Discussed in the second year anniversary recap of COVID-19's official entry into the global healthcare scene, I lean towards pursuing the "Quarantine Update" titles no more. They take up a greater character count, and furthermore do not accurately depict our existing society and gradual re-opening attempts.
The work week passed with a kerfuffle of Change Order documentation, speedy digits over the keyboard, and an intro to the Alignment dialog box in Civil3D, which remains an item demanding a deeper level of comprehension.
The work week passed with a kerfuffle of Change Order documentation, speedy digits over the keyboard, and an intro to the Alignment dialog box in Civil3D, which remains an item demanding a deeper level of comprehension.
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A longing for minty hot chocolate guided me in the direction of an expired After Eight packet gifted to me by the sleepy polar bear. Dating back to pre-pandemic times, I was surprised to find a persistent mintiness mixed with the tackiness of age. Half the mug's content flowed down the sink. Little had I known that more ancient foods were in my future.
Creations of the week included:
1) Stale Barley Rice and Kidney Beans - as I have yet to restock my multigrain blend
2) Blue Sky Bran Muffins, which have been executed countless times before and proved as durable of a formula as ever with a buttermilk substitute.
Creations of the week included:
1) Stale Barley Rice and Kidney Beans - as I have yet to restock my multigrain blend
2) Blue Sky Bran Muffins, which have been executed countless times before and proved as durable of a formula as ever with a buttermilk substitute.
3) Tiramisu Cake
Not to be confused with authentic tiramisu, this spinoff sources creaminess from the consumer favourite of Philadelphia cream cheese and whipped cream (instead of mascarpone and the finnicky zabaglione) and airiness from Kahlua-brushed sponge (as opposed to ladyfingers dipped in coffee).
Not to be confused with authentic tiramisu, this spinoff sources creaminess from the consumer favourite of Philadelphia cream cheese and whipped cream (instead of mascarpone and the finnicky zabaglione) and airiness from Kahlua-brushed sponge (as opposed to ladyfingers dipped in coffee).
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The project stemmed from a hankering for fluffy sponge and a sudden increase in soon-to-expire cream cheese supply. Opting for my 6-inch cake pan instead of Sunday's sheet tray eliminated any asymmetrical cake scraps from sugar cookie-esque cutting. The swap also meant a prolonged baking time due to reduced surface area, though a straightforward conversion had yet to be developed. The temperature was maintained at 350 F for fifteen minutes, then dropped to 325 F for an additional ten. As the surface began to brown nicely, I attempted to remove it from the oven. The delicate jiggle, though, in conjunction with a collapsing top, indicated rawness. Back in the oven it was returned with a greased piece of foil on top.
In spite of the meticulous step to prevent adhesion, the centremost section of the cake peeled away relentlessly. In spite of it all, the toothpick returned damp and sticky. Nearly admitting failure, I returned it to the oven, uncovered this time, for an addition five minutes. The top emerged an alarming shade of brown, nearly to the point of charring. The top layer was removed (and devoured instantaneously), while the rest were portioned into three layers of relatively uniform thickness, notwithstanding some choppy edges.
In spite of the meticulous step to prevent adhesion, the centremost section of the cake peeled away relentlessly. In spite of it all, the toothpick returned damp and sticky. Nearly admitting failure, I returned it to the oven, uncovered this time, for an addition five minutes. The top emerged an alarming shade of brown, nearly to the point of charring. The top layer was removed (and devoured instantaneously), while the rest were portioned into three layers of relatively uniform thickness, notwithstanding some choppy edges.
The middle and bottom layers had cooked thoroughly; as such, they were readily layered with an espresso-infused cream cheese-and-whipped cream mixture to form a Tiramisu Cake. The centre of the top layer, being raw, was disposed of. Remaining was a ring of sponge that was partially ripped up for snacking, then placed into a glass dish for pairing with unset filling. This creation was decent, dare I say so, despite being inferior to the "proper" cake.
Impeccably smooth and luscious was the final result. A generous dusting of cocoa powder had accentuated the bitter notes of Kahlua, then shifted the spotlight to distinctly plush layers of sponge and a sweet yet sturdy cream filling.
"You know where I've had the best tiramisu?" I posed a question to which even I wasn't entirely sure the answer.
"Yours." came a firm response. "Yours is the best."
"But it's cake! Not proper tiramisu, mind you." I hesitated not to correct the statement while in contemplation of my next impromptu invention.
Impeccably smooth and luscious was the final result. A generous dusting of cocoa powder had accentuated the bitter notes of Kahlua, then shifted the spotlight to distinctly plush layers of sponge and a sweet yet sturdy cream filling.
"You know where I've had the best tiramisu?" I posed a question to which even I wasn't entirely sure the answer.
"Yours." came a firm response. "Yours is the best."
"But it's cake! Not proper tiramisu, mind you." I hesitated not to correct the statement while in contemplation of my next impromptu invention.
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3) Italian Lemon Cookies
The two-bite morsels were an idea that materialized strictly on the bases of having lemons on hand and extra icing sugar left over. YouTube's algorithm has also sent Sunday Baking's Italian Lemon Cookies my way when I pondered lemon crinkles as my next venture. The choice was a no-brainer.
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Alas, the cookies still emerged fantastically lemon-y and scrumptious. Visually, they appeared wider and paler, adopting an airier cross-section than the crunchy profile of Sunday's. A hurried maneuver to swap oven racks had skinned the edges of several, leading to a dismal shower of zesty crumbs. All factors under consideration though, the turnout was quite satisfactory. Future attempts shall see a calmer process (hopefully) and improved texture.
