tuna salad roll

rolls are one of the easiest things to eat but laborious to make. but i make it simple! chop, mix and roll.




ingredients:
cooked rice - i used half white and half brown
1 can of tuna - drain the oil/water
carrot - parboil if you like the carrot to be little soft
cucumber
pickled radish
3 hard boiled eggs
mayo
salt&pepper
sesame leaves - washed and dried
nori sheets





preperation:
1. drain tuna. chop carrot, cucumber and pickled radish. separate egg white and yolk, chop egg whites and mash yolk.
2. mix everything (but mashed yolk) in a large bowl with desired amount of mayo (i used about 3 tbsp). add salt&pepper to taste.
3. spread thin layer of rice on the nori sheet. sprinkle the yolk.
4. lay two/three sesame leaves on top.
5. scoop desired amount of tuna salad mix on top and roll!
6. slice the rolls about 1cm thick. serve.

tip: if you use bamboo sushi mat like i did, it is easier to make.
make sure you don't put too much rice or stuffing, it can tear the nori, exploding everywhere.
enjoy!





posted by rin

gallery studio cafe

Americano ($1.75)

Mighty Leaf Premium Tea ($3.00)

Peach stuffed French Toast ($8.25)

The Gallery cafe special French toast made with Challah bread stuffed with peaches, topped with gazed peaches, whipped cream and hot syrup

Mini Quiche ($9.50)

Two feta and spinach mini quiche with peameal bacon and toast

atmosphere ★★★★☆
peach stuffed french toast ★★★☆☆
mini quiche ★★★☆☆
service ★★★★★
generous portion
bonus: live music nights, artworks to enjoy (hence the name)


Gallery Studio Café
2877 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Toronto
416.253.0285
thegallerystudiocafe.ca


posted by rin

arte gelato

a recent addition to the rather sketchy neighbourhood, Arte Gelato & Caffé is the place for italian gelato. it's gelato. what more can i say?





they have three freezers full of traditional and fun flavours to choose from. there are some vegan, sugar-free, and gluten-free gelato options for popular flavours such as raspberry, pistachio, mango, chocolate, etc. the prices are really good and the portions are generous. $3.50 for a small cup and $5.30 for a large. they also have take out containers which start from $9.



we ordered mango, raspberry, pistachio, tiramisu, pomegranate and café flavours. the mango was excellent, raspberry was little sour, pistachio (had real pistachio bits) and tiramisu was creamy and rich, pomegranate was sweet and tangy and café tasted like real coffee. this place is bright and energetic. the staff are all very friendly. arte also offers variety of drinks (coffee, smoothies), pastries, waffles and pizza. i can see this place packed with gelato lovers in the summer, especially when they open up the patio. i can also see myself mindlessly walking into the shop and trying out all the flavours. aaaahhhh gelato. why are you so goooood?



Arte Gelato
946 Bloor Street West
Toronto
416.546.6182 ‎

posted by rin

nazareth

the three purples love trying new food (who doesn't?). we've been planning to try ethiopian for quite some time now and finally made it to nazareth! this tiny restaurant located on bloor and dovercourt is to die for. long line ups are part of the scene. if you want it, you just wait wait and wait until you get your fingers dirty (with delicious food of course). the dining area fits about 20 people. it is decorated with random illustrations and photographs of lovely ethiopian ladies along with artificial vines that climb everywhere. the overall vibe is laid back and relaxed. the ladies who work here also have similar tendency, so don't be surprised if no one comes by to look after your table or takes forever to bring  your food and drinks. despite the long line up, no one seems to be in a rush to clear out the table. if you want to avoid the long line up, come early (like 4pm) or come late (like 9pm). also if your party is not all present, you will not be seated.



the menu is very simple (about a dozen to choose from) yet being new to this exotic cuisine, we settled for what seems to be popular choice: vegetarian tibs ($10) and beef tibs ($12) (also heard good things about the lamb tibs). it was served on a ginormous plate covered in injera bread. this bread has very weird texture. spongy, soft, chewy... marvellous! the beef was tender and soaked in delicious spicy sauce that is full of flavour. very bold and strong. for those with weak stomach, you better brace yourselves. the vegetarian tibs was the perfect combo with the spicy beef tibs. i think it was potato, yams, beans, some leafy stuff, butternut squash... i think. i cannot be 100% sure. they were just heavenly mush.






