eG Foodblog: Kerry Beal - ChocDoc in the Land of the Haweaters

[Kerry Beal]

Question:  When you are at home, does the Nanny live in your house?

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That would depend if I'm talking to you or to someone from the government.

[maggiethecat]

Question:  When you are at home, does the Nanny live in your house?

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That would depend if I'm talking to you or to someone from the government.

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You rock.

[Kerry Beal]

I got one of those weird calls the other day, on the other end of the phone was a machine. My first inclination was to hang up but I didn't, and it went on to say that the power was going to be out in Little Current from 7am to 3pm on Sunday Sept 24 and again on Sunday Oct 1, for work on the system.

I have since discovered that the power is going to be off over the entire island.

It actually works out well with our plans to go thrift store shopping in Sudbury tomorrow, but it does mean that I won't be able to post anything first thing in the morning before I leave. Unless of course I happen to spend the whole night awake and in the hospital, cause they have a generator.

So when I get home tomorrow evening I hope to have an account of all the exciting things we have picked up in the restaurant supply store, the thrift stores and the asian grocery.

There is a wonderful restaurant where we usually have lunch, a really nice fellow and his Korean wife, that feed all the asian students in Sudbury. They opened a little store in the next unit last year, and expanded the restaurant into the space that used to contain store stock. The restaurant makes a number of different asian cuisines, not the absolute best, but a pretty respectable bowl of soup, and some pretty fair sushi for so far north.

Anyone want me to watch out for any particular items? I am pretty good a procuring things!

[Pat Churchill]

That lemon pudding is one of my favourites. I remember writing about it nostalgically in my newspaper column - my mother often made it when I was a child and I loved it. Next time I visited her for dinner it was on the menu.

I hope being nice and being a doctor aren't mutually exclusive - my son who is a pretty affable young man graduates medical school in December. Perhaps I'd better warn him about charlatans offering students cheap charisma bypasses...

[snowangel]

Question:  When you are at home, does the Nanny live in your house?

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That would depend if I'm talking to you or to someone from the government.

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Oh, Kerry, you speak my language. The language of someone who doesn't have a clue what it is like to live with my daughter.

Back to what to look for at thrift stores. Look for one of these (assuming you have power enough to see this!). They are cool. There is no power cord to lose. It does work better on gas than electric stove. In fact, it works at The Cabin where we don't have any electricity unless we feel like turning on the wimpy generator which makes a ton of noise. The thing is fool proof and will never wear out, nor ever be relegated to a junk pile because you lost the cord or the heating element went out!

[Sentiamo]

Kerry I am so enjoying your blog, and have C&P'd many of your wonderful recipes. Made the Butterscotch Squares yesterday and they were a huge hit with friends.

The Lemon Pudding is one that I grew up with also but I often make it with 1/2 limes and 1/2 lemon. I am hoping you will post the recipe as the surface of yours is decidedly different than mine, but the technique appears the same. Hmmmm.

I love your photo's which have enlightened one Kiwi to that beautiful part of the world...thanks so much for that The last one of Kira is particularly gorgeous!!

Lyn

Edited to add that I have discovered your recipe...sigh...its been a loooooong day!! And it looks pretty much like mine too.

Edited September 24, 2006 by Sentiamo (log)

[Sugarella]

Sentiamo, that is the best avatar I've ever seen!

[Ann_T]

Kerry, what a wonderful blog. I started at the beginning and didn't stop until I got to the end. I've enjoyed it all so much. You brought back some memories of living in Northern Ontario. We lived in Sault Ste. Marie for 5 years before moving to the west coast. We often stopped in Espanola on our way home from Toronto. Moe's grandmother is actually buried in the cemetary in Espanola.

It was nice to have a glimpse into your life with Kira, her Nanny, your job and the wonderful meals and all that chocolate. Thank you.

Ann

[Kerry Beal]

Back to what to look for at thrift stores.  Look for one of these (assuming you have power enough to see this!).  They are cool.  There is no power cord to lose.  It does work better on gas than electric stove.  In fact, it works at The Cabin where we don't have any electricity unless we feel like turning on the wimpy generator which makes a ton of noise.  The thing is fool proof and will never wear out, nor ever be relegated to a junk pile because you lost the cord or the heating element went out!

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One non electric waffle iron - check - I'll keep my eyes open.

Kerry I am so enjoying your blog, and have C&P'd many of your wonderful recipes. Made the Butterscotch Squares yesterday and they were a huge hit with friends.

The Lemon Pudding is one that I grew up with also but I often make it with 1/2 limes and 1/2 lemon. I am hoping you will post the recipe as the surface of yours is decidedly different than mine, but the technique appears the same. Hmmmm.

