Think I added too much tomato sauce that its consistency became more of a pasta sauce...so that's what I used it for. It's substantially less labor intensive than the caponata, but I do prefer the caponata better.
20 August 2018
octahedron
It's nice to eat stewed summer vegs when the temperature maxs out at 20˚C. I'm extra appreciative of normal UK summer after the heatwave.
Think I added too much tomato sauce that its consistency became more of a pasta sauce...so that's what I used it for. It's substantially less labor intensive than the caponata, but I do prefer the caponata better.
Think I added too much tomato sauce that its consistency became more of a pasta sauce...so that's what I used it for. It's substantially less labor intensive than the caponata, but I do prefer the caponata better.
18 August 2018
turn
Some online window shopping and candidates for the unicorn work pants:
Is wool, is right shape, is black, is reasonably priced, is full length...too bad not high waisted but so far the best candidate.
Another candidate is this pair from Massimo Dutti, but not sure how I'll manage with a pair of checked grey pants as the cold weather work pants staple.
In other news, that shearling jacket is perfect! Not super huge and minimal hardware, especially at the sleeves (cough Acne cough). It's also much cheaper than Acne's, and reasonable considering it's fully leather with an generously assumed level of quality. But I don't associate Massimo Dutti with prioritizing quality, although I should hold my judgement until I see the piece in person.
Bottom two pieces are from Aritzia, both which are not needs but they are versatile enough for both work and leisure *u*
Is wool, is right shape, is black, is reasonably priced, is full length...too bad not high waisted but so far the best candidate.
Another candidate is this pair from Massimo Dutti, but not sure how I'll manage with a pair of checked grey pants as the cold weather work pants staple.
In other news, that shearling jacket is perfect! Not super huge and minimal hardware, especially at the sleeves (cough Acne cough). It's also much cheaper than Acne's, and reasonable considering it's fully leather with an generously assumed level of quality. But I don't associate Massimo Dutti with prioritizing quality, although I should hold my judgement until I see the piece in person.
Bottom two pieces are from Aritzia, both which are not needs but they are versatile enough for both work and leisure *u*
17 August 2018
Caponata
This dish is 99% of the reason why I bought the Polpo cookbook:
I cooked it on the stove instead of oven per recipe instructions and think it turned out fine. The vegetable pieces retained less shape due to more frequent stirring, but this isn't a particularly pretty dish anyways. I also went on a limb and substituted suancai (which I initially misread as zhacai, which is slightly more reasonable of a substitute imo) for capers, can't say that I taste a difference. Also didn't buy enough tomatoes so I substituted a potion with passata and tomato paste, to no detriment either. Although my version is tangier than what I remember, perhaps because my tomatoes aren't ripe enough. It's actually just so good *u* definitely making it for my fam when I'm back.
One thing I lazied out on doing is removing the ribs of the celery. Don't be me, its a major textural flaw in the final dish. When everything else, and especially the eggplant, is silky...the tough fibres of the celery ribs is a glaring contrast.
...
Made some naan to go alongside this. This is my second time using Matter of the Belly's recipe.
The first time, I found the naan to be too tender, which I rightly suspected was due to the lack of kneading in the recipe. This time around I repeatedly smooshed the dough in a circular motion against the mixing bowl after it comes together with a spatula (my lazy way of kneading without touching sticky doughs) for about 3 minutes, and also did 1 round of stretch and fold (also with a spatula to avoid getting my hands sticky) during the proofing. This did develop the gluten more, but next time I would knead it even more and do another round of stretch and fold (going to try #1 at 30 min, and #2 at 60 min during the 2 hour proof instead of just 1 at 60 min).
I also streamlined the rolling process by rolling it between sheets of parchment paper, again minimal mess :D Also getting the hang of how thick to roll the dough, which is just trial and error and needs to be recalibrated to each stove / pan combination "orz. The last modification is to add a tablespoon of water after putting the dough in, and after flipping the dough and steaming it the whole time instead of just wetting both surfaces of the dough. This resulted in much more puff.
