Bread Trial #2 Chocolate Bread

I saw this recipe on NPR (click to see and listen to the yummy choc bread) about a week ago.............and i have been thinking and thinking about it...............so since i got to go home early today (i.e. 8:30pm)..........I decided I am going to give it a try.................

Yeah I have been super busy these days. I thought post thesis days would be more play, fun and relaxing............but I am as busy as before...........I guess mostly is because I have to prepare for my driving test this Friday, plus i have a whole bunch of errands i need to do to prepare for my "still don't know when I am leaving" departure to Tahoe.............

Anywaz.... my dough is in the oven rising...................Get bigger Get bigger..........stay tune !!!

Tahoe Blues................

South Yuba...........I think I am right :) Have to remember
my rivers to be a true Tahoe girl!!! I love the trees, water
and wild flowers............


It has only been a week since i got back from Tahoe................but it seems like it had be a month................................I guess people always miss the good times.....................I am not saying that my time here in Toronto is bad, but my time in Tahoe is just that GOOD :)

I guess I am suppose to say that my main purpose of this trip was to attend the Tahoe science symposium....... but honestly, the symposium was just a perfect disguise of my true intention...........If it wasn't for the conference, I would not have been able to take a week off from work.

The conference was actually really good. It was my first time presenting my work (which is a fish study on Lake Tahoe) to a Tahoe audience. Tonnes of people came up to me and told me I did a good job, so I was really happy.........It was also kind of my debut to my soon to be co-worker in TERC........ I am so glad that people liked my presentation cause i was super nervous, You know my future bosses were all there!!!


Days without the conference were relaxing...........got loads of EXCERISE :P....................got to catch up on my long outdated TV shows and some NCAA March Madness basketball (UCLA!!!)........................plus most importantly COOKED a WHOLE bunch and actually had someone to eat with..... not just me and my computer....


One of my proudest creation (well it was not a sole effort, Thanks BTE!!!) Sun-dried Tomatoes, Zucchini, caramelized onion, and goat cheese on a whole wheat crust


Well anywaz.... this trip was short, but super sweet..........

I can't wait till I can start packing and get myself over there............Mid May is what I hope for.......I hope SC will call me up soon .............................

Hopefully, when I go back.......................Happiness will still be there *fingers crossed*

Trader Joe's Mocha Green Tea Cake Mix--MY interpretation

My version of Trader Joe's Mocha Green Tea cake mix.....

I turned them into mini cupcakes with mocha infused white chocolate...............

I love green.................and green tea

p.s. I am now a Master of Science HAHAHAHAHAHA

Bread Trial # 1 (Read Bean, Scallion, Raspberry)

Here are the experimental results.................I will post the method and conclusions later..........

My BIG day!!!

This Friday is my big day...... Argh...... Super nervous about this!!!

I hope things will be alright.... It has to go well right?

Two and a half years of hard work (well, maybe a little bit of procrastination... just a little bit)

So yeah, after this Friday.....

My life should be turned to a whole new page :)

ToFu in Brownies???...It is actually yummy!!!

Vegan baking............



It was always hard for me to imagine baking without eggs, butter, and milk.... just mixing those 3 ingredients alone with some sugar and loads of yummy desserts can be made........

For people who love bake goods......i guess butter can be replace with margarine, cow's milk can be replace by soy milk....... but eggs would be something hard to take away...... that golden glow that eggs give to a pie and bread...... that rich texture that eggs give to mousse and cookies......

BUT....i got some interesting news..........BTE told me he is allergic to eggs.........NOOOoooooooo

What to do.... what to do......

For a sweet tooth like BTE, i guess Vegan baking is the only way..........

So there, i started my quest of baking WITHOUT eggs......


Experiment #1

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

I am sure a lot of you know that...... eggs and butter are two of the key ingredients for really fudgy brownies.........well i guess butter is easy... just replace it with vegetable oil.... but what about eggs......

I found this really cool vegan website.... which seems like is pretty famous among the Vegan circle.... and they have a recipe for some tasty brownies...... and its main ingredient is TOFU!!!

Well I eat a lot of tofu, but i would have never imagine to put tofu in brownies....where i guess you can coat anything with chocolate and make it taste good (maybe not everything :P)........plus it has all these great reviews..................I CAN DO THIS!!!

www.theppk.com

go to their website and get the brownies recipe....... they also have loads of other really yummy looking recipes......

I change the amount of some of the ingredient a little bit and it still turns out great!!!

I add a little extra water to my tofu mixture... mine just seemed too thick in the blender, perhaps my tofu was just extra extra firm (hence lower water content)?

I have to warn you the final mixture (after you add in the flour and coco powder) doesn't look like you typical brownie mixture.... it is much stiffer.... sort of dough like.....doesn't really pour out. I actually have to pat down my "dough" into my baking dish.......

Results:

Extremely delicious Brownies.... animal products free...........

Tomorrow is V-day....... I think i will pack some of these to work......why make myself skinny when i can make everyone else fat haha!!!........The joy of sharing :P

Conclusion:

Vegan baking is achievable.... and not as hard as i think it would be......... therefore this research project will be continuously funded by ME!!!

What to eat in the big TOronto?

Yes.... i have been lazy..... very lazy actually these days....

I have something that i meant to post right after my trip back from Hong Kong and Taipei (which was back in Jan).......... well i am going to pick up my act and get back on to this!!!

For now..... here is something that i gathered a while ago for Meg's friend Jamie.......

Not the most updated list in my head... but i guess will do for now......
I should really go revisit some of these places...... but is just so cold out.... so much snow ::::::

Restaurants…my two cent

Price: $-under 10, $$-under 20, $$$ above 20, $$$$- just super expensive only for special occasions (not including drinks and tips per person)

Breakfast or Brunch

Saving Grace $-$$

I haven’t personally been to this one yet but a lot of my friends have and they absolutely loved it!!!

907 Dundas W 416-703-7368

Xacutti $$

http://www.xacutti.com/

Please try their French toast with Challah (egg bread) !!! To die for

503 College St 416-323-3957

Hot House $$

http://www.hothousecafe.com/

Known to be one of the best brunch places in town…. Super wide selection….from the traditional breakfast flare to lobster ravioli. It is a bit pricy for brunch, but is a buffet and is mighty good! They also have pretty good pasta dishes for lunch and dinner as well. And you can always drop by St. Lawrence market afterwards.

35 Church Street 416-366-7800

Meals (lunch or dinner)

Some Light or Quick Flare

Sandwich Box $

Make your own sandwich, so choose whatever you like

http://www.sandwichbox.ca/sandwichbox.htm

245 Augusta Ave 416-977-0056

238 Queen Street West

Jumbo Empanadas $

All they sell are empanadas and is great and cheap. Make sure you ask for their Salsa

Burrito Boyz $

Best North American-style burritos in town. It is a bit hidden, is a tiny little shop under ground, make sure you miss it!!! Usually there are a whole bunch of people outside.

120 Peter Street 416-593-9191

Yung Sing Pastry Shop $

Hidden in the Baldwin Strip, this little place reminds me of old times china (do I really know what that looks like!?!) Curry beef or BBQ pork buns are the best I think. Try their Egg tart too flakey and sweet

22 Baldwin Street. Close on Sunday and Monday I think

Butler’s Pantry $-$$

http://www.butlerspantry.ca/

A number of locations around town, but my favorite location would be the one on Queen. They kind of have an international flare. Their Chicken Bastilla Pie is divine!!!

813 Queen Street West 416-203-0222

Real meals

Thai

Let’s be honest there is not really authetic Thai food in Toronto, unless you know thai and can talk to the chef…. But here are some fairly good Thai spot in town

Salad King $

Cheap and good! Always busy and have weird opening hours. Seafood Fried Rice is a must have!!!

335 Yonge 416-971-7041

Thai Basil $-$$

Their lunch deals are great, cheap and yummy. You can substitute all meat dish with tofu and ask them to make anything spicy for you.

467 Bloor St. W 416-840-9988

Spanish

Torito $$$

One of my favorite restaurants in town, a bit pricy but everything is great. They serve food tapas style, so everything is small. Great for Dates or a big group of friend (can make reservation if party is bigger than 6).