I love your photo's which have enlightened one Kiwi to that beautiful part of the world...thanks so much for that The last one of Kira is particularly gorgeous!!

Lyn

Edited to add that I have discovered your recipe...sigh...its been a loooooong day!! And it looks pretty much like mine too.

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Surface is likely different because I was ignoring the egg whites and they got a little dryer than I would like.

I'll try it with some lime sometime too. Should be interesting.

Sentiamo, that is the best avatar I've ever seen! 

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Isn't that hilarious.

Kerry, what a wonderful blog.  I started at the beginning and didn't stop until I got to the end.  I've enjoyed it all so much.  You brought back some memories of living in Northern Ontario.  We lived in Sault Ste. Marie for 5 years before moving to the west coast.  We often stopped in Espanola on our way home from Toronto.  Moe's grandmother is actually buried in the cemetary in Espanola. 

It was nice to have a glimpse into your life with Kira, her  Nanny, your job and the wonderful meals and all that chocolate.  Thank you.

Ann

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Ann,

Glad you are enjoying it. I was so blown away with memories from your blog, I'm glad I could bring some memories for you.

We'll have a little wave at Moe's grandma on our way by today.

I have to stop in Espanola and give a copy of the recipe for the blueberry buckle for the lady who sold me the blueberries. And perhaps buy more blueberries.

I did discover last night that the recipe for blueberry buckle was already in recipeGullet, called CI blueberry buckle. It was more true to the description of the instructions than my quick and dirty directions.

So I'm in the hospital for a few minutes right now before we head out so I can check if there is anything I need to sign from overnight. I stopped by to put air in the tires before I left, but -duh - the power is off in the gas station. You can't imagine how many times I tried to turn on the lights this morning. Interestingly enough, my dutch tea cosy kept the pot I made last night somewhat warm, so I had a lukewarm cup of tea this morning. But breakfast will have to wait until we are on the road. I thought about going to a restaurant in town but - duh - the power's off.

I had a thought this morning brought about by the interest in the retro lemon pudding and a little comment I saw on the dessert thread by Ling about pineapple upside down cake. The comment was "I haven't made that since I was 14".

So the question is this - should we start a thread, challenging Ling to bring some retro desserts up to date, and in the process get her to teach us how she accomplishes the lovely appearance on all her desserts? What do you think? Ling you can weigh in on this too, but majority rules!

[miladyinsanity]

Totally, Kerry! Go for it! I'll chip in next weekend, after I hear from you guys what you'll be making.

Kira's adorable!

Btw, have we seen any pics of you yet?

[bergerka]

Easter Bunnies? Candy tails first.

Chocolate lambs-tails first.

Chocolate eagles-feet first.

I guess I'm just a "Bottoms up!" girl.

Hmm, I am, as usual, the ODD one.

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I'm with you. I like to torture the little bastards.

Kerry, this is a terrific blog, and I am now absolutely dying to make that lemon souffle pudding.

K

[Dejah]

Back to what to look for at thrift stores.  Look for one of these (assuming you have power enough to see this!).  They are cool.  There is no power cord to lose.  It does work better on gas than electric stove.  In fact, it works at The Cabin where we don't have any electricity unless we feel like turning on the wimpy generator which makes a ton of noise.  The thing is fool proof and will never wear out, nor ever be relegated to a junk pile because you lost the cord or the heating element went out!

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One non electric waffle iron - check - I'll keep my eyes open.

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The waffle iron, it's made by Nordic Ware. The ones they have now are made without the "heat indicator" which I find really useful. I was given a used one years ago and have been searching for another since then. The only place I found one with the dial was on eBay. This second brand new one I got for $34.00 US.

I have used mine on both gas and electric. I find mine works better on electric.

As Snowangel said, these never wear out, never fail...

I've enjoyed your blog very much. It's been wonderful reading, as with all the great blogs on eGullet!

[H. du Bois]

Retro desserts work for me. (I'm thinking of doing that lemon pudding soon. Real soon).

[Eden]

It's interesting, I make a lot of different animal molds, rabbits of course, frogs, mice and the truffle mice that I make.  I have wondered if there is some significance to the order of eating these items.  Does it say something about you if you eat your chocolate animals head first or butt first?

Any thoughts?

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To quote the great B.Kliban "bite they little heads off, nibble on they tiny feet!" (though in the case of bunnies of course one MUST eat the ears first - that way they can't hear themselves scream )

[srhcb]

It's interesting, I make a lot of different animal molds, rabbits of course, frogs, mice and the truffle mice that I make.  I have wondered if there is some significance to the order of eating these items.  Does it say something about you if you eat your chocolate animals head first or butt first?

