Are things suppose to age well? . Gnocchi with pork ragu . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
What would it be if you were to mash-up the Japanese drinking bar snacking or michelin star receiving food culture of small skewers, typically chicken smashed into the American BBQ of community and abundance. Instead of platters of burgers and hotdogs, various snack skewers of this or that. Perhaps with a communal Korean bbq angle. Oh! How much fun would that be as a potluck? Everyone arrives with skewers. Or even components of skewers. I was also wondering about sourdough. Rectangles of freshly grilled bread brushed even with a compound butter that you nibble off a stick…keeping your finger clean. Bread skewers… . Yakitori a la Squigg . Asparagus with kimchi furikae Smoked andouille with mustard glaze Beef bacon Green chilies with shallots and tare Steak with green garlic and tare . Tare is a sauce/glaze classic with yakitori. I added some liquid smoke into mine since I wasn’t cooking over a charcoal grill . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
There are so many corners of the internet, these echo chambers, that don’t talk to each yet they are thousands upon thousands of people that just think that others are idiots. I know there’s corners of the internet that I think are idiots and I know people think I’m an idiot. The thing is I know I am an idiot. Fuck I even have a tshirt that says it. I’m actually kind of proud of it. I’m working on version 2.0 and once the tip-outs accumulate, it’s the next thing silly thing I’m getting. Stupid paycheck has to go to stupid bills. Being an adult sucks. . Duck/morel/gnocchi . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
In paying my county parking ticket, it turns out my car had an entire photo shoot with the ticketing person. There’s like 6-8 photos of the car with various angles and such. I hope my car feels beautiful and not used. . Duck tacos with cucumber . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I guess it’s…easy that I’m working Sunday so I’m unable to attend the pro-Palestine rally in town…or at least have to make the choice. I am more curious than anything, not necessarily the effect on a global level, yet more community. These is at least the 2nd within the last 6 months and last time there was a pro-Israeli rally across the street. What will this mean for our small town community? The same people you see at opposing rallies you see shopping at the same farmers markets. My dogs may not know the difference, but I do and I just keep walking. . You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t. . Roast pork quesadillas with salsa macha . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
“I find self-deprecating humour only works when done with confidence” - co-worker 🤯🤯🤯🤯- squiggy “I find it also a little like icing. A little is good but too much is too much.” - same co-worker 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 - same Squiggy . Morel mushroom and hummus taco . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Is a tree in a forest like a post with no looks? . Duck, egg and chilies on sourdough . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Reminder to self: self deprecating humour, seldom funny… . Duck fried rice . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
By boycotting no frills this month I’ve realized that it’s the only place in the county with consistent large packs and different varieties of chilies. . The sacrifices we make to say something . Am I participating and sassing a boycott all at the same time? Talk about living in the grey. Life ain’t black and white. . Are you boycotting Loblaws? . BBQ Duck and morel rice bowl (pre-steaming) . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Works at a taco joint to just go home and make tacos… . Adobo rubbed salmon taco with pineapple and habanero salsa tacos . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I still can’t believe the chef’s that came together for the potato skin throw down. It was so cool. . I already know some people that are asking and thinking about next year. . Lamb vindaloo potato skins . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
More than the coworker that said “wow, you’re that old? You’re old enough to be my dad.” Today I felt older because a coworker hadn’t heard of Ryan gosling vehicle “Waiting”. Kids these days. No respect for the classics. Sheesh. . Chorizo and potato tacos with salsa verde . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
“Our *insert mutual friends name* has started calling me ‘Blond Squiggy’” she greets me with, “because I don’t let anybody get away anything and I take that and it was given as a compliment.” “I love everything about what you said.” The other friend says. . It’s always interesting to realize the influence that you have. I’m clearly influenced by the paramour* and so many aspects since 2020, yet I was also influenced 20 years ago by theatre classmates like @antoniocayonne and @byronabalos when I was the 5th (6th or 7th?) Beatle of @prjct_humanity that I am so excited is still doing stuff. Back then I was part of projects, but I didn’t really know why. I just knew I could help good people that knew why. . There’s a lot going on in the heights and I am actually quite cautious to jump in the deep end on the activism angle, to offer time and energy. There’s the work/life balance. I went to a meeting a couple weeks ago and told the paramour that I am getting tricked into doing things and she just rolled her eyes pointing out that I chose to go to the meeting and to raise my hand when I do. And here I thought she was on my side. #sarcasm . This week I also noticed that I don’t think that POCnic is happening this year. That’s…curious. Odd? Sad? Expected? Unexpected?🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️ . At the end of the day, whatever corner of the world you’re in, know that you are making a difference or can be. . Pineapple habanero wings . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
That Butker speech had “but there were happy slaves” vibes . Baked pasta with pork bolognese, cheese and breadcrumbs . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Curious about the continent of Butkers in the county. . Pork nachos with pineapple salsa, parsley salsa verde, crema . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
