thecakeisalime's recent activity
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Comment on San Francisco sues Oakland over proposed airport name change in ~transport
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Comment on What cooking techniques need more evidence? in ~food
thecakeisalime Link ParentThanks! I started looking into this when I realized the dough wasn't right, but by that point it was too late to do anything for the loaf. It still tasted great, only the texture wasn't quite...Thanks! I started looking into this when I realized the dough wasn't right, but by that point it was too late to do anything for the loaf. It still tasted great, only the texture wasn't quite where I wanted it.
One interesting thing I noticed as I started investigating gluten percentages was that a lot of all purpose flour in Canada is about 13-14% protein. The only place I've found 10% AP flour is at Costco, though I'm sure it's available elsewhere. I hadn't thought about gluten content much before working with bread, but it definitely has an effect on cakes and cookies as well.
My biggest annoyance with flour labelling nowadays is when they give the nutrition facts per 30g instead of per 100g. 4g/30g protein could be anywhere between 11.6% and 15% protein, and that's a pretty big range when it comes to baking.
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Comment on What cooking techniques need more evidence? in ~food
thecakeisalime Link ParentBaking should always be by weight, not by volume. Things like flour, brown sugar, and salt vary dramatically in their densities depending on how you load your volumetric measuring device, and 1...Baking should always be by weight, not by volume. Things like flour, brown sugar, and salt vary dramatically in their densities depending on how you load your volumetric measuring device, and 1 cup of something isn't going to be the same every time.
If you're baking bread using volumetric measurements, you'll still end up with bread, and it probably won't be too different week to week, but it will occasionally be inconsistent and you might not know why. If you're baking something more temperamental, like cookies or pastry, then using volume for flour is going to make a much bigger difference batch to batch, and it will be difficult to achieve consistent results.
There are workarounds, like fluff, spoon, and level for flour, or packing as tight as you can for brown sugar, or having various conversion charts for different types of salt, but they're all subject to error, and more work than just weighing your ingredients. For the same price as a set of measuring cups/spoons, you can buy a scale, and have much more consistent and repeatable results.
Just to be extra pedantic, you don't need to know what a baker's percentage is for your example; that's just regular percentages. :P
My example is in baker's percentages, though I didn't write the 100% for flour. If you use regular percentages for my example, you end up with 28% flour (to 70% water), and I think that's just called soup.
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Comment on What cooking techniques need more evidence? in ~food
thecakeisalime Link ParentFunny you ask, because I recently went from making loaves with 500g of flour to loaves with 400g of flour. So not quite 83%, but pretty close. I don't know how often you think someone needs to...How often do you need exactly 83% of a loaf?
Funny you ask, because I recently went from making loaves with 500g of flour to loaves with 400g of flour. So not quite 83%, but pretty close.
I don't know how often you think someone needs to bake to make something worth learning, but I bake it weekly, and I keep tuning my ratios to have enough bread for the week, and no more. 500g was too much, 400g seems fine for now. But beyond that, it also lets me easily incorporate other flours (rye, whole wheat, etc.) into the basic recipe and see how it turns out.
As a home baker, the scaling factor of baker's percentage is much more useful so that I can compare my once per week loaves with each other. If something doesn't work (for example, I added too much rye to a recent loaf and it was flatter and denser than I wanted), then I can look at how much I added (as a percentage) and scale it back from there, regardless of how big my loaf actually was.
And yes, it is just math. But it's math that simplifies a lot of conversions, and also makes it easier to remember recipes. I could start with a recipe with 483g flour, 338g water, and 10g of salt. Or I could make a recipe with any amount of flour, 70% water and 2% salt. It makes more sense to start with what you want and figure out the other numbers from there, rather than starting with a bunch of numbers and having to convert them all individually. It's also a lot easier. How do you scale that above recipe to use only 400g flour? You'll need 400g flour, 400/483x338g water, and 400/438x10g salt. Or... you could do 400g flour, 400x0.7g water, and 400x0.02g salt. I can do the latter in my head. I need a calculator to convert the former recipe.
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Comment on The Yorkshire Pudding recipe battle royale in ~food
thecakeisalime LinkI think they're called muffin cups, but that can get ambiguous with the muffin cups made of paper that can also go in there. I would also accept "muffin tin holes" and "muffin cavity". I've never...each muffin section (spot the non-chef, not sure what they're called).
I think they're called muffin cups, but that can get ambiguous with the muffin cups made of paper that can also go in there. I would also accept "muffin tin holes" and "muffin cavity".
