Tasting and eating these foods is a vital part of the whole experience and one of the sharpest memories of that country for me.
When we were arrived in England we drove down to Salisbury to stay for a few days and it wasn't long before we were walking around the nice town and came upon a fantastic bakery just off the market square.
The windows of this shop were filled with a multitude of fresh baked goods as well as breads and rolls both hot and cold and we gazed for a while trying to decide which delectable morsel we would taste.
It was the beginning of April and very cold and we made our choice - an Eccles Cake.
Just one to try and share between us in case it was not to our liking.
It was very hot - fresh out of the oven - and absolutely DEVINE !
Crisp layers of buttery pastry then spicy ooze of hot, hot currants !
A taste we will never forget.
We tried them elsewhere on our travels but none were as good as those piping hot ones in Salisbury. (needless to say we didn't stop at one !!!)
So for me it's Eccles Cakes and England.
While touring around the Canadian Rockies with my cousin and her English husband we decided we must try Ribs so while staying in Jasper we set out for dinner at a restaurant called Earls .
Ribs were on the menu so we ordered a main meal to share for the four of us to try.
Don't ask me what animal they came from - I imagine it was pork but it could have been beef.
There was lots of meat covered with a thick, smokey sauce and they were SUPERB!
It was a struggle to share, we all wanted more so it was not the last Earles Restaurant we visited in Canada
So it's Ribs and Canada
You can't go to Scotland without trying Haggis.
Oh I know some of you will say "yes, you can!"
But it is part of the experience of all things Scottish - bagpipes, tartan, kilts and haggis.
To be exact haggis and tatties and neeps !
That's haggis, potatoes and turnips.
Don't think about what it is .... or how it's prepared .
Just taste it.
It's good !
I liked it but I couldn't convince Tony to try it !
But it's Haggis and Scotland.
Then there is France.
The obvious answer is cheese.
Cheese is such an integral part of French life but something else also took our eye in France -
Asparagas
WHITE asparagas to be exact.
Huge spears of white asparagas were everywhere in the village markets on our recent visit.
Very different to the thin green asparagas we are used to here but we bought some and cooked it as directed and it was DELICIOUS !
So my vote for France is Asparagas.
All of this brings me to the question "What food do we have here that's Australian ?"
Our country is such a blend of other countries.
our English roots , our European migrants, our Asian neighbours.
What food do we have that is different to other countries?
Well, I guess the obvious answer is Vegemite....
but it is really not that different to Marmite or Promite though it really is a taste you probably have to grow up with.
But what about things like lamingtons?
or a good old Aussie Meat Pie?
I guess I'll have to leave that to others to decide .
Cheers.
