The new version of iPhone firmware is out. Don’t upgrade if you are jailbroken and/or unlocked as this will probably lock you out until it’s cracked by the “iPhone Dev Team”. Use iTunes to get the latest update if you have a legit phone.

Today, Porsche unveiled their new mid-engine offerings. Still positioned below the iconic 911, the updated Boxster and Cayman models, now feature a facelift and the addition of direct injection engies and dual-clutch gearbox transmissions. These two technologies combined result in faster acceleration and better fuel economy.

Hard to believe, but the word meh is now in the Collins dictionary.  It’s defined as “an expression of indifference or boredom, or an adjective meaning mediocre or boring.”

meh.

I thought I posted this recipe earlier, but a quick search revealed that it was missing from all my posts. This is one of my “go-to”recipes since it’s not that hard to make, however it does require a lot of prep in terms of cutting and chopping everything to be ready for the quick stir fry.

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup tamarind paste (store-bought or made yourself - can be substituted with ketchup in a pinch but not recommended)
• 2/3 cup fish sauce
• 2-3 thai chili’s (or other chili that you prefer)
• 4 garlic cloves
• firm tofu (optionally soaked in soy sauce for a few hours)
• 1 package pad thai noodles
• 2-3 green onions
• 1 cup loose bean sprouts
• 1 carrot
• 1 lime
• 2 eggs
• 1 chicken breast (or 12 shrimps or combination of chicken and shrimp)
• 2/3 peanuts
• coriander/chinese parsley for garnish

1. Soak the noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, do step 2 while waiting.
2. Prep all the ingredients by slicking the green onion into 3/4″ pieces, julienne the carrot and tofu, wash the bean sprouts, and slice the chicken breast into thin strips.
3. Make the sauce by combining the fish sauce, sugar and tamarind paste, stir well until sugar is dissolved.
4. Put the wok on the stove and turn to maximum setting, when the oil in the wok is smoking, quickly add the garlic and chilies, followed by the chicken. If using shrimp, add shrimp when chicken is almost completely cooked and then cook thoroughly.
5. Move the cooked chicken and shrimp to one side of the wok, exposing about half of the bottom of the wok, add a bit more oil. When the oil heats up, add the eggs and scramble lightly, then mix the entire meat mix with the eggs.
6. Wait for wok to heat up again then add the softened noodles. Add the sauce to the mix and toss until almost cooked. Add the carrot/green onions/bean sprouts, toss, then serve on a plate.
7. Garnish with coriander and crushed peanutes, and slices of lime.

Got this recipe from an old episode of Naked Chef.

• 10 pieces of pancetta or bacon
• olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, finely, chopped
• handful thyme
• 1/2 large savoy cabbage, halved, and, finely, sliced
• handful parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 lb. dried farfalle
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 lb. cheese, buffalo, mozzarella, diced into 1-inch pieces
• toasted pine nuts
1. In a pan, fry off pancetta in a little olive oil until lightly golden.
2. Add garlic and thyme and soften.
3. Place in Savoy cabbage with the Parmesan then stir around and put the lid on the pan.
4. Cook for a further 15 minutes, shaking every now and again, while you cook farfalle in salted boiling water until al dente.
5. When the cabbage is nice and tender, season and loosen with some nice peppery extra virgin olive oil.
6. Toss the drained farfalle into the cabbage and at the last minute mix in mozzarella and pine nuts.
7. Serve immediately.

Roger is doing a cooking demo this weekend at the LCBO Summerhill. Here are the details:

Saturday, November 15 | 11:30 am - 3:30 pm

MEET ROGER MOOKING
Meet multi-talented chef, musician, and TV personality Roger Mooking. Sample what Roger has cooked up today, paired with fabulous wines, and listen to his latest CD.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US has started an email subscription service for recalls. You can specify your car and be notified of new recalls on your vehicle. However, given that the NHTSA is in the US, recalls may be different between there and Canada. However, most recalls are for both countries and until the Canadian goverment offers the same service. In the meantime, Transport Canada has an online database of Canadian recalls.

Toronto Life published a list of best wines under $10. Here are there choices:

• $9.55 LA PUERTA 2007 SHIRAZ (Famatina Valley, Argentina)
• $9.90 FINCA FLICHMAN 2007 MISTERIO MALBEC (Mendoza, Argentina)
• $7.80 ROCCA VENTOSA 2007 TREBBIANO (Abruzzi, Italy)
• $9.95 CONO SUR 2007 VIOGNIER (Chile)
• $9.95 MONTALTO 2007 PINOT GRIGIO (Sicily, Italy)
• $9.15 TOLLO 2005 COLLE SECCO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO (Abruzzi, Italy)
• $7.10 CASAL THAULERO 2007 SANGIOVESE (Abruzzi, Italy)
• $7.95 DUNAVÁR 2006 MUSCAT OTTONEL (Hungary)
• $9.95 CONO SUR 2007 MERLOT (Chile)
• $9.95 MASI 2007 MODELLO DELLE VENEZIE (Venetia, Italy)

At the LA Auto Show, the 370z debuted with it’s official specs. Here is their clip:

The all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z, the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z since its reintroduction as a 2003 model, solidifies the strengths of its predecessor with an unmatched balance of performance, style and value. Nearly every piece and component of the 370Z has been rethought or redesigned, including a shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, larger engine with 26 more horsepower, a new 7-speed automatic transmission and the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching system for the 6-speed manual transmission. Performance has been enhanced with a more rigid body structure, better power-to-weight ratio and a new 332 horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control.

Hidden inside this paragraph is the “downshift rev matching system”. I’m not sure what this means, but I think that when you begin letting out the clutch when downshifting, the car will automatically adjust the engine speed making shifts smoother and more seamless.

Here’s a great video on how to make California Rolls: