YEP!! My night. My festivities. What? Don’t like my eggcelent-celebration? Crack you, lol!!
Category Archives: food
we are family
This post is of recent thoughts and ramblings, a few pics from last night as well. Strap yourselves in, hold on tight!!
Tomorrow marks one month my life changed. I have never professed to believe in God, but I always knew someone was/is watching over me. I know many of these occurrences where I feel being helped in my life can easily be dismissed as pure dumb luck, etc.. Fair enough. This sensation of having my own Angel has been with me for a long time, pushing 30 years – where things happen that help me, that I don’t believe are random or is any reasonable explanation for. I won’t fully expound on this latest one, getting into specifics, I have trouble identifying with the masses, conventional thinkers. I get frustrated with wading pools, I’m the Marianas Trench. That’s the truth folks, not arrogance. If I told you about my latest, most definitive proof my Angel exists, sure all I’d get would be “that’s cool”, “wow, weird” at best. That would frustrate the fuck outta me, so I’ll be mum, keeping everything close to my vest. Better this way, trust me … y’all swim near the surface, I’ll keep deep! Since this whole thing happened, since we met, the way we met, the circumstances surrounding it … every detail, I examine the minutiae, every nuance, every possibility, how, and why?! There is NO OTHER explanation … I have an Angel! Btw, technically was the 11th, but really the 12th. What a day … white wine, beer, and Chinese food! Six and a half hours never disappeared so quickly!
Four days later. Again!
Hells motherfucking yes!! More wine, more beer. No Chinese food, not for lack of trying. It was a Tuesday night, and all closed up shop. Our next time together was last night. My Christmas. I’ve spent 20+ years celebrating Christmas on the 24th, I’ll be damned, I did it again! And, we did Chinese again, lol!
LOVE THIS!! You waltz in, hook up your phone, your playlist like you own the place, AND crank it. No volume police here!
Flowers, food, drinks, good times … and dog, lol!
I met you a dozen days ago. You are my friend, last night, I went further and designated us family. Why not? Being fully aware of the pitfalls, the precariousness, the tenuousness of the word supposedly exemplifying union, togetherness, forgiveness?! It’s all a crock of shit, trust me. Don’t believe that crap, fall into that trap for a second y’all! However long this thing we have lasts, you are my family. I have proof too. My recently arrived in the mail Air Miles membership provided me with a supplementary card to give to a family member, obviously encouraging more shopping, more points. Points be damned, I couldn’t have been happier giving it to you knowing I’m in your wallet, always close by. From now to then, whenever then is … WE ARE FAMILY!!
My Family!
(wearing her xmas gifts. gloves, panties, and Angel)
new digs, and a new friend!
I LOVE my new kitchen, the whole place kinda rocks! New stainless steel fridge, new cabinets, counter-top, island, sink & faucet, above stove microwave, new backsplash, new bar stools … but the star of the show is a new gas stove!! My first time cooking w/ gas too. In fact I had a maiden meal all planned out, I wanted pasta w/ either braised/simmered oxtails, or veal shanks … but grocery store deals dictated otherwise, so it’s pasta w/ sausages & meatballs. Not too shabby a second fiddle! Oh, true story – wanted to serve my inaugural meal w/ a Barolo … and a couple days ago allowed myself a final budgetary indulgence. It was a front of the line, membership benefits I saw in my inbox, a limited release Barolo. Perfect timing! I pounced, and if any’s left, the rest of you plebes can search ‘n seek LCBO’s inventory, when it’s finally released to the general public. I payed the same price, $49.95/bottle (plus only $15 shipping) for the 2 bottles I bought. Oh, speaking of indulgences, I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my next to last one … that one should arrive anytime soon. Perhaps, another blogpost, lol?!
Ok, mostly pics, few words – better, eh? A couple of notes about my gas range. Of course we all know (even if you don’t own one, never have used one), the best feature is immediate heat. I love that. But, my fave new thing to get used to, is not only the incremental heat that is available, but unlike other types of ranges w/ burners that continually shut off, trying to moderate cooking temps – gas ranges don’t … there’s never that lull, the simmer/sizzle never stops. I LOVE that!! As promised, pics …
… yep, a sucker for sweet pussy!!
Lebanese Me, Please!
… grilled Merguez & Makanek sausages!
… served w/ Baba Ghannouge & Hommos Tahineh!