So oily, such a hassle frying eggplants, but so soooo good
I cooked it on the stove instead of oven per recipe instructions and think it turned out fine. The vegetable pieces retained less shape due to more frequent stirring, but this isn't a particularly pretty dish anyways. I also went on a limb and substituted suancai (which I initially misread as zhacai, which is slightly more reasonable of a substitute imo) for capers, can't say that I taste a difference. Also didn't buy enough tomatoes so I substituted a potion with passata and tomato paste, to no detriment either. Although my version is tangier than what I remember, perhaps because my tomatoes aren't ripe enough. It's actually just so good *u* definitely making it for my fam when I'm back.
One thing I lazied out on doing is removing the ribs of the celery. Don't be me, its a major textural flaw in the final dish. When everything else, and especially the eggplant, is silky...the tough fibres of the celery ribs is a glaring contrast.
...
Made some naan to go alongside this. This is my second time using Matter of the Belly's recipe.
The first time, I found the naan to be too tender, which I rightly suspected was due to the lack of kneading in the recipe. This time around I repeatedly smooshed the dough in a circular motion against the mixing bowl after it comes together with a spatula (my lazy way of kneading without touching sticky doughs) for about 3 minutes, and also did 1 round of stretch and fold (also with a spatula to avoid getting my hands sticky) during the proofing. This did develop the gluten more, but next time I would knead it even more and do another round of stretch and fold (going to try #1 at 30 min, and #2 at 60 min during the 2 hour proof instead of just 1 at 60 min).
I also streamlined the rolling process by rolling it between sheets of parchment paper, again minimal mess :D Also getting the hang of how thick to roll the dough, which is just trial and error and needs to be recalibrated to each stove / pan combination "orz. The last modification is to add a tablespoon of water after putting the dough in, and after flipping the dough and steaming it the whole time instead of just wetting both surfaces of the dough. This resulted in much more puff.
16 August 2018
chasing what's already gone
Was listening to this as I read the most disturbing manga I've yet to read:
The manga. The synopsis already sets up quite a mess. And then you watch the characters make each decision, which is full of good intentions whether that's self-protection or chasing their tendency, but cumulatively leads to such a train wreck. It's disturbing in that its realistic. The ending is really nice though, it uses a cliche, but imo they deserve a fluffy cliche ending.
It's especially disturbing since my mind was primed because I read the latest chapter of My ID is Gangnam Beauty (another great manga) earlier in the day. Sooah's arc just started, and it bears some resemblance to Mikako. I do like Mikako's character though, she's crazy and owns it. Though all 3 lead characters are well written.
I've been happily read a bunch of manga / webtoons / manhuas on the topic of society's beauty standard. It's always a damned-if-you-do and damned-if-you-don't kind of situation: too ugly is painful in many ways, too pretty is...tiring in many ways, and average is being a cog which I suppose is the least of the evils. Frankly, I'm susceptible to the problematic idea that if you look bad then you're lazy. I'm sure this train of thought should lead somewhere, but I'll follow it with another frankly, I get why Mikako and Kaito don't wanna get older. The girlish charm is very real and it's disappointing to think that it'll never take as little effort to look good as now. Past the awkward self-discovery teenage and undergrad years, but before "real" stress of "real" life settles in. I seriously can't wait for many things in the future, most of all owning a place of my own, but man so many necessary shitto put up with try to enjoy to get there. But like, for how long can I happily wear really short skirts, or avoid exercising which I absolutely detest?
Guess this turned into a prelude of graduation thoughts.
The manga. The synopsis already sets up quite a mess. And then you watch the characters make each decision, which is full of good intentions whether that's self-protection or chasing their tendency, but cumulatively leads to such a train wreck. It's disturbing in that its realistic. The ending is really nice though, it uses a cliche, but imo they deserve a fluffy cliche ending.
