Quarter Baked Corn recipe

 

I found this recipe via Youtube, via Tiktok and it looked easy enough for me to make :)

The recipe I saw instructed us to season these corns with salt, peppers, and various spices (of your choice) 

Season them with salt, peppers and various spices along with olive oil and put them in the oven for 20 minutes at 430F, 220C.

This was very easy to make, the hardest step of this recipe is hacking the corn into quarters... 

The recipe called for a DIY spice... so I chose this steak seasoning from The Keg which worked very well since it contained everything I needed and more :). The highlights of this seasoning are garlic powder, onion powder, salt, red pepper and dill seed.

This is the olive oil I used, you can use any sort of olive oil to create the mixture.

Once you have rubbed your corn with steak seasoning and olive oil, you can put the corn in the oven. I wanted mine to be more flavourful, so I let it marinate for 20-30 mins. 

Set them in your oven or air fryer (both work as well). I find that every oven is a bit different... for my oven and air fryer, I put them in for 20 minutes at 430F/220C.

Your corn will curl when they are ready... they are almost ready in this picture. I took this picture at 12 minutes)

These are perfect :) These corns have the right curled curve and are ready to be eaten :)

I love how the corn kernels separate like this. This makes it easier to pluck them out with your teeth :)

They were good... the dill seeds were very aromatic and enhanced the taste of the corn :). The kernels were very sweet because they were evenly and perfectly cooked. 

Recipe Score: 8.5/10 (because hacking them to quarters requires skill and effort)

Lay's Chicken and Tomato flavoured chips short review

樂事薯片香濃雞汁番茄味 (北美板版)

I found this Lay's Made in Canada versions of Chinese (Mainland China) regional flavours, Chicken and Tomato chips. 

impressions:

• same Lay's signature texture and thickness (or rather, thinness, Lay's are thin)
• they are Made in Canada? :O
• has a strong tomato taste (but not like ketchup chips... only tomato and sweet)
• a slight chicken taste (sort of like chicken broth)
• they replaced the saltiness with sweetness :( WHAT??? they used sugar instead of salt!
• the taste is subtle, unlike most Canadian Lay's chips (e.g. Ketchup, Classic, Barbeque, etc)

I was disappointed with the chips being sweet. I like my chips, savoury, and they took that away with these chips :(... this might be a cultural thing where the Chinese prefer sweet chips? (Or rather, Asians prefer sweet chips. I'm thinking of Chinese sweet snowflake crackers, Japanese sweet Cheetos and Korean honey curls.).

I enjoyed the tomato flavour (not to be confused with ketchup chips). The tomato flavour was light and sweet, with no tanginess. There was the chicken flavour, but it was more of a brothy chicken flavour instead of real chicken. These chips reminded me of the Baked Chicken and Tomato rice dish.

It isn't bad... but I really wished they used more salt and less sugar.

Score: 7.8/10
Website:  no website

Mashed Potato Casserole recipe

(I wrote this without reviewing... apologizes in advance for any typos, grammatical errors and/or spelling mistakes)

So... I'm not sure whether I can call this a casserole, but I used a casserole pan for this dish and when I look up the definition of "casserole" this fits the description... sort of ;). 

It is winter, and it is cold. We have a whole bag of potatoes that are starting to sprout so before they all go bad, I decided to improvise and make this dish. It is a messy put-together dish but it takes little effort to make. It is also beginner friendly! I tried to be as detail-oriented as I possibly can in my instructions for those who might not be as experienced in cooking so don't let the number of steps scare you.

This recipe will make your potatoes fluffy and full of flavour. I hope you will enjoy :) I also like how the potato skin gets mashed into the mix so you will hardly notice that you are eating it.

You can do this with any potatoes. I had large and medium ones. But any potatoes will work.

Olive Oil I used

Ingredients:

• potatoes (as many as you like, but 4 medium ones (10 small ones) would be enough)
• olive oil (enough to cover all the potatoes)
• steak seasoning* 
• shredded cheese (any kind of cheese works, I used a three-cheese mix)
• optional: butter

*if you don't have any steak seasoning and none is accessible to you, then you can make your own by combining garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, salt and spice/herb of your choice (e.g. dill seeds, rosemary, oregano... etc

Steak Seasoning from The Keg

utensils and equipment needed:

• a pot for boiling/simmering the potatoes
• a masher or bowl to mash or squish the potatoes
• a casserole pan (or an oven tray)
• an oven (I used a toaster/air fryer oven)

Instructions:

1. Boil water in a large pot
2. Prepare the potatoes by cleaning/scrubbing them or getting rid of any sprouts, but keep the skin
3. Put the clean potatoes into boiling water and boil for about 30 minutes (make sure the water is boiling the whole time). The potatoes will be ready when you can poke a fork through them but the fork can't hold the potato (as in, the potatoes will fall off the fork).
   
