Out & About #723 | Week #68 Quarantine Update Feat. Canada Day Cookout

Pre-vacation stress is an element that grazed me by in the early moments of 2020, just prior to the Vancity Blitz. Having not embarked on a proper break since then, I hadn't anticipated an iteration of the onerous emotions with mere request of two days off. Of course, I also hadn't anticipated certain duties to coincide with my long-awaited, screen-removed scenery.

Frequent visitors of this space may have taken notice of the distinctly bread-less creations recaps as of late. Carby creations aren't particularly challenging by process, but demand timely tending - something that impromptu meetings and endless calls do not permit.
I found some excitement through Lucullus' varied assortment of buns and egg tarts, minimal satisfaction in T&T's too-damp raisin rolls, and adequateness in storebought Country Harvest smothered in homemade strawberry jelly and pecan butter.

Takeout purchases are common as of late, as time is of the essence.

It started with congee (Preserved Egg & Pork, Minced Beef) and steamed rice noodle rolls (Beef, Plain) from Congee Queen.

Then came a hankering for authentic Thai cuisine, prompted by BamBam's recent cooking broadcasts of Som Tam and instigated with orangecane's moral support.

Mississauga's newest eatery landed in Cooksville, replacing the infamous late-night stop of Pho Queen City. Pickup services operated out of the back (side?) door, which faced the parking lot for easy access by food delivery vehicles.

The lunchtime order had been placed online for an approximate pickup time of 11:45 AM. Rarely are mid-day meals taken at an early hour, however Wednesdays tend to feature everlasting afternoon meetings, making sustenance a pivotal element for prolonged productivity.

I arrived at the specified time, only to be told - somewhat distantly, if I may add - that preparations would require an additional ten minutes or more. More wait time ensued. In the meantime, I inquired about the Green Thai Tea that had been absent from the online menu.
"We don't have that right now." came the staff's response. "Did you want to try the regular one?"
As I hesitantly declined the suggestion, she followed up with, "You like GOT7 too?", pointing to my pink Eyes on You lanyard.
Half stunned and half delighted, a loud gasp escaped from my mouth. A step back was taken. "You know them??! You like them too?!" The words emerged partially whispered, embodying a tension only extreme enthusiasm could induce.
She responded with utmost calmness, as if awareness of the global septet was common knowledge. "I have that too." referring to the lanyard. "I have everything you have."

​An excited exchange of Ahgase language (and a hint at a future collaboration with Snowies) later, I departed in high spirits with a bonus Thai Tea - a token of appreciation for patience.

​My order comprised of Som Tum Thai, Khao Soi, Chef Mo Pad Thai, and Mango Sticky Rice.

Som Tum Thai, the dish that spurred the entire ordeal, was incredibly spicy, as I had inferred from its ingredients. Shredded papaya marinated in smashed red chili peppers, garlic, and lime served to provide a tangy, refreshing start to the meal. It simultaneously set my tongue ablaze. Rather than the torturous foreboding of all-encompassing Indian spice though, the Thai edition was far more moderate, its fiery aftereffects definitive and temporary. The dish was delicious, and I persevered in spite of risking breakouts the next day.

​Stictly by appearance, the Khao Soi seemed spicier than other variations from the GTA. In place of a thick, golden yellow base, Mo Thai's was nearly dual-toned with uniformly-sized splatters of red. Upon consumption, it was discovered to be completely mild. Pickled vegetables contributed a distinctive savouriness, lemongrass chewiness, and ginger spiciness. Coconut milk was adequate in its presence, thought minimal in fragrance and depth. Tropical aromas were, again, mild and barely noticeable. Slices of chicken were incorporated into the curry base; despite being lean, they were impressively tender.

Mostly savoury with zesty undertones and slightly pepperiness, the Pad Thai was delicious and easily provided up to three portions (or two for the ravenous). Especially commendable was the even distribution of seasoning between the noodles: while not particularly greasy, the noodles came apart effortlessly even after refrigeration.

