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| Couple of grocery questions | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 2 2010, 11:55:47 AM (483 Views) | |
| tina_o | Feb 2 2010, 11:55:47 AM Post #1 |
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Chinwagger
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It was my first time grocery shopping yesterday-need some help, please.  I was looking for baking potatoes and found red, white and purple potatoes. In the States, I usually boiled reds and whites and either mashed or used in potato salads, etc. What are the purples used for? Are there any "baking" potatoes in Australia? I saw all kinds of sausages-some looked like hot dogs. Is there any type that is a US equivalent to a hot dog? If not, are these other sausages typically BBQ'd or fried with something? I didn't see any Italian sausage. Does it exist or is it called something different? (was looking for sweet Italian sausage) Bought some lamb cutlets and would like to BBQ them. Any recommendations on how to season them before grilling? Are these traditionally served with a particular vegetable or side dish? I love meat pies! Had some at a mall-just the traditional beef ones. Saw some in the frozen food section. Any recommendations on a good brand of these or ones to avoid?Lastly, any recommendations on an Aussie website for recipes? I did check out allrecipes for Australia. Was wondering if there are any others? Thanks! 
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| TerritorianTori | Feb 2 2010, 12:51:57 PM Post #2 |
Dance to disco
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Hi Tina  First, a thread you may enjoy: The Yank's Guide to Grocery Shopping Down Under  To your questions... 1. My supermarket has the brown potatoes, but danged if I can remember what they're called  ... anyway, they're my "baking potatoes". Not sure about the purple ones, I never use 'em.2. Yes there is, and you can find it in the smallgoods section with the bacon. Look for Hans brand American hot dogs. 3. I've seen it at one of the Woolies up here, but not consistently. You might have to look around. 4. Not much of a lamb-eater...can't help ya there. 5. Mrs. Mac's and Four and Twenty Steak Pies are my favourite. I always get the "steak" pies, as opposed to the "meat" pies, because they contain better-quality beef and just taste better overall (to me). BTW, "meat" pies can legally contain all sorts of meat - beef, camel, buffalo, kangaroo, etc. 6. http://yanksdownunder.net/topic/460662/1/#new 
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 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys | |
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| SanDiablo | Feb 2 2010, 01:06:32 PM Post #3 |
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True Blue Mate
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[/quote]
No Use purple for anything you would use a waxy potato for...great for roasting with garlic and rosemary.
No Any type of sausage can be BBQ'd or fried with something, preferably onions. I prefer beef or lamb with fennel.
No You can make your own by adding sage and other spices to ground pork. Search through Tucker Time - the Italian Sausage issue arises frequently.
Cutlets or chops? Cutlets cook better with a bit of liquid (braising) but either are delicious marinated in garlic, balsamic, dijon, olive oil and rosemary (or thyme). Also, salt and pepper works just fine! I live at Allrecipes, but find the US site has more of the dishes I am looking for with better reviews. Meat pies are far too subjective for me to give advice, but I prefer the ones served in Irish Pubs with a rich Guiness gravy! Michel's are yucky. Edited by SanDiablo, Feb 2 2010, 01:07:11 PM.
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| TerritorianTori | Feb 2 2010, 01:22:07 PM Post #4 |
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Dance to disco
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Is sweet Italian sausage the same thing as breakfast sausage? I know we've had a lot of threads on the latter. But I've definitely found Italian sausage here - at least, the Aussie-fied version. (perhaps I HAVE lived here too long...) |
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South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys | |
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| gpierce | Feb 2 2010, 02:29:39 PM Post #5 |
True Blue Mate
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Re: the sausages you did see. Yes these are typically BBQ'd, or sometimes we boil them to get the skins off for casseroles:) On the lamb question , we isually grill these (not BBQ Aussie definition of grille is heat from above) and use Lemon Pepper Seasoning. Comes in a big and small bottle in woollies. Don't be afraid to be quite liberal in adding this;) For Kangaroo steaks/fillets (try it you'll like it!) I marinade 20 minutes each side (or 20 min total if submerged) with Kikkomans Teriyaki marinade. Mmmmmm Mmmmmm. Fillets 4 mins per side, 4 mins rest. Steaks 6 mins/side rest 4 mins. Greg |
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| KimInMellie | Feb 2 2010, 02:41:37 PM Post #6 |
True Blue Mate
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Noooo. Doesn't have enough (or any?) sage in it, and too much of something else ... I haven't found a good breakfast sausage here yet. Open to suggestions.
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 Go that way really, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn. -- Charles De Mar | |
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| CynicalCountess | Feb 2 2010, 02:46:09 PM Post #7 |
True Blue Mate
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Baker's potatoes are called russets. I've not seen them, either.
