Movember in the fast lane - year 12 Movember Captain · Tuesday November 16, 2021 by colin newell
12 years. It is easy to dedicate yourself to a cause that you believe in. A cause that has touched you and your friends and your family in so many ways.
Movember has been here for a while. What is it? It is the month of November dedicated to not shaving and thinking about and talking about the perils of silence and isolation.
Wellness. It comes in many forms. Physical and mental well being. I have not met a single person who has not struggled with one of these. And the difference between not coping and thriving can often come down to a conversation.
I have been having those conversations for over a decade.
And what is fascinating for me is that it was almost 10 years ago that my doctor tapped me on the shoulder to say, “Hey, Colin, maybe we need to have a closer look at this…” I was lucky. Numerous tests, blood work, MRI and an immensely uncomfortable biopsy later… and I was cleared for take off – to return to my normally scheduled life.
In that time, 10 years, several friends have battled cancer all the way to the win column – with bravery and sacrifice. Others, like me, have suffered their share of mental turmoil as crises have come and gone. But what set these experiences apart was having extra arrows in our toolkit – conversation, dialog, resources, support, solidarity. The one thing I preach over and over again is; Do not face any crises alone if you can at all avoid it. Sadness, anxiety, depression and strife love the cold darkness of isolation. Do not try and go it alone. I tell everyone. I am here, 24/7, if you need to talk. If you need a shoulder – even a social distanced shoulder, or a virtual hug.
In most cases, with professional help and guidance and the loyalty and listening skills of friends, most dark periods in our life can be overcome. I always say, the sun will come out again. It is a bit of a platitude, but it is true. For most of us, we have known good times. The good times do come again. It takes work.
Please support the cause. Movember in Canada raises millions of dollars and supports upwards of 1000 different programs.
Sean McCool and Colin perform Hallelujah
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Instant Pot Pasta Sausage Tuscan Pasta · Sunday October 24, 2021 by colin newell
Since I was introduced to the Instant Pot around 4 years ago, I have never tired of the ease of use, the time saving attributes and the sheer tastiness of many of the recipes.
This pasta dish is among my favourites.
It is quick, fast and easy – and oh so delicious with a big glass of red wine and some of the chewy focaccia bread that I make regularly.
At the heart of this dish are pork sausages, but you can source any kind of sausage including plant based. You can sub in chicken. Add a few sliced artichoke hearts. Whatever you have on hand. This is, after all, the building blocks of quick pasta recipes. Don’t have penne pasta? Consider Fusilli, Rotini and many others. Explore. Have fun!
Ingredients
Two cooked and sliced caramelized Leek and Onion sausages
1/2 Jar of sun-dried tomatoes – 1/2 cup or 75G
Heaping tablespoon of mince garlic
Tablespoon of Italian seasoning
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
16 ounces of Pasta (Penne)
1 container of low sodium chicken broth – (4 cups)
1 bunch of spinach
1 cup of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1.5 cup of cream cheese (Chive infused)
Instructions
In the Instant Pot stir together chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper.
Stir in sausage and pasta – and try to submerge pasta down into the broth (do not stir!)
Set to 5 minutes quick release.
After quick release, add Parmigiano-Reggiano, cream cheese and spinach. Mix.
Put lid on and let steam for 10 minute – with warm setting on.
After 10 minutes, stir and serve. Bon appetit
Colin Newell is a Victoria resident and food-beverage writer/influencer – active in the city, Province and country since the late 1980’s
Staying sharp, on the edge, where you have to be - with Cutluxe knives. · Tuesday October 12, 2021 by colin newell
Life is a series of celebrations, transitions, reflections and predictions. And if all these things have one thing in common it would be the daily cooking rituals that we look forward to.
For me, the food experience is 1 part doing to 2 parts preparation to 4 parts planning. It is a rhythm as reliable as gravity and predictable as the sunrise.
After all, the gathering of ingredients and culinary creation is a major part of everyone’s life.
Let’s face it, we need to eat. The process of these things take time. And in a life as rushed as it is, there is no reason on Earth that the tools should have any form of compromise.
It is no coincidence that our country kitchen has the most hardware in it. Whether it is a reliable gas stove, a tireless refrigerator, kitchen accessories like a VitaMix and an Instant Pot, well thought out work surfaces and kitchen tools… like knives. The kitchen is the hub of all things.
Because in the midst of the food experience, it often comes down to you and the blade that you hold in your hand.
A steady hand and a well balanced Chef’s knife, paring or cleaver – regardless of which, there is no room for error or sacrifice.
We had the opportunity recently to sample a blade or two from Cutluxe – knowing full well that there are few people harder on cutting implements than I am, I was more than happy to accept a paring knife from the Artisan series.
I found the Cutluxe knives were well packaged and razor sharp out of the box. The paring knife has great balance and weight and feels good in my right hand. After 2 – 3 weeks of steady sous chef duty (lots and lots of veg!), I put the blade under my microscope and noted, at most, 1 or 2 microchips in the steel – and not yet ready for a sharpening with my Steel.
In my kitchen I am a pretty dedicated Wusthof and Henckels user – so trying something different was refreshing. I enjoyed the Cutluxe knife enough that I would not hesitate to sample some more of their products.
Let's talk about coffee chapter 1 · Wednesday October 6, 2021 by colin newell
I spend a lot of time talking about coffee. A lot of time.
Over the years, I have done the yakity yak for every major radio network in Canada and the U.S. and some TV things. It never gets tired. You might say… it stays awake!
Yes, it is a pretty light duty subject – often a lot of fun… especially for the people that are drinking it. Like today. One. Too. Many. cups of coffee and shots of espresso. If I was any more jazzed on the bean today, I swear I could hear colours!
Photo above – doing a quick coffee cupping at 2-Percent Jazz coffee in Victoria – at the Hudson Market.
It has been (and continues to be…) a great run — and I am always willing to be a source of sonic amusement… on the subject that stimulates me the most. Coffee. However you brew it.
Want to talk? Just shoot me an E-Mail – replies are virtually instantaneous. Meantime, enjoy some of the chatter in the audio files below.
CFRB 1010 Toronto
CKNW 980 Vancouver
CJAD Montreal 800