Other meals of the week comprised of:
There was an undeniable of discomfort making its way to my stomach, and later my overall wellbeing. The stale rice, which had been consumed for upwards of five meals, was eventually disposed of after a few instances of upset stomachs.
- Pork in Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Chopped Kale over stale rice
- Charred Chicken Drumsticks with Choy Sum over stale rice
There was an undeniable of discomfort making its way to my stomach, and later my overall wellbeing. The stale rice, which had been consumed for upwards of five meals, was eventually disposed of after a few instances of upset stomachs.
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When Katsuya's relay event arrived in Mississauga, it felt only natural to round up some of the longtime faves for consumption. The only caveat was the promotion's highly restrictive conditions. Strictly the Japanese katsu would be offered at a discount of 30% off with cash payment for takeout; all other items would be 10% off under the same restrictions.
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Our pickup order estimated thirty minutes from 7 PM, though I ought to have predicted its untimely delivery over forty minutes later. The wait time is consistently upwards of their estimate, with any special offers worsening the takeout backlog and forgetfulness of staff. "It is not ready, so come back in 5 minutes." was heard twice, before a shameless "Oh, it will take 20 minutes more." at our third attempt to follow up. Yet, within two minutes, a different member of staff had bundled the multitude of boxes and proceeded in our direction. The bag labelled "(2)" contained the appetizers, now lukewarm from awaiting completion of the katsu sets.
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The spread had been expanded to the non-relay options of Curry and Carbonara Katsu, along with three appetizers. At long last I would taste plump pieces of Cheese Crabmeat Croquette and golden Tartar Shrimp; Takoyaki was also requested, though I cannot admit to it being my suggestion (Kenzo's is/was superior).
Truth be told: neither the Cheese Crabmeat Croquette nor Tartar Shrimp were as formidable as my recollection. The former was neither cheesy enough nor crunchy enough, readily blending into the croquette profile with both plates sharing the same condiment of tartar sauce.
The same could be said for the katsu strips, which have been exhibiting sogginess on its underside since the commencement of COVID-19. Miso soup had also been replaced with a rather thin udon broth due to supply chain issues.
Truth be told: neither the Cheese Crabmeat Croquette nor Tartar Shrimp were as formidable as my recollection. The former was neither cheesy enough nor crunchy enough, readily blending into the croquette profile with both plates sharing the same condiment of tartar sauce.
The same could be said for the katsu strips, which have been exhibiting sogginess on its underside since the commencement of COVID-19. Miso soup had also been replaced with a rather thin udon broth due to supply chain issues.
Romaine pan-fried with garlic infitrated its way onto the dinner table for a much-needed dose of veggies.
An unthinkably foggy drive home concluded the evening.
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More snacks filled the rest of the work week, spanning from sea creature-shaped Korebap to Maria cookies for digestion.
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Light dinners led to ingestion of impeccably smooth Halzenut gelato from my most recent Nani's excursion.
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The pandemic had prompted millions around the globe to "stay home". But, as discussed previously, the definition of home may not necessarily align with the destination where one feels most at rest and at ease. My physical long-term residence is, universally, known as my "home", though feelings of homeliness could be attributed elsewhere as appropriate.
GOT7 has established a safe haven for their wild shoebills, bestowing an even deeper meaning to the Ahgase symbol that the fandom has grown to identify and adore.
Ending the work week was an episode of Nyanko-sensei, blanched choy sum, mini Coca Cola Chicken Wings, and Stir-Fried Shabu Shabu Pork with Red Onions.
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The next morning, I grudgingly awoke to a dreary skies and heavy layer of fog. My trip to the east end of the GTA proved periodically pluvial, making the already annoying commute feel even more tedious.
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A tardy start to my appointment followed with a tardy departure. Lunchtime had arrived, encouraging a stopover at Poke Poke before enduring the grueling trip back.
As part of their March Madness promotion, all signature poke bowls with the exception of Californacation would be priced at $9.99 + tax. The combo would also include a soft drink, and was, thankfully, not cash only.
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The Sky City plaza was not too different than I had remembered it: a chaotic parking lot, saturated with bubble tea vendors, and more eateries than retail shops. Admittedly, the asphalt lot was significantly less chaotic than in warmer weather, where driving conditions grow treacherous with partially licensed users of the local road network.
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I found the Poke Poke storefront after some scrutiny of the plaza storefronts. "Welcome to Poke Poke!" was heard cheerfully with every pull of the door.
Fifteen minutes in the queue later, I placed my order for the Aloha bowl. A mix of brown and white rice was selected in the absence of spring mix greens. The honey ginger salmon chunks were topped with yuzu ginger sauce and wasabi mayo to finish. A creamy crabmeat salad, sweet chunks of canned pineapple, edamame, highly savoury wakame salad, and a healthy spoonful of tobiko contributed heartiness without satiation.
Fifteen minutes in the queue later, I placed my order for the Aloha bowl. A mix of brown and white rice was selected in the absence of spring mix greens. The honey ginger salmon chunks were topped with yuzu ginger sauce and wasabi mayo to finish. A creamy crabmeat salad, sweet chunks of canned pineapple, edamame, highly savoury wakame salad, and a healthy spoonful of tobiko contributed heartiness without satiation.
The portion was generous and quite satisfying, and frankly more economic than Chipotle even at regular price. On-and-off showers washed over me as I excitedly shovelled in spoonfuls of the creamy mixture. Poke spots have withered away in recent years due to diminishing of the trend, thus it was interesting to find a new venture - in Scarborough nonetheless - looking to re-ignite the flame.
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