Any thoughts?

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To quote the great B.Kliban "bite they little heads off, nibble on they tiny feet!" (though in the case of bunnies of course one MUST eat the ears first - that way they can't hear themselves scream )

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When I was little I could never eat anything with "eyes".

Every so often my mother would have to sneak in and throw away stash of stale bunnies, Santas, jack-o-lanterns etc.

The eyes are, after all, windows to the soul; be it chocolate, dough or marshmallow!

SB (still not real comfortable with the idea)

[helenjp]

Lemon Souffle - in Australia and New Zealand, that seems to be mostly known as Lemon Delicious...aptly named!

I will look up the CI blueberry buckle recipe thank you - my son's school has a holiday today, and I promised he could do some baking as soon as the temperature went below 25deg.C, so...

Your daughter's name means "sparkle" in Japanese - usually doubled (kira-kira) - certainly a name that suits her eyes.

Is our family doctor unfriendly? No such animal here in Japan, you go to an "external medicine clinic" or hospital or chiropractor or bonesetter for wounds or injuries, a GP for a cold, an ENT clinic if your cold gives you an ear infection or clogged up sinus, and you drag your kids to the pediatric clinic if they catch the cold!!! You see the doctor for 3-5 minutes, and some of them manage to be friendly in that time, but they have no time to give individual care - same old drugs for almost every patient and condition. Having no family doctor means that many elderly people spend most mornings of the week at different clinics for different ailments or treatments - in our family we say "Grandpa must be feeling well this week, he's been to all his doctors"!

[bavila]

It's interesting, I make a lot of different animal molds, rabbits of course, frogs, mice and the truffle mice that I make.  I have wondered if there is some significance to the order of eating these items.  Does it say something about you if you eat your chocolate animals head first or butt first?

Any thoughts?

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To quote the great B.Kliban "bite they little heads off, nibble on they tiny feet!" (though in the case of bunnies of course one MUST eat the ears first - that way they can't hear themselves scream )

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When I was little I could never eat anything with "eyes".

Every so often my mother would have to sneak in and throw away stash of stale bunnies, Santas, jack-o-lanterns etc.

The eyes are, after all, windows to the soul; be it chocolate, dough or marshmallow!

SB (still not real comfortable with the idea)

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I'll eat those chocolate souls!

And yes, ears first on the bunnies...

[Kerry Beal]

Our arrival at Cafe Korea for lunch. Guess what, it was closed, Sunday and all. The restaurant supply was closed as well.

The asian grocery next to Cafe Korea and owned by the same man was open, here is the 'wall of Pocky'

A Pretz I have never seen before, giant maple flavoured Pretz. Note the maple leaf.

My haul from the grocery. Any one know what I should do with the flaked rice. I know I saw a suggestion for it somewhere, but darned if I can recall what it was. But I knew I had to buy it.

[Kerry Beal]

As the Cafe Korea was closed, we went off in search of the mexican restaurant downtown which was supposed to be good. Also closed, but attached to the farmers market which was open. The pictures of the Perogie Princesses preserves were poor, but I included her sign as a fine example of alliteration. For those whose eyesight is as poor as mine, it says Perogie Princess Premium Products.

The market building had inside and outside vendors. Also inside were the winners of the fall fair. That second picture shows that the winning pumpkin weighed in at 430 lbs.

There was a spice vendor with a fair collection of prepackaged spices. And a picture of the guy who was hawking the herbal stuff that we see here as herbal viagra. He was quite the showman and was making promises that he could cure snoring, pain, the works.

There was a chocolate vendor, most of his stuff was not too exciting, but I did get a kick out of the moose suckers, and he was kind enough to take one out of the package for photography purposes. Also didn't suceed in uploading the picture of Superior Meats, the place I buy my chorizo. They have a booth at the farmers market and at the mall. I bought some ham Kielbassa. Also purchased at the market - some really nice garlic.

Beth and Malou had sausage rolls and wonton soup from two of the indoor vendors.

This lovely trinidadian woman, who used to be a home ec teacher, is running a caribbean food stand. On the right her curried chicken with chickpeas.

I had the curried chicken with a fried rice dish that contained red peppers that tasted hot and smokey. It was glorious. She rearranged her whole booth and brought out some rum cake for us to try. Of course we had to buy one.

That was when she slipped us this. A bottle of her home made Caribbean Delight, an eggnog like drink. She explained that the rum is only in it as a preservative. I suspect we are going to be well preserved when we try it especially along with the rum cake. It is kept hidden under the counter.

So if you find yourself in Sudbury, go to the farmers market, stop by and get lunch from this lovely woman. And take home a rum cake, you'll be glad you did.

