sausage sizzle (port moresby style)

Today's blog is a bit off the beaten track...(but trust me, this version is full of love)

I had the pleasure of travelling to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for work. PNG is a country just north of Australia, look it up folks! The country is one of the world's least explored, culturally and geographically, and many undiscovered species of plants and animals are thought to exist in the interior of Papua New Guinea. Even more amazing is that it is the site of a weekly world famous sausage sizzle. Kanga bangers, in fact, are on the menu. Kanga bangers for those of you who don't speak Aussie are Kangaroo sausages. as Homer would say, mmm...sausage. Yes indeed my friends, it was a perfect end to an otherwise incredible work trip in the Ports (as Jane would say). Barb McGrory (a colleague) organizes this sausage sizzle and all the proceeds are donated to a charity. Thank you Barb for your compassion and prowess with the grill. I need to give a special shout out to Barb for the home made mustard (damn good stuff, which she should probably start exporting ;)). The sausages are adorned with tomato sauce, mustard and onions. It may not be a burger, but this sausage will forever hold a special place in my heart.

If you happen to find yourself in PNG, don't forget to stop by Foodworld on Saturday for a Kanga Banga!

34 burgers...or was it years (I stopped counting)!

http://www.grilld.com.au/

Grill’d have promised to take my feedback serious, so here I go.

Grill’d is a chain in Australia and lucky for me there is one right down the street from our office. It is shocking to believe that I have been here for 2 months and only NOW just trying it out. When my workmates asked me if I would like to do a birthday lunch I decided that this was as good a day as any to have a burger (isn’t everyday?). It started off with a bang. The lovely man behind the counter asked me if I would like to try the Carlton challenge (answer the question under the cap) and get your drink free. I have really really nice friends who helped me a bit, it was Australian-centric after all. How would a yank know which Australian prime minister was used as the hero for a musical?

They advertise themselves as healthy burgers. Beef, bread, cheese, lettuce, onion, mustard and ketchup. What isn’t healthy about that? I believe you have all your food groups in one fell swoop. Well done Grill’d. The lettuce was a bit excessive, as a condiment they list salad – which they were not kidding around about. There may have been 8 large pieces of lettuce on my burger some of which promptly moved onto Casey’s mini-me small adult sized burger. The beef was juicy and very tasty. A solid 8 or 8.5, I would say. I will happily admit, for a chain restaurant burger they get my vote. Maybe I should bring one back to America???!!! Another winning burger expedition on a very special day for me. What more could you ask for?

p.s. A wonderful couple gave me an appropro gift for my bday. "Hamburger" a global history by Andrew F. Smith. Did you know that Ray Kroc did not found McDonald's and the first McDonald's restaurant was not in Des Plaines, Illinois. more fun burger facts to come.

Petey Pablo and Brodburger

Another joint blogging effort (under the influence of burgers of course)!

So after that disappointing Cooma burger, I promised Hello Jilly! (did you know that I appointed Jill with that nickname?) that the next time she came to Canberra, that I would take her to the city-famous Brodburger van (http://www.brodburger.com.au/). It’s this random van that’s next to Lake Burley Griffith selling a beef, chicken, veggie, fish, and double beef with double egg and bacon burger. I’ve had everything (except the double) and highly recommended them all. Jill came to Canberra for the day for “work” and as soon as we finished, we made it where Jill would meet the best burger in Australia (so far).

First sign that it would be good – the red paint and lights. See above.

Second sign - it’s called Brodburger (Jilly liked it because she’s a broad, get it??). Shout out people, we need your vote. These haters in the Bra (as in Canberra) are trying to shut this fine establishment down because it ain’t ‘pretty’. There is a petition out front and be sure that I signed it with burger pride. Long live the burger truck.

Third sign, the two dudes and one chick running the van were listening to some cool hip hop which we hadn’t heard of before (has anyone heard of Petey Pablo from North Carolina?). As you can imagine, Jill had to get up in the cute, but possibly slightly inebriated, burger truck’s man grill and ask him if he knew the capital of North Carolina. When he answered no, Vi made it clear that Jill didn’t even know herself. BUSTED. We danced as we anxiously awaited our burgers.