I've never made yorkshire pudding, and now I'm wondering why not. I love eating them, and I already bake all the time. Thank you for your recipe, and reminding me that this is a thing.
On first glance at this recipe, if you're not eating them with gravy, you probably want to add some salt (best guess is 2-4g) to the recipe. A little salt goes a long way with drawing out flavours in bread.
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Comment on What cooking techniques need more evidence? in ~food
thecakeisalime Link ParentOf all the techniques and styles related to baking bread, baker's percentage is one of the most useful things for me. Using baker's percentages, I can easily scale my recipes up or down, and it...Nobody needs to know what a baker’s percentage is except for a baker
Of all the techniques and styles related to baking bread, baker's percentage is one of the most useful things for me. Using baker's percentages, I can easily scale my recipes up or down, and it lets me easily track and compare different recipes.
If you're just making the same recipe week after week, then sure, it's not useful. But it's certainly useful when experimenting with different flours and volumes of water.
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Comment on From its start, Gmail conditioned us to trade privacy for free services in ~tech
thecakeisalime Link ParentI really liked that counter too. This thread made me curious about how much space we'd have if it had continued, and I found this article that lists some of the numbers. At a rate of 123.36 MB per...I really liked that counter too. This thread made me curious about how much space we'd have if it had continued, and I found this article that lists some of the numbers. At a rate of 123.36 MB per year, we would have gained nearly 3 GB of space by now! I guess the counter was not increasing nearly as fast as it seemed, and it was just easier to give everyone a flat 15 GB, than to pretend to have an ever increasing limit.
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Comment on Best foreign films and TV shows? in ~tv
thecakeisalime Link ParentTo add to this list of Canadian Sci-fi shows: Lexx - I don't even know where to begin describing this. It's weird. The production wasn't even that great for the era it came out in. It has become a...To add to this list of Canadian Sci-fi shows:
- Lexx - I don't even know where to begin describing this. It's weird. The production wasn't even that great for the era it came out in. It has become a cult classic, but if you start watching and don't like it, it's not going to get better - it's probably just not for you.
Andromeda, Stargate, and Dark Matter are also Canadian productions, though I suspect they're popular enough that they've made it to the American market.
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Comment on Best foreign films and TV shows? in ~tv
thecakeisalime LinkSomeone has already mentioned the Canadian Sci-Fi options, and I highly recommend them, but if you enjoyed Kim's Convenience, you may enjoy the following Canadian comedies: Schitt's Creek Corner...Someone has already mentioned the Canadian Sci-Fi options, and I highly recommend them, but if you enjoyed Kim's Convenience, you may enjoy the following Canadian comedies:
- Schitt's Creek
- Corner Gas
- Letterkenny
- Trailer Park Boys
- The Red Green Show
Note that none of them have the same sort of multicultural aspect that Kim's Convenience did. Instead, they focus on the more rural areas of Canada, and focus on that in different ways.
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Comment on Nearly 30% of Gen Z women identify as LGBTQ, Gallup survey finds in ~lgbt
thecakeisalime Link ParentAgreed. I'm a mid-30s millennial, and one of my friends recently came out as bi and polyamorous (to us, but maybe also to himself). In retrospect, there were signs of him being okay with polyamory...these norms are no longer required to be followed
millennials like myself didn't figure out til we were out of college or later
Agreed. I'm a mid-30s millennial, and one of my friends recently came out as bi and polyamorous (to us, but maybe also to himself). In retrospect, there were signs of him being okay with polyamory as far back as highschool, but if he hadn't come out, it would be easy to explain that away as experimentation, rather than a sexuality.
Not really the same, but I've got other friends who are trying "non-traditional" living arrangements. One of them converted his car and is happily living on the road. This wasn't out of necessity - he had a stable job and housing prior to this - it's because he wants the experience. Another friend is living in what he calls a "commune". Again, not out of necessity, he just likes the atmosphere and social aspect of it. If you'd asked my friends and I as kids, how we'd be living at this age, we probably would have given the traditional "suburban house with a white picket fence and 2.4 children" response. We didn't have dreams of subverting the social norms and taking down the system (okay, we did, but not in this context). We just understood the social norms and didn't care to explore any further.
Society is changing. People are (in certain aspects) more free to be who they want, do what they want, and live how they want, without needing to strictly adhere to the social norms of previous generations. If Gen Z is figuring this out sooner, that can only be a good thing for what's to come.
Regressive legislation in states like Texas and Florida will certainly slow down the visible progress in terms of subverting social norms, but the internet gives people an opportunity to explore themselves virtually, even if they can't safely or legally come out in-person yet. There are a lot of problems with the internet, but that freedom to be yourself - or to change yourself - is one thing that I think is fundamental to what the internet is (to me). I can only hope that it remains that way despite the best attempts of the lawmakers.
