It's Tuesday... where is everyone?

[anna7602]

Good morning! The board has felt really dead lately. Where is everyone?

I'm off to a yoga class in 10 minutes and then am working for the rest of the day. I'll throw a QOTD in just to get things going.

QOTD: What food discoveries have you made since moving to the country where you now are? It can be low-brow, high-brow or anywhere in between. It doesn't even need to be part of your new country's culinary tradition, just something you didn't know existed before or had never tasted.

I've fallen in love with Speculoos cookies and spread since getting to France. I've also come to embrace macarrons, even though I didn't get all the fuss when I first tried one.

[glitterfart]

Morning! I´ve been working on getting the weeds under control in the garden, but needed a little GBCN time!

I can´t say that I really made any food discoveries here. Well, Frankfurterkranz (buttercream layer cake) is pretty yummy and mulled wine at x-mas, but that´s about all I can think of right now!

[dorothyinAus]

I'm hanging about. Not much to say. I had a long talk with my mother this morning about the funeral for my grandfather -- serious family drama between my grandmother and my grandfather's current wife. In some ways I'm sorry I missed that, but in others I am SOOO glad I was spared it.

DH had a nice long weekend and got the house spic and span clean. I got menus planned for the week -- though I need to check with DH before I go grocery shopping tomorrow. I have a beer and stale bread soup planned (to use up a loaf of homemade bread that will go bad if we don't eat it soon), and I need his opinion on what beer to use -- but I'll take suggestions if you have any.

QOTD: Cruskits; I do not know how they were not imported to the US. They are addictive. And UHT shelf-stable milk, I don't understand why more US groceries do not carry it.

[allibally]

I have to clean the apartment today. My friend from Korea is coming Wednesday to visit and stay the night. We met in college and she's moving back on Friday.

I wish the US had uht milk. We don't use it often enough to keep the good stuff.

QOTD: So the most surprising thing about moving to Chicago is the amount of imported food. I started going to a independent grocery store and 70% of the food is import and ethnic. Lots of stuff from Poland which is also some German brands. Then there is the Mexican and Middle Eastern foods. They have great meat market. But I need to brush up on the Spanish names for meet. Because they have some interesting cuts and not everything is titled in English.

Switzerland. The mini macaroons from Sprüngli. They are so tasty and the best I've had. I miss the Dr Oetker 4 cheese pizza. Which while I was looking up how to spell it right... found that it is sold in some grocery stores in the US now. But none on the list look familiar or are near us. Drat.

[travelingturtle]

I thought the US had UTH milk, but maybe I don't know what it is. What is it exactly?

There's a maggi or knorr pre-mixed gravy caller Krauter Rahm and I love it. In fact, I'm having some right now. I'm also in love with dutch-style pancakes. That's all I can think of right now.

[dorothyinAus]

Jun 12, 2012 4:54:06 GMT -5 travelingturtle said:

I thought the US had UTH milk, but maybe I don't know what it is. What is it exactly?

It's Ultra-High-Temperature Pasteurized milk -- the milk that is not refrigerated until you open it. I have seen it at Whole Foods, but not a "regular" groceries in the US. In the late 80s/early 90s I remember you could get shelf-stable irradiated milk, but science-phobes went ape-shit bonkers nuts about the word irradiated, so the manufactures took it off the market. Now the only place I have seen irradiated milk is in the no-refrigeration needed single serve pots of cream, milk and half & half.

[travelingturtle]

That's what I thought it was. I think they do have it at Publix groceries, or at least they did at one point in the 90s.

I've never had it because the idea grossed me out when I lived in Germany in high school. I actually didn't they had milk like they have in the US and it was one of the reasons I was hesitant to move here when we moved a few years ago. But, it tastes the same?

[allibally]

Apparently UHT milk tastes different. slightly. I've never had it from a glass. The smell of milk makes me feel sick and I haven't had a glass in 14 years.

[dorothyinAus]

Jun 12, 2012 5:06:16 GMT -5 travelingturtle said:

But, it tastes the same?

I find it tastes exactly the same. And I find it lasts longer after it's opened than regular milk. I use the UHT milk exclusively.

The only thing I have noticed is that UHT cream is not good for whipping. The higher temperatures do something to the cream and it will not whip. You can use UHT cream for cooking, like in sauces or for cream biscuits/scones, but it will not work for whipped cream.

[doctoranda]

I'm in bed with remnants of a migraine. I am not sure if I am up to anything but I feel extremely anxious at the prospect of not doing anything all day

QOTD: we are still exploring all the local eats. Will keep posted. Groninger koek is pretty good and some of the local beers are tasty too!

[clogged]

I found UHT milk everywhere stateside in normal grocery stores. Used it all the time for camping and in my "earthquake stockpile". Maybe it's regional?

I had my 20 weeks scan today. All came back clear. Baby is now half-baked.

