In keeping with the David Letterman Top 10 List style, the #1 answer is anti-climatic, but "drum roll please" anyway.....
#1: Real Mexican Food
I've already harped on this subject, but humor me and let's cover it one more time. I'm not talking about Tex-Mex... nachos or burritos... which aren't purely Mexican inventions... I'm talking about the real stuff, my favorites being:
Real Mexican-style tacos on homemade corn tortillas with nothing but cilantro, (onion if you like it), and the hottest salsa in the restaurant. As you know, if they bring it to you automatically, it's not the hottest salsa in the restaurant.
Carnitas are another favorite. Fortunately, I can make that one myself, since it's not that hard and doesn't require exotic ingredients. My other favorite dishes I used to cook at home were chicken tinga, made with chipotle peppers and onion, but without tostadas that wouldn't be much fun to eat... and green mole with shredded chicken. That one has multiple availability issues (green mole sauce and tomatillos).
And lastly, my own personal version of cochinita pibil (Once Upon a Time in Mexico reference)... the pork chile verde... Oh how I love chile verde. I haven't figured out the recipe for that one, but I have a similar one that will do when I want to have it at home. Of course it's another one of those dishes made with tomatillos, one of the things I can't get here. So watch out Mexican restaurants, when I return to the States for my next visit, have my chile verde ready!!!
I'm serious. :)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Miss List #2
#2: $5 Matinees
What I would give for a Sunday afternoon $5 matinee movie with my little sis! We used to go an average of twice a month, sometimes several times in a row. Those days are loooong gone. I got quite a sticker shock at the movie prices here. They can cost up to $16 to $18 for an adult ticket... no matinee prices. Up to $22 for an extra special 3D theater show. I felt a little guilty for spending that much to see Alice in Wonderland, but I figured I was worth it!
Most theaters might have one night a week, when you can watch movies for $7 - 9, which is in the realistic range, and if you get a loyalty card, they have a movie of the week that's only $9, but it's usually the worst movie on the market at the time. But that's about the only time we go now... which is why we've been taking advantage of the awesome DVD selection at the library for now. You can't beat free!
What I would give for a Sunday afternoon $5 matinee movie with my little sis! We used to go an average of twice a month, sometimes several times in a row. Those days are loooong gone. I got quite a sticker shock at the movie prices here. They can cost up to $16 to $18 for an adult ticket... no matinee prices. Up to $22 for an extra special 3D theater show. I felt a little guilty for spending that much to see Alice in Wonderland, but I figured I was worth it!
Most theaters might have one night a week, when you can watch movies for $7 - 9, which is in the realistic range, and if you get a loyalty card, they have a movie of the week that's only $9, but it's usually the worst movie on the market at the time. But that's about the only time we go now... which is why we've been taking advantage of the awesome DVD selection at the library for now. You can't beat free!
Miss List #3
#3: Chipotle
It is no secret that I'm addicted to Chipotle. I could not get enough of it from the moment I moved to Kansas City and discovered it through my co-workers in 2000. I still remember my "first time" and how it was impossible to eat the burrito without making a huge mess. I also remember when they finally moved across the KC border into Wyandotte County. My fellow Chipotle aficionados and I made a party of it, we were so happy!
One time, Theo and I even dragged our little sister to one on halloween and dressed up in foil, just to get our free halloween burrito! She definitely thought we were crazy at first, then I think she secretly enjoyed it. (These are the lengths we go to...)
It was always the fallback dinner decision when Theo and I couldn't decide what to have for dinner... One of us would say... Chipotle? and the other one always agreed. :)
My favorite is barbacoa with the hottest sauce and sour cream. Ahhhh, the flavors...
I even offered my services directly to Chipotle. Since I just happened to be conveniently moving to Australia, I suggested to them that I could help set up the first overseas branch. But they politely declined my gracious offer (I couldn't even believe they answered my email, to tell you the truth!!). I really did understand, though, since they source most of their meat from farms that don't use antibiotics, and try to use local ingredients, it would be quite a setup ordeal.
Last year, they did finally expand overseas, albeit to London. You can really blame them, Europe is a much bigger market. But I can still dream...
