Churro don't know what you're talking about

I thought I couldn't do it.

Make donuts at home, I mean.

But it turns out I can. 

And did.

I wouldn't go as far as calling the process easy, or even quick, but it was definitely satisfying to finally glaze and cool over 24 donuts at 11:45 p.m. Almost as satisfying as enjoying one the next morning with a cup of coffee.

After watching Donut Showdown on Food Network Canada I was tricked into thinking making donuts was a simple task. One that could be accomplished in 30 minutes. It is not.

The recipe I used claimed to taste exactly the same as Krispy Kreme, the ubiquitous (and freakin' delicious) Original Glazed® American doughnut which (supposedly) dates back to a recipe from the 1930s. 

I was aware of the danger involved in heating large quantities of oil at home but I figured that was the only major risk involved. 

Apparently not. 

It seems as though every ingredient needs to be heated to a different temperature (warm water for the yeast - 35 degrees Celsius, lukewarm milk for the batter - how many degrees is "luke"?, hot oil for the frying - 175 degrees Celsius, and so on).

Math is not my strong point and I had a near disaster with the yeast situation but I persevered. And I kneaded. And I timed. And I heated. And I cooled. And so on.

 
In the end, the donuts came out (were they birthed or baked?) quite delicious though not exactly the same as "ye old registered trademark."

Churro gotta love a donut.

Or, if you're in the States, a doughnut.

  

V is for Victoire

As part of a recent mother and daughter day which included a delicious meal at The Wellington Gastropub, a divine, hour-long massage at Renu Spa and a mouth-watering maple bacon donut (among, ahem, several others), courtesy of Suzy Q, the mum and I stumbled upon what I now consider my favourite boutique in Ottawa: Victoire.  

Located on Wellington Street in the trendy Westboro/Hintonburg area, the shop is a virtual incarnation of the kind of store I would open if I were ever to open another store (R.I.P. one-eleven). Full of unique, one-of-a-kind clothing, jewellery and accessories, the boutique is a vintage lover's dream.

From the incredible, flower-patterned wallpaper to the cozy, old school-house style dressing rooms, the shop is as much a work of art as it is a great place to find an incredible dress, ring or even a bow-tie.

And now, for another donut...