Ooooh food! So seriously the best thing I discovered is stamppot. Literally mashed potatoes with crap in it. Like carrots and onions. Apple and bacon. Endive. Cauliflower. Cabbage. GENIUS. Seriously. How much better would my life as a kid have been if my spinach was ribboned through my nom nom nom mashed-tatties instead of a heaping, nasty, steaming lump on the corner of my plate?

[anna7602]

Jun 12, 2012 7:08:31 GMT -5 clogged said:

I found UHT milk everywhere stateside in normal grocery stores. Used it all the time for camping and in my "earthquake stockpile". Maybe it's regional?

I had my 20 weeks scan today. All came back clear. Baby is now half-baked.

Ooooh food! So seriously the best thing I discovered is stamppot. Literally mashed potatoes with crap in it. Like carrots and onions. Apple and bacon. Endive. Cauliflower. Cabbage. GENIUS. Seriously. How much better would my life as a kid have been if my spinach was ribboned through my nom nom nom mashed-tatties instead of a heaping, nasty, steaming lump on the corner of my plate?

Oh! This spinach and mashed potato casserole is one of my favorite dishes ever. I just made it for Easter this year.

raqueldishes.blogspot.com/2010/01/ultimate-comfort-food-casserole.html

[cricketwife]

I live in the U.S. but I wanna play so I'll answer for Cyprus - fried halloumi! Love it!!! You can buy halloumi here but it's crazy expensive and I've only done it once or twice.

[popcorn]

Jun 12, 2012 5:12:38 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

Jun 12, 2012 5:06:16 GMT -5 travelingturtle said:

But, it tastes the same?

I find it tastes exactly the same. And I find it lasts longer after it's opened than regular milk. I use the UHT milk exclusively.

I find it tastes completely different and I much prefer cold-bought milk. That said, I drank UHT milk almost exclusively in Spain, but here we are buying cold milk because there are some cheap brands. I think it tastes so much fresher.

Today I have just been tidying up here and there and spending time with DD. She took a two hour nap (first time ever!) which allowed me to catch up on some readingso that was nice.

QOTD: In Spain I tried a lot of things I'd never heard of -- patatas bravas (my favorite!), morcilla (a blood sausage like black pudding I think. it's quite delicious), and calimari in their own ink or in something called salsa americana which is a little spicy.

Here the only thing I can think of is currywurst. Low-brow fusion food. A curry-ketchup on a sliced up bratwurst. Common fair/market food and really pretty tasty.

[dorothyinAus]

Jun 12, 2012 7:08:31 GMT -5 clogged said:

I found UHT milk everywhere stateside in normal grocery stores. Used it all the time for camping and in my "earthquake stockpile". Maybe it's regional?

Ooooh food! So seriously the best thing I discovered is stamppot. Literally mashed potatoes with crap in it. Like carrots and onions. Apple and bacon. Endive. Cauliflower. Cabbage. GENIUS. Seriously. How much better would my life as a kid have been if my spinach was ribboned through my nom nom nom mashed-tatties instead of a heaping, nasty, steaming lump on the corner of my plate?

UHT milk probably is regional.

The mashed potatoes with vegetables sound like the Belgian stoemp. There was a great, authentic, run-by-actual-Belgians Belgian home-cooking restaurant in NOLA. I loved it. I actually cried when I heard it had closed. I was introduced to Belgian cuisine there -- Carbonnades Flamandes, Stoemp, Belgian Frites, and the best crepes I have ever had. It was a Mom & Pop restaurant with no set menu, except that there was always a sweet crepe, the Carbonnades Flamandes, and a Stoemp on the menu. Everything else was what was available and fresh that day. Ohh I miss that restaurant!

[crimsonandclover]

I don't drink milk in a glass, but DH does and does not like UHT milk. Sometimes I'll buy one and just keep it in the pantry-drawer in case we run out of regular milk on a Sunday when we need some to bake or cook.

As for German foods, let me count the ways I love it and would eat it all if calories were non-existent:
- Chocolate-filled croissants. I think the French would roll over in their graves at that, but they're high up on the list of yummiest foods ever.
- Cheese spaetzle with roasted onions.
- Maultaschen. These are like big ravioli filled with ground meat, spinach, parsley, onions, etc. There are also special kinds like salmon Maultaschen with dill sauce at some restaurants, or squash Maultaschen in the fall.
- Southern German potato salad. Made with a vinegar base and often served warm. I never liked potato salad in the US, but I really like this version. Bonus: fewer calories than the mayo-based Northern German (and American) versions.
- Mulled wine at Christmas. Heat red wine with spices and sell it in mugs at the Christmas markets? Genius idea. That is the one downside to being pregnant during Advent in Germany.
- Cheese fondue. I know you can do this anywhere, but I have only had it in Germany, so it goes on my Germany list.
- Raclette. Another social kind of dining experience like fondue. There's a big grill in the middle of the table and everyone gets a mini teflon-coated skillet kind of thing that they put meat, cheese, and veggies on (I guess traditionally only cheese, but whatever). Then you put it in the grill (which has a top and bottom section) until the cheese melts, take it out, and eat it on potatoes. Here's an example: www.raclette.com.au/raclette_sales/the_gourmet_raclette_grill_for_sale.html



Ok, I think I'm done now...

