Before I left, my mom told me she was worried, she was afraid that I would not even know how to go to the grocery store and pick up a gallon of milk. Well I have to say a lot has changed since then. I will have to admit, I am still not a pro, as Hajo and I just learned that we have been shopping at the Coles “express” grocery store for the past month, where they do carry a full line of all their products, nor do they have sales. I did notice that my grocery bill had risen since the first few weeks here, I suppose it makes sense now.
Anyhow I have learned the ins and outs of grocery shopping, as well as searching for food in a different country. I know to pick out “Pauls Trim” Milk out of a small wall of white plastic jugs, I learned through process of elimination that “Australias Best” Orange juice, might not be Australias best, but is pretty good, and my choice here, and I have also learned to stop searching for the things I ate at home, and instead, I am eating like a bona fide Australian.
It occurred to me last week, that I had not opened a pre cooked frozen pre portioned with a brightly colored package since I arrived. I was thinking about the food that I looked for in the grocery store back home, and what I kept in the fridge, pre portioned breaded chicken breast, frozen pizza, and cans of soup, where the staple foods. I now purchase an abundance of fresh fruits and vegitables, fresh meats from the deli, and a host of other extremely healthy foods.
I have also become some what of a World Renowned Chef, capable of whipping up dishes and International Cuisine from around the globe at the blink of an eye and with whatever is lying around in a college students kitchen. I have been putting together some amazing tacos, and burritos with freshly chopped onion, sliced peppers, and personalized taco seasoning. I put together an incredible tuna pasta bake, with freshly shredded cheese and garnishing on top. I made my own salad dressing the other week, a Honey Mustard, to accompany my spinach, and romaine lettuce salad with roasted chicken, hard boiled eggs, and freshly sliced tomato and grated cheese. I have also marinated and seasoned a few rump roast, sirloin and strip steaks, with my very own blend of marinade and seasoning.
And finally this evening my pride and joy. A pair of flame grilled Salmon fillets. My very first time cooking fish, and they were magnificent. I have been wanting to experiment with some fish, since arrival, but I have not had the courage. This week I felt as if my skills had finally aged enough to be able to create a mouth watering fish dish. And it was truly amazing. I really did not have a pallet for seafood, but living so close to the ocean, I have my fair share of chances to get at it. So I am happy to say, that I will be pushing my tastes for seafood again in the near future, so as to prepare myself for my planned lengthy journeys oneday aboard a sailboat.