catching up, part two - birthday adventures

Let's be honest, I tend to think of any activity within a two week period surrounding my birthday, as a birthday-related event. So there were quite a few noteworthy birthday celebrations that I want to post about.

A few days before, also before Thanksgiving-prep-madness began, we took a day off to explore the Scarborough Bluffs. It turns out that my manfriend lives just a few blocks up the street from where my grandparents used to live. I spent some good times there as a child, running around and exploring the Bluffs, working in the garden and playing games with my grandmother. I've lost touch with that side of my family in the past few years (my biological father's family). My grandmother passed away a few months ago, and I saw this as an opportunity to revisit the places I remember from my childhood time with them, as well as seeing my lover's neighbourhood for the first time. It was an amazing and emotional day, beautiful and sunny, feeling more like late summer than impending fall. We saw lots of wildlife wandering down to the base of the Bluffs.

And some vibrant fall colours

We ended up climbing the Bluffs (what I thought was a path turned out to be...a precarious and adrenaline-filled climb, and I was in flip flops). I can't even find the words to describe that experience. There was a point where I didn't think I could make it up any further. And I had no idea how to get back down. I was almost crying (I'm scared of heights). My partner had to shimmy over and try to boost me up. There was a point when I finally got to the top, lied in the grass shaking with fear and adrenaline and exhilaration, when S. was slipping in the mud, barely able to make it up, and I had to try to help him. If at any point, one of us had fallen...I don't even want to think about it. Yet, it was an amazing sense of accomplishment. And I wanted to do it again.

After, we went and saw my grandparents old house...something which didn't give me closure by any means, but which brought back happy memories. Of my grandmother's lovely rose garden in the front yard, the smell of being in the garage with my grandfather, of his shelves and shelves (and shelves) of old jazz records in the basement, of sitting in the living room watching torrents of rain water pouring down the steeply hilled road outside. I wish I had seen them more in recent years, but I've come to terms with that. I'm just glad I had the times with them that I did.

Later that day, we went out for dinner, then dancing.

And then later still, a week or so after my birthday, there were flowers, and an official birthday dinner out.

The dinner was at Union, an adorable little restaurant that focuses on rustic, farm-to-table cuisine, like the one I hope to have myself one day. I got all dressed up. We sat at the chef's rail. We had an amazing charcuterie board. I snuck a picture of the kitchen when no one was watching. S. convinced me to get the steak frites, instead of the vegetarian polenta with greens dish (which he said was not expensive enough). I was disappointed. Still, I'd go back just for that charcuterie plate!

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All in all it was a lovely birthday (week+). And now I'm 32. And so excited for the year ahead!

catching up, part one - thanksgiving edition

Well, I have a lot of catching up to do. I would like to offer the "I've been busy with work, and so many other accomplishments" excuse, but I'm afraid that's not really true. I've just been having fun. Enjoying my open schedule and the time it gives me to spend with my man. There have been quite a few kitchen adventures over the past couple of months, as well as other adventures too. October was a pretty busy month with Thanksgiving and my birthday celebrations. I also started a new class - hula hooping! I was proud of myself for joining something new, with new people, something that I struggle to do because it makes me anxious. But I swallowed my fears, and I love it! I knew the people would be nice; I didn't know how much joy I would find in learning new things, grasping new tricks that I had been struggling with, and just generally being playful. It is great exercise for my body and my mind. I find myself feeling more agile, dexterous, and this has translated into more flow in my life, at work, and in the kitchen.

However, all of this means I have had very little time at home alone. And little inclination to post here when I do (instead spending my time hooping, or cooking). But, tonight I have the night off, and I've spent the whole day doing just that - being home, alone. Catching up on some comedies, my favourite food blogs, some kitchen work. So I want to finally make the time to post about the cooking and exploring I've done in the past month or so.

Let's start off with Thanksgiving (oddly, posting this a month late makes it rather timely for American Thanksgiving this week). It was my first time making a turkey - I dry brined our 14lb turkey overnight and it turned out quite well. I somewhat followed this recipe, which was an adaptation of the Zuni Cafe roast chicken I've read so much about. I told myself I wouldn't make WAY TOO MUCH food for once, but that of course did not happen. There were mountains of mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, classic stuffing, slow-braised brussel sprouts (my favourite sprout recipe!), homemade cranberry sauce and some beautiful purple and white roasted root vegetables.

It was a great night, with great friends. What I did manage to do that I'd promised myself was to keep my stress levels down for once, by prepping for 3 days ahead of time, and thanks to my amazing sous-chef. I actually managed to get dinner out only an hour later than I'd originally said.