… and pita bread!
it’s a wrap! wow!!
served on the most motherf’n freshest bread (was too hot to handle when I bought it; made in-house) ya could ever get. grilled chicken/grilled steak & roasted creminis w/ caramelized onions … on a bed of romaine, beefsteak tomato, sliced sweet onion! And here’s the kicker, sliced English cucumber … ’cause I had some! Yep, wrap me!!
Sour Cream Lemon Pie!
Something Good From Crawford’s!
Yep!
the best grilled rapini w/ sweet onions!
Yep! I said it (my fave btw)! And, in my Le Creuset dutch oven no less! Not one to read/follow rules, prefer to make up shit as I go … bear in mind, many, many years of cooking/techniques in my back pocket help. I get the pot to a scorching high heat, add olive oil (here’s the secret blogging tip: start w/ very little olive oil and continue adding if needed as opposed to the opposite. It’s very important – keeping in mind the onion and rapini will release liquids as you keep cooking. It’s very crucial you allow for this compensation. For this grilling method we want dry, not wet. We can always add, can’t subtract), then the sliced onions, seasoning as I begin searing. After a few browning moments, next comes the broccoli rabe followed by more seasoning. Look at how high heat fry cooking essentially grills everything w/ not a hint of sogginess! Sweet! A final sprinkling of chili flakes seals the deal! Enjoy!
spaghetti & meatballs!
I haven’t been posting many food posts, certainly not like I did in the past. I’m lazy, even w/ this one. I omitted important pics. It’s my home made sauce, and hand made meatballs – I play around and tweak them ever so slightly occasionally. This time, instead of breadcrumbs I used day old bread. I put the loaf out on the counter to make it more stale (drier, easier to work with), and then broke it up, crumbing it. I also grilled the meatballs on my Weber grill using hardwood lump charcoal. I did it not so much for the flavour, I mean it definitely adds a different dimension … my main motivation was not wanting to create a splattering, greasy mess in my kitchen which I’d have to clean, and this worked beautifully browning (blackening really) the meatballs. And, yes this is the glory pic that is missing. Then it was a matter of tossing them into the sauce, simmering for an hour or two. Oh, I also used Barilla extra long spaghetti (comes in a bag, not box) for fun too!
It’s a burger! It’s a revolution!
God, I hope this works. Posting this post I mean; last time trying using my iPhone WP blogging wasn’t exactly a smashing success. Oh well, here goes nothing …
Burger Revolution. Was showcased on You Gotta Eat Here … a few pics y’all!
oh my my pie!!
You really gotta eat here!
eat my pie
healthy eats!
… I know I was posting last year some ‘o this good stuff … healthier foods/drinks etc., that w/ my running became an integral part of whom I am in the here and now … my, in the grand scheme of things effort becoming a healthier (better too) human if you will! Tiff found the recipe on one of her many foodie sites; is the second time I’ve made it this week. I love salads, especially tasty-good-for-you-salads … chick peas, lentils, radishes … drizzled & tossed w/ a lemon, dill, dijon, garlic, vinaigrette … so mothereffing awesome!!
… a coupla pics, y’all!!
uhmm … wow!!
… re: previous post!!
my perfect omelette obsession!
… I’ve had it for years. It’s an ongoing, anal thing of mine, lol! Starts w/ the best ingredients! I’m partial to mushroom and cheese for fillings … cremini, and anything Swiss is my absolute favourite (and fresh thyme from my garden too – sadly, am still weeks away)! AND, don’t compromise; you MUST use the best/freshest eggs you can get! Whole Foods always fits the bill. Here’s my haul y’all!
Brown Eggs from Hens on Green Grass
organic cremini mushrooms
cave aged Gruyere
hey, don’t forget buying the best bacon
proof of my omelette obsession; a new pan purchase – Zwilling! Zweet!!
will post omelette pics later if photo worthy. if not remiss to snap some I mean, lol!
My Killer Bolognese!!
