New espresso machine

Well, the older coffee machine broke. Well, I was trying to descale it since the steam wand was totally jammed and I broke a brass fitting. So I bought a replacement of more or less the same model and got the Breville Duo-Temp Pro Pump Espresso Machine (BES810BSSXL). Sure, I could have tried to live without a working coffee maker during a pandemic while the kids are at home, maybe indefinitely. I'm sure it would be fine. We wouldn't need the joy of a beautifully made latte.

We could live like that, but why would we.

Social Distancing

With COVID-19 we are currently practising "social distancing". The prime minister announced yesterday that they are closing the boarders. The streets are pretty quiet since all the federal employees in were told to stay at home if possible. We are supposed to be at Montebello right now but we cancelled those plans. We cancelled everything. We were planning my folk's 50th anniversary, Isaac's birthday parties, date days, seeing Cats at the NAC. It's March break right now, but school is cancelled for at least 2 weeks after. I think that Alberta cancelled the rest of the school year. Daycare and camps are cancelled. Everything is cancelled.

It's all changing so fast too. We're listening to the news on the radio (streaming, we're not that old timey) and I keep on thinking about those horror / disaster movies. It sounds just like that. The borderline unthinkable statements read in a calm way. It makes me very uneasy to make that connection.

We bought online a whole week of work scrubs for Laura just so that she doesn't wear clothes from work inside our home. Next we'll order a portable outdoor shower so we can hose her off before she comes inside. It's going to be awkward this time of year. It's currently freezing rain outside at a temp of -2C.

It's not the end of the world. But it's setup like the backstory of the movies were the world ends.

Creme Brulee recipe

Mostly because I can't find it easily.

Makes 2

3/4 cup cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp orange zest
2 egg yokes
1/4 cup sugar

Makes 6

2.25 cup cream
1.5 tsp vanilla
6 egg yokes
3/4 cup sugar

Makes 8

3 cup cream
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp orange zest
8 egg yokes
1 cup sugar

1. Ideally use a fresh vanilla bean. 
2. Slice the vanilla bean in half, scrape it into the cream and bring up to a boil.
3. In a different bowl, add egg yokes and sugar. 
4. Strain the heated cream to get rid of the bigger chunks.
5. Whisk egg mixture in a double boiler and slowly add the strained heated cream.
6. Transfer to ramekins and put into a bain marie and bake in oven at 350F
7.  Cook for 30-40 minutes (?) until only slightly jiggly. Keep checking.
8. Cool completely
9. Before serving, put some white sugar on top, roll around and dump off excess. Torch lightly to caramelize.