It was so crazy seeing how much the cops mishandled and abused their power during BLM protests and that violence repeating again now with the pro-pal-la-stein protests. The escalation of armored bullies is just 🤯🤯🤯 . Summer sausage stir fry . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
When it’s Dr. Phil you’re choosing to do your interview with, I’m for the other side. . Bucatini, meatballs and kale . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
“Unprecedented times” feels like a daily occurrence…maybe ostriches have the best idea . Green bean salad . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
#uglydelicious . So an entertaining side effect of the loblaws boycott is all the white people shopping en mass at the Asian grocery stores and the shocked look of the cashiers. . If you’re avoiding loblaws here in the county (which means no No Frills), there’s obviously metro and foodland, but perhaps you should try @agrarianmarket_pec or @ralphsmeatmarket. Hagermans and @paperkite.farm farm stands are open, @farmersmarketpictontownhall and @wellingtonfarmersmarket I think start this weekend. There’s @pecfresh to check out. Is lakeshore open? There’s @pecishbaking.co too. I just checked out sari sari, a Filipino grocer in Belleville. . So there’s some options. . What places am I forgetting to get yourself some groceries? . Pineapple jerk chicken/rice and peas/braised kale and beans/green beans . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Drake? Kendrick? Nah. Swift writes the best diss tracks . #stirthepot . Braised kale, red beans and noodles in a potsticker broth . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Stating the juxtaposition of the MET gala to horrors of the world via hunger is a yearly event on my socials. Very much screaming frustrations out in the world which I understand. Much like I’m doing now. If I say it’s unoriginal and what’s the point of your comment, than I’m no better. I guess there’s nothing actionable about it. And hearing it every year, it loses its witty effect. I don’t know if there’s a thought concept (not quite logical fallacies) or some human trait, but drawing a straight line between the horrors of Gaza and celebrities playing dress up is…is…I don’t know what I’m looking for. The juxtaposition isn’t wrong and hunger game comparison is true, but I guess it’s not unique? It’s not eye opening for me? Is it inspiring? Does the MET gala cause the districts to rebel and stop Israel from bombing Rafah*? Can I both be appalled by genocide and in awe of the fashion? I guess it comes down to yucking someone’s yum. So screaming out into the void of the excessive nature versus shaming a peasant for admiring would be my only issue…and I’m coming across more people just screaming into the void. . And after all the paintings that have had paint tossed on them, the met gala must have some tight security. . *there’s the shadow ban . Fried chicken bento . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I can choose the children of Gaza over our friendship. I can do this quietly. No, it doesn’t bring those children back, but neither would being your friend, though it may ease my heart . These student protests and the reactions, especially with the police violence, are certainly something. I thought that the global BLM protests were a perfect storm of circumstances that I wouldn’t see again in my lifetime. That it was a once in a generation movement. Yet now, in the face of such horrors, it feels like another generational event… . Angel hair pasta/creamy cauliflower sauce/roasted cauliflower/peas/breadcrumbs . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
“Durham police officers pursued a liquor store robbery suspect driving the wrong way on Highway 401 in Whitby, about 50 kilometres east of Toronto. That chase ended in a fatal collision that involved at least six vehicles, according to the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which examines deaths involving police. Two grandparents and their infant grandchild were killed in the crash, alongside the robbery suspect himself. Another person was taken to hospital with significant injuries.“ . I would prefer the headline “liquor store robber got away”. The police increased the danger. ACAB . Pickerel/green chili emulsion/braised celery/cauliflower purée/crisp bacon . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
These uni protests are certainly something. Feels like a scene out of Forrest Gump around the Vietnam war. Or segregation protests. It’s a very much “what side of history” style situation. . It’s interesting how universities are quite the unique setting for these encampments to happen. Universities are the future? The leaders? And this is the choices they are making as well as the choices that people in power are making. The images of armored police fighting students is unsettling. If I was in uni, would I be there? Is that younger Squiggy or older? Well, would I sacrifice a day of work or a job for it versus some classes? Your degree? Police record? The university mindset is a different world. I was there once. Wanting to change the world. Which isn’t anything wrong with that. There’s also a focus on your community, which I am really curious about. How much has things globally affected the county and vice versa? . Smoked turkey dinner . Smoked turkey thigh/black eyed peas/alabama bbq sauce/pickles . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Could one do a tasting menu of potato skins? . It would appear so . 8 chefs all working on their own skins resulted in what could easily be a tasting menu . Amuse bouche/canapé: chip and dip by Squiggy Salad course: BLT by @thesummerwindpec Soup: French onion soup by Kyle from @therebeltaco Vegetable course: miso eggplant by @chefchris2112 Chicken course: Karaage and kombu jam by @paperkite.farm Pork course: braised pork and kimchi by @oklaurajean from @wandertheresort Cheese course: poutine by @barpochette Dessert: Black bottom sweet potato pie by @bigmikesq . Thank you to all the chefs that made it out and contributed. Thank you to all the people that made it out. It was such a fun event. . This will be the last potato skin post for awhile. . But did you hear I won a trophy for the hot sauce competition? . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood . Should there be another one?
