danistrulytheman

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


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Perfect Pastizzi!!

In the kitchen early in the a.m. making/baking pastizzi – a Maltese delicacy … these are ricotta cheese filled, the most common variety. It’s an annual holiday thing I do for Tiffany K to take to her work for their annual holiday thing that they do … from what I know, and I don’t know much since I don’t ask too many questions (better that way, lol), is that all staff contribute some food for a potluck of sorts. Last year everyone was raving about them (after repeatedly asking, “what are they?” “how do you say the name?” since they didn’t have a clue as to what they were), and who wouldn’t be – it’s cheese stuffed phyllo pastry for Chrissakes!! Naturally she (I) have to out do everyone else, so I order pastizzi from my secret pastizzi place (best in the city by far), drive outta my way to pick them up, and as I previously mentioned, rise and shine extra early (I know, things I do, lol) to bake three baking sheets full, two dozen total. Eight at a time is pretty much the max, you don’t wanna overcrowd them or they won’t puff properly, and at 35-40 minutes per sheet … AND with them having to be done and out the door by 8:00 … well you do the math … did I mention things I do?! 😀

tray #1 of tres

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tray #2

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tray #3

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the perfect pastizzi

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xmasdecoratingtime

… a couple of quickie pics of our ecologically friendly, and year after year wallet friendly faux christmas tree Tiffany K decorated … I did help btw, but won’t bore y’all with my beautiful & brilliant contributions, other than a brief quote, “they were minimal” … and that’s not me saying that shit, it’s Tiff, lol!!

view from the right …

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and from the left …

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… my badass dog had fun ’bout twentytimesadaytuggingatthetreeskirt … God, I MISS that!!


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Beaujolais Nouveau

Today was the release date of these seasonal wines, ready-set-GO to be stocked on LCBO shelves for sale … well, were supposed to be, talking about the actual physically stocking part – LCBO employee dude was happier than a pig in shit (even commented how we were making his job/life easier) as we kept taking bottles directly out of the boxes from his cart. Every year it’s a mad rush, so get there early or prepare to drive from store to store getting what you want. I walked in with my cut out Toronto Star article (and a Tiffany K Post-it® with her wants for added accuracy – not to mention a way-too-early-in-the-a.m.-finger-wavingpay-explicit-attention-to-what-I’m-saying-so-as-to-not-fuck-it-up-session detailing said specific must-have purchases, doubly ensuring no errors from yours truly as well, lol) and immediately upon entering – mere minutes later, a couple of gents followed with their crib notes. Quick draw Dan had 3 bottles of the coveted Negrar Novello Del Veneto secured, but when I overheard one guy wanting/asking for a case of Negrar, snuck back and snagged my fourth bottle … this store’s allotment was only three cases, and after our troika was done picking, was left with a dozen bottles (after half an hour of the store opening … on the first day of the Beaujolais Nouveau release). And btw, that’s it folks – once when they’re gone, they’re GONE!! A few pics from the day …

Shelves starting to get stocked

My pile ‘o wine on a vacant shelf – minus the one, lol

And now four

Two bottles of Dubœuf Gamay Nouveau

Tollo Novello Rosso Terre Di Chieti and Catalans Primeur Syrah Merlot


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playing passenger, done with the driving

… passively too – maybe I was sedated, lol?! Truthfully – LOVED it!! Was nice (but strange for a change) not lifting a finger doing any work getting food on the table … ‘nstead giving the two runts full run – complete carte blanche of my kitchen … my domain. And I promise never to bring up the mess again, mentioning it for the last time (yeah, probably will , lol) you left for yours truly … and ain’t complainin’ (but it was REALLY REALLY messy, lol) … the meal was fantastic … and the break from the EXPECTED (just sayin’) dinner duties was greatly appreciated (and needed). You done good!! Should be a TV show ’bout you twos

butternut squash, double smoked bacon & roasted red pepper soup …

smoked herring fritter (a la crab cake), arugula & toasted squash seeds (& curry sauce) salad …

pan seared whitefish, quinoa & roasted veggies, white wine & lemon, dill & cilantro reduction …

AND the best part – dessert (no pic – sorry). Bread pudding with fresh blackberries & raspberries, drizzled with hot caramel & dollops of cool whipped cream. AND from start to finish – took 3 hours total 2 working as a team … kudos!!


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low-key Thanksgiving!!

Circumstances (which I won’t get into, divulge) dictated this simple affair!! And ya know what?? … easy and understated beats fancy schmancyANYEFFINGTIME!! Felt great for once not slaving (for days) in the kitchen for the troops. Too tired to story-tell folks … here’s a few pics from earlier today.

Creemore, coffee, and Canadian sparkling water …

Tiff K’s flat top

Burger, frites and mayonnaise (love the Bibb btw) …

check out the doneness, perfectly rare …

another look  …

… and the bill …


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National Drink Beer Day

… September 28th. Who am I to ever need a reason to drink beer, let alone the best reason ever conceived, lol. HAPPY NDBD!!

2 file photos never published:

With the gang on the patio at Allen’s before the pour …

Stella for lunch at my 2nd favourite TO joint …


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labour daze and ribeyez

Ribeye steaks … although at a smidgen over 3 inches thick, perhaps roasts would be appropriate. Haven’t been grilling as much as I’d like too, as much as I should … nothing like a 3 day holiday week-end and a last kick at the summer-can to remedy that. Picked up these 2 Sterling Silver® (premium meat – top 12% of grain fed cattle) beauties at my not so local Sobeys. A few pics (and the omission of beer is purely accidental, rest assured its presence was prominent, lol) … enjoy!!

Pepper rubbed – patiently waiting …

The first kiss of the grill (look how thick they are) …

So far, so good …

Getting their char on – LOVE that …

… I think we’re done folks …

1 steak (perfect medium rare, don’t ya think?) sliced ‘n braided plated

Grill toasted and garlic buttered French Loaf …

And my plate (served with my grilled baby portabello, sweet onion, poblano medley) …


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I’m a self-critical glutton!!

Honestly don’t know why I do this to myself? Subjecting myself to my over-the-top-analysis – maybe we all do it, I dunno?! Always feel I look like shit in pics (but please … feel free to disagree, lol) … the fuck’s up with the hair, lol?! And am only posting now because I didn’t earlier in my previous post … ooops, my lazy-ass bad. Btw … hello September, goodbye summer … happy Labour Day week-end y’all!! 🙂

Photo (unedited) courtesy: Tiffany K


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another year, another pic

… courtesy my recently purchased Cameraapp 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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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!! 🙂