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| TerritorianTori | Feb 2 2010, 03:09:48 PM Post #8 |
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Dance to disco
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That's what I thought. Glad to know I'm not going crazy! (er...crazier )As for breakfast sausage, I think you have to make it yourself. There are a few recipes in the archives. Try this and this. |
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South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys | |
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| jenbrooklyn8 | Feb 2 2010, 03:19:11 PM Post #9 |
True Blue Mate
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I tested hot dogs in the beginning and I think the ones I found closest to NY/ Nathan's style are called "continental" and you have to ask for them at the counter. They are very red but otherwise they have a good bite when cooked. A while ago they rated pies on A Current Affair ad Sargent's came out #1 - after trying them I have to agree. |
| Postcard from the edge of the world......... | |
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| shylady | Feb 2 2010, 04:46:53 PM Post #10 |
oldYank
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Western Potatoes <= This is a good chart to tell you the uses of the potato varieties over here, Tina. According to them, the Royal Blue (purple) ones are excellent for EVERYTHING! I've found various Italian Sausages in some of the IGA's around town, but they've all been disappointing. We have a very small butcher shop a few blocks from the house owned by an Italian, and he makes EXCELLENT Italian sausage, and I've traded recipes with him for other kinds. Try looking for independent butchers nearby, and ask. What 'burb are you in? I make my own sage Jimmy Dean's-type breakfast sausage. You can't find that, here. Lisa |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| blarg | Feb 2 2010, 06:36:34 PM Post #11 |
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True Blue Mate
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The purple potatoes are great for roasting, mashing, pretty much anything. My favourite use thus far though is for freaking out American visitors. |
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| dfoyl | Feb 2 2010, 07:00:21 PM Post #12 |
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Piker
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My choice for soft meat pies is Gillies, though they are regional (goldfields region of Vic) they can be found at a few retailers around the nation. Four & Twenty are greatly overrated in my experience... For harder crust meat pies I go with the Aldi branded (yellow package, not red), but given your location (WA) I guess that's not an option (yet). I would definitely the cheaper no-name brands - too much gristle or gravy. Pies are one of those things that everybody rates differently - one of the worst I had was at a small store that had won the state competition a few weeks beforehand! Dean. |
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| natasha_alena | Feb 2 2010, 07:55:39 PM Post #13 |
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True Blue Mate
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 I don't think I've actually ever noticed these potatoes at the store, but I love this idea Kevin! |
| "You can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather" | |
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| crapola | Feb 2 2010, 08:43:19 PM Post #14 |
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True Blue Mate
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would have to agree with you there, dean. i had a pie from the south aussie winner of a national pie competition, and it was bloody awful. coles home brand had a much better flavour, and thats saying something!!! the best pies i've had lately come from the little vietnamese bakery around the corner from where i live... |
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| gpierce | Feb 2 2010, 10:08:59 PM Post #15 |
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True Blue Mate
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Harry's Cafe de Wheels. If there is none in Perth, your loss!! Nuff said. |
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| shylady | Feb 2 2010, 10:33:05 PM Post #16 |
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oldYank
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 what ARE you thinking, Greg! Of COURSE there's none in Perth!  I have to agree, though, I faintly remember having one at the airport in Sydney! 
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| tina_o | Feb 3 2010, 10:48:57 AM Post #17 |
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Chinwagger
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I like the looks of those purple potatoes. Since the chart you sent states they are "excellent for everything", then it must be true! I'm in Subi and need to walk beyond the Woolies that is a block away and see what else is available. There is a fruit and vegetable market that's open Fri-Sun, which has good stuff. I'll need to locate a butcher shop for speciality items. Seems like there are multiple bakeries and coffee shops on every street. I'm going to be putting on some kilos if I don't watch out. Grocery shopping was better yesterday. I was only in there for an hour this time and found pretzles and something called streaky bacon, which I was told, is like American bacon. Guess I'll see how it tastes......Also found Italian sausage, but my husband said he tried it before and it is not the taste I was looking for. Bought the steak pies versus the meat pies; can't remember the brand name, but hopefully it will have less mystery meat (kangaroo) and actual beef in it. ???? (Unless of course the kangaroo meat is what gives it the flavor. |
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| shylady | Feb 3 2010, 12:55:13 PM Post #18 |
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oldYank
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oh yes, Subi Markets are GREAT! Though I haven't been there since they've been made smaller, but I understand the big fruit&veggie part is still there. Rhianna used to go there to eat Mexican food, too, I never did but she said it was the best around, let me know if it's still there! There was a butcher's there in the past, too, but they might be gone now. Definitely search out the independent butchers around, the quality of everything is usually much better than Woolie's, IMO.
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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