Naturally, we forgot/had far too much wine to think about it/ to take a picture of the spread. But, I got one the next day (my birthday) of our leftovers for "brunch."
We also started the day off with a lovely bottle of bubbles, courtesy of a very generous friend who'd come for dinner the night before.

My favourite part, as usual, was the mashed potatoes/stuffing/gravy, which I proceeded to eat every day for the rest of the week.

I know its been awhile, but its nice to remind myself how thankful I am for my friends, my family, my love, my ability and desire to spend 3 days prepping and cooking a rather expensive meal for the people I love. And how thankful I am for a "hobby" that I am so passionate about and committed to, that brings me such joy (I meant cooking, but I suppose I can add hooping to the list).

annual sicky soup post

So I guess it's that time again (as least it isn't the ONLY post this year). Yes, I am sick. My throat is sore and scratchy, I'm coughing, exhausted, and actually considering calling into work sick (decided against that since I'd lose out on money AND actually have to pay to bring in a doctor's note). I can make it through, I just need sleep, water, vitamins, and SOUP.

Tonight was a redux of two years ago - chickpea (noodle) soup. I was planning on making a chickpea, chipotle and kale soup, but something about the basic, salty, comforting "chicken noodle" style appealed to me. Especially after a day filled with work, studying (oh you want me to learn all the italian wine appelations in one week?), and errands. And its delicious, and simple. And I cooked extra chickpeas so I can roast those tomorrow, or perhaps use tonight's leftovers with a bit more broth, chickpeas, chipotle and kale. Lately, these somewhat basic formats have been appealing to me. I get bored when I cook a big batch of a certain bean or grain salad/soup that is enough to last for several days. Since I've really started focusing on eating MORE of (/mainly) these whole foods, and I will cook up a big batch of beans/grains whichever day I have off, I tend to keep them plain. Then I can use them in different variations throughout the week. Last week it was black beans, the week before was red kidney beans, the week before that chickpeas. And since its only me, I really only make enough for 3-4 servings. And there's usually a batch of quinoa kicking around too.

A friend of a friend was talking to me last week, asking for advice about his recent attempt at vegetarianism. This was one of my key pieces of advice - cooking a batch of something yourself when you have time, but keeping it relatively unseasoned so you have more room to play with it later. My #1 piece of advice for him was not to stress too much about it. He had been feeling rather low energy, and I advised him to focus more on eating whole foods, a variety of them, than on stressing over getting a certain percentage or amount of specific nutrients. Now, some people might think this is bad advice, but I think as long as you eat a range of whole grains, beans/pulses, and vegetables and fruits, with some dairy/eggs thrown in there if you like, you really won't have to worry too too much about not getting enough protein, vitamin B, or whatever it is. Yes, I take supplements (vitamin B100, vitamin D, and vitamin C mainly), but I think one thing I have read and thought more about lately is JOY in food. Yes, I've always loved food, but sometimes, as I've said earlier, this obsession almost seems to be a chore, or an addiction ("oh dear, I HAVE to make sure to make the most of every single item of produce available this season"). And I know for SOME people who label themselves (as vegetarian or vegan, or whatever kind of food label you subscribe to) according to a particular diet, there is a feeling of it being a task, a deprivation. Whereas really, eating a plant-based diet can be much more diverse than a meat and potato-based one. Can be. I no longer label myself or my diet according to any particular 100% theme. Anyway, as usual I'm losing track of my focus here.
Point: Enjoy a VARIETY of foods. ENJOY a variety of foods. And I believe this will help you be healthier, and happier, than if you didn't. And when it doesn't keep you healthy - eat soup!


Chickpea (noodless) soup

One medium yellow onion, diced

Saute in olive oil over medium heat, 5-10 mins, until translucent
Season.

Add:

One (large) stalk of celery, finely chopped
Two large cloves garlic, minced
Two small carrots, chopped

Season and saute for 5-10 mins more.

Add:
Chopped hot pepper (I used a 3/4 of an anaheim)
Vegetable broth (homemade for me in this case) and some chickpea cooking liquid (I don't know, maybe around 1-2 cups)
One small bay leaf

Cook over med-high heat (@ a simmer) for 10-15 mins, until the vegetables are tender.
I then added about a cup of chickpeas with some more of their cooking liquid, and maybe a small head of baby bok choy. Simmered for another 5-10 mins until the bok choy was cooked through. Added a pinch of chili flakes and some thyme. And fresh parsley.