danistrulytheman

I'm STILL a self confessing, self professing know-it-all, or so I think!

Monthly Archives: July 2012


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$13

That’s it … thirteen measly dollars!! After leaving the house this morning I pulled into the gas station and start pumping … a quick pat of my back pocket where I keep my wallet (it’s a reflex, constantly doing it, lol) with my free hand, and feeling nothing (I immediately panic … another reflex, lol) … I check my front pocket where I keep my money … and nothing again. I FORGOT my wallet, and my money roll at home. I stop filling my tank and hang up the nozzle knowing I’ve got enough petrol for the day and that I have enough loose change to cover the amount owing. After paying, I snap this pic … for the time being this is what I’m worth … $13 …

And after this, with home not even 5 minutes away, and I’m not late or anything … seems easy enough to drive back and get my wad and wallet. Right? Not a fucking chance!! See the way I figured it … with my shit luck of late … having no money, credit cards, debit cards, not even my driver’s licence for a day would probably do me some good in a strange danistrulytheman convoluted course of action kinda way, and turn my fortunes around … at least that’s my thinking, albeit wishful thinking perhaps. But in the mean time, how much Creemore does thirteen dollars get you these days, lol? 😉


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She’s an angel of the first degree

You can take all the tea in China
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail it right ’round all the seven oceans

Drop it smack dab in the middle of the deep blue sea

Because she’s as sweet as tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee


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OMG … I’m sorry!!

… the bakery that is, and for vowing never to return. Allow me to explain; occasionally I’m in the mood for their focaccia, yesterday was one of those days. And I’ve blogged before about it, and how VERY good it is. But after inquiring (not to only one staff member, but two) re: brioche buns … I was curious why they never seem to be available. I’ve read many blogs insisting that they DO make them (and their website confirms this) … and I also wanted to know the price. Seemed easy enough, right? Eventually it became clear that they aren’t really available, but they do make them as a special order (just give us a couple days notice I was told), no matter the amount you want, even if it’s 2 or 3. Weird. No, I prefer you stocking them on a daily basis, so when I get a craving for Brioche buns, I simply walk in and purchase what I want … as opposed to clairvoyantly knowing days in advance I’ll be coveting brioche buns and calling, placing my order. Did I say weird, lol? Ok, so that’s that … and during this explanation was pretty much pleading to find out the cost … they were avoiding answering, they didn’t know (appeared that there wasn’t a fixed/set price and they were making it up as they went along) … intimated that they were expensive … maybe $1.25 each. Yep, more weirdness. I walked out swearing (and SWEARING, lol) I’d never be back because of their ineptness, and my now throbbing head. Arriving home, told Tiffany K to enjoy it while it lasts, it’s our last loaf. But a funny thing happened; nibbling away (with cheese) … found myself loving it more than I could recall. This focaccia REALLY is the best … and it didn’t last long – we polished it off lickety-split … I shamelessly hang my head and take 80% credit (pig … oink, lol) and YES, I’ll be going back, but now with blinders on and mouth shut … no questions about brioche or anything else, no small talk of any kind for that matter … nothing – nada … grab a focaccia and go … whambamthankyouma’am!! OMG … yes, I’m sorry for saying all of this TO MYSELF (and imaginarily throwing up my arms in frustration, lol) … please forgive me, let’s forget any of this ever happened (should be plenty easy for you, since you were oblivious to my thoughts and feelings … that everything was completely unbeknownst to you, lol), never mind any of my silly talk about quitting you, lol … see ya soon …well, till I have a best focaccia ever hankering that is, lol!! 😉

brown paper bag + bread basket …


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another year, another pic

… courtesy my recently purchased Camera+ app for iPhone on my birthday, very early in the morning, seconds before slipping off my jammies and jumping in the shower, lol!! Meant to post a week ago, sorries for my tardiness y’all!!

happiness more or less … but I’m a lucky man. happy 49th motherfucker!!


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War Horse, Allen’s, and Beer!!