The Thai Tea included an incredulous amount of ice. That said, its sweet, icy properties paired perfectly alongside spicy dishes like Som Tum.

Mango Sticky Rice was quite a microscopic portion overall, albeit the generous portion of ripe mango. The glutinous rice was plush without exhibiting signs of overcooking. Its edges were crisp, while barley further contributed texture and crunch.

The general consensus was of a positive nature, but one ought be mindful of the portion sizes. Although quantity is of little concern to me, ordering for group with comparatively larger appetites would prove pricey.

Creations of the week included:
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1) Purple Sweet Potato Dessert Soup w/ Glutinous Rice Balls (紫番薯糊 + 湯圓) Feat. leftover Black Sesame accent

2) Roasted Bell Peppers + Sweet Potatoes

3) Tzatziki Sauce (sans cukes), which was paired with raw pepper strips for dipping.

4) Garlic Charred Asparagus and Seared Prawns

​Canada Day rarely passes us by without a feast. In this edition was an indoor grilling session that only grew oilier as the day progressed.

5) Blackened Salmon

​Adapting a grill recipe to cast iron is no simple feat. The marinade of olive oil, salt, and pepper was successful in ridding the fillets of unwanted odours.

The intention behind quickly searing one side then flipping was to ensure structural integrity. High heat was maintained throughout the cooking process with the intention to crisp skin. As retention powers are powerful amongst metal utensils, the grilled sections quickly transformed to a coal-like appearance. Its edges began sputtering and the pan began smoking. I had lost foresight of the fish's natural fats, which would convert to oil secretion throughout the cooking process.

​Covering the pan with aluminium foil, the entire assembly was transferred to the oven to cook for fifteen minutes at 400 F. This additional step ensured doneness; future attempts will see a reduced cook time of ten minutes, for the insides were flaky and admittedly a bit dry. As a former acquaintance had once declared, even my experimentations "are never really fails".

6) Chocolate Genoise w/ Purple Sweet Potato Filling

​I am notorious for rapidly re-purposing of soon-to-expire ingredients in every application possible. Our week-old Hawaiian Purple Yams were no exception

Inspired by Sunday Baking, I took to a chocolate genoise - without a thermometer - and followed through with a smearing of purple-sweet-potato-mash-and-cream-cheese filling. The remnants of our whipping cream container had been depleted not long ago, which meant I would simply proceed without it. Volume and airiness were compromised, though the final product was nonetheless scrumptious. A layer of Piccoli White was roughly spread across the top, for I had no reason not to deploy the recent purchase.

​A layer of Piccoli White was roughly spread across the top, for I had no reason not to deploy the recent purchase. Admittedly, the sharp shards of chocolate made portioning the cake a tad awkward. That said, neither gustatory profile nor visual presentation suffered from my amateurish tempering.

​The latter parts of the week entailed a rainy afternoon at Square One, followed by the acquisition of a Sunflower Flax Seed Loaf and Cheese Pullapart (my love!) from COBS Bread.

​Weekend activities continued from Thursday's statutory holiday, involving a drive to the west end for exploration.

A delay on the QEW deterred us - or rather, me, as the automobile operator - from completing the trail to Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

​We exited to stretch our cramped limbs, securing a Vanilla Cone and Coffee-Muffin pairing at the nearby Walmart McD's. I suggested detouring to Albion Falls, given its nearby proximity.

Our arrival on scene was met with a scarcity of parking, where some parties got unnecessarily aggressive. Rambunctious parties of unmasked tourists clogged the lookout points. A few opted to embark on the trail for a closer view of the rushing waters, as did we. However, it soon dawned upon us that its path led in the opposite direction of the falls, steadily sloping upwards rather than adopting a gradual descent. The balmy temperatures and unsuitable clothing encouraged us to retrace our footsteps back to our space in the gravel lot, where another family rapidly took occupancy.

The weekend concluded with chocolate and choreo review.