tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71065665205156484152024-03-18T20:47:10.118-07:00The Hostel Chefphoto: Ryan SzulcThe Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-92083980896885118282009-12-02T17:16:00.000-08:002009-12-11T16:09:23.022-08:00Recipe 5: Pan Seared Steak with Sweet Potato Fries<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(66, 209, 245); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">J<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">OURNAL ENTRY: ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 25, 2001</span></span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(66, 209, 245); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">"Rotorua is gorgeous! The scenery is just breathtaking. Everywhere we have been so far has been beautiful. We are staying in</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">a hostel with an outdoor pool that is naturally heated by the earth! How crazy! We visited these geysers and sulfur heated springs. I can honestly say that I am just blown away.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(66, 209, 245); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Tonight we are off to a native tribal ceremony re-creation. It's in the middle of the forest and a show is put on to recreate how the aboriginal community used to welcome visitors to the area. They follow the welcoming with a traditional meal of steak and potatoes and roasted root vegetable that are all cooked underground in the heated earth! Sounds amazing and can't wait. I will fill you in as soon as I get back."</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#42D1F5;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#42D1F5;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#42D1F5;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:19.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(186, 38, 36); font-family:TrebuchetMS;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">RECIPE 5: PAN SEARED STEAK WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:19.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(186, 38, 36); font-family:TrebuchetMS;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(serves 2)</span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:19.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:TrebuchetMS, serif;color:#BA2624;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zrfREt8HN4EpdRlxifV3DIJ5-YxiqGThxLFUovk3C-FphYZt8eehtbpGxbSF2optdINgpJbj2R0-LCggeScKrrGHS42mrDFANkRvpzUPYTgdTZIR3dd_7-THVuupoi1d6MmcoGHRBfYi/s400/Steak+%26+Frites+H.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410815112403066322" /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:TrebuchetMS, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pan Seared Steak and Sweet Potato Fries</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TrebuchetMS, serif;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(186, 38, 36