July 18th was a great day. Tiffany K and I were so excited about seeing this play, we heard so many great reviews and it lived up to expectations and then some. The intimacy of the The Princess of Wales Theatre was perfect. The production was flawless … and we had the best seats … right in the middle, and the first row with a step, so we were slightly more elevated than rows in front of us … I’m guessing about 40′ from the stage. Afterwards for dinner we enjoyed the patio atmosphere at my favourite Allen’s (I know I’ve blogged about it many times before, but I love it … and don’t ask what I ate, you already know, lol … I’m so predictable). Always love the beer selection provided, and was happy to see Unibroue available, but not on tap – drat, no draught … bottles only. With Audrey’s recommendation, I quickly ordered a La Fin Du Monde (it’s funny; waitress asked me if I ever tried it before, admitted no and she was happy to tell me how very good it was) and WOW … is it ever good (thanks Audrey, lol), but strong too … and when waitress came back asking if I wanted another one, told her … “listen, I’d love to have five fucking more … but I also want to be able to leave walking out of here without any help”. And at 9% alcohol, erred on the side of caution and switched to the summery Blanche De Chambly, and its more manageable 5% alcohol. Also, good news and bad news: The bad – no more sweet potato fries and blue cheese dressing. Something about everybody jumping on the bandwagon, so Allen’s jumped off. The good – with burgers they no longer charge for tomatoes, or lettuce or onions … or whatever it was (condiments presumably expected to be gratis) some of you complained about, used as an excuse to never go … well now YOU can’t … guess I’ll see you there, lol!! 😉

My programme …

A few (MANY more) beers selections/prices …

Love the huge-ass trees …

Sad glass …

… happy glass …

Chambly … LOVE the colour …

Burger (bacon n’ aged cheddar – and RARE) plus fries (don’t look, cover your eyes, lol) …

And the bill for our party of five (cover MY eyes, lol) …


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Trappist Beer

I’ve always loved my beer, and have tried/experimented with easily well over 100 brands/names. And those who know me, know that my two favourite beers of recent times are Creemore and Pilsner Urquell … both very high quality and both easy to drink, and drink … and … lol. But since my self imposed beeratorium … and raising a glass with increasing infrequency (I’m somewhat embarrassed calling myself a beer drinker now … I feel like an excommunicated member, lol), I was prompted purchasing these. Trappist beers are a select group … only seven Trappist Monasteries qualify and are permitted to brew beer to be sold as Authentic Trappist Product. Inasmuch as I’m drinking less … hell, I might as well drink the very best … AND these beers (unlike my aforementioned beloved pilsners) are meant to be consumed at a much warmer temperature and really aren’t favourable to drinking more than one or two at a go … you ain’t guzzling, you won’t be pounding these back, lol. They’re meant to be savoured and enjoyed sparingly … which is exactly what I’m doing on this lazy hazy Sunday afternoon. Cheers y’all!!

The obligatory LCBO receipt …

Loved the champagne style corked tops on the 750 ml bottles …

Don’t own a Chimay chalice (working on it, lol), my Leffe beer glass substitutes …

And a halfsack of Anchor’s Liberty Ale (old habits die hard, lol) …


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chicken ‘n mortadella

Still working on (stretching and stretching AND modifying/reinventing) my grilled chicken breast from the weekend … yep, leftovers again. Quick in and out at my Highland Farms and I was good to go. Initially wanted bacon along with my chicken … but I’ve done that a gazillion times, and seeing mortadella on sale for $2.99/lb suddenly began thinking economically as well as inspirationally … and you know what? It worked! I’ve never seen this combo before, and a little part of me would like to think I invented the damn thing. Picked up some Portuguese rolls, creamy havarti, heirloom tomatoes, sweet onions, and Mrs. Whyte’s kosher pickles. Using my heavy duty (really … I mean HEAVY) Molto Mario grill pan, I panini pressed these beauties!!