… and, I’ve made many variations, today’s was extra killer! It hit me? I haven’t been food bloggin’ for quite some time. And, knowing it’s cyclical (people come, people go), it made me realize many newcomers to danistrulytheman don’t have a clue about me, especially when it comes to my cooking skills. I really have neglected this part of me, my blog … and I also realize, no one can be bothered to peruse a blog that extends 4 years+ back, just want you newcomers to know, I do have exceptional (Italian) cooking skills. So much, that lately, things I see on other blogs that would make me cringe, now elicits a friendly “like” … lol! I could go on ad nauseam about it … in fact, I MAY have previously. I kept it basic for today … I think that’s been my problem of late; too lazy … can’t be bothered to teach y’all! typically, I use minced veal, today my market had gorgeous beef (cheaper too) … was an easy decision. normally, I put my tomatoes (San Marzano) through a food mill, but at a dinner party once, a non-foodie commented that she used an immersion blender … her thinking was that any tomato skins/seeds contained nutrients, and she didn’t want to waste any of it. I’ll never forgot her words, and it made me rethink my method, and to this day, I use her approach. BUT, today pressed for time, went sans blender, dumping the cans into the browned meat, breaking up the tomatoes with my wooden spoon … pulling out any obvious tomato skins. here’s a pic of my bolognese (chunky) simmering …
and here’s my pasta boiling away. notice the high boil? plus, I don’t use ANYTHING but pasta from Italy (sorry, another topic, for another day). when the water comes to a boil, I dump in about 5 tablespoons of salt; the pasta water should taste like the ocean ( again, another day – oh, and kosher/sea salt too).
and, finally plated … my bolognese linguine piccolo w/Romano Lupa and OMG’s focaccia. and, please believe me; this pic doesn’t even begin to give the meal justice – it WAS more awesome than you can imagine!
Poutine? Dude, thought ya said poontang!
Honestly, ain’t joking! And for a second, took me smilingly back to my youth mishearing you! I agree, would be great to grab some poutine, or some poontang … or both, lol!
… legalized brothels should add this to list of services offered, catering to horny ‘n hungry Canadians, lol!!
Pan-Roasted Chicken with Harissa Chickpeas – Bon Appétit
Pan-Roasted Chicken with Harissa Chickpeas – Bon Appétit.
Tiff found this in her Bon Appétit magazine … perfect for a wintry, cold Canadian day. And, I did my shopping yesterday ahead of the storm!
… and my kick-ass version
I’m getting a roomie? Tomorrow? Geez, thanks for the heads-up!
… always outta the loop! On a need to know basis. Apparently I need not knowing, lol!!
… is ok y’all, I LOVE my roomie! Now for the menu, hmmm? Pasta, pasta & MORE pasta!! … wait, and clemetines too!!
… another 4:20!! 😉
chicken noodle soup – in a pinch!
… emphasis on noodles! Feeling sick, under the weather, whipped this up without stopping at the grocery store. Had all I needed at home. Those are Hungarian egg noodles (sorry, no pic) from Starsky Fine Foods, they’re thin and short – like needles, when dry, but as you can see, really plump and sop up broth when cooked. Speaking of broth, that’s organic chicken broth I had in the pantry, PLUS I had organic baby kale in the fridge so I tossed that in as well. I like finishing with grated cheese (Romano Lupa), and hot sauce, today I went with good ole Tabasco. A few pics y’all!
Dan’s Italian Meatball Sandwich!!
… my version of goin’ california … brought on/inspired by yesterday’s neglect, complete lack of appreciation! fuck it! i’ll make my own – even BETTER … and so i did!
… here it is! my homemade tomato sauce w/ my special (3 meat) recipe meatballs slowly simmering in a stockpot, alongside the finished product. dan’s italian meatball sandwich!!
… that BUN is key … ok ok, part of the perfect sandwich puzzle … two cheeses, sautéed (secretively seasoned) mushrooms. and more secret stuff too, and i ain’t splillin’ any either, lol. check it out, the BEST meatball sandwich anywhere y’all. YUM-MF-O!!
The WORKS!
Burger joint with a gazillion burgers! Gourmet burgers too! Makes your head spin trying to pick that perfect one, so many mouthwatering choices. I know I’ve been lazy lately w/ pics, and w/ food blogging. Not that I haven’t been going to lotsa fun places, I have … just been lazy w/ the pics & bloggin’ ’bout it! And to prove my laziness, this was two week-ends ago, on The Danforth – 888 Danforth – love that lucky number!!
Leaside Burger – upgraded … lean ground Elk …
a side of fries and the obligatory gravy …
Sam Adams AND the Sam Adams glass too – nice touch …
danistrulytheman 