This week my little taste buds kicked of by travelling to Iran, Italy, India, Australia and Turkey. Good one boys! Quite the adventure. I ate out, but in and supported local businesses. I cooked up storms, dined with friends and went on wild goose chases; all of which had the familiar feel of travel. So here is how it all went down.

Iran

I don’t know if I would ever get the opportunity to travel to Iran nor is it in top end of my hit list but it sure was nice to sample some of their food. Persian food is delicious!! The way Iran came on to my radar… and inspired the whole project really… was through The Feast For Freedom. Don’t feel bad if you haven’t heard of it, none of my friends had either. Basically it’s an event that you host at your house to raise money for people seeking asylum in Australia. You sign up and they send out recipes from asylum seekers who have been assisted by the program. I choose Hamed’s Persian recipes. Then you invite over some guests and they donate money towards the cause in exchange for a meal and generally excellent night out.

And excellent it was! Initially I had signed up before the COVID saga but chose to continue with the idea with less guests, which was actually ideal. One rule set as condition of entry was: no Corona talk. Just for the night I wanted to pretend it wasn’t a thing, not because it’s not important, but for a bit of sanity. Instead, the conversation was geared towards those who have fled their countries, from war and famine, to pursue a better life. We truly live such a blessed life in Australia, despite COVID. So we ate and were merry and didn’t mention the Corona word.

Cuisine: Persian

Dish/es: Fessenjun (Walnut and Pomegranate chicken), Jewelled Saffron Rice, Shirazi Salad, Yoghurt Dip

Company: The girls

I really enjoyed cooking up this feast even after a bit of a run around… have you ever heard of pomegranate molassas or dried barberries? After riding all over town I tracked down the molasses and had to settle for cranberries. But the hunt was so worth it! This was actually something really different from anything I’ve ever cooked.

 

Italy

Yes, I have been to Italy and I plan to go again, and again, and again. My taste buds always love a trip there. This week I supported Lupo, an Italian restaurant I’ve been wanting to try for a while now. I think it’s super important for those who are able to support our local businesses during this time. It’s really a win win scenario because it excuses me to eat out far more than I ever have. My housemate and I ate out, in, for housemate night to treat ourselves.

To be honest, I had Italian more then once this week because I made pasta, from scratch thank you very much (because you can’t buy any in the shops anyway). I cooked it two ways,  one with basil and tomato and one with pumpkin, butter and sage.

Cuisine: Italian

Dish/es: Pork and Beef Lasagna, Gorgonzola Gnocchi, Homemade pasta

Company: My bestest housemate

 

Indian

India is on my hit list for sure! I’ve heard it can be a chaotic, beautiful mess and I want to experience that. But mostly I want to go to India for the FOOD! I recently watched the ‘Curry’ episode of one of my favourite Netflix classics; Ugly Delicious (get on to it!). That had me craving some sweet sweet curry. I opted for a bit of DIY and a bit of Uber Eats. I challenged my self and made my very own paneer. Yes, I made cheese, from milk, who knew?! I also ordered some naan from a local Indian restaurant, cause I have tried making it myself before… and it’s never the same. I got to enjoy this delicious meal with an old school friend and we conference called a few others to have a Netflix party. The movie was cheesier than my paneer but we love the quality time all the same.

Cuisine: Indian

Dish/es: Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry, Saag Panneer, Steamed Rice, Roti and Naan (cause you’ve got to try a bit of both)

Company: School friends

 

Australia

Look I know this one is a bit controversial. Yes, I live in Australia. Lately though, I’ve been challenged that you can’t take your backyard for granted, after all it is such a beautiful place. I was meant to be travelling to out to the heart of Aus; Uluru, in May. I still will one day and I’m so excited for when that time comes. So for now just the buds went there. What is also tricky about down under is the lack of traditional dishes (other than indigenous dishes). So for the sake of the project I’m claiming pies as Australian property. I know they don’t originate from here, but we have definitely made them our own.

The housemate and I used our trusty thrifty skills for this one as we employed our ‘Y Waste’ app. An app that allows you to buy off the leftovers from stores at a reduced price. So we scored a pie and side of mash each for $7 from Pie Pie in Burleigh. There was ‘Thai-tanic’ with massaman chicken filling and Farmer’s Pile with veges and white sauce. We then ate said pies while watching ‘Tomorrow When the War Began’ because we were feeling dramatic and apocalyptic about everything that has been happening lately. The bonus is that it’s filmed in Australia and has incredible scenery. You beauty!

Turkey

I wont lie. Visiting Turkey was a last minute, hangry scramble. I started off wanting to go to Vietnam but that fell through, then it was America, Israel and somehow I ended up in Turkey. No regrets though. Turkey is the first place on my cancelled itinerary so I was happy my buds made it there.

Here’s how it unraveled… 1:00pm (ish) I had ridden to Palm Beach to check out a bakery that I knew sold Banh Mi the Vietnamese Pork Roll I intended on trying. They were open, very promising… however no rolls. No worries, I had a back up plan. So I peddled over to Tallebudgera to Custard Canteen to try one of their Po Boys, a dish of the deep south, Louisiana. 1:30 (ish) Kitchen had closed. Ok, kind of hot, sweaty and hungry by that point. So I decided to ride home and drive to Miami to try a new falafel place; Mazal. Wouldn’t you know it… closed. 2:00(ish) Now very hangry and running out of options. I’d come this far so I look around. Then I see it; Miami Kebabs & Mediterranean Food. The trusty kebab to save the day as it has done for so many. So I got my chicken kebab and went to the beach and ate in the spitting rain (because now it was raining) and it was good.

Cuisine: Turkish (though it depends who you ask)

Dish/es: Chicken Kebab with sauce recommended by kebab guy (I was too hungry to think)

Company: My thoughts and the rain

Well that’s it for the adventures this week. Possibly on the itinerary for next week is Poland, Italy (again), France and Greece. I would LOVE your suggestions/ recommendations/ and recipes. Ciao!