At-Home Hot Dogs. We miss our Toronto Dogs and it makes us sad that something we grew-up loving so much is getting harder and harder to find in the City.

One of our joys living near Davisville Station was a friendly vendor working till the wee hours of the morning to ensure we had something to eat after a late night out. We also were happy to have a vendor at Yonge & Bloor where we lived for a few years too!

We decided to make our own “elevated” take, which were a more-than-able substitute for now till we’ll be able to go out again! How many of these can you finish? 🌭

Ingredients:
4 Hot Dogs
4 Hot Dog Buns
1/2 white onion, sliced thin
1/2 yellow pepper, sliced thin
1/2 green pepper, sliced thin
1 whole garlic bulb
3 tbps Balsamic Vinegar
3 tbsps red wine
1 tsp organic raw sugar
4 tbsps olive oil
2 slices cheddar cheese, halved
Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Suggested condiments: Ketchup, Relish, Honey Dijon Mustard, Sambal/Sriracha.

Instructions:
1. Take garlic bulb and chop-off bottom. Wrap in foil, add 2 tbsps oil and bake at 400°F for 40 minutes. Allow to cool and add salt, using fork to poke-out cloves. Set aside.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in skillet on medium-high. Once hot, toss-in onions and sautée till caramelized. Add Balsamic, wine, sugar, pepper and salt. Cook down till liquid evaporates. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in skillet on medium-high. Once hot, toss-in peppers and sautée till caramelized. Add a couple tbsps of water and cook down till liquid evaporates. Season with pepper and salt.
4. Fill skillet with 1/2″ water on medium-high heat and boil. Add dogs and cook till water evaporates. Continue cooking till you get grill markings on hot dogs. Remove from pan.
5. Unfold buns and place on pan for 30 seconds to 1 minute till you get grill markings. Flip bun.
6. Assemble Hot Dog with dog, buns, toppings and choice of condiments. Use 1-2 garlic cloves for subtle flavour and four for an intense garlic flavour.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Earlier this year, American clothier SUPREME partnered with OREO for a rare collaboration for the former’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection. The three-packs of biscuits donning the Supreme logo and the cookies coloured red, on-brand, surfaced and quickly got hawked and were sold for up to $92k (US) on eBay. We finally got our hands on a 3-pack and were we ever excited to try! It was a dilemma though, because we were torn between keeping it as a memento as well!

Well, these expire in like a couple weeks, so why not get eat them?

Lemon Bars. I adore these so much and one thing that’s held me back from making these sooner is that I can’t finish a whole tray of these myself. This recipe makes a more reasonable amount and that way I don’t worry about space in my fridge/freezer and they’re so simple to make, I know I can whip another batch easily. Please use fresh lemons! You know it’s Summer when the Lemon Bars are out! The nose of fresh lemon juice with the creaminess of shortbread together is an incomparable sensation.🍋

Ingredients:
1 + 3 tbsps cup flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup organic raw sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea salt

Lemon Filling:
1/2 cup lemon juice (2-3 lemons juiced)
3 eggs
3/4 cup organic raw sugar
3 tbsps flour

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. In large bowl, cream butter, vanilla and 1/4 cup sugar. Add flour and salt gradually till mixed evenly.
3. Line baking pan with parchment paper. Fill bottom of pan with dough, patting evenly.
4. If using a pan like I did, bake about 25 minutes or till edge of shortbread is browned. If using a shallower pan, baking time will be a few minutes less.
5. In mixing bowl, sift sugar and flour together. Whisk lemon juice and egg together, pouring into flour and sugar. Use handmixer to ensure mixture is smooth.
6. Using fork, poke holes into shortbread. Pour lemon mixture on-top. If there are air bubbles, pop with fork.
7. Bake 30 minutes with the pan I used. Reduce by about 4 minutes if using shallow pan. You’ll know this is done when the lemon filling is firm and no longer swishes.
8. Cool one hour and refrigerate minimum 2 hours. Serve cold. Makes about 6 bars.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection Volume 1. This gorgeous box set includes classics like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington / Lawrence of Arabia / Dr. Strangelove / Gandhi / A League of Their Own / Jerry Maguire. You get Digital and a 4K copy!

More on the Box Set and how to buy one here.

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Tweet below from @mrwillw for an extra chance. We believe in loyalty and rewarding the right Readers, so you must be following!

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Lady Gaga is back with her sixth Studio Disc CHROMATICA a cinematic ’80s and ’90s-inspired Album returning the superstar once again to the world of Electronic-Pop. The cohesive collection, split into three sections, marked by interludes Chromatica I, II and III, takes us away on a escape to the planet on which Gaga resides, packed with jaw-dropping collaborations. The likes of Ariana Grande, whom we’ve heard on superb second single Rain on Me, Elton John and K-Pop queens Blackpink appear on the Chromatica and while the Album has been pushed-back amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the wait proved worthwhile.

