Adventures in food (that you can't get from Coles)

[alias_sqbr]

Over the holidays I decided to try out a bunch of foods, especially once the local asian supermarket/vegetable shop started stocking a bunch of interesting looking stuff I can actually eat.

Quinoa(pronounced keen-wah) from Kakulas brothers
This is a protein rich grain which is very popular amongst the vegetarians and the gluten intolerant on my flist. I first saw it for $8 a packet at the nedlands IGA which I decided was a bit much for a rice substitute, but then found it for $7.50 a kilo at Kakulas brothers in the city (which is still pretty pricy but at least I could buy a small amount)

Cooks and tastes like a cross between cous-cous and rice. Quite nice, works really well with a little stock added.

Buckwheat Pancakes From the nedlands IGA
Also gluten free. Ok, but in my opinion not as nice as these

Dutch Cocoa from Kakulas brothers
Mmm. Nice.

Taro (frozen) from local asian supermarket
Just cooked it up with some chicken, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chicken stock. Quite tasty, a bit like a potato. After some googling I realised what it reminds me of is taro cake from yum cha.

Jackfruit (frozen) from local asian supermarket
I miss the stalls selling fresh tropical fruit that were everywhere in singapore and malaysia. Anyway, this stuff makes for a nice jackfruit milkshake (Cam loves these, and I am always sad that I can't have them since they're made with full fat milk)

Takoyaki (octopus balls) from local asian supermarket
Like little tasty balls of chico roll mixed with octopus! So tasty!

Plus of course hazelnut macaroons.

The asian supermarket also has a bunch of other interesting looking veggies: manioc, purple yam, and lotus root
Anyone who's familiar with them got any cooking suggestions?
I'm not going to make frozen imported fruits and vegetables a staple of my diet since it's both expensive and environmentally unfriendly, but it's nice to try them out.

Other things I haven't tried yet are the red bean and lotus paste seed buns, and some nice looking chocolate mantou (which I've never tried, but they look nice, and are dairy and cocoa butter free!) Plus a bunch of savoury yum-cha-esque dumplings etc, with the ingredients conveniently listed on the side so I can see which ones are safe. I pass this place every day on the way home from work! I'm dooomed!

Comments

[seaya.livejournal.com]

Quinoa is technically not a grain. I discovered this from looking at Passover rules on the internet :). Wonder why it's so expensive for you. Maybe it's imported.

[vegetus.livejournal.com]

most quinoa in Australia is imported from South America, hence the price. And you are right, it is a seed technically.

[haute-kitten.livejournal.com]

most quinoa unless you live in south america is imported

[alias_sqbr]

That's true. Have you seen the way it grows, it's quite interesting looking.

Wonder why it's so expensive for you. Maybe it's imported.

South America is a lot closer to you than it is to me :)

(If nothing else, that means south american foods are more of an exotic delicacy, so much less likely to be cultivated)

[vegetus.livejournal.com]

Quinoa is the awesome. Try Absolutely Organic- they sell it in bulk and fairly cheap as well.

Red bean buns are great, you can also get BBQ pork (or mock pork) and mushroom ones as well.

Have to disagree with you on taro though!

[alias_sqbr]

Try Absolutely Organic- they sell it in bulk and fairly cheap as well

I will, thanks

I've never been a big fan of savoury steamed buns, so I'm less willing to eat the cheap microwavable ones.

Have to disagree with you on taro though

I can see that, it's certainly a bit odd. Not sure how much of that was me cooking it wrong, though.

[nicholii.livejournal.com]

I'd be interested to know what kind of buckwheat pancakes they were, since it is a traditional "peasant food" in the region of Italy that my mother's family comes from. They cook them with cheese, in a large amount of butter, producing oilly, salty pancakes that are somehow really addictive.

[alias_sqbr]

They were american style, I think. Just plain flour+ leavener, no flavouring. Of course you could add salt and cheese if you wanted :)

[stephiepenguin.livejournal.com]

RED BEAN BAO

BAO

[alias_sqbr]

But! But!...ok

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Is Jackfruit similar to Durian? I tried Durian in Malaysia and wasn't impressed. Tastes like heaven - smells like hell? More like tastes like hell - smells like hell.

[vegetus.livejournal.com]

Same family, but different taste (I think more sweet), also not smelly.

[alias_sqbr]

I didn't find them at all similar in flavour, though they do look similar as uncut fruit. Jackfruit has a fairly straightforward sweet fruity taste like white grapes or longans, but with a stringy chewy texture like figs (only not really).

[goth-grrl.livejournal.com]

STEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNS

May be just slightly addicted to those steam buns you listed. Just slightly.

[alias_sqbr]

You and me both!

There were these amazing fluffy red bean pancakes in Singapore, and can't get the hang of making them myself :(

[anxiolytic.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I've seen quinoa, buckwheat pancakes and jackfruit at Coles!

Fine, yes, technically...

[alias_sqbr]

They have crappy mouldy looking giant jackfruit I'd never finish, yes. The other two definitely aren't available at my Coles, they may be at yours (the Belmont Coles is not fantastic)