These are THE best (take my word, they’re very good) …

The lid looks like it’s floating – sandwiches were SO thick …

And voilà … plated …


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homemade bbq sauce

… sorta!! I did cheat a little by giving myself a bit of a boost, saving time AND achieving what I set out to accomplish – win win. My goal was to create an Asian, Hawaiian, Caribbean inspired sauce … something sweet and packing heat!! My two essential ingredients; pineapple and scotch bonnet peppers!! To start, I wanted a good, solid base, and I chose SWEET BABY RAY’S bbq sauce (award winning, lol) … I use it often when I bbq, I love its neutrality … not smoky, not too sweet … a perfect pleasant balance. Before I go any further, a reminder of my method (& madness) of cooking, building recipes. I don’t use exact measurements, I typically use the amount I feel right, AND I’ll vary ingredients depending on my pantry and my mood. Call me the whimsical chef, lol!! Go ahead Food Network … steal that one too, lol!! With a bottle of Ray’s in my saucier, I incorporated brown sugar, cinnamon, soy sauce, orange juice … along with the stars of this show, the pineapple and scotch bonnet …oh, a word about scotch bonnets. These tiny peppers are hot beyond hot – you take a bite and bonnie bites back … a 300,000 Scoville unit chomp!! I rough chopped (seeds and all) and whizzed it in my spice grinder (tip: added a bit of brown sugar making puréeing easier, facilitating homogenization). I grilled (indirect method) plump chicken breasts (skin on, bone in) slathering them with my sauce right before taking them off the Weber, letting them get all glisteningly glazed and caramelized. It was spot on, the citrus tang & sweet combined with the fire of the pepper married beautifully, neither one was overpowering, rather complimenting each another … it was sublime. A few pics, enjoy y’all!! 😉

The Sauce is the Boss!, lol …

Baby packs a wallop …

Puréed …

All the ingredients in the pot before slowly simmering …

An hour later – looks great eh? I know, lol!! …

Mopped with ma sauce … a few minutes more …

A close-up (LOVE LOVE that char) of my efforts …


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survivin’ the scorcher

… at least trying. Current heatwave has been cutting a swath over a huge chunk of North America for what seems forever, and will continue to for a few days more with slightly cooler temps forecasted on the horizon … so says the weather wizards … hope they’re right as rain!!

Yesterday’s temperature:

photo courtesy: the G G G


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kale ‘n corn

Red kale to boot. Must admit my ignorance, wasn’t aware its existence … but must admit my excitement too spying it while foraying in my Fortinos!! And I don’t know where you’re from, or the prices you pay for corn – but where I’m from … a buck ninety nine per ten is a pretty good deal, and seeing all those shuckers having at ‘er draws you in to do the same, so I snagged ‘n bagged my ten too!! Shit, this blog should be titled food, and tons of it, lol … ’cause there WAS a whole-mother-lot … but will refrain, will remain focused!! Peaches & Cream corn really rocks, be sure not to overcook it though, you want that bit of crunch … chomping, twirling yer cob. Purchased this paprika months ago promising a goulash attempt …sadly never did, well, not yet (and in my defense, my promise had NO time constraints, lol). Folks … THIS paprika is the real-motherHungarian-deal … admittedly sourcing it was a mission … literally jumped through internet hoops trying to, but I did. Digressing again – forgive me. I remember once having corn on the cob with smoked paprika, twas boy wonder’s outta the blue light bulb inspiration (kid’s got a shitload of smarts, so proud) … and it was good, VERY good, just a bit too smoky as the name implies. Knowing this was in my cupboard said, “let’s tweak that ingenuity” … ok, another digression … y’all shoulda seen me (or not, lol) trying to yank/separate the lid from the tin … pretty sure you can guess what happened next … my ivory tiles quickly turned crimson, victims of my torquing!! Tiffany K scurried (ok, NOT scurried … ummm?, scampered, lol) to get the Dyson (OK OK so we don’t actually OWN a Dyson, just like saying Dyson instead of vacuum, sounds so much more elitist, and I’m probably … ok, not probably … DEFINITELY jealous of those who do,lol) switching power to ON, sucking away as she pleased. Yep, mess disappeared. Here’s some pics, just the deuce – kale and corn (plus paprika), enjoy y’all!!

Beautiful head:

… tossed ‘n washed:

… butter dolloped/chili flaked … plated:

My aforementioned troublesome Hungarian:

Corned once:

… and twice:


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Happy Beaver Day!!

Know I’m late posting but I REFUSED to easily swipe a Canadian flag off the internet and blog. Nope, not me … Canada’s birthday, the least I could do is put a bit of effort for the country I love, land of the free – home of the brave … er wait a minute wrong anthem, lol!! Just sayin’ ’cause it applies to us as well … a country with abounding civil liberties … and we ain’t a bunch of chickenshits either, lol!! Took this iPhone pic out doing the dumpster run ridding the house of rubbish. And while staring straight into the sun no less … not too shabby danistrulytheman … not too shabby … Happy Canada Day y’all!! 🙂