danistrulytheman

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

Author Archives: danistrulytheman


by Leave a comment

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 …


by 1 Comment

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


by 1 Comment

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:


by Leave a comment

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!! 🙂


by Leave a comment

grilled kale

… just a few pics, fresh Ontario grown kale (on sale of course, lol)!! Something completely new (who knew?!) … looks AWESOME, can’t wait to try it … but RIGHT NOW have more Weber wood grilling to do before I can dig in  … we’re real time blogging here folks, lol!! Sweet onions, slivered garlic … copious sea salt/freshly ground pepper then sprinkled with chili flakes … sorry, gotta go y’all … roasted creminis, NY strips, and grilled garlic focaccia awaits …

The closeup … YEP, looks YUM:

The obligatory overhead view:

The beauty shot:


by 3 Comments

July

… my favourite month!! If there’s such a thing picking one over the other eleven. It’s perfect, it’s sublime … typically the hottest month + it goes the distance in duration, giving us 31 glorious days, the most allotted in a month (’cause that’s the way we’ve been keeping track of things/time for hundreds of years on this tiny speck of interstellar dust I call home, lol) of sun, fun, beer, beach, bikinis, BBQ and beer (oops, ya caught me double-dipping, lol). June is good, but a wee bit early AND plenty unpredictable … and August is good as well, till you near the end and slowly start feeling summer slipping away. But not my July … it starts with a BANG right outta the gate – Happy Birthday Canada … WOOHOO!!  And before the celebrations have a chance to subside … BANG again – Independence Day to my neighbours south … Happy 4th y’all!! Four days in and it’s been non-stop partying … and 10 days later let’s raise a glass of champagne and toast Bastille Day, and if you weren’t aware and didn’t commemorate the occasion, well mon ami now you do (know) … and I HOPE you do (celebrate) … commemorate away, lol!! July has always been a month long celebration for me, SO many school friend’s birthdays … I still recall a few names and the days … Diana-13, Garry-14, Randy-15, Chris-17 … and mine thrown somewhere into the mix, just ain’t sayin’ when (and we all shared the same birth year making it even more special) … and through the years many new friends have joined, too many to name. July has always been a month long celebration for me (and can pinpoint it further, specifically the middle of the month … from the 10th – 20th). A few other tidbits …this year’s Wimbledon famed fortnight concludes on the 8th, and the opening ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics are on the 27th (the excitement never ends, lol). And who could forget the boys of summer? Not I. Always look forward to the home run derby, the All-Star Game (July 10), the family atmosphere/festivities. And last but not least, this year I have a personal celebration falling on the 30th … zees lips are zipped, lol!! What a way to finish!!

I know I’m posting prematurely … wanna give a couple days lead in, allowing it to marinate …

Uhmmm? Probably forgetting a few important days/occasions … can always comment later if I remember. Better yet  … anyone think of anything I’ve omitted (y’all have fingers and a keyboard … least I hope ya do, lol) … chime in!! 😉


by Leave a comment

… have a hankerin’ y’all!!

danistrulytheman's avatardanistrulytheman

Otherwise my ass is grass with y’all … my exceptionally critical, and excitingly expectant, hanging on every word followers/blog readers!! Ok ok, so maybe I’m embellishing/stretching it a bit … but sheesh … give a brother a break, lol!!

… and here they are: my leftover meatball pics …

Day 1:semi-sub-sammies (fresh, soft buns are key) with hot peppers, melted provolone and the 2cheese combo from the day before …

Day 2: meatballs sliced and baked with melted mozza … now served open faced civilized style (with steak knife & fork) … YUMMO!! (my fave outta all 4 variations) …

Day 3 (… 4 too): do I know how to vary my menu … AND stretch a dollar (&blogpost) to boot or what? Tossed with spaghettini and served with a buttery garlic roll …

View original post


by 1 Comment

Going Greek … again!!

It’s my go to dish … def one of my faves, and every now and then I get a must have craving that MUST be satisfied … nothing beats it, nothing!! Just a few pics/words this time, promise to go more in depth another time … plus, I have explored Greek cuisine many times before … so no complainin’ y’all, lol!! Made portabello mushroom caps (hollowed out, ribs removed/scraped – this IS key) filled with feta and caramelized onions … and when I say feta, unlike others who say feta arbitrarily, the feta I’m talking ’bout is my coveted Dodoni from Greece … the best of the best (and at $32/kg), pricier than the rest!!

‘caps grilled, then finished with a squirt of lemon + fresh oregano from my garden …

LOVE this: feta warmed throughout and slightly melted – YMFO …

Remember my not wanting to delve too deeply? My handcut humongous souvlaki will be blogged about another day and another time, just not now … honest injun!!

Plated: and served with grilled pita, tzatziki and olives (both obscured, peeking out) …


by Leave a comment

grillin’ veggies

ALWAYS meant to blog ’bout this, especially peppers, red or green typically, but in this instance their harder (and more beautiful) to find cousin … yellow peppers!! The key is to blacken them, and when you think you’ve blackened them enough … you haven’t (don’t be shy, don’t be scared). Done correctly, the taste is so succulently sweet. Oh, and I know the proper term is roasted peppers, clarifying in case I get any crap from any of ya, lol!!

Coated with olive oil, tossed ‘n turned, doin’ their thing on the Weber …

Brown paper bagged and allowed to steam for 5-10 minutes …

Steaming aids peeling the charred skin, the edge of my Henckel does the trick …

Found these (who knew?) … disposable grooved foil pans – brilliant idea …

Long neck Creminis and sliced Vidalia … almost done folks, almost, lol …

AND plated … pepper quarters/halves (seeds and ribs removed) alongside the ‘shroom/onion combo and with a fast splash of fresh flat leaf from my garden as a finishing touch … is so incredible … it’s my perfect summertime (perfect timing too since TODAY IS officially summer, lol) antipasti platter … scoop ‘n serve y’all … enjoy …


by Leave a comment

bespoke potato chips

Specifically and intentionally titled my post what I did ’cause they’re from England (and if you have to ask … well PLEASE don’t, lol). I bought these the other day while shopping at Whole Foods Market!! They weren’t on my shopping list and I seldom succumb to impulsive purchases, musta been the big beautiful display they had strategically positioned in the store, and that quirky packaging  … ok, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it, lol. Never thought much of them, that I even bought them … was only later lounging watching HD boobtube that I was craving a snack and I remembered having these, why not give them a go I figured? WOW, unbelievably good. Was immediately impressed with the flavour, taste … the texture and crunch, started reading the back of the bag learning more … and became even more impressed… hand cooked … product of England … variety of potato: Lady Claire … even where they were grown: Herefordshire, I didn’t even have a clue what I paid, and mid-munching went to check my receipt that I conveniently left on the counter for referance purposes if needed (ingenious … brilliant, lol), checked the price – $2.50 … well, they ain’t cheap, but they’re VERY VERY good!! And today being a man about town, popped in for four bags more … yessir yessir!!

My original purchase …

And moments later, lol … oink oink …

And today’s haul y’all … even went with a Sweet Chili & Red Pepper …

Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar (the Whole bag, YIKES, lol!!) …

… oh, and today was paying attention, that two fifty is a two week sale price (ongoing), regular price – four bucks … yep, made off like a spud bandit, lol!! 😉