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Comment on Canadian father asks court to stop 27-year-old daughter's MAID death, review doctors' sign-off in ~health
thecakeisalime Link ParentThere's a big issue with the phrase "reasonably foreseeable" and its overly broad definition within the MAID legislation. This article (fairly long PDF) discusses a lot of the issues with the...her death is reasonably foreseeable, but the evaluation said that it was not.
There's a big issue with the phrase "reasonably foreseeable" and its overly broad definition within the MAID legislation. This article (fairly long PDF) discusses a lot of the issues with the phrasing, but essentially states that it has no legal definition, and that doctors may be wary of saying "yes" to something without knowing exactly what that means. It concludes with a proposal for more concrete guidelines on how to interpret "reasonably foreseeable death", but that's not the legal definition, it's just something that is probably correct within the scope of the existing laws.
By the current (extremely broad, not legally-tested, definition), my death is reasonably foreseeable. I will certainly die within the next 100 years, and based on average life expectancy, probably half of that. Some doctors may be comfortable saying that this is reasonably foreseeable. Most probably would not. But from a legal perspective, until someone challenges this in court, it's basically just a matter of shopping around until you find enough doctors to agree with you.
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Comment on Epipens are not usable in space in ~space
thecakeisalime LinkThat press release was a little low on details, and the following statements seem to be conflicting: I found another article from CBC which mentions how the kids came up with this hypothesis. Also...That press release was a little low on details, and the following statements seem to be conflicting:
the epinephrine sent into space returned only 87% pure
In fact, no epinephrine was found in the ‘after’ EpiPen solution samples
I found another article from CBC which mentions how the kids came up with this hypothesis. Also note that this news is from 2023 (not that the physics of space or epipens have changed in the past year). It doesn't clear up the 87% vs. "no epinephrine" problem, but it has some interesting tidbits.
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Comment on Can Europe’s trains compete with low-cost airlines? in ~travel
thecakeisalime Link ParentThere's no reason that air travel should be cheaper than rail. We've gotten here through a perverse set of incentives (including subsidies on fuel), and just taking those away might be enough, but...There's no reason that air travel should be cheaper than rail. We've gotten here through a perverse set of incentives (including subsidies on fuel), and just taking those away might be enough, but going the one step further and actually disincentivising using such carbon intensive methods of transportation would make the transition much faster.
But if we look at the behaviour we're trying to disincentivise, is it the flying itself, or is it the carbon emissions associated with flying? This is the perfect use case for a carbon tax. A flat fee per kg CO2e, scaled to make trains price-competitive, and that money can be reinvested in alternative forms of transportation.
This would help threefold:
- People would choose trains over air travel simply because it's cheaper.
- Airlines would start looking for greener aircraft so they can offer cheaper flights.
- The money being reinvested would make the train network better and more resilient, thereby making it even more attractive to passengers.
Step 3 feeds back into step 1, and we get a positive feedback loop.
Some distances are impractical to take by train. I wouldn't suggest building a rail network between Portugal and New York, for instance. But intra-country and intra-continental rail should be a no brainer.
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Comment on Favorite game shows? in ~tv
thecakeisalime Link ParentIf you enjoyed the Netflix version, give the old versions a try too. I prefer them for a few (non-spoilery) reasons: They're more diverse in age and attractiveness. The Netflix show looks like it...If you enjoyed the Netflix version, give the old versions a try too. I prefer them for a few (non-spoilery) reasons:
- They're more diverse in age and attractiveness. The Netflix show looks like it could be the cast of a dating show.
- They show more of the interpersonal interactions between players (and the host). We also see some of the dinners where they discuss past events and discuss the game and their personal lives. The Netflix version is just Challenges, Quiz, Elimination, Repeat, with very few non-game interactions.
- Nothing against Alex Wagner, but Anderson Cooper was a better host IMO.
- In the first few seasons, there wasn't an established metagame, so players had different playstyles and personalities. In the Netflix version, everyone felt like they were playing (or at least aware that others were playing) the same metagame.
The US seasons are available on YouTube, ripped from VHS recordings (i.e. low quality). I've only seen the US version, but I've heard good things about the international versions as well.