It is no secret that I'm addicted to Chipotle. I could not get enough of it from the moment I moved to Kansas City and discovered it through my co-workers in 2000. I still remember my "first time" and how it was impossible to eat the burrito without making a huge mess. I also remember when they finally moved across the KC border into Wyandotte County. My fellow Chipotle aficionados and I made a party of it, we were so happy!
One time, Theo and I even dragged our little sister to one on halloween and dressed up in foil, just to get our free halloween burrito! She definitely thought we were crazy at first, then I think she secretly enjoyed it. (These are the lengths we go to...)
It was always the fallback dinner decision when Theo and I couldn't decide what to have for dinner... One of us would say... Chipotle? and the other one always agreed. :)
My favorite is barbacoa with the hottest sauce and sour cream. Ahhhh, the flavors...
I even offered my services directly to Chipotle. Since I just happened to be conveniently moving to Australia, I suggested to them that I could help set up the first overseas branch. But they politely declined my gracious offer (I couldn't even believe they answered my email, to tell you the truth!!). I really did understand, though, since they source most of their meat from farms that don't use antibiotics, and try to use local ingredients, it would be quite a setup ordeal.
Last year, they did finally expand overseas, albeit to London. You can really blame them, Europe is a much bigger market. But I can still dream...
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Miss List #4
#4: "American-style" Coffee Shops
I don't really know the history of coffee shops, so I'm not sure if this is an accurate description of a solely American version of a coffee shop, but from my experience, this is what I consider it to be:
A cozy, warm, inviting place devoted entirely to the distribution of fairly affordable coffee, tea and other drinks, as well as desserts and snacks, such as cake, cookies, etc, and maybe a light meal. The staff is often extremely friendly, the furniture usually very comfortable with at least one couch and comfy chair. Most of time time, wireless internet access is not only free and available, but also easy to access without much fuss.
This is what I'm used to, but is extremely hard to find here. Most of the time the cafés here have a full menu as well, so the place takes on the air of a restaurant, rather than a coffee shop. And since they're aiming for a restaurant/café feel, the furniture is not that comfortable, as they probably don't want you hanging around very long. If there is internet access, you usually have to ask for the password, at which point they either look at you sideways (as if to say, yeah, you can have it, but don't use it very long), or they might even complain to you about it, which is what happened to us one time when I met my first rude American ex-pat. She went on about how expensive internet access is here, even though we were buying food from her we really didn't even want, just to use her internet.
Don't get me wrong, the coffee here is yummy, and sometimes it is nice to just sit at the cafés near the beach and just stare off into the ocean while sipping your coffee, but sometimes I just want to nerd out on my computer for a while in a comfy place and maybe meet some new people.
I actually did find such a place here in Mackay, strangely enough! It has a seven deadly sins theme and everything in the shop is either red or black. It's really cute and has a very friendly staff. Of course, it was created by someone not from here, so that probably helps explain things. So I know where I'll be hanging out...
I don't really know the history of coffee shops, so I'm not sure if this is an accurate description of a solely American version of a coffee shop, but from my experience, this is what I consider it to be:
A cozy, warm, inviting place devoted entirely to the distribution of fairly affordable coffee, tea and other drinks, as well as desserts and snacks, such as cake, cookies, etc, and maybe a light meal. The staff is often extremely friendly, the furniture usually very comfortable with at least one couch and comfy chair. Most of time time, wireless internet access is not only free and available, but also easy to access without much fuss.
This is what I'm used to, but is extremely hard to find here. Most of the time the cafés here have a full menu as well, so the place takes on the air of a restaurant, rather than a coffee shop. And since they're aiming for a restaurant/café feel, the furniture is not that comfortable, as they probably don't want you hanging around very long. If there is internet access, you usually have to ask for the password, at which point they either look at you sideways (as if to say, yeah, you can have it, but don't use it very long), or they might even complain to you about it, which is what happened to us one time when I met my first rude American ex-pat. She went on about how expensive internet access is here, even though we were buying food from her we really didn't even want, just to use her internet.
Don't get me wrong, the coffee here is yummy, and sometimes it is nice to just sit at the cafés near the beach and just stare off into the ocean while sipping your coffee, but sometimes I just want to nerd out on my computer for a while in a comfy place and maybe meet some new people.