Squiggy: I got a project and was wondering… @cdncurtis: Is it potato skins? Doesn’t matter. I’m in! . BLT is the best sandwich. Of all the sandwiches of all the world, BLT has got to be right up there. The ba minh is there too. Both have a combination of fat and freshness that is a great balance. . Now, can you potato skin a BLT? @cdncurtis of @thesummerwindpec says yes! . BLT potato skin: smoked pork belly/roasted tomato/lettuce/cheddar/goldfish crackers/scallion aioli (I think…anything else I missed?) . One of my fave memories from putting on this throwdown was a night of Curtis and I just texting ideas of what can potato skin. It was fun just spitballing ideas. . Next time (if there’s a next time) I already know a couple civilians that want to put forward a potato skin and I know there’s some pros that want back/in…but it won’t happen till most likely next April…seems like it would be a fun yearly. Just need to workout where all the breakers are 😜😜😜 . What’s your favorite sandwich? Would it potato skin? . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Im in a cookbook . What’s your trademark dish? . Though I haven’t made it in years, I always say purple French toast here served with infused maple syrup and lemon curd . Something classic with a Squiggy twist. . Go check out the @thedepanneur to get more info on the cookbook . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Still more potato skins? FUCK YEAH! . French onion soup potato skin by Kyle from @therebeltaco . When first told about a French onion soup skin, I thought that it may be similar to the poutine potato skin from @barpochette, but I had nothing to worry about. The flavour profiles were completely different. Kyle put a lot of effort into the beef broth which had a completely different mouthfeel than the poutine mushroom gravy. It almost became like a soup dumpling with the broth. And you can’t go wrong with melted cheese. . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood . Who’s already excited for this next year?🙋🏽♂️
Trans people are not the enemy . A couple weeks back, the 2 day extravaganza that is wrestlemania happened and it resparked my enjoyment of pro-wrestling with all the theatrics of it all. I couldn’t help to think about how angry people are about drag story time are the same people in the crowd of pro-wrestling which certainly has its violence, as well as a mixture of misogyny and feminism, homophobia and welcoming. You can depict certain story lines over the years of being problematic or inspiring. . Today a friend sent me an article about the Oklahoma regulators sent AEW a notice about a transgender athlete participating in a women’s match. Pro-wrestling, where it’s all scripted, planned and fake. Let’s regulate fiction? 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ . Trans people aren’t a threat. They’re not coming after your kids. They are not spending your healthcare funds. They are just trying to survive and live their best life. You don’t matter to them as much as they shouldn’t matter to you. The majority of child abuse is done by a cis man known to the child. Domestic abuse of woman is being recognized as an epidemic. You really want to help/protect children and women, then stop men from being dicks. Straight cis men are doing more harm than trans people. Don’t get caught up in the fake panic. . Szechuan pepper corn shrimp . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Like a snowball down a mountain, that blackface post is gaining more and more white support where are the nuance or good intentions or community building is disregarded for a quick chuckle at the expense of the annoying libs of today. Doubling down on defending a costume from the 80s at the expense of others. It’s like a microcosm or metaphor that can easily be extrapolated. There are those that commented more eloquently and spoke of how the pic is no longer wise choice, but that there’s a lot happening in consecon that people could volunteer to be part of to make new and better memories, but who wants new and better memories when we can tightly hold on to the ones from the 80s… . The window of growth, opportunity, learning, understanding…anything is closed on that thread. I do hope there were some on the sidelines that learned something. . I’ve learned a bit about consecon and more and more people are telling me stories about it… 😬😬😬 . Roast lamb and crispy potatoes . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
A local FB group* had a simple post of “Born and raised in Picton” . That’s it. That’s all. . It was followed up with comment upon of Pictonnites(?) raising their hands and…proving their validation? I don’t know. There was a great show of pride, which, in itself, isn’t a bad thing. It was just, I dunno, I can’t explain it. Clearly I’m an outsider. I understand repping your area in terms of rappers throwing in area codes. I’ve used 905 or the 6ix, yet now I’m a 613. I love my childhood in the 905, my uni and theatre days in the 416, my traveling years of many area codes and now a fair number of years in the 613. . I think it’s because it was attached to anything. Like a characteristic that makes Picton Picton or an attachment to a school that you’re a Picton Tiger for life. I don’t even know what the Picton school mascot is. Like why it matters that you’re born and raised Picton? . Now there’s no reason to put these people on blast. There’s nothing inherently wrong happening nor malicious. I don’t need to share screenshots or anything. . I think I am trying to understand? . Oh! Wait. I think I may have got there. Or at least part of the answer. I’m a child of immigrants. Caught between two worlds. I’ve often weighted the value of being Canadian and Indian to my identity, I just don’t have that opportunity to do it within a single place. Like there’s nothing wrong with being Picton or county proud, yet I just lean towards the now than the past, because honestly, most of the past has been shitty. . Thanks for listening. . *y’all already know if it’s a fb group, it’s going to get awkward . Spiced spinach and mozzarella omelette with pickled carrot salad . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