   
   
4. Take the potatoes out and set them on a tray (for the oven) or a casserole dish
5. Mash the potatoes (in the tray/casserole dish) with a bowl or masher until the height of the potatoes is slightly lower than the rim of the tray/dish
6. Let them set for about 5 minutes (to get rid of some of the moisture)
   
   
   
7. Preheat your oven to 230/240 degrees celsius (or 450 degrees Fahrenheit)
8. Pour a liberal amount of olive oil on the mashed-up potatoes. The potatoes will absorb the olive oil but you will not need to add more olive oil. 
9. You can also add butter after the olive oil but this is optional since we will be covering the whole dish with cheese.
10. Sprinkle steak seasoning on the potatoes and make sure most of the potatoes are covered with the seasoning.
11. Cover all the potatoes with a layer of shredded cheese. You can choose mozzarella or cheddar. I chose a three-cheese mix. A pizza cheese mix or taco cheese mix will also work.
    
    
    
12. Put the tray/casserole dish into the oven. Be careful, the potatoes are heavy and the tray/casserole will be hot. Do not cover the dish with aluminum or tin foil.
13. Leave in the oven for 20-30 minutes (depending on your oven's cook time)
14. When the cheese had bubbled and started to look "done" it is ready! You can choose how golden yellow or golden brown you want your cheese to look.

 ENJOY!

Kiehl's Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate review

The way I will define this product is that it is a moisturizer at the price of a serum. I was introduced to this product by a Kiehl sample. But don't get me wrong... this is worth what you pay for.

I was heading off to a girl's weekend getaway in a cabin near mount Fuji and didn't know what to bring since it was a Friday and it was the start of Golden Week and I had gotten off work, I was only able to put so much into my night bag without looking unprofessional at work. 

I was staying in a cabin that the woods that used a combustible heater and my skin instantly became very dry. however, the moment I applied this product to my skin, it instantly quenched the dryness. 

Anyways, enough of my experiences, let's talk about what this product actually is.

Product Details:

The highlight of this product is that it is a pore-minimizing serum. It helps lift and tightens the skin. This product helps smooth, firm and lift your skin with a potent yeast extract. It is suitable for all skin types.

The Container:

I was a bit disappointed that given the hefty price tag, the container is made of plastic. The pump is also not very well made. The only two aspects I could appreciate about the pump are that 1. you can adjust how much product comes out and 2. you are able to lock it (prevent the product from coming out) with a simple twist.

Scent:

There is a strong essential oil scent from the Bergamot Essential oil and Geranium Essential Oil contained in this product. But for those who are concerned, the fragrance/aroma disappears as you rub the product against your skin.

Pros:

• instantly hydrates and relieves skin
• it improves the texture and health of your skin in the long run
• the scent (but this can be a pro or con depending on your fondness for the aroma of essential oils)
• a little goes a long way (I suggest 2-3 pumps at the max output amount)

Cons:

• it can be a little pricey
• it can feel sticky
• the plastic container
• Kiehl's calls it a concentrate and describes it as a serum, but it is thick, like a moisturizer

Verdict:

Out of Kiehl's Concentrates, this is my favourite one. I can always count on it to relieve my skin's tightness and dryness and in the long run, it improves my skin's texture and overall health. I have been using this product for over 4 years and I love it... I have gone through multiple bottles and it hasn't failed me or my skin.

Whenever I use masks, I develop mask acne but thankfully this product instantly relieves my skin from dryness and irritation. 

score: 9.5/10

website: https://www.kiehls.ca/en/skin-concerns/lifting-and-firming/precision-lifting-pore-tightening-concentrate/598.html

Jurlique Skin Balancing Face Oil review

I have been using this face oil for over 4 years and I feel confident enough to give a review. This is my absolute favourite facial oil! It only takes 2-3 drops (depending on the season, summer or winter) at bedtime to make my skin feel plump the next day.

It is possibly one of the very few oils that my skin likes and gladly absorbs.

Price:

It costs $60 USD (¥7000 JPY) for 60ml of the product (but it is worth every penny).

One bottle lasts 9 months - 14 months.

What it does

It deeply moisturizes your skin and provides hydration to dry skin.

• Addresses signs of moisture loss 

• Addresses signs of uneven skin tone

Scent and Feel

This oil feels thicker than other oils and has a very light organic essential oil aroma.

Description

It is a luxurious treatment oil that deeply nourishes and balances your skin while protecting it from moisture loss. 

For those who might not know, Jurlique is an Australian cosmetics manufacturer that specializes in organic natural botanical-based skincare and cosmetics.

Like most of their products, this face oil uses ingredients that are farm grown.

Some of the main oils contained in this oil are:

Rose Hip Oil, Safflower, Macadamia and Avocado Oils. These are chosen to provide intense nourishment to the skin. 