I actually did find such a place here in Mackay, strangely enough! It has a seven deadly sins theme and everything in the shop is either red or black. It's really cute and has a very friendly staff. Of course, it was created by someone not from here, so that probably helps explain things. So I know where I'll be hanging out...
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Miss List #5
#5: Anything Buffalo Flavored
I remember the first time Theo was introduced to buffalo flavor. We went to a pizza place and I was surprised when he ordered the buffalo pizza. I was thinking, YUMMY!! When it arrived to the table, the disappointment on his face was immediate.... I thought I ordered BUFFALO pizza, he said. Of course, after I realized he thought the pizza was going to come with buffalo meat on it, I burst into laughter, as I still do when I think of it today.
Sadly, there are no buffalo pizzas in Oz. I also had a sad incident the first time I had pizza here. I ordered a Meat Lover's pizza, which is what a always order (me being the most contradictory environmentalist I know). I took my first bite and it tasted sweet and awful! I said, Theo, I think there is something wrong with my pizza, try it. He tasted it and said, Oh yeah, that's BBQ sauce. They always put in on all-meat pizzas (instead of tomato sauce). I was sooo disappointed. I didn't even really want to eat anymore, but that's all we had for dinner, so I suffered through it. I definitely learned my lesson, though.
But I digress. I love buffalo flavored things: buffalo chicken wings, buffalo pizza, buffalo chicken wraps, buffalo chicken burgers... My fave burger is at Granite City restaurant/bar. They make the BEST buffalo chicken burger I've ever had, with this creamy bleu cheese sauce, OH YUM! It's definitely on my list of things I have to eat when I come to the States during our next visit!
I remember the first time Theo was introduced to buffalo flavor. We went to a pizza place and I was surprised when he ordered the buffalo pizza. I was thinking, YUMMY!! When it arrived to the table, the disappointment on his face was immediate.... I thought I ordered BUFFALO pizza, he said. Of course, after I realized he thought the pizza was going to come with buffalo meat on it, I burst into laughter, as I still do when I think of it today.
Sadly, there are no buffalo pizzas in Oz. I also had a sad incident the first time I had pizza here. I ordered a Meat Lover's pizza, which is what a always order (me being the most contradictory environmentalist I know). I took my first bite and it tasted sweet and awful! I said, Theo, I think there is something wrong with my pizza, try it. He tasted it and said, Oh yeah, that's BBQ sauce. They always put in on all-meat pizzas (instead of tomato sauce). I was sooo disappointed. I didn't even really want to eat anymore, but that's all we had for dinner, so I suffered through it. I definitely learned my lesson, though.
But I digress. I love buffalo flavored things: buffalo chicken wings, buffalo pizza, buffalo chicken wraps, buffalo chicken burgers... My fave burger is at Granite City restaurant/bar. They make the BEST buffalo chicken burger I've ever had, with this creamy bleu cheese sauce, OH YUM! It's definitely on my list of things I have to eat when I come to the States during our next visit!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Miss List #6
#6: Real BBQ
THIS is not real BBQing:
As you can see, fire does not at any point, touch meat. To me, this is more like...frying without oil? But this is a public BBQ grill, as the Gold Coast has them all up and down the beachfront parks. I do admit, some home BBQ grills actually grill meat with real fire.
I had a conversation about BBQ the other day and I realized the other thing that's missing from the "BBQ menu" here: smoked meat. They love the smoked salmon here - which is indeed yummy, but smoked BBQ meat is rare, perhaps non-existent. One of my favorite dishes to order in a BBQ restaurant is a (smoked) pulled pork sandwich, smothered in the hottest, spiciest BBQ available - yum! I'd pay a lot of money for one of those right now!
THIS is not real BBQing:
As you can see, fire does not at any point, touch meat. To me, this is more like...frying without oil? But this is a public BBQ grill, as the Gold Coast has them all up and down the beachfront parks. I do admit, some home BBQ grills actually grill meat with real fire.
