Somehow in the brilliance of my organization I managed to lose my camera's charger, which is why I've been MIA. I have had some sweet sweet meals but unfortunately no photographic evidence. Here's what's been going on around here lately:
Leak number 4 in as many months. Second letter written to the Regie. Roofers came on Thursday so hopefully this means the leaks are done. Sent my notice of non-renewal for the lease so I'm free to look for somewhere else to live. Fresh start--yes!! P.S. Montrealers, do not rent from C.I.F. they are dicks.
Yesterday was Good Friday, and there was a parade for jesus on my street. Man, he gets everything, his birthday's even on Christmas!
They were walking to Notre-Dame Cathedral. Nice day for it.Later I went to a matinee of Alice in Wonderland 3D with a friend. That Alice has got balls. So refreshing from the conventional Disney crap. She refuses to marry, and the plot doesn't center around getting a man in the end. Then we had bad coffee and good chats: burkas, France, consumerism etc etc.Soon it was dinner time and I had a craving for sweet potatoes and nothing but. A recent attempt roasting them was an epic burning charred fail. After perusing the reviews of various recipes debating between parchment and foil vs. Pam and olive oil, I decided to throw caution to the wind and just do what i normally do: grease the pan with olive oil for roasting. That I did for one batch. Then I hatched a foolproof plan...fry the shit out of them in coconut oil for the other batch. How can that go wrong?
Ingredients for the baked: flour seasoned with salt and pepper, eggs beaten with a bit of water, a mix of shredded parmesan and romano cheese.
Cut your sweeties into wedges. Dredge them in the flour, then the egg, then the cheese and place on a greased rimmed baking sheet.
That is the most perfect one. My favorite.
As you can see there was minimal sticking. Win!
The ones going into the medium hot frying pan with a good plop of coconut oil were first dusted with chili powder and garam masala.
They didn't take too long to crisp up and brown nicely...about 4 minutes on each side.
Then I got crazy/fancy and wanted to recreate the Laughing Buddha's banana ketchup they serve with their sweet potato fries. My attempt was edible, but only semi-successful. I used way too much banana. Next time I'd use only 2 slices. Key ingredient: curry powder.
Dinner is served.
Midnight snack. Please note the variety of various dips, from top left. Rice vinegar/soy/sesame, salsa, sweet chili and underneath that salad is some plain yogurt with a tad of mayo. These taste buds need variety after midnight.
Hello food loving people! Holy crap, last time I was writing there was snow on the ground and everything looked and felt different. Now things are different from that last different and everything will never be the same. But there is food! Food is good. Rocky came home from a prolonged absence and we were due for a spring time potluck. On the menu was homemade salsa, my grandma's baked rice, but jazzed up with tofu, scalloped potatoes with fennel and gouda courtesy of the most wonderful roommate in the world, tomato quiche, fancy cheese plate, homemade jalapeno poppers, mom-style coleslaw and banana bread with bananas foster and chewy molasses ginger cookies. I love my friends, and I love that they love to eat!
This is all you need for salsa. Add some salt and some olive oil and you're ready to inhale with corn chips.
In the process, Rocky is suitably impressed with my mad cutting skillz.
As Rocky pondered what to make for potluck, I mentioned she had loads of potatoes in the pantry and suggested she make scalloped potatoes. I was thinking your basic cream, butter and cheese business but oh no, she took it to the next level. Fennel, fennel seeds and gouda cheese made this dish smell divine as it was baking and really, how can one not enjoy potatoes cooked in whipping cream?
These potatoes changed my life.
A peaceful pre-potluck interlude with rearranged furniture...
Summer in my bones.
Jalapenos getting ready to become poppers!
Melanie popperizes the peppers with cream cheese, chevre and other delicious things.
Just heavenly...if heaven tastes like a mexican fiesta of flavors with the devilish surprise of the odd fiery pepper...most of the are mild, but sometimes you get that one that sets you on fire.
Yummy fun!
Get yourself a half pound of tofu, 2-3 cloves of garlic and a similar quantity of ginger, salt and pepper, and oyster sauce. Coconut oil for frying.
Cube the tofu and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Slice up the garlic and ginger. Cut the lettuce into one inch pieces.
Stir-fry the tofu first. When it looks golden, add the garlic and ginger and then when you're good and ready add the lettuce and fry for about 2 minutes. You want the heart of the romaine to remain crispy, oh yes you do.
Almost done! Throw down some oyster sauce up in there.
Top with black sesame seeds and large flakes of toasted coconut for the extra crunch factor.
My stir-fry is ready for its closeup. 
Enjoy, then go lie down in a park and look at the clouds.