Edited September 25, 2006 by Kerry Beal (log)

[Rebecca263]

That lovely Trinidadian woman and her offerings is the hhighlight of this blog, foodwise, for me. Lucky you!!!!

[Kerry Beal]

After lunch we hit liquidaton world, I'm sure I bought something there, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. I did snap a picture of Mr Moo, I guess sort of cheese whiz in a squeeze bottle, as it struck me funny especially right there next to Emeril. BAM, I say. The trunk was already half full with stuff after the first store.

Next stop Value Village, you never know what you might find...or not. Kira was rather grouchy and had to be taken outside at one point, so my browsing was rather fragmented. I have a rather soft spot for pyrex, so this was my only purchase. I don't have a picture of the trunk after this stop, but it was difficult to close.

We hit the dollarama at the mall for a couple of silicone spatulas (did I mention I have a spatula obsession). I found this little crate that I'm going to use to package the chocolate pigs for Max Burt.

We made an attempt to hit costco, needing some more cooler bags, but again crapped out. It had closed 10 minutes before. Our alternatives for an open restaurant being limited we decided to have dinner at the nearest establishment. So Boston Pizza it was. Last week at work I had patient come in who works at Boston Pizza. She brought along a nice little tropical chicken pizza, and it was not half bad. We had what they called 'Cactus cut potatoes', essentially thick cut potato chips served with a spicy chili dip that was tasty. We shared a couple of personal pizzas to try some options and were quite pleased. Not so the people at the surrounding tables as Kira was by now quite happy and shrieking with joy. Now the kid has got a shriek that can break glass (or ear drums), so I noticed they weren't sitting any new people around us. Needless to say, we took our doggie boxes and headed home ASAP.

We made a quick pit stop into this Canadian institution, then headed for home. On the way we stopped off in Espanola to wave at Moe's grandma, snap a picture of Domtar, the sun setting over the golf course and the sun shining off the escarpment with buses on the right and teepee on the left.

[Kerry Beal]

Totally, Kerry! Go for it! I'll chip in next weekend, after I hear from you guys what you'll be making.

Kira's adorable!

Btw, have we seen any pics of you yet?

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I think there is a picture of me from the nose down in Kira's birthday party.

I don't have a whole lot of photos of me as I am the one who takes the photos. I'll try to drag one up tomorrow.

[snowangel]

Kerry, how does Kira do with feeding herself? Heidi does well with a spoon (a huge OT goal in school), but soup is dicey (unless she's wearing a plastic bib).

Contrats on all of your purchases today, especially the spatulas.

The shreaks. I'd bet Heidi can clear out a space quicker than Kira! Everyone in her middle school knows who she is!

Thanks for the advice (which I asked of Kerry via PM regarding a very bad burn). Blisters are going, and it doesn't even look like the skin is going to peel off!

Hiding head in shame, what is Tim Horton's?

[Kerry Beal]

Kerry, how does Kira do with feeding herself?  Heidi does well with a spoon (a huge OT goal in school), but soup is dicey (unless she's wearing a plastic bib).

Contrats on all of your purchases today, especially the spatulas.

The shreaks.  I'd bet Heidi can clear out a space quicker than Kira!  Everyone in her middle school knows who she is!

Thanks for the advice (which I asked of Kerry via PM regarding a very bad burn).  Blisters are going, and it doesn't even look like the skin is going to peel off!

Hiding head in shame, what is Tim Horton's?

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Kira doesn't feed herself, unless you give her playdough. That goes straight into the mouth.

Why would you want to learn to feed yourself, when you have worked so hard to train those around you to do your bidding.

Glad the burn is feeling better.

Tim Hortons is a Canadian coffee shop that started in Hamilton (the second one was in Burlington at the end of the street I live on) and has spread everywhere. There is a thread on eG somewhere about it. It was named after a hockey player who was the co-founder along with a local cop named Ron Joyce. Tim was killed in a fast car at a young age hitting a bridge abuttment in St Catherines.

To indicate how low the population on Manitoulin is in the off season, it doesn't justify a Tim Hortons franchise. And some pretty small places have Tims.

[MarketStEl]

Precooking the ribs before the BBQ in a couple of hours (ER permitting).

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As you do so much so well, I will let this transgression against proper barbecued ribs slide.

But the next time you have 4 hours or more to slow smoke them like you should (it looks like you have the right grill), I can give you a great dry rub recipe if you like. Slather it on the night before, and you could even get away with direct cooking them for half the time and they'll still come out great.

Edited to add: And thanks for taking us along on a trip through upper Ontario. Lovely country with a larger diversity of foodstuffs available than I had expected to see.

Edited September 25, 2006 by MarketStEl (log)