I had a conversation about BBQ the other day and I realized the other thing that's missing from the "BBQ menu" here: smoked meat. They love the smoked salmon here - which is indeed yummy, but smoked BBQ meat is rare, perhaps non-existent. One of my favorite dishes to order in a BBQ restaurant is a (smoked) pulled pork sandwich, smothered in the hottest, spiciest BBQ available - yum! I'd pay a lot of money for one of those right now!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Intermission
That's pretty bad. I disappeared in the middle of a countdown. Sheeesh.
Well, my absence was for a good reason. I accepted the job in Mackay, and since both my new employer and I wanted to start as soon as possible, I've been spending the last 2 weeks frantically searching for a place to live in Mackay and getting paperwork done. It's about an hour north of the Gold Coast/Brisbane by plane, so Theo and I flew up last week to search for an apartment or house. I preferred to get a house, so I can finally get the dog I've been wanting for years, and by a miracle, we found something after two days of searching! I'll update you more on Mackay and the house in future posts. Since I now have a public sector/regulatory job, I won't say much on this blog about the job other than it's a great opportunity, exactly within my field, and exactly along the career goals I had set for myself. So... Yay! Today was my first day on the job, and it was smooth as silk.
The countdown shall resume tomorrow.
Well, my absence was for a good reason. I accepted the job in Mackay, and since both my new employer and I wanted to start as soon as possible, I've been spending the last 2 weeks frantically searching for a place to live in Mackay and getting paperwork done. It's about an hour north of the Gold Coast/Brisbane by plane, so Theo and I flew up last week to search for an apartment or house. I preferred to get a house, so I can finally get the dog I've been wanting for years, and by a miracle, we found something after two days of searching! I'll update you more on Mackay and the house in future posts. Since I now have a public sector/regulatory job, I won't say much on this blog about the job other than it's a great opportunity, exactly within my field, and exactly along the career goals I had set for myself. So... Yay! Today was my first day on the job, and it was smooth as silk.
The countdown shall resume tomorrow.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Miss List #7
#7: Crab Legs
You'd think in this land of coastal living, there would be crab legs galore! The only crabs I've seen for sale are whole mud crabs and soft shelled crabs. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.
There's definitely no shortage of fish and prawns, you can even get fresh calamari... Prawns, by the way, meaning shrimp. I've never been a big fan of shrimp, but the air was definitely let out of my tires when I discovered that no one, and I mean, no one, says "Let's throw some shrimp on the barby!" Barby is definitely universally used, but not shrimp. I have not heard a single person utter this word. It's all prawn, Mate. No shrimps... and no crab legs...
You'd think in this land of coastal living, there would be crab legs galore! The only crabs I've seen for sale are whole mud crabs and soft shelled crabs. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.
There's definitely no shortage of fish and prawns, you can even get fresh calamari... Prawns, by the way, meaning shrimp. I've never been a big fan of shrimp, but the air was definitely let out of my tires when I discovered that no one, and I mean, no one, says "Let's throw some shrimp on the barby!" Barby is definitely universally used, but not shrimp. I have not heard a single person utter this word. It's all prawn, Mate. No shrimps... and no crab legs...
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Miss List #8
#8: Idaho Potatoes
I'm a huge fan of carbohydrates in many forms. Potatoes are one of my absolute favorites and we tend to eat them at least once a day in some form. At first, I didn't notice the absence of Idaho potatoes specifically, until I realized that we never have the option of a baked potato when we go out to eat. The form of potato greatly preferred here is hot chips (i.e. french fries). Fish 'n' Chips might as well be melded into a single word. No complaints really about that, but every once in a while, I could really go for a baked potato, which is my side of choice pretty much 99% of the time. I realized this loss one day when we went to steakhouse in Brisbane and the menu boasted baked "Idaho Potato," so you know what I ordered. But that's the only time I've seen it and the other potatoes they grow here just don't stack up!!! You don't what you miss 'till it's gone...