Fourth sign, when Jilly bit into the burger, it was delicious. Meat to bun ratio was perfect, condiments were nice (although no mustard for her, I like it without) and we had our choice of Brie, Swiss, or Blue cheese. Gourmet, I know! The French fries (they call them chips here) were thin, crispy, and hot. Yum! Another reason to return to Canberra. According to Scooby (aka Robin, Vi’s partner), the chicken burger is the best. Get there early because they tend to run out of the fish. Best burger so far in Oz. Burger Truck FOREVA!

- Vivi and Jill

It’s not a Cooma!

On the long journey from Canberra (did you know it’s the capital of Australia?) to Ben Boyd National Park, we stopped at the Food Factory in Cooma, world renowned for its 35 types of burgers. Jill was super excited for the prospect of choosing from the huge menu, but as a true burger connoisseur she stuck with the original cheeseburger, no beetroot, pineapple, or egg, thank you very much. I, being a human garbage disposal, got the “lot” with all the traditional Aussie fixins. The wait stuff harassed Jill a little bit for her very obvious disdain of beetroot, we all laughed. For some reason, Drew chose the Greek burger with feta and olives, AND cut in half to save for later (which never happened).

It was a nice day so we decided to take our new treasure out to the “bogan” (Google it) park with random gangs of young teenagers smoking near the skateboarding half pipe. Jill had told me the criteria for a good burger – pink in the inside, appropriate meat to bun ratio, condiment choice, NO AUSSIE FIXINGS. Needless to say, our food factory burger in its entire anticipated splendor was an all around (wah wah) disappointment. The meat didn’t stick together (“loose and foul” says Jill), there was too much bun, it was more like a sandwich. In my case, the beetroot and pineapple made it more like a sandwich than burger. As is the spirit of burger blog, the company and the atmosphere made up for the slightly less than satisfactory burger.

The food factory had a guestbook, as you will, to write reviews. I could not let them down, thanked them for their burger and let them know that the service was the best part (yes, I was ‘nice’ because don’t forget, I am always nice). Remember, they instantly starting teasing me upon my arrival and continued through my departure (because she emphatically stated, according to Vi, that she HATED beetroot like four times). Personally, I think they just like to pick on Americans. Thank you Cooma for offering yourself for my burger blog.

sorry folks, no website. the food factory is still small town livin' ;).

By da bomb vivi and hello jilly!

Dad's take on Good Stuff Eatery (more about the journey than the food)

Our last evening in town and our big decision was where to eat. Daughter Jill and wife Karen are always searching for a good burger and Jill has heard of a place called Good Stuff Eatery. We venture out at rush hour (first bad decision). Decide to take taxi while city is half buried in snow (second bad decision). Get a too talkative cabdriver resulting in Jill melt-down and exiting cab well short ofdestination (not sure if decision was good or bad). Take metro for short distance and walk for several blocks on icy sidewalks. I was silently questioning the need for a hamburger throughout the entire trip but wanted to be a good dad so I put on a happy face.We finally arrive, step up to a counter, and place our order. I foolishly tried to eat healthy and ordered a mushroom burger while the girls were smart and ordered traditional burgers and fries and onion petals. We all had milk shakes. The mushroom burger was greasy and bland. The girls said the burgers were tender and juicy. Reminiscentof Lincoln NE "Fred Burgers". I recommend requesting no paper wrap on burgers.

If I have my way, our next visit to Good Stuff will be for milk shakes to-go.

- Jim Schurr

p.s. (from Jill) the onion petals were a hit all around
p.p.s. Barack may like Ray's Hell Burger, but Michelle is all about the Good Stuff.

Spike Mendelsohn's, Good Stuff Eatery. Spike Mendelsohn (Top Chef Season 4) was the first contestant in the show's history to win the Quickfire Challenge and be eliminated in the same episode(http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/05/08/michelle_obama_stops_by_a_burg.html)

Palena (awhile ago)

We (James and I), like everyone else who arrived at Palena on a Tuesday night at 8 PM, came to eat the burger and the fry plate. The front cafe area has a slightly more relaxed atmosphere and offers a menu which suits my common Nebraska tastes (and wallet) a bit better. We were seated at a cozy booth and presented with memorable service, which as you know in DC you can be hard up to find. The meat to bread ratio was a bit iffy. I am being kind, distinctly questionable. The burger itself was less than memorable. An A for effort but, in my humble opinion, lacking in the flavor department. The fry plate was the real winner. It came with onion rings and I can't exactly remember the details but some sort of smooshy potato croquette jobby. Who doesn't love a smooshy potato jobby? The atmosphere and company made up for the 'less than gold standard' burger. I would recommend a visit to everyone and would visit again with friends. Next time, I will have the chicken.

