids' Honey Sandwich Bread formula, the yield comprised of two lofty, golden loaves. Slightly dense, largely bland, wonderfully airy, and spectacularly craggy, the slices paired best with some form of topping - be it margarine, Apricot-Honey Ricotta Spread, or peanut butter.
2) Potato Salad with ketchup, mayo, wasabi, dill and garlic powder
3) Mixed Stir Fry of Bean Sprouts, Seafood Mushrooms, Carrots, Pork, Carrots, and Sweet Potato
3) Mixed Stir Fry of Bean Sprouts, Seafood Mushrooms, Carrots, Pork, Carrots, and Sweet Potato
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4) Soy Braised Chicken Drumsticks
Inspired by my Soy Braised Eggs of the past weeks, I proceeded to render the recipe more meat-friendly. With the exception of rose cooking wine, the ingredient list remained identical: a stick of cinnamon, star anise, brown sugar, dark and light soy sauce, and water as needed. Added was the step of blanching for scum removal, which was followed with further skimming once the pot was returned to heat.
Inspired by my Soy Braised Eggs of the past weeks, I proceeded to render the recipe more meat-friendly. With the exception of rose cooking wine, the ingredient list remained identical: a stick of cinnamon, star anise, brown sugar, dark and light soy sauce, and water as needed. Added was the step of blanching for scum removal, which was followed with further skimming once the pot was returned to heat.
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Despite tacking on an additional 15-20 minutes to the overall cook time, it was crucial in maintaining a braising liquid free from unwanted impurities.
5) Coffee Ice Cream
The previous week had seen the imminent expiry of sour cream, whereas whipping cream was the item of concern this time around. When faced with such dilemmas, one is provided with three guidelines:
a) Craft for immediate consumption
b) Preserve for postponed enjoyment
c) Modify for gradual gratification
a) Craft for immediate consumption
b) Preserve for postponed enjoyment
c) Modify for gradual gratification
Via process of elimination, the latter was chosen. Two-ingredient ice cream recipes had saturated the blogosphere several years prior, ensuring a plethora of U.S. customary unit-based) processes to sift through. And while the dedicated apparatus does assume a space in our household, there was simply no freezer space for the pre-chill phase. I instead opted to manually churn at the six hour and ten hour marks, then leave overnight to finish.
Divided between four yogurt tubs was a mixture of whipping cream, condensed milk, honey, and Nescafé Gold. Although seemingly devoid of structure in the initial churn, the formula was seamlessly scoop-able after a night of subzero refrigeration. This texture, however, was observed to revert to a successively more pliable state over the next couple of days, promoting quick consumption.
Divided between four yogurt tubs was a mixture of whipping cream, condensed milk, honey, and Nescafé Gold. Although seemingly devoid of structure in the initial churn, the formula was seamlessly scoop-able after a night of subzero refrigeration. This texture, however, was observed to revert to a successively more pliable state over the next couple of days, promoting quick consumption.
6) Chocolate Ice Cream
Straying not too far from my 2:1 chocolate mousse equation, the remainder of the whipping cream was beat to soft peaks with the gradual addition of sweetened condensed milk, into which melted chocolate was folded. The result was more viscous than intended: clotted without cohesiveness, the chocolatey chunks were every bit as scrumptious as any Surfin creation, though a bit lacking in texture. Churning was not required whatsoever.
7) Egg Salad, crafted from six accidentally hard-boiled eggs, Miracle Whip, scallions, and a dash of paprika
Given the selective reopening of certain retail stores in Peel, I followed up on some pre-lockdown tasks with brief outings in the neighbourhood.
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A Canadian Tire run led me to Basil Box, where Thai Iced Tea and Pineapple Lychee Soda were secured. Memory has it that Thai Iced Coffee once assumed a spot on the drink roster, but has since been removed. Of course, I could be entirely mistaken altogether.
The breakdown of my icemaker had me seeing stars. While photogenic, the turnover rate is sluggish for these five-pointed crystals. The warmer months would likely see a surge in demand, wherein a silicon IKEA tray cannot thrive.
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My errands took me to Erin Mills Town Centre, where I discovered yet another Danish Pastry House location.
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The Drommekage, alternatively known as a "vanilla cake with caramel coconut topping", was moist and indulgent. Seemingly the lovechild of an oil-butter hybrid pound cake and shredded coconut tarte tatin, I simultaneously feared its intense sweetness and susceptibility to room temperature molding. And, shall I have my say, oil is shines brightest applied to cooking as opposed to baked goods.
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As if to celebrate the partial reopening of the shopping centre, KFC was also offering a promotion on an 8-Piece Bucket and Medium Fries combo.
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Truthfully, I could have done without the fries. Reeking of stale oil and boasting the bite of of damp paper towel, these were barely passable after a Heinz deep dive. The chicken was decent, but strictly due to their crunchy exterior. Frying in day-old (or maybe even week-old) grease left an undeniable stench and bitter aftertaste in its inner components.
On a lighter note, radlers and sours are beginning to occupy a larger section of LCBO. The stock change signifies a swap of seasons, a breath of fresh air, and perhaps fizziness to finish.
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