If you’ve anytime around foodie social media, there’s so much caviar everywhere and on everything and I am just bored of it. I can respect a quality ingredient, yet caviar has gone the route of the Salt Bae effect and it’s all hype, little depth. From ornate caviar platters with blinis to Pringles caviar box sets, it goes high to low end. If you want another reason to hate David Chang, watch his Dinner Time Live episode with caviar and you can see hype over craft, though I do believe he did pioneer fried chicken and caviar, though if you say other wise, he may send you a cease and desist letter 😝😝😝 . Then comes along Judy from @paperkite.farm with all the chaos of life, throws together a potato skin that just floors with so much flavour that has so much craft and heart which has elements of the caviar dishes listed above, yet cheaper and still worth more? . Karaage and Kombu jam potato skin (I want to say with miso mayo and daikon, but I don’t remember for sure) . So potato skin, that’s the blini or Pringle. Karaage is Japanese fried chicken. Kombu jam steps in for the taste of the see and a slippery texture of caviar. This is where I understood that a salty, briny condiment adds a lot to fried chicken. And here’s the kicker, the kombu jam was made from what is typically waste: the leftover kombu from making dashi. Judy took something that’s usually destined for the compost and turned it into something that mirrors the current fad ingredient of the moment and she wasn’t even trying to do that. She’s too busy with life to care about how David Chang et all are making it rain caviar. . Damn…the potato skin throwdown was just so freakin’ good . Let me know when that kombu jam/relish/salsa hits the farm stand 😉😉😉 . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood Karaage and kombu
“if you’re Black, you’re not country” . If you go to my stories, @tizzyent and @im6footseven have the full story about a recent racially charged story . Now I wondered why this particle racial story hit a cord with me…well…it’s easy enough to swap black and brown and country and county…and oh…there’s that familiarity. There are those in the county that will never see me as county. I haven’t been here for generations and the vasectomy means there won’t be generations after. . Yet I (and the paramour) chose to make our home here. We contribute to the economy by supporting and being a local business. We bask in the natural beauty. We are part of the community. When tragedy struck our neighborhood, we played a small part in helping out. . A lot of out towners see me as county, putting me on their agenda to visit or at least get info from. . What does it mean to be county? Maybe I’ll just fake till I make it and call myself county enough till I am? . Those that don’t see me as county, they miss out on potato skins. We’re just two weeks removed from what was a really fun event that all I can think is how county it is. An event of so many people hanging out and meeting new people and eating tasty food. It was a blast and a half. I’ve done events in Toronto that had similar numbers in attendance, but due to just population density, there’s a far more community vibe in a county event. . So if I’m not county, you can’t come to my parties 😝😝😝 (*sigh* no, I’ll be the bigger man and all are welcome *sigh*) . Coconut chicken rice with raita . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I really enjoyed that the kids enjoyed the potato skin throw down. Running around and laughing and stuffing their faces with potato skins. While the parents were able to enjoy their potato skins with a well deserved pint. . Poutine potato skin with crispy shallot by @kirstynmakes from @barpochette . You know a poutine potato skin is just dirty good food and I think I saw @thesummerwindpec chugging the gravy by the end of the night . In the tasting menu of potato skins, I’m going to slide this in as a “cheese” course after the mains and just before dessert. Not your typical cheese course bridging sweet and savory, but more that last savory bite after a big feast, like dipping a shred of turkey into the gravy pot for that last savory bite . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
My life wouldn’t have been any worse if I missed the eclipse and more exciting that I was able to experience it even without a halo, it was something neat. Yes. Neat. Bringing it back. . And social media is like you care about the sun when people are dying??? I don’t what the…concept(?) is or the fallacy, but there’s always some weird trolling happens when people are invested with something. There’s someone in the comments section rolling their eyes. . My astronomer friends traveled to cloudless places. My indigenous friends stayed inside out of respect. The paramour listened to a live performance of dark side of the moon with her sis at the Drake. I did chores while periodically stepping out the back door to peak, sitting on my deck eventually for totality and then back inside to fill a potato skin. . Hope you had fun. . Coconut chicken noodle soup . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I’d be really interested if Chang talks about chili crisp on the next episode of his podcast. Doubtful, yet curious. . Be even better if he just apologized and went back to hawking microwave cooking. He’s got enough money. . Yet, we all know capitalism and egos run the world. . Korean inspired chicken noodles with egg yolk . Entertainingly enough, these thoughts align with this draft of a dish post since Chang (of Korean descent) made his mark in helping to make Asian food more accessible, especially to the western media and now he’s (or at least his name) is gatekeeping it. . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Next April 1st I’m going to post a prank that I’m starting a podcast. Something like “Living The Dream with The Brown Squiggy” and it’s going to honestly believable. I even have a microphone that I can pose with. If I get really ambitious, I could record some sort of snippet or monologue, but do I say something completely believable or me going off on an alpha male rant? . It’s a shame that good pranks take effort. . Popcorn shrimp . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I’m in shock and saddened to hear of the attack on World Central Kitchen in Gaza. . A couple months ago, there was an industry acquaintance that posted about excitement of the WCK followed with a pro-IDF post. There was something that didn’t sit right with me, that juxtaposition. . I’ve followed WCK for years and their humanitarian work. They are on the ground feeding people that need food in the faces of horror. . “This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said World Central Kitchen CEO Erin Gore. . “I am heartbroken and appalled that we—World Central Kitchen and the world—lost beautiful lives today because of a targeted attack by the IDF.” said Erin. . Pork, holy basil and rice noodles in a coconut broth . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I’m still debating what to do for my potato skin filling. I’m having issues on just picking one and going with it. Then I remember that nothing is stopping me from doing multiple fillings? This is a Squiggfeast event and I am Squiggy. If an outside chef were to say they wanted to do two fillings, I wouldn’t stop them, so why stop me from being me? . So which one should I do? Or should I just do them all? . Braised and roasted chicken with chicken rice, braised potatoes and cucumber . Could you potato skin Hainanese chicken rice? You could, though the double starch of rice in a potato skin would be…good? Rice in a potato skin….it excited me more than rice in a pepper…hmmm . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I got so much to talk about. I’ve been composing posts in my head for weeks. A friend visited and I vomited out draft after draft of random stuff…yet when I go to post, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to push the potato skin throwdown. There’s this internalized pressure to not miss an opportunity. Yet for what? It’s a party. It’s already going to be a success, even if my ego has to spin a story…though the exit polls show that my ego will be in check. . So what is this potato skin throwdown? To make money? To promote exposure? For a charity? Because of tradition? An awkward way to have a bday party? . Honey, I don’t know. Because we can? Because @slakebrewing is wicked place? Because chefs (@bigmikesq @paperkite.farm @thesummerwindpec @therebeltaco @chefchris2112 @barpochette @oklaurajean) just love to cook, especially for each other? Because the county is a wicked community and it’s fun to hang out with each other? . Like really, why throw a potato skin throwdown? Because, why not? . Karaage - fried chicken . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
One week till potato skin throwdown . Yesterday I crossed paths with @oklaurajean and it was in the way all us industry people cross paths with usually one of us on the clock and oh-so-brief. Though we did talk about the potato skin throwdown and how excited we were not just for potato skins, but to just be able to shoot the shit in not fleeting way. . I was in Boston on a Taste The Freedom roadtrip and heard about a Monday morning industry brunch. Outside the downtown and packed with hospitality people, is was a bumpin’ Monday morning. Tuesday, after a draining long weekend, an event for industry peeps at @slakebrewing just feels fun. . Knowing that there will already be @oklaurajean from @wandertheresort, @chefchris2112, @paperkite.farm , @bigmikesq, @thesummerwindpec, @therebeltaco, @topkook from @grangewinery, @barpochette it’s just going to be a wicked party of stuffing potato skins and our faces. That’s not even including those who’ve got early tickets or those planning on showing up at the door. . Come on down. It’s going to be a wickedly chill tasty Tuesday night . Jerk shrimp and @small.scale sour dough . When the sauce and the bread is better than the protein. Like I just want this bread and a bowl of this gravy. If I ever open a fine dining hipster bar, bread service will come with butter, sure, but it will also come with gravy. . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Hearing trump sell bibles is scary. Profit over prophet. This is why I fear “Christian” values in politics. Freedom of religion, sure, but if it impedes on human rights from a woman’s autonomy to the Gaza Strip, it’s not about religion any more. . Spiced pork loin and black eyed peas . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Just placed the order for 600 potato skins. It’s very much a “if you build it, they will come” vibes feeling . Honey garlic chicken (marinated/sous vide/dried/fried/glazed)/tomato and ginger fried rice/soy sauce cucumber pickles . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood . Will this dish potato skin?