South Melbourne Circuit

Today I had the pleasure of the South Melbourne Circuit. My tour guide, or Master as he prefers to be called, lead me on an eatery tour of South Melbourne Market which was meant to end with an Andrew's burger. According to Matt Preston, searching for Melbourne's best burger ends with paying homage at Andrew's. Matt Preston is an internationally acclaimed and revered food critic. He is best known for his weekly restaurant column in The Age newspaper’s food section, "Epicure", and as a judge on MasterChef Australia. Please also note, that he was Anthony Bourdain's tour guide in the recent Melbourne episode of No Reservations on the Travel channel. Are you convinced yet?

Sadly, we did not make it to Andrew's because as it turns out Andrew's is closed on Sundays. Fail. Don't panic, we did have a burger eventually but let me lead you through the circuit first. It was an epic adventure which I hope to repeat several times during my stay in Melbourne, preferably with visiting family and friends by my side.

First stop. Dim Sims (aka dim sums). South Melbourne Market (http://www.southmelbournemarket.com.au/) is a large undercover market with a wide range of produce and general goods. Picture eastern market times 5. You had the choice of fried or steamed dim sims. I know it might be hard to believe, but I chose steamed. For about a buck fity you get this delicious lime sized ball of pork goodness. killer.

Second stop, seafood stall. Freshly hand shucked (holla to my Old Ebbit's degenerates) oysters. We ordered a dozen, 6 creamy and 6 salty. Get your mind of the gutter now and focus on the circuit. The oysters were amazing. A little Tabasco and a little lemon was just a delightful treat. I learned something exciting which my dad, the food police, will appreciate.

Oysters are not only delicious, but they’re also one of the most nutritionally well-balanced of foods, containing protein, carbohydrates and lipids. The National Heart and Lung Institute suggest oysters as an idea food for inclusion in low-cholesterol diets. Oysters are an excellent source of vitamins A, B1 (thiamin) B2(riboflavin), B3 (niacin), C (ascorbic acid), and D (calciferol). Four or five medium size oysters supplies the recommended daily allowance of iron, copper, iodine, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese and phosphorus.

Third and Fourth stop, olives, olive oil, wine and beer tasting. Delicious and fun. The little beer/wine stall was patroned by a friendly little man who ranted on a bit about alcohol and the low-carb myth. As most of you who know me all, I always appreciate a good rant. A few fun facts (and a transitive proof): Alcoholic beverages all contain calories, and most of the calories come from the alcohol. Alcohol is not a carbohydrate. Alcoholic beverages have calories because alcohol has a lot of calories—not because of carbs. The implication that low-carb beers and wine are helpful for your diet program is simply BUNK. I can hear my mom tsking right now. I know I know, one drink is like 10 points (WW reference).

Finally, we head to Andrews for the burger. I have been looking forward to this burger since my lovely tour guides (Satya and Jac) have been selling this gem of a place. Our hearts were nearly broken. Andrews is closed on Sundays (I know I repeat myself but it is meant to convey the depth of my disappointment). We had to find an alternative. Greasy Joe's (http://www.greasyjoes.com.au/) would have to fulfill our insatiable quest for a burger on this fine Sunday in Melbourne. I ordered a cheeseburger and Satya and Jac ordered the Lot burger. Good lord, as you can see from the pic, the lot burger was insane. Egg, bacon, cheese, beetroot (yes beetroot), onions and greenery. I do not condone these condiments, if you can call them that???!!! The burger was OK. not great, not bad. It was a bit dry but good flavor.

All in all it was a great day and I sincerely thank my tour guides for a job well done. I will appreciate the Andrews burger even more now.

xoxo

Jilly