List of ingredients

Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Macadamia ternifolia Seed Oil, Rosa canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) Butter, Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Glycine soja (Soybean) Oil, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula officinalis Flower Extract, Althaea officinalis Root Extract, Rosa gallica Flower Extract, Bellis perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Echinacea purpurea Root Extract, Viola odorata Flower/Leaf Extract, Viola tricolor Extract, Symphytum officinale Root Extract, Daucus carota sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Beta-Carotene, Fragrance (Parfum), Arachis hypogaea (Peanut) Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Eugenol, Isoeugenol, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Farnesol

How to use

This oil is flexible and can be used by itself (2-3 drops) or mixed (2 drops) with a moisturizer to enhance its hydration effects. 

This should be the last step of your skincare routine.

using the oil by itself

1. Dispense 2-3 drops onto fingertips

2. Gently press onto the face, neck and décolletage until absorbed. 

Since this oil is very saturated, you only need to use this once per day. You can choose to use it in the morning or at night. I prefer nighttime as it gives my skin enough time to absorb the product and it protects my skin from the dry air at night. 

with a moisturizer

1. mix a few drops with your moisturizer 

2. apply to the face as you normally apply your moisturizer. 

A little goes a long way

As I mentioned earlier (which is also suggested by Jurlique) that this oil should only be used once a day. I got greedy when I first started, thinking the more I use it, the better, and used it twice a day. It ended up giving my skin too much moisture and hydration and I started developing weird bumps all over my face. Don't make the same mistake I made :)

And only use 2-3 drops max, your skin only needs that much. In the beginning, I used more drops than I should and my skin had a difficult time absorbing it. It ended up stressing my skin and my skin refused to absorb it. This oil is thicker than most facial oils, and 2-3 drops is more than enough to be partially absorbed and partially comfortably sit on the surface of your skin. 

Also, adding too many drops will melt the foundation and other products on your face. So only use max 3 drops!

Score: 9.5/10 

Website: https://jurlique.com/products/skin-balancing-face-oil

Pie Face Happy Pie Home review

An Australian friend took me to Pie Face. She told me that this is an Australian chain restaurant and was so happy that she could find a piece of home in Tokyo. (I wrote this back on April 15, 2017, during its grand opening).

They have a lot of different types of pies. All pies have a flaky crust. Like the Australian way.

products and prices for 2017

Come early if you want a certain pie. These pies are made fresh... so sometimes a best-selling one might be sold out. 

counter

The counter was very clean and simple. There's also an option to choose drinks. Most of them were Australian drinks.

our meal

Things are a bit pricier than expected but it is definitely worth it for the Australian experience.

see how flaky it is

These were very flaky on the outside and very stewy on the inside. When I refer to stewy, I mean they have a thick stew-like texture. 

cute wrapping paper :)

I highly recommend this place. Although as I am revising this review in 2022 and have sadly learned that this branch has permanently closed (😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢) I hope you will find a Pie Face at another location and enjoy their flaky pies!

score: 9.5/10 (0.5 deducted for the price... keep in mind the pictures of the prices I took were taken in 2017) 

website: no website.

Kernel's Popcorn Seasoning - Canadian Cheddar review

I'm not sure what the proper term for this is, popcorn seasoning or popcorn dressing. Either way, you know what I am talking about. These are flavoured powders you put on your popcorn to give it a flavour, there are a few: ketchup, Sour Cream and Onion, White Cheddar, Ranch, Caramel, Salt and Vinegar, Dill Pickle, All Dressed and Canadian Cheddar.

I chose Canadian Cheddar because I have been craving cheese for the past few days.

Kernel's will always have a special place in my heart because it reminds me of going to the mall in Canada. Every mall in Toronto has a Kernel's shop and the moment you step inside of these malls, you can smell its popcorn and buttery presence. And, as a kid, every time I passed by a Kernel's, I would beg my mom to buy some popcorn. Their popcorn is very well made and their flavours are very distinct.

The Seasoning/dressing:

Kernel's popcorn seasoning/dressing is a light-weighted strong flavour concentrated powder.

impressions:

• very cheddary
• too powdery (I sneezed and sneezed and sneezed dispensing this)
• hard to "spread" a lot of the powder did not stay on the popcorn
• individually, they are bold cheddar, but they do a lot less flavouring on the popcorn

This is a really good idea... It certainly takes me down memory lane and this cheddar taste reminds me of their cheddary popcorn, but there is a huge difference between this popcorn seasoning and the cheddar popcorn you get at their store.

I hope their R&D team improves on the lightness of the powder (too light) and make improvements to the "strength" and boldness of its taste.

score: 7.8/10

website: https://www.kernelspopcorn.com/ (actual product can't be found on their website)