[anna7602]

Jun 12, 2012 8:31:13 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

- Mulled wine at Christmas. Heat red wine with spices and sell it in mugs at the Christmas markets? Genius idea. That is the one downside to being pregnant during Advent in Germany.

Red wine is completely allowed during pregnancy in France. I will authorize you on behalf of French doctors and midwives to have yourself 1 mulled wine this upcoming holiday season!

The rest of your list just made me drool all over my keyboard and makes my dinner plans seem really blah (cooking cheese & zucchini tortillas).

[crimsonandclover]

Jun 12, 2012 9:22:26 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Jun 12, 2012 8:31:13 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

- Mulled wine at Christmas. Heat red wine with spices and sell it in mugs at the Christmas markets? Genius idea. That is the one downside to being pregnant during Advent in Germany.

Red wine is completely allowed during pregnancy in France. I will authorize you on behalf of French doctors and midwives to have yourself 1 mulled wine this upcoming holiday season!

The rest of your list just made me drool all over my keyboard and makes my dinner plans seem really blah (cooking cheese & zucchini tortillas).

I may do that in the privacy of my own home. Drinking while pregnant is as frowned upon in Germany as it is in the US, and if all goes well, I will be very obviously pregnant by that time. I wanted to have a glass of champagne during 3rd tri with DD, but every time I told DH to go break it out, I chickened out.

[mrsukyankee]

I've been very busy as work so haven't really been on the boards as much, and sometimes just don't have stuff to post.

QOTD: as I moved to London after living in several cities, there really wasn't a lot that was new to me. I guess the one thing that I hadn't tried before was blood pudding. And it's not for me!

[ktkl09]

I've been busy at work, then went for a run and now just settling down.

Switzerland is amazing for cheese (mmm fondue!), CHOCOLATE and dairy products in general.

[Deleted]

I'm tired! I work 4 ten-hour days in a row this week and I'm sleepy

QOTD: In Germany I bought a chocolate liquer that is amazing on ice cream! As for France, Raclette, all kinds of cheese, so many things that i cannot think of them all...

[popcorn]

Jun 12, 2012 11:47:31 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

Jun 12, 2012 9:22:26 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Red wine is completely allowed during pregnancy in France. I will authorize you on behalf of French doctors and midwives to have yourself 1 mulled wine this upcoming holiday season!

The rest of your list just made me drool all over my keyboard and makes my dinner plans seem really blah (cooking cheese & zucchini tortillas).

I may do that in the privacy of my own home. Drinking while pregnant is as frowned upon in Germany as it is in the US, and if all goes well, I will be very obviously pregnant by that time. I wanted to have a glass of champagne during 3rd tri with DD, but every time I told DH to go break it out, I chickened out.

Is it? How odd. I had a glass of wine about once a week during my last trimester in Spain. I went to so many terraces with my mom and no one ever gave me a stinkeye or anything.

I would still have one glass even if people gave me looks because I know it's fine. And the fact that I don't understand what people might yell at me is another plus!

[potatopie]

I fully embrace Rooibos tea here in SA. It's really satisfying in the afternoon (and non-caffeinated). Almost as much as a cup of coffee would be if I could drink it that late in the day.

[Wanderista]

I've never lived there but as far as surprising travel food discoveries, I'd say that Slovakia has thrown me some curve balls. Who knew that they have good food there? I had a pizza with an egg on it which is definitely something I would have thought was weird, but seriously that pizza in Bratislava was one of the best I've ever had.

Also, I've never really liked paprika but I learned to appreciate it in a different way. Chicken cutlets in a rich paprika sauce that almost tastes like curry with a side of potato dumplings? Good stuff. The little shots of warm spirits with impossible Slovak names were also enjoyable.

[ktkl09]

Jun 12, 2012 12:40:42 GMT -5 @myblue said:

I'm tired! I work 4 ten-hour days in a row this week and I'm sleepy

QOTD: In Germany I bought a chocolate liquer that is amazing on ice cream! As for France, Raclette, all kinds of cheese, so many things that i cannot think of them all...

Isn't raclette swiss? ;-)

[Deleted]

Jun 12, 2012 14:51:32 GMT -5 @ktkl09 said:

Jun 12, 2012 12:40:42 GMT -5 @myblue said:

I'm tired! I work 4 ten-hour days in a row this week and I'm sleepy

QOTD: In Germany I bought a chocolate liquer that is amazing on ice cream! As for France, Raclette, all kinds of cheese, so many things that i cannot think of them all...

Isn't raclette swiss? ;-)

I have no idea, but she asked about a new food that we have tried since being in our country that doesn't have to be a part of their culinary tradition. I never had raclette before coming to France