the best way to enjoy this savoury dish is to be creative and use your fingers. no, you will not find forks or knives here, nor should you ask for them. eating with fingers reminded me of the days when my hands were too small to hold utensils and went crazy with food. isn't it liberating and exciting to peel that spongy bread with bare hands, go crazy and dip away in the tibs? though my fingers smelled like food for the rest of the day, i had so much fun.





i believe the prices have gone up since they renovated some time ago. i remember people telling me most dishes were under $10. nevertheless, nazareth lived up to its expectation. we had so much food leftover which i took home and ate it the next day for lunch (and still had more leftovers). when your tummy is full with amazing food and your fingertips smell scrumptious, all is good. all is gooooood.




Nazareth
969 Bloor Street West (@dovercourt)
Toronto
416.535.0797

posted by rin

Coffee-Flavoured Cake

Coffee-Flavoured Cake

Ingredients

• 4 oz butter (1 stick)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 good tablespoons treacle (or molasses)
• 2 cups self-rising flour (or make your own with 1.5 teaspoons baking powder + 1/2 teaspoon salt per cup of all-purpose flour)
• pinch of salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup strong coffee

Preparation

1. Cream butter and sugar, and add eggs one at a time. Beat well, and add treacle.
2. Fold in thoroughly sifted dry ingredients alternately with black coffee.
3. Fill two greased 8-inch sandwich tins (regular round cake pans).
4. Bake in a moderate oven for 25 to 30 minutes (I did it at 350ºF/180ºC). Leave in tins for a while.
5. When cool, fill and ice as desired.


post from design sponge

moroco chocolat

are you crazy about chocolate? well... i am not. yes, i am one of those weird people who don't like chocolate. don't get me wrong, i do enjoy the devilish creations now and then, but i'm just not crazy about it. but that does not stop me from enjoying chocolate from one of the chocolate havens in toronto. moroco is hidden in the heart of yorkville. once you find it (bit difficult to locate the first time), you will love it. i am sure the glorifying desserts and charming interior melt your heart immediately.



you will first be welcomed by very very bright pink room full of macaroons, hand crafted chocolates, ice cream and other sweet treasures. it reminds me of brighter version of anna sui boutique. as you enter the dining area, the atmosphere changes drastically to dark lounge feel. it is elegantly decorated with fancy crystal chandeliers, posh deep purple and black velvety chairs and fancy damask wallpaper.



we ordered a pot of tea. we had 12 samples of tea to choose from. after sniffing all 12 jars, we decided on cream of avalon. very subtle, smooth and aromatic. the tea pot ($10) comes with a cup and a macaroon. additional cups can be added for $2.25 each (without macaroons) with (i believe) unlimited hot water refills. next to the bar, there's an amazing collection of antique tea pots in different shapes and sizes as well as tea cups and saucers.





we also ordered tiramisu ($10) that came in tulip shaped chocolate cup, ladyfinger on the side with couple of strawberries and blackberries sprinkled with gold flakes. my goodness. gold flakes! the portion was really small, but gold flakes! can our body even digest gold? the tiramisu was fantastic. soft, fluff and smooth. the berries were also fresh, dipped in white chocolate.



we came to sit and chat and have a sip of our fancy tea here but were asked to leave after an hour because they had reservations for the specific table we were seated. really? the waitress informed us that seating time is limited to an hour for customers only ordering desserts. it would have been nice if she had mentioned this earlier so we didn't have to shove whatever is left in our mouths. also be aware, they add 18.5% tip automatically on your bill regardless of your party size. overall, moroco is a perfect place to indulge and splurge on scrumptious desserts. i want to go back when they open the outdoor patio.


MoRoCo Chocolat
99 Yorkville Avenue
Toronto
647.367.0831
morocochocolat.com

posted by rin