It's especially disturbing since my mind was primed because I read the latest chapter of My ID is Gangnam Beauty (another great manga) earlier in the day. Sooah's arc just started, and it bears some resemblance to Mikako. I do like Mikako's character though, she's crazy and owns it. Though all 3 lead characters are well written.
I've been happily read a bunch of manga / webtoons / manhuas on the topic of society's beauty standard. It's always a damned-if-you-do and damned-if-you-don't kind of situation: too ugly is painful in many ways, too pretty is...tiring in many ways, and average is being a cog which I suppose is the least of the evils. Frankly, I'm susceptible to the problematic idea that if you look bad then you're lazy. I'm sure this train of thought should lead somewhere, but I'll follow it with another frankly, I get why Mikako and Kaito don't wanna get older. The girlish charm is very real and it's disappointing to think that it'll never take as little effort to look good as now. Past the awkward self-discovery teenage and undergrad years, but before "real" stress of "real" life settles in. I seriously can't wait for many things in the future, most of all owning a place of my own, but man so many necessary shit
Guess this turned into a prelude of graduation thoughts.
15 August 2018
conical section
I think it's safe to say that summer has gone back to the typical UK summer of hovering around 20 during the day, phew. Thank you to this tank and this dress for carrying me during the heatwave:
I'm obviously looking forward to autumn/winter clothing. Saw these from HOPE's new collection, want very much:
One day I will have a giant furry coat with equally giant collars! Actually I came close to blind buying a forest green one during Artizia's winter sale last year, but mom reasonably talked me out of it. This blue-grey color is even better...maybe it'll be on sale in half a year, but it'd have to be a blind buy again ugh.
Found a US stockist (La Garconne) for the trousers, might be my last resort if I can't find a good pair in Canada. The silhouette is pretty perfect although would prefer if there isn't as much of a drop crotch. Seriously, why is a pair of high waisted carrot shaped trousers with some wool content such a unicorn?
...
Also looking for tees with the perfect drape @_@
I'm obviously looking forward to autumn/winter clothing. Saw these from HOPE's new collection, want very much:
One day I will have a giant furry coat with equally giant collars! Actually I came close to blind buying a forest green one during Artizia's winter sale last year, but mom reasonably talked me out of it. This blue-grey color is even better...maybe it'll be on sale in half a year, but it'd have to be a blind buy again ugh.
Found a US stockist (La Garconne) for the trousers, might be my last resort if I can't find a good pair in Canada. The silhouette is pretty perfect although would prefer if there isn't as much of a drop crotch. Seriously, why is a pair of high waisted carrot shaped trousers with some wool content such a unicorn?
various pants references via pintrest
...
Also looking for tees with the perfect drape @_@
13 August 2018
Gough
Quite a miserable day to go to Cheddar Gorge, especially since we got caught in the rain while walking on top of the cliff. Oh wells, getting completely soaked and then devouring dinner together is a good bonding activity (a la survey camp ha).
I really like how poorly my Rokinon performs in the edges / corners, call it personality haha. I hesitate to call a film-like look because I haven't seen enough of actual film prints, but its what I imagine the look to be. Although the poor focusing in the second photo is completely my fault.
I really like how poorly my Rokinon performs in the edges / corners, call it personality haha. I hesitate to call a film-like look because I haven't seen enough of actual film prints, but its what I imagine the look to be. Although the poor focusing in the second photo is completely my fault.
10 August 2018
Spirit Blade Mountain
Fairly certain that the Chinese title (从前有座灵剑山) is referring to a joke, the light-heartedness is one of this manga's strong points, while also incorporating serious philosophical considerations. The pacing is also excellent, after reading manga for sooooo many years, pacing is now what I appreciate the most and find sadly most series lack in, especially the xianxia genre. The characters & character development are also very good, the MC and his master have such good chemistry! I did spoil it for myself that they eventually get together, but would totally ship them even if I didn't know. Really looking forward to when master's past gets revealed, the plot has heavily foreshadowed it. Look how cute she is when she was little:
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