Joanne Collaborator BloodPop returns once again in a Producer capacity and this marriage proves a beautiful union as Gaga stands her ground, but also gives him a proper chance to shine.

We’re thrilled to hear Gaga back doing what she does best and we are excited for this uplifting era and pandemic permitting, hopefully it won’t be too long a wait to see the Album’s eponymous stadium tour.

Preview some of Chromatica‘s highlights:

RAIN ON ME (ft. Ariana Grande)

SOUR CANDY (ft. Blackpink)

STUPID LOVE

SINE FROM ABOVE (ft. Elton John)

ENIGMA

REPLAY

FREE WOMAN

BABYLON

Buy or stream Chromatica here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Group)

Steak with Mushrooms in Red Wine Reduction x Bacon-Green Onion-Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Ain’t nothing like a steak done right, right? No well-done, here, sorry! 👋

Steak & Marinade:
1 1/2 lbs Top Sirloin
3 tbsps Balsamic Vinegar
4-5 tbsps soy sauce
3 tbsps Worcestershire Sauce
4 tbsps olive oil
2 tbsps honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red chilli, seeded and minced
1 tsp Herbes de Provence (oregano, thyme, rosemary)
1 pint small white mushrooms
1/2 white onion, sliced thin
1/4 cup red wine (optional) or water
1 tbsp organic raw sugar
Pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. In large platter, mix garlic, balsamic, chilli, pepper, honey, 3 tbsps soy, Worcestershire and 2 tbsps olive oil. Marinate steak in this overnight in large Ziploc bag(s) for minimum two hours.
2. Heat large skillet on medium-high. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and when hot, sear steak for about 3-5 minutes each side, depending on thickness. Transfer to a warm platter.
3. Sautée onions and mushrooms in 1 tbsp olive oil, till caramelized. Season with salt and pepper.
4. As soon as there is a bit of charring, add 1/4 cup wine or water, 1 tbsp sugar and 1-2 tbsps soy sauce. Àdd a bit of water if there isn’t much liquid. Allow to reduce uncovered for about 5 minutes till thickened.
5. Pour over steak and serve with Bacon, Green Onion x Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

Bacon, Green Onion x Garlic Mashed Potatoes
2 large white potatoes, diced
4 strips bacon, diced
2 tbsps unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 stalk green onion, minced
3 tbsps heavy cream
Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:
1. Boil potatoes in salt water till soft. Drain water. Fluff with fork and put aside, leaving in pot.
2. Preheat oven to 325°F.
3. In pan, sautée garlic in butter. Once slightly browned, pour mixture into potatoes. Add cream, salt and pepper and mix till smooth and creamy with handmixer.
4. In pan, fry bacon till cooked, not too crispy. Remove bacon from pan. Use paper towels to pat-out bacon.
5. Leave a small bit of oil in pan and quickly sautée green onion.
6. Transfer mashed potatoes into a baking pan. Cover with bacon and green onions.
7. Bake for 30 minutes. Let stand 30 minutes before serving.

 

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A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 28, 2020 at 4:18pm PDT

Hollywood Suite‘s got you covered this Summer with several BAFTA, Independent Spirit and Oscar-winning Films to keep you entertained June through August. See their line-up!

JUNE
June 1–7 Oscar Best Picture
Patton (1970), Moonlight (2016), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), All About Eve (1950), The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), The Hurt Locker (2008) and Out of Africa (1985).

June 8–14 BAFTA Best Film
The Full Monty (1997), The Commitments (1991), Bicycle Thieves (1948), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Killing Fields (1984), Boyhood (2014) and Goodfellas (1990).

June 15–21 Oscar Best Actress
Boys Don’t Cry (1999), The Lion in Winter (1968), Children Of A Lesser God (1986), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980), Monster’s Ball (2001) and Black Swan (2010).

June 22–28 Oscar Best Supporting Actress
Shampoo (1975), Melvin and Howard (1980), Cactus Flower (1969), The Last Picture Show (1971), The Fighter (2010), California Suite (1978) and My Cousin Vinny (1992).

JULY
June 2–-July 5 Oscar Best Director
The Deer Hunter (1978), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Graduate (1967), Traffic (2000), Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Cabaret (1972).

July 6–12 Oscar Best Picture
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), Chariots of Fire (1981), The Artist (2011), Casablanca (1942), Silence of the Lambs (1991), The King’s Speech (2010) and Annie Hall (1977).

July 12–19 Film Independent Spirit Awards Best Film
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Sideways (2004), The Wrestler (2008), Juno (2007), Lost in Translation (2003), The Player (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994).