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Comment on What's a "house rule" that has made a game more fun for you? in ~games
thecakeisalime Link ParentI didn't explain it very well, but here's the rule, and it only applies during the setup for the auction each round, so if it gets bought, the discount doesn't go to another plant until you've...I didn't explain it very well, but here's the rule, and it only applies during the setup for the auction each round, so if it gets bought, the discount doesn't go to another plant until you've gone through a full turn cycle:
The players place the discount token on the smallest power plant in the current market. The minimum bid for this power plant is reduced to 1 Elektro regardless of the actual number of the power plant
I think it doesn't change much because if it's a plant worth buying, the auction will bring it back in line with the other plants, and if it's not worth buying, no one wants to waste their bid/money on it.
For less experienced players if someone is really far behind, it can act as a catch-up mechanism since it might only be worth it to them, but my playgroup plays pretty tight, so everyone tends to not want that plant at the same point in the game.
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Comment on What's a "house rule" that has made a game more fun for you? in ~games
thecakeisalime Link ParentWe do this too, but we just use two tiles. Maybe we'll try with four next time and see how it goes.We do this too, but we just use two tiles. Maybe we'll try with four next time and see how it goes.
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Comment on What's a "house rule" that has made a game more fun for you? in ~games
thecakeisalime LinkPower Grid: Play with open money. Technically not a house rule, but because the FAQ/game designer said that money should be hidden, it's something we clarify before we begin. We also sometimes use...Power Grid: Play with open money. Technically not a house rule, but because the FAQ/game designer said that money should be hidden, it's something we clarify before we begin. We also sometimes use some of the updated rules from Power Grid: Recharged - specifically the pre-chosen starting locations, and making the cheapest plant cost $1 at the beginning of the auction. I like the pre-chosen starting locations, though I've found that the $1 plant doesn't make a huge difference.
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Comment on The carry-on-baggage bubble is about to pop in ~travel
thecakeisalime (edited )Link ParentI was going to say something similar. I've never waited only 15 minutes for baggage. I have waited 4 hours at Pearson to get my bags, being ushered back and forth between numerous carousels while...I was going to say something similar. I've never waited only 15 minutes for baggage. I have waited 4 hours at Pearson to get my bags, being ushered back and forth between numerous carousels while being told our bags are "arriving soon", after having landed 2 hours late.
That was pre-pandemic, and from what I've heard, it's only gotten worse since. I haven't checked a bag in years, and I don't particularly want to travel with people who need to. Everything I need for a week easily fits in a single carry-on sized suitcase. If I'm going for more than a week, I'll find a laundromat.
(EDIT: to be clear, the 4 hour wait was an anomaly, even for Pearson, though waiting an hour was pretty typical.)
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Comment on Northern hemisphere gardeners - share your 2024 plans! in ~hobbies
thecakeisalime Link ParentMy sympathies. Did you manage to get it all? It was self-inflicted for me, but even when I thought I'd gotten it all, it still popped up the next year. If I'm ever up in that part of Michigan,...The previous owners of our house left us with at least six varieties growing like weeds
My sympathies. Did you manage to get it all? It was self-inflicted for me, but even when I thought I'd gotten it all, it still popped up the next year.
In fact, their Earl Gray is the best I've ever had, and an international award winner.
If I'm ever up in that part of Michigan, I'll have to stop in and try a cup. But wow! That is some expensive tea, even before shipping (which is another $50 to my part of Canada).
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Comment on Northern hemisphere gardeners - share your 2024 plans! in ~hobbies
thecakeisalime Link ParentWe've been buying seedlings for the past several years, and are going to start from seed this year. Maybe it's a huge mistake, but hopefully the fact that we're not absolute beginners at gardening...Tip: buy seedlings, don't bother from seed.
We've been buying seedlings for the past several years, and are going to start from seed this year. Maybe it's a huge mistake, but hopefully the fact that we're not absolute beginners at gardening (though we are beginners at starting from seed) will help us succeed. In addition to buying a bunch of different seeds, I also saved a bunch of seeds from last year (including from some possibly hybrid plants), so that's an additional experiment that probably shouldn't happen in my first year of starting from seed, but because I lack wisdom, I'll be doing it anyway.
Do people not look at where the airports are before booking their flights? Most airports are located an hour or more away from the region they represent. Figuring out how to get from the airport to your actual destination is all part of the trip planning.
If I'm looking up flights to San Francisco, I might not know that Oakland Airport is an option. But if it somehow gets on my radar as an option (either because they've changed their name, or it came up in a search), I'm still not going to assume that it's a short walk from the airport to downtown SF - I'd still want to research how I'm getting to and from the airport.
I suspect the opposition to the name change is actually because SFO is afraid of losing business to Oakland, rather than the stated reason of misleading customers.