In the Kitchen

I do not like to cook. But I am having fun with some of the Aussie ingredients around here. Is it the soil? The blue sky and beautiful sunshine? The lack of serious hormones fed to the cattle? The food here tastes great.

I tried Thai last week with not much success, save for yummy coconut milk and lemon grass! The lasagna recipe I've learned here is made with cheese sauce and cream! What's not to love?? The carrots are sweet. The potatoes are small and tender, not big husky Idaho skins! And Pat's fish! Last night I put it in some foil with butter and lemon ("Ross, can you go pick me two lemons from the tree in the yard?"). Dreamy.

We're missing Bisquick pancakes like no other, but we've learned they will remove a box at customs if you (Stephanie) try to send it. And they will hassle you (Tim) in the airport if you try to carry it in your suitcase. So we will wait till January for pancakes American style.

We have solved the chicken enchilada mystery. One store north of here carries enchilada sauce - in a jar and for a price!

I need to stick to learning Thai while we're here!

Some food funnies:
Cheddar cheese is called "Tasty Cheese."
Sharp cheddar is "Strong and Bitey."
One can buy marshmellows in small candy bags to nibble on like gummy bears.
One can buy a bag of "Pineapple Lumps." wow.
Cereal squares the size of brownies, made like particle board but with raisin bran flakes are called Weet Bix. One breaks them in a bowl with milk like Shredded Wheat.
You cannot find Shredded Wheat. Or Cream of Wheat.
The vegie section is tons of fun with all kinds of crazy new fruits and vegies!
It's hard to find skim milk.
It's easy to find cream, custard, cream, and cream!
Bacon is like Canadian bacon - beautiful.
Feta cheese and Ricotta cheese is sold in bulk. They use it in everything.
I bought a kangaroo roast this week.
To buy crocodile I have to go to a butcher 20 minutes in the country.
The icecream is made by Cadbury. That's like having Ghiradelli Ice Cream!
Aussies are all about chicken salt. They put it on fries, potato chips, and popcorn. It's delicious!
Sweet Chili sauce is put on everything like we do with Ranch, but Ranch is hardly ever used, except by us!
Ketchup is called Tomato Sauce (pronounced to-mah-to sauce).
Coca Cola is $30 for a 24 pack.

Don't get me started on prices!!