Yesterday some friends did the combo of visiting me at @lacondesapec and the paramour @laluxefemme. It’s a good little combo and a nice way to spend the day. Soon it’ll be even easier when LAC moves to practically be neighbors to LF. . Chicken and lettuce Phaux . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Now what about a chip and dip potato skin? Like a dip, such as French onion in a potato skin with crumbled chips on top? Just some potato skin thoughts . Potato Skin Throwdown. See pinned post for details . Buckwheat noodle and miso salad . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
So…in going down the tea rabbit hole that has ended up with me getting gifted packages from David’s tea, it has come to my attention that I am not the typical David’s tea client. There’s a couple key attributes that doesn’t seem to make me the key demographic. And there is the easy punchline that I was originally racing towards, but then I really thought about it and what lies behind it all. Now it just got me thinking about who drinks tea: men or women? Straight or queer? White or PoC? Now this is all in terms of society or culturally. As a straight cis man, society certainly has me drinking beer not tea. And this has me thinking a lot more in depth about things than an over simplistic punch line about white women and tea (or yoga in that same arena). The other night it felt that David’s tea’s marketing was to young white girls. Now that is just a feeling, a vibe of that moment. It was just an odd moment of reflection as I sipped my gifted products. Now nothing wrong happened. Nothing offensive or cancel or throwing the teabags in the garbage. It just felt oh-so-white. And given the history of tea and where it comes from, that whole colonizer thing, it was just a curious thought. I’m not going to stop drinking tea and now it’ll be very curious if their social media team actually reads my post. . Maybe this is a comment on representation? Or just branding?🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️ it’s most likely just the branding vibe. They do have a lot PoC in ads. . Cod/crushed potato/buerre blanc/broccoli . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Is +ik+ok just social media’s MSG? Demonized for being Chinese, while Meta and X aren’t, though they data collect like a fiend. So the metaphor works in terms of politics, but msg itself ain’t evil, just got bad PR . Fish and chips . Pan seared cod/fried potato/snow peas/chalet sauce . I’ve seen fish served with a chicken jus on some fine dining menus, so this is the trash version of that. . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Can a throwdown happen without it being a competition? . A handful of people have asked if the throwdown is a competition…and it’s not. It’s more for chefs to come together and just jam, maybe take some risks, but have fun most of all. Then there is the work of scoring or judging and having it be fair and that’s just sounds like work and I want to have fun with these events and not work. Ewwwww. So there will be trash talking and people are more than welcome to have their faves, but no, this is not a competition. To winner or trophy. Or….we all are winners and isn’t that best? . Plus I don’t want to put my fragile ego in jeopardy and just continue to ride my hot sauce win. Did you hear I won the hot sauce competition? Got a trophy and everything. 😜😜😜 . Potato skin throwdown - details in pinned post of my page . Pork, apple and potato rosti/ @jefringale hot maple syrup/ sour cream/ green onion . Essentially a jacked up hashbrown . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
On IWD let’s not forget about trans rights. I’m not the most eloquent to speak on the intersectionality of how women’s right and trans rights intersect, but they do. If you actually cared about women’s safety, it’s not trans people that are the threat in bathrooms, it’s straight cis men. If you actually cared about women sports, then look at their pay or the abuse straight men have done, not trans people. Then there’s the trans women are women as well. It’s all this intersectional stuff. . Chili pork and rice noodles . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
There’s a “stop the genocide” protest coming up here in the county. I’ll be there. There’s enough noise online to make me think I’ll be safe and will be attending. As I thought about it, being POC in the county has me wary. If one was against a pro-Palestine rally, they could focus their anger on the brown dude. . This is the scary thing about today. There’s backlash to speaking out against IDF and Netanyahu. Even just donating to Doctors Without Borders, a humanity cause, resulted in stupidity for a local business. Sometimes silence is survival. Yet does that make it “right”? . I am hopefully that this protest helps the community more than hurts it. It’s not like Netanyahu or even Trudeau hears what we are doing. Yet there’s doing something, doing anything. In my conversations with both Jewish and non-Jewish people in the community is that you can be both anti-IDF and anti-hamas and still there’s lines being drawn in the sand. It is essentially simple yet can be nuanced and certainly the comments section doesn’t solve much. . It’s also really unsettling that it’s being promoted as a “family friendly protest” which doesn’t seem to go together. I’m not opposed to children learning or being present and well aware the intentions are of a peaceful protest, but a protest is inherently dangerous to an extent and that attendance should be taken cautiously. . From potato skins to Palestine…the joy of thinking too much. . Okonomiyaki - Japanese savory pancake with cabbage and bacon topped with mayo, sriracha and furikake . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I had a dream that Joe Biden invited me out for dinner. We ate Italian. . Pork meatballs/tomato sauce/pasta . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
“The opposite of fear isn’t anger” . This was a random line that I noted down from a comedy show that I went to. I thought it was really deep. The comedian certainly had more details around it. Don’t quite remember the context, but I want to say it is about the trans panic. Trans people aren’t coming for your kids. Aren’t coming for your sports. They make up such a small percentage of society that there is nothing to fear compared to straight cis men. Yet these fears get corrupted into anger and violence, which is not good. To conquer fears, first understand them to see if they are even real. There is no reasons to fear story time drag or trans people. Don’t waste your life doing that. . Pork meatballs/mushroom sauce/pasta . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
“Are you… @the_brown_squiggy ?” asked to me at the period party . A question that I never tire from. It’s refreshing when these screams out into the void are at least heard. It really started in 2020 when people were really fighting for something. Fighting to stay safe. Fighting for George Floyd. Fighting statues. Fighting residential school mass graves. Protests and demonstrations. . These days I find myself wanting to build than to fight. Build community and all that BS. 3 years at LAC is the longest I’ve ever been at a restaurant, 5 years in the heights is the longest I’ve been at an address since I was a kid. . There aren’t as many protests in the county as there was a couple years ago, yet there are people fighting, especially in the comments section*. . There’s good in doing little things. I’m having great one on one chats with oppressed people of the community where things can be built for them. In my discussion of the fire in my neighborhood, there have been connections and donations made due to that discussion. A bike I posted about in a fb group found at the look out found its owner that it had been stolen from a month ago, still more than functional aside from the seat. . There’s just been all the little things from discussing what actual antisemitism that happens in the county to sharing a gofundme url to just waiving at people, which just has me feeling better about building things than fighting things. Am I just too…comfortable? Numb? to be fighting? I dunno. Yet when I attend things like the period party, which isn’t necessarily my jam and didn’t stay long, I do feel like I’m supporting the community in some sense and happy that there are people doing things. Things are good. . *sidenote: if you’re going to take the time to comment, read the other comments first . Spaetzle/pork/apple/chili/cheddar . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Booked my first blood donation appointment. First time I’ve donated n years. #doingstuff #youcandoittoo #goodblood #not #badblood . Marinated Tomatoes on @small.scale sourdough toast . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
February went by like 5x faster than January . Macaroni and beef shin ragu . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Faux + Pho = Phaux? . Home from service and wanted to make myself a noodle soup as I cleaned down the home kitchen. Got the rice noodles soaking, but what to do for the broth? Given that I didn’t have hours to work on the stock, I used a couple hacks and cheats. First, box stock. It’s a starting point. Veg is often charred, so I added a couple drops of liquid smoke. Used some julienned carrots from a store bought salad. Left over steak got sliced to add and simmer. Didn’t want to go through the effort of toasting spice such as star anise and cinnamon nor did I have time to have whole spices really infuse, so I used a chai tea bag that has similar spices. Let all that simmer away in my donabe while I filled the dishwasher and wiped the counter. And I with was treated to a very nice Phaux. Just don’t tell @saigonwellington or @timnlisaj I did that referred to this anywhere near pho😜😝😜😝😜* . The idea of tradition and authenticity is so weird in the culinary world. This is certainly not a traditional pho, yet it’s authentically Squiggy. Especially for a late night post service Phaux in an hour? It’s damn good. . *actually @saigonwellington and @timnlisaj has been amazingly supportive of practically anything I do or cook. And their pho’s are amazing! Now if I were to start calling myself “Saigon Squiggy”, that would be problematic . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Tomorrow is @pecfresh at the PECL . This is my receipt from last week. I’m posting it a day before the market so you can work it into your day. Too often I post the day of or just after my visit, but the algorithm doesn’t show it till possibly even the next day. . Get your fruits and veg at great price. This is for everyone. You’re not taking away from a charitable service. This market is for the entire community. If you can get your produce cheaper, why wouldn’t ya? You can also get parts of things, for example a couple stalks of celery than a full head of it. . @tikkachaat is also dropping a new curry tomorrow there that I am going to be picking up. Hopefully I’ll see you there. . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Anyone else momentarily guilty when you bring a grocery bag from a different grocer into the grocery store? . Surf and turf and turf . Bacon wrapped tenderloin with shrimp, baby corn and asparagus . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
This is your friendly reminder to support local businesses and especially hospitality because we are so bored. So bored right now. So bored that I am not posting this right now. . Korean inspired bento with pickles and kimchi from @sujeo_koreanrestaurant . You can even buy stuff from a lot of these restaurants just to accent your home dinners . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
I’ve considered the trend of “of course I’m an X, I do Y” as an “of course I’m Squiggy, I do…” because wtf is a Squiggy? I guess the next couple post will answer . Beef spring rolls . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
It’s when people take a 2nd glance and give a compliment almost without enthusiasm after seeing the shaved head. It’s past the initial shock or newness or politeness of it and then theres a sense of actual contemplation and assessment, followed by “Squiggy, it looks good” . Those are some good compliments #LLSquiggJ . Cured arctic char/asparagus/capers/red onion/spiced yogurt . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
The line up for the chamber’s speakers for international women’s day doesn’t have that international vibe. This ain’t a knock on the speakers they do have, but more diversity seems like it could’ve been an easy thing that organizers could do. Though I could be missing something. . Beef shin ragu/asparagus/bucatini . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
A Squiggfeast original . SQF forces me to cook desserts and push my creativity. I set myself the constraints of using some charred frozen corn I had on hand. I know I couldn’t use the corn as is, so I juiced it. Took the charred corn juice and made a curd. I took the pulp and dehydrated that to a crumb. Put that on a pavlova that has a bit of cornstarch in it for crisp. Garnished with a baby corn to remind what you’re eating and a corn done 4 ways dessert…that works. Each element added a textual or balancing component without it just being another technique of the core ingredient because it’s the corn ingredient. I thought about adding just corn kernels as well as having some caramel corn on hand, but it doesn’t need the kernels and I forgot I had the caramel corn, but it was needed. The dehydrated crumb was crisp component and I think the caramel corn would’ve been too sweet. . And when a vegetable dessert impresses the vegetable chef, @chefchris2112, it’s a dish that gets a gold star. . Next SQF event April 2nd. Details coming. . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Now this dish from Squiggfeast could be the future of SQF. This is a collaboration dish between myself and Naz from @tikkachaat. We talking about an east and west mashup of carrot dessert: halwa and cake. That is what we have here. Two chefs putting their own fingerprints on a dish. Or three chefs. Or four or six, just blending on the plates. . The overall menu showcased all the chefs well, each with their own dishes, but what if there were more dishes of chefs just freestyling with each other? How cool would that be? . The real…weird…thing is that I am still posting pics from the last SQF, while planning the next one. Another one? What? Huh? Yup. Stay tuned. April 2nd. . 2 carrot bliss . Carrot halwa/carrot cake/yogurt sauce/cashews . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Could a potato skin go sweet? . Uni pasta . . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood
Didn’t enjoy Mr. And Mrs. smith that much and disappointed with the ending . I did enjoy One Love (the bob marley movie and didn’t think that I’d be crying at the ending . Loved the Super Bowl and what an ending and now wondering what to do till next season starts… . I think I may have booked the next Squiggfeast… . Uni toast . @pecishbaking.co rye/uni spread/pickled onion/furikake . #1kitchen1love #1k1l #tastethefreedom #livingthedream #inthelab #pec #pecfood #food #foodfood #eatlocal #homecooking #fresh #dinner #comfortfood