276 Augusta @ College 647-436-5874 Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays

Mexican

Rancho Relaxo $-$$

Heaping plates, you will never leave hungry from this place! So remember don’t order too much!!! Wasting food is bad J

300 College Street 416-920-2780

El Trompo $

Al Pastor Taco is a must have! Also try their Hochata, is an almond flavored milk beverage. Close pretty early.

227 Augusta. 416-260-0097

Tacos El Asador $

Hidden in Korean Town, this like place sure gives you a homey feel to it. It is cheap and delicious, what more can you ask for!

690 Bloor West 416-538-9747

Indian

Gandhi Cuisine $-$$

Not your usual West Indi Roti… This is actually Indian… People claim that they have the best butter chicken in town. I personally like their vegetarian selection the best! Saag (spinach) paneer or Mutter (green peas) paneer (indian cottage cheese) are my favorite. Remember Medium is very hot already and portion is big!

Mt. Everest $-$$

Great deals on Indian buffet on bloor.

469 Bloor St 416-964-8849

American

Phil’s Original BBQ $$

Their beans are amazing, and of course Ribs and Brisket. Don’t forget the Cachapas!!!

838 College St 416-532-8161

Duff’s famous Wings $$

http://www.duffsfamouswings.ca/home.html

Go on Tuesday and is just around $ 6 bucks for 10 wings

558 College Street, three blocks west of Bauthurst

Japanese

Japanese food are fairly abundant in Toronto, so I picked a few that are a bit different from your normal Jap place, enjoy!

Tokyo Grill $-$$

Home cook style Japanese food! Ebi (Shrimp) fry and the curry katsu rice are what I love

582 Yonge St. 416-968-7054

Okonomi House $

Right in their name…. Okonomi yaki is what they are good at! It is somewhere between a pancake and an omelette, topped with whatever you want--and very filling

23 Charles W 416-925-6176

Tokyo Sushi $-$$$

There are a couple of Japanese restaurant around town that are called Tokyo Sushi so make sure you are at the right one! This is super small and yes it is super small, but their food is great and fish is freah! If you can, go for lunch because they have a cheaper lunch menu.

33 St. Joseph St (@ Bay) about a block north of Wellesley

Japango $-$$$

Another really small Japanese restaurant and yes they are also really small. They can get quite busy, so make reservations if you can. Japango Maki is the must have, and the spicy scallop

122 Elizabeth @ Dundas 416-599-5557

Korean

Ka Chi $

Everything is cheap and good! I love the Squid stir fry with rice! And they have amazing seafood pancake.

612 Bloor St W (at Palmerston Ave) I think they have one in China town as well 416-533-9360

Italian

Terroni $$

Great this crust pizza! Always packed, no matter what time so be prepare to wait

106 Victoria St 416-955-0258 / 720 Queen W 416-504-0320

Seven Numbers

http://www.sevennumbers.com/

Lovely Italian home style restaurant. Fresh ingredient and great end product. Orzo Buco is a must have.

516 Eglinton Ave West 416-322-5183

Vegetarian

Fresh by Juice for Life $

Try their burger and sweet potatoes fries. Make sure you ask them for their hot sauce, is really good and different.

326 Bloor St and there is one on Spadina and Queen

REALLY Special occasion

The most amazing meal I have ever have in my life so far, almost the most expensive ($100 per person no drinks or any thing just water)à Tasting Menu. Trust me, it will be a meal of your life

Soho Metropolitan Hotel Senses Restaurant

318 Wellington St West 416-935-0400

Dessert

Dufflet Pastries

Great cakes!!! You can basically find their cakes everywhere around town

787 Queen W 416-504-2870

Future Bakery & Café

A wide selection go very yummy cake and is 24 hrs!

483 Bloor W 416-922-5875

Kensington Organic Ice Cream

Best ice cream in town…. Omg… need I say more

Hidden around the corners of Hero burgers Off Queen street on Palmerston 650 Queen West

Hollywood Gelato

A perfect finish after a meal at Duff’s on Bayview. Not the typical Italian gelato….My favorite flavor would be their green apple one, but they don’t have it all the time

1640 Bayview Avenue 416-544-9829

Dolce Gelato

Located at the heart of little Italy….there is really nothing to complain about this place…. Just go and try it yourself

697 College Street 416-915-0756

ENJOY everyone....... Don't you just love eating!?!