Ice Fishing Encounter

So last Saturday, with a roommate and a friend, we went out for a stroll. I currently reside next to a big lake in Montreal. Winter here can reach -30 degrees C and the ice freezes over. It's now March and the temperature has finally risen to something more comfortable. After out mid-day snack, namely the green onion pancake, we could feel it expanding in our stomach. After 30 minute stroll or so, we saw little moving dots from afar. They seemed to be standing on top of the lake, so we headed that direction and this was what we saw. A never ending horizon that linked two islands as if an extended piece of white land had appeared. The land was so white, almost blinding. I could imagine situated in the North Pole waiting for a polar bear. My day dream was shattered when I saw civilization behind me. The juxtaposition really showed me the power of nature. 

Upon a closer look we discovered some people ice fishing. We were curious and went up to the holes and examine further. Obviously we were afraid that the ice might collapse upon every step we took but it supported out weight even though it was above zero. The ice remained thick and sturdy for us to trod on. We even saw cars driving across.

They drilled holes with that machine and place wooden leverages on the ice. The diameter of the hole was around the size of a foot. And a thin film of ice just froze over. 

The sunset was beautiful. Looking out to the never ending horizon.

Pizzaaaaa

This was made a while ago...

Pizza Dough

Ingredient 

170 g Flour, all-purpose

155 g Flour, whole-wheat

1 x 8 g package (8 g) Yeast, instant, quick-rise

250 ml Water

15 ml Oil, olive

5 g Salt, table

Stir 20 grams of all-purpose flour with 125 ml of warm water and yeast in a large bowl.

For more flavours in the dough, add other herbs such as rosemary, garlic salt and thyme.

Let stand for about 5 min or until cloudy and bubbly.

Stir in remaining flour, 125 ml more warm water, oil and salt.

Transfer dough to well-floured surface. 

Knead 2 to 3 min or until dough is smooth.

Lightly spray same bowl with oil and return dough. 

Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let rest for 1 hour.

Pizzas often have a bad reputation of being greasy and unhealthy. But if you make it yourself, there are plenty of ways to improving its qualities. I decided to place ample amount of vegetables; onion, tomatoes, arugula and mushrooms. Last but not least, some shredded cheese as well. 

Place pizza dough on pan. 

Bake the dough and brown it slightly in the oven for 7 minutes or so.

Spread the toppings prepared earlier evenly. First the base - tomato sauce.

Then place the shredded cheese on top which act as a glue for the rest of the toppings.

+ tomatoes
Ample amount of lycopene - an antioxidant that can battle out cancer.

+ onions containing anthocyanin (another antioxidant).

+ mushrooms

+ arugula, I do enjoy that herby flavor which it displaces.

Absolutely delicious... accompanied with a small little caesar salad topped with almond shaves instead of croutons can definitely cut down some of the calories.

Homey Green Onion Pancakes

Approaching the end of spring break, hoping it would miraculously extend for a further week or more. Woke up to the sounds of barking cause Molson the dog has arrived for his week off. He is a loving hungarian vizsla but his love for food makes it difficult for all of us to eat freely. His limbs are lean but strong, his nose is ever so sensitive that if you open a can of corn, he'd be snooping by, hoping to find something delicious.

My roommate is a Taiwanese girl who cooks all the time, making delicacies from home that brings back memories. We decided to make green onion pancakes (蔥油餅) which are often found in the streets of night market in Taiwan. I personally find it in Shanghai restaurants back in Hong Kong.

First, chop up 6 green onions into fine pieces. I myself prefer using a pair of scissors cause it's more efficient that way. Mix in 1 teaspoon of salt into the green onions.

Prepare a rolling pin and a flat surface to roll the dough. It would also be handy to have a small bowl of oil around as well as salt and pepper seasonings.

The dough could be easily prepared. First obtain 3 cups of flour with 1 tsp of salt. Then place 1 cup of boiling water and mix the ingredients together. Then add around 100mL of cold water.

Roll the dough out into a large rectangular shape.

 Sprinkle some green onions along with some salt and pepper on the surface.

Roll the dough.

Cut the dough into 5 cm wide chunks.

Roll the dough out and spread a layer of oil each time the dough is rolled out.

Roll out the dough again. This process is repeated multiple times to create layers. The more layers you do, the flakier it will be. Remember to spread oil each time the dough is rolled out.

For the last time, roll the dough into a round shape.

Roll dough into a thin layer. And it is ready to be panfried.

Tada! The finished product. Delicious right off the stove.

Note to Self

Just a small little background about myself. I am a figure skater, dancer and currently I am a student at McGill University studying Dietetics and Human Nutrition. I was born in Canada but have lived most of my life in Hong Kong.

My love for food developed during my late teen years in Hong Kong as I begin to acquire an expensive taste for exquisite food. Struggling between nutrition and taste, it has been my dream to marry the two together and bring a healthy relationship to the two.

I have always enjoyed watching cooking shows, baking shows, cake decorating shows. And so far in my college years, I have a new found love for baking. I like to experiment with different recipes I see online, have fun with it and share it with my friends. This is why this blog is being created.