Happy Australia Day!
A year before starting He Cooks, She Cooks, I studied for a semester in Sydney. It was an exciting time of traveling, making friends and, of course, eating.
I tried Aussie classics like pavlova, lamingtons, shrimp on the barbie, barramundi fish, and a burger topped with beetroot and a fried egg. But my Sydney food memories span many more cuisines. Besides the friendly people and jaw-dropping landscape, the best part about Sydney was the multiculturalism. I always said, if we can’t decide where to eat, let’s just spin a globe.
I’ll never forget the Turkish kebabs and pide from take-away places, the Lebanese restaurant with bellydancers and the best falafel I’ve ever had, Hugo’s gourmet pizza, Chinese noodles from an underground mall in Haymarket, the Spanish churros and hot chocolate at San Churro, King Street’s endless supply of Thai restaurants, Portuguese chicken shops in Dulwich Hill, samosas at the Indian Holi Festival, modern French pastries at Adriano Zumbo, Taco Tuesdays at the Flying Fajita Sistas…
And then there were the times I cooked. I’d pick up a local catch at the Sydney Fish Market and buy produce at the Paddy’s Market, then cook something Asian-inspired at my friend Nicole’s house. I’d make cookies, brownies and peanut-butter-chocolate Chex mix for my housemates. I shared my California background by making fajitas for my friends. And for our Semester-End Fiesta, I made 23 avocados’ worth of guacamole.
I can’t think about Australia without thinking about food. And so often, thinking about food makes me think of Australia. Sydney exposed me to heaps of new and wonderful things that I’ll incorporate into my own cooking for the rest of my life. (Also, Aussie words and phrases like ‘heaps’)
If you’re interested in more about Sydney, see my travel blog, Cross-World Puzzle. My posts tagged ‘food’ are here.
Category: Generally Food Related 7 comments »
January 26th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Happy Australia Day!
I love following this blog! The Sistas…San Churro…amazing!
January 27th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Same to you, Brittany! I miss Australia so much! Hope I can go back soon and explore the foodie side of Melbourne this time:)
January 28th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
May I please, please, live your life? Sheesh. Especially if it involves your cooking.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Mark — My life is actually a knock-off of the eventual life I want to lead, which basically involves being Ruth Reichl or Anthony Bourdain.
But the fact that you admire it reminds me to appreciate it, so thank you.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:32 am
Happy Australia Day guys!
You definitely chose well during your time here! 
February 9th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
I can’t believe I missed Australia Day, this makes me miss it very much, the sistas, turkish delight, shun’s cooking of course.
I know i’m a little late posting, but these photos brought it all back.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:59 am
Becky — And Doyle’s fish and chips! A good amount of my memories in Sydney involve you and food. Let’s go back!