Correction to Miss List #10... I mentioned a new candy bar I enjoy here and mistakenly called it Whitman's, when the correct name is Whittaker's. It's a New Zealand chocolate company and it's divine! Here's a photo for reinforcement... :)
I'm a huge fan of carbohydrates in many forms. Potatoes are one of my absolute favorites and we tend to eat them at least once a day in some form. At first, I didn't notice the absence of Idaho potatoes specifically, until I realized that we never have the option of a baked potato when we go out to eat. The form of potato greatly preferred here is hot chips (i.e. french fries). Fish 'n' Chips might as well be melded into a single word. No complaints really about that, but every once in a while, I could really go for a baked potato, which is my side of choice pretty much 99% of the time. I realized this loss one day when we went to steakhouse in Brisbane and the menu boasted baked "Idaho Potato," so you know what I ordered. But that's the only time I've seen it and the other potatoes they grow here just don't stack up!!! You don't what you miss 'till it's gone...
Correction to Miss List #10... I mentioned a new candy bar I enjoy here and mistakenly called it Whitman's, when the correct name is Whittaker's. It's a New Zealand chocolate company and it's divine! Here's a photo for reinforcement... :)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Miss List #9
#9: Naked Juice
I'm not trying to promote any products, but I particularly like this line of juices. I like that nothing is added to them and many of them contain vegetables, which I notoriously don't eat enough of. It made me feel like I was eating something healthy, especially the green machine!! I used to keep them in the fridge at work for snacks, and had graduated to buying the huge jugs for home. Oh naked juice, where are you now?
I'm not trying to promote any products, but I particularly like this line of juices. I like that nothing is added to them and many of them contain vegetables, which I notoriously don't eat enough of. It made me feel like I was eating something healthy, especially the green machine!! I used to keep them in the fridge at work for snacks, and had graduated to buying the huge jugs for home. Oh naked juice, where are you now?
Monday, July 5, 2010
Leah's Top 10 Miss List Intro/#10
Now that I've been living in Australia for over 6 months, the ice-breaker question of choice has now shifted to something new. It is now... "Do you miss America?" or "What do you miss most about America." I normally have a standard answer to this, which I will not reveal at this time, but I've been thinking about it more lately. Of course there are always family and friends to miss. Other than that, there are a few things that immediately come to mind, mainly foods, since I am food-obsessed.
I decided to present them to you over the next 10 days, David Letterman style, since I always enjoyed watching his Top 10 lists as a kid.
Please don't read this as a "Things Leah Wants People to Mail to Her" list. I think I've done really well adapting to the new land and its ways. I kinda pride myself on my ability to adapt, and hope that I'm honing my Buddhist-like transcendence skills. But in the end, how hard can it be? Aren't all English-speaking industrialized nations pretty similar, especially in this world of globalization?
So this list is just for entertainment's sake. And I've actually found some new favorite things and have been able to substitute cravings or create brand new (usually food) cravings when they arise.
Drum roll please...
I will now reveal Leah's Top 10 Miss List:
#10:
Certain Candy Bars and Snacks
Might as well start off with candy. As of yet, I haven't been able to find one of my favorite candy bars - Crunch. I've loved this one since I was little, and I have my own ritual for systematically eating it. There are plenty of M&Ms here, but I can't find the dark chocolate ones. Another favorite I had for taking to work for snacks was Snyder's sourdough pretzels. I don't think Aussies are big pretzel fans, because I haven't seen many...
There's no shortage of candy in Oz, but it is quite a bit more expensive. It can cost more than $2 for a single candy bar, $1 if you're lucky and it's on sale. Not sure why... Maybe a junk food tax? Maybe they're all imported (this is part of the Cadbury kingdom)? But I guess it doesn't hurt to have a deterrent for my sugar cravings. I used to stock up on Crunch bars when occasionally I got them for 25 cents each, 40 cents on a bad day. That's not going to happen here!
But I am still able to get my hands on dark chocolate Kit Kats, and discovered the creamy pleasures of Whittaker's dark chocolate blocks. Then there's always the Cadbury products, my favorite of which is the Caramel bars... yum!
So stay tuned for the rest of the list!!
I decided to present them to you over the next 10 days, David Letterman style, since I always enjoyed watching his Top 10 lists as a kid.
Please don't read this as a "Things Leah Wants People to Mail to Her" list. I think I've done really well adapting to the new land and its ways. I kinda pride myself on my ability to adapt, and hope that I'm honing my Buddhist-like transcendence skills. But in the end, how hard can it be? Aren't all English-speaking industrialized nations pretty similar, especially in this world of globalization?