July 20–26 Oscar Best Supporting Actor
Django Unchained (2012), Good Will Hunting (1997), Inglourious Basterds (2009), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Julia (1977), Jerry Maguire (1996) and Whiplash (2014).

AUGUST
July 27–August 2 BAFTAs Best Actress
Secrets and Lies (1996), Charade (1963), The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981), A Taste of Honey (1961), Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), On Golden Pond (1981) and Still Alice (2014).

August 3–9 Oscar Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire (2008), 12 Years A Slave (2013), Rain Man (1988), Dances With Wolves (1990), Forrest Gump (1994), Gandhi (1982) and Around The World In 80 Days (1956).

August 10–16 Oscar Best Original Screenplay
Breaking Away (1979), The Crying Game (1992), Ghost (1990), Sunset Boulevard (1950), Almost Famous (2000), Gosford Park (2001) and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004).

August 17–23 Oscar Best Actor
Wall Street (1987), The Last King of Scotland, (2006), Milk (2008), Save The Tiger (1973), There Will Be Blood (2007), Philadelphia (1993) and Shine (1996).

August 24–30 Oscar Best Actress
Norma Rae (1979), Monster (2003), The Iron Lady (2011), Sophie’s Choice (1982), Funny Girl (1968), Erin Brockovich (2000) and Misery (1990)

August 31 Most Oscars Won By a Film
Summer wraps with the “King of the World,” record-holding 11-time Oscar winner, Titanic (1997).

Visit hollywoodsuite.ca for more.

(Photo credit: Hollywood Suite)

The Covid-19 pandemic has given me a chance to re-ignite my love of singing. Many weren’t aware but in a past life I spent many years competing in singing competitions north and south of the Border, winning trips to Asia twice. I recorded a couple projects and even signed a deal with an international publisher. To this day it brings me a smile when super-modest royalty cheques arrive in the mail.

balladeer is a collection of covers I recorded in my bedroom during this isolation period. No fancy production, auto-tune, mixing or mastering, just one-take vocals that came from the heart.  I love these songs and I’ve always wondered what they would sound like in my voice. I hope I did them some justice.

I dedicate this to my mom and dad (on the cover art below) who show me that true love takes many years of work to make happen. I dedicate this to you my dear friends. We are all in this together and will be resilient.

Free download link: http://tiny.cc/mrwillballadeer

If you prefer YouTube, here’s a link to a Playlist.

Enjoy. I hope these songs take you on a bit of an escape.

xMr. Will

Meatless Sausage x Peppers. This is a hearty Italian classic which I felt could’ve been replicated with a plant protein. You easily could swap it out for meat sausage and that’s totally cool! I chose a tiny pasta, Tubetti, to sop-up all the liquid here, that way none of the flavour in the sauce gets lost. This has got a bit of kick, so you can omit the chillis if you like and use the non-spicy Yves Sausage as well. You’ll most definitely have leftovers! 🇮🇹

Ingredients:
1 green, yellow and red pepper each, seeded and sliced thin
1 450g package of Pasta
1 package Yves Spicy Italian Veggie Sausage, each sausage cut into six pieces
1 pint mushrooms, sliced thin
1 small onion, minced
1 can crushed tomatoes
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 red chillies, seeded and minced
1/2 cup red wine
Olive oil
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Handful of chopped basil

Cilantro
Parmesan Cheese, grated

Instructions:
1. Cook pasta in salted water, drain in colander. Do not rinse.
2. In large skillet, heat oil medium-high heat. Brown sausage pieces on both sides. Remove from skillet.
3. Add more oil, sautée garlic, onion and chillies till translucent.
4. Add peppers and mushrooms. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook till fully caramelized and pan has some brown bits.
5. Add wine and cook down till some of liquid is gone. You can add a bit of water if there isn’t much liquid there.
6. Add tomatoes, basil and sausage into pan and bring to boil.
7. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes.
8. Add pasta to the skillet and coat evenly, allowing pasta to soak-up sauce. Add one more round of salt and pepper.
9. Scoop onto plate. Garnish with cilantro and top with Parmesan Cheese. Serve.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We loved LOVE, SIMON so much so this comes with open arms! Spin-off Series LOVE, VICTOR is coming soon to Hulu (unsure where it will be available just yet in Canada), but here is a brand-new Trailer for it.

Synopsis:
Set in the world of the 2018 groundbreaking film LOVE, SIMON which was inspired by Becky Albertalli’s acclaimed novel, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, the series follows Victor, a new student at Creekwood High School on his own journey of self-discovery, facing challenges at home, adjusting to a new city and exploring his sexual orientation. When it all seems too much, he reaches out to Simon to help him naviigate the ups and downs of high school.

See the Trailer:

LOVE, VICTOR arrives on Hulu Friday, June 19, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Hulu)