cheflez: 2014

December 1, 2013 Sunday

Can't believe it's already the last month of 2013!!!
Today, Dina and Dan left for Russia. I'm thankful that Dina let me stay at her place when I visit Ottawa later this month for Jason's and Ming's graduation in Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute. Thanks Dina! :-) Cindy, Yuki and I went to Fairview Mall to see if Yuki could find a winter jacket, but no luck. Then after dropping Cindy home, we picked up Jennifer at Sheppard Station and met with Mandy for hot pot dinner at Hipot Hot Pot Restaurant. As usual, afterwards, we went to have bubble tea at Destiny!

December 2, 2013 Monday

This morning, Mandy, Lynda, Jeanette, Cindy and I attended to How To Start A Food Business Seminar in North York Civic Centre. We all want to have our own business one day, so it's good to learn from the professionals. It was fun to have some of my classmates from George Brown College (Mandy, Lynda), from Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts (Jeanette), and from Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute (Cindy) together.

Moi, Jeanette, Mandy

December 5, 2013 Thursday

I always wanted to make Croque Monsieur, and after watching many YouTube clips, I finally made one for myself! Then I made Lemon Pound Cakes (recipe from Martha Stewart's CAKES book) for Mandy and James. Then, Yuki and I went to pick up Mandy and James at Mandy's. We had poutine at Poutini's House of Poutine, before going to see Little Shop of Horrors-The Musical at Lower Ossington Theatre. I ordered pulled pork poutine, and was very very disappointed. It used to be the best poutine place, this was my first time having it after 2 years of being absent in Toronto. What can I say? It's not the same anymore. As for the musical, it was amazing! Everyone in the production could really sing. We all enjoyed it very much, especially for Yuki.

My first Croque Monsieur in the oven

Croque Monsieur (toast with Béchamel sauce, Gruyère cheese and ham)

Candied lemon slices

Lemon Pound Cakes in the oven

Lemon Pound Cakes

Disappointing pulled pork poutine

Little Shop of Horrors

December 6, 2013 Friday

I made slow cooker beef pot roast today, while I was waiting, I also made myself a simple version of croque monsieur :-) Then, Mandy came to join me and Yuki for dinner.

Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast

Simple version of croque monsieur

Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast, and Mashed Potato

December 7, 2013 Saturday
Siu On texted me today asking if Mandy and I could make his grandma a cake for her 90th birthday dinner on the New Year. How excited! We should have our business soon, and I'm sure we will get plenty business from Siu On's family.

December 8, 2013 Sunday
Mandy and I checked out many Cheesecake making clips on Youtube, it's time to make some cheesecakes! But I need springform pans.....

December 9, 2013 Monday
The cookbooks that I ordered from Amazon.ca came!!!

December 10, 2013 Tuesday
I made Fried Chicken today with the new deep-fryer!

December 11, 2013 Wednesday
Finally bought Cindy to Destiny for bubble tea and dessert.

Then dinner with James at The Burger's Priest.

December 12, 2013 Thursday
Key Lime Cheesecake is what I made at Chez Lez

December 16, 2013 Monday

I supposed to meet Muriel and go to Montreal together, however, I had hurt my back. Mandy recommended me to try to get a healing massage from a specialist of The Ze An Chinese Healing Centre of Canada. Thank God he did house call, I could barely stand and walk. It was an extremely painful 90 minutes session including massage and cupping. But let me tell you, it works! I do have a picture of my pain, but I don't want to scare you... so no pic posting.

December 19, 2013 Thursday

VIA train to Ottawa: Thanks Mandy for picking me and Cindy up, for getting us Panera Breads food, and for dropping us off at the train station.

Cindy also got some dessert from Rahier Patisserie

We arrived at Ottawa and were greeted by this big Christmas tree

We dropped off our luggages at Ming's place first, then went to have dinner at Signatures. So glad to still have the student discount! LOL

After dinner, we had a final visit to the locker rooms

On the way to Ming's place to pick up our luggages, we passed by our gossip place during the 9 months, MuGoongHwa.

December 20, 2013 Friday

Ottawa Trip Day 2: We had breakfast at Art Is In Bakery before attending to Jason and Ming's graduation in Ottawa Convention Centre.

We also met up with buddy Jocelyne (and Brandon) for a chat at Blue Bird Coffee. It's always nice to see her.

Then dinner at Mambo. It was nice to chat with the chefs, and got some info about Lyon, and France.

December 21, 2013 Saturday

Cindy took the bus back to Toronto, and I took the train back.

December 22, 2013 Sunday

Ice storm hit GTA! Mandy and I drove Yuki to the airport, even though there were 3 and half hours delay, he got to fly back to Hong Kong safely. Due to the ice storm, thousands of household had and still have power shortage, without power and heat. I'm blessed with no power shortage the whole time. Thank God.

December 23, 2013 Monday

Had a Christmas hot pot dinner with Mandy, Cindy and Ming at my place.

X'mas Log from Cindy

December 24, 2013 Tuesday

Cindy worked so hard that she got a free X'mas Log from work! Thanks for sharing! :-)

December 27, 2013 Friday

Got a sushi and sashimi party tray at Ichiban Sushi House, and enjoyed it with Mandy and James at my place

I made a French meal in my place tonight, including French Onion Soup, Gratin Dauphinois, Steak au Poivre (from Essentials of French Cooking book from Williams-Sonoma), and also Crème brûlée.