box 15

a return to normal after last weeks box. a comparison with monica's box (thanks for the photo, and stop sniggering the rest of you) also sees a return to proper provisioning for those of us with a thursday pick up - maybe they had run out of the good stuff by then...

here is the photo...

contents for box 15 were tomatoes, zucchini (not german this time), shrooms, eggplants (a 'normal' one and a lebanese one), celery, cos, broc, grapes, pears, plums, apples, onions and some spuds (no gnocchi sized ones this week).

a good mix. i've got some spuds and pumpkin roasting away as we speak - i'm not sure what they are for (maybe pizza with some taleggio). a lot of the other veg will go into a chicken soup this evening. it's that sort of weather and i am feeling slightly poorly...jewish penicillin and all that.

i had a briefing session to run the other day, and as an ice breaker asked for advice on using the lebo eggplant (or legganese ebbplant, as i said twice during the discussion). some wide ranging recipes from a simple fry up with some salt (thanks dense-face) through a thai salad or bruschetta topping (good suggestion!!) to compost from someone who doesn't like eggplant but likes compost (presumably not too eat). the eggplant from last week turned into eggplant parmigiana - it was very nice...fried in some panko first, a quick tomato/basil sauce and some bocc on top. tasty! the big one this week may become baba ganoush if i can face placing it directly on the burner.

anyway, that's all. as always, comments and suggestions welcome. i am developing a glut of potatoes, and there is not a 'potato jam' i can turn them into so some tips welcome for those...

p

speaking of tuna tacos...

...if you live in any of the south eastern australian states, you are required to track down the location of the beatbox kitchen taco truck and eat a lot of fish tacos. they are delicious...potentially the food highlight of 2011 so far.

here are some trucks...

the one in the foreground is the relatively new taco truck. tonight they were serving fish and vege tacos. there is apparently also a beef version but this was not on the menu tonight. the silvery looking truck a bit further down the road is the original beatbox kitchen burger truck. rumor had it that these were the best burgers in melbourne. i dont agree. they are the best burgers you get out of a truck in melbourne, but my local fish and chip shop (which is ace) does better.

so, onto the star of the evening...

it's pretty simple. a fresh tortilla, some slaw (good and crunchy), poppy seed mayo, lime juice, a couple of chunks of perfectly fried fish, and a couple of drops of chilli sauce.

this was OUTSTANDING.

if you get wind of the taco truck being in your 'hood, waste no time and get down there.

also, if you happen to be an ethnographer looking into hipster culture, get yourself a spot and observe - it attracts lots of them, and they form into groups. you may have read previous comments here about hipsters - tonight was alright because (i) the food is worth it and (ii) i didn't have to interact with them.

moral of the story...track down the taco truck!!

P

hahahahahahahaha...

i just checked the stats for the blog. one of the referring sites is a google search for 'mahoofna'. nice work for trying whoever you were!!!

box 14 - sign o' the times...

...is a critically acclaimed prince album and so i was going to try to say something cool about that. the truth is i had to check wikipedia to make sure that it was a prince album, and then i couldn't be bothered pretending that i really knew what i was talking about. i didn't recognise any of the songs on the track list anyway...

the real connection between the title and the box has to do with the contents of box 14 - there were no green leafies (and i like my greeens), and some grapes that were approaching sad. there was also broccoli, avocado, tomatoes, potatoes (more on these later), mushrooms, pears, plums, corn, zucchini (this is the german version), apples and a couple of beetroots.

here is a photo...

see, not really all that much produce. i think this has a lot to do with droughts and flooding rains. it is a bit like the first box i ordered.

the other night, i conned convinced some mates of mine, lets call them monica and chandler, to give the box a go. it really didn't take all that much convincing to be honest.

here is a picture of monica's box (now come on, grow up)...

that's more like it really, and more like some of the other boxes i have received. you should note the excellent arrangement, cornucopic really.

also, are these actually large enough to be called potatoes...

the one at the back is, but those 3 near the 50c piece...they should have been thrown back. they are almost not worth washing...

is the gloss wearing off? will another box be ordered? is it time for a break from the box? tune in tomorrow...same box time, same box channel for the answers to these questions and more.

(note - heston just made a chocolate starfish for dessert. team this with the tuna tacos they made on masterchef this year, and you could have a double entendre dinner. suggestions for entree welome)

p

box 13 - return of the box

i remembered to order this week! very glad i did. this weeks small box was a great mix of top quality fruit and veg. the bonus is that i can idenitfy them all!

here is the photo

from the back, we have basil, mushrooms, zucchini, pumpkin (welcome back), carrots, onions, spuds, tomatoes, a big juicy cos, a big cucumber, broccoli, plums, pears, apples and grapes. delicioso! i have already scoffed some of the grapes - nice and sweet sultanas. the plums are in grave danger.

i have a challenge for anonymous reader number 1 to translate this list of fruit and vegetables into italian. the rest of you can improve my general knowledge by picking a language and translating for me!!

i used to work at coles on the graveyard shift (the stories i could tell...). we were a multicultural staff, and used to teach each other swear words and phrases (the real joy of multiculturalism - discuss). one night, we strung the phrases together and pronounced over the PA (to an empty store)..."da haoula cosomac mahoofna apopiso". this is a phonetic spelling involving three languages and bad grammar. dinner for anyone who can translate.

an open letter to tom phat

dear hipsters,

i was at your food service joint today for lunch. i sometimes drop in for food and drink, because this is what you are there for. i like the food you make for me. what i don't like is your attitude. is it that your asymmetric fringes and ironic moustaches make it too hard to speak? will breathing in deeply enough to generate sufficient air speed to cause vocal chord vibration place too much pressure on the button of your skinny jeans?

whatever it is, cut it out. i shouldn't feel as though i should apologise for interrupting your absence seizure when ordering food. nor should i have to guess whether you want a table number or details of my order when it comes to paying - you should ask.

best of luck and hope that you grow out of it soon,

p

forgotten box...

so i am so on holidays that i fell asleep on the couch and forgot to order a box. it doesn't matter really because there is still enough left from the last one.

instead here is a picture of something else...

it is some native aniseed vinegar - i know, next i'll be making jam and crochet-square rugs. it is apparently tasty, but i'll let you know once it is ready. at least it looks good...

a new box next week!!