So this list is just for entertainment's sake. And I've actually found some new favorite things and have been able to substitute cravings or create brand new (usually food) cravings when they arise.
Drum roll please...
I will now reveal Leah's Top 10 Miss List:
#10:
Certain Candy Bars and Snacks
Might as well start off with candy. As of yet, I haven't been able to find one of my favorite candy bars - Crunch. I've loved this one since I was little, and I have my own ritual for systematically eating it. There are plenty of M&Ms here, but I can't find the dark chocolate ones. Another favorite I had for taking to work for snacks was Snyder's sourdough pretzels. I don't think Aussies are big pretzel fans, because I haven't seen many...
There's no shortage of candy in Oz, but it is quite a bit more expensive. It can cost more than $2 for a single candy bar, $1 if you're lucky and it's on sale. Not sure why... Maybe a junk food tax? Maybe they're all imported (this is part of the Cadbury kingdom)? But I guess it doesn't hurt to have a deterrent for my sugar cravings. I used to stock up on Crunch bars when occasionally I got them for 25 cents each, 40 cents on a bad day. That's not going to happen here!
But I am still able to get my hands on dark chocolate Kit Kats, and discovered the creamy pleasures of Whittaker's dark chocolate blocks. Then there's always the Cadbury products, my favorite of which is the Caramel bars... yum!
So stay tuned for the rest of the list!!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
My First Winter Birthday
I am clearly a summer person. I have a general theory about this, but it doesn't hold true for everyone. Generally, I've found that if a person was born in summer, they are a summer weather person. Born in winter... winter person. Spring and Fall are wild cards. At any rate, I'm a summer person and I love the heat and I love that my birthday falls in the summer. But not this year. This upside down climate means my birthday is now in winter. Although it's nothing like a Midwest winter - lately we've had highs in the upper 50s, I still find the energy to complain, even though I know I have no right to.
Despite the temperatures, it's been a wonderful birthday. Not really because we've done anything super exciting, but because I've received all kinds of good news this past week. I started the week out on pins and needles, waiting to hear if my last interview was a success or not. I was preparing myself mentally for all kinds of scenarios, one of which being no job offer at all and impending financial doom. So I reevaluated my assets. I still had a car in my mom's driveway to sell. So I asked my family to post another ad on craigslist. It got immediate response and the car was sold in a matter of days. I am glad to have a replenishment of funds in the bank, but I'm also sad to say goodbye to my favorite car I've ever owned... my always-fun-to-drive Subaru WRX.
I was also worried about my house. Our renters' current lease is about to expire, and we didn't know if they planned to renew or not. If they didn't, there was a possibility we'd have to cover the mortgage until our management company found new renters. After pressing the company to get an answer, we finally heard back. They're staying! Yay!
And the week just kept getting better. On Thursday, I was unofficially (until some details are taken care of) offered the job in Mackay! That definitely made my day... week... month, perhaps! I will soon be employed and will do something worthwhile with my time. (It's about time!)
It's also the beginning to my "birthday week." I prefer to celebrate birthday over a span of at least a week. It's much more fun that way, and you always seem to have birthday dinner with this group of people, birthday lunch with that group of people. So you might as well call it a "birthday week." It especially holds true here, where July 3rd is not really my birthday, technically, because of the time zones. So I really have 2 birthdays now.
Friday, we began the festivities by going out with some new friends to our favorite local Japanese joint. It's nothing special, but their sushi is wonderful and not over-priced. I was dying for some hot sake - it's "cold" out, remember. But we get there and realize they're not licensed to sell alcohol, which is pretty common here. However, many places are BYO. Theo rushed to save the day. Although I doubted he could save this day, he surprised me by returning from the bottle shop with a whole bottle of sake!! I hadn't even dreamed the nearby bottle shop would actually carry sake, but they did! It came in the cutest box (see pics all around - each side looks like a scene from a different 1000-piece puzzle), and the ladies at the restaurant even heated it up for us! It was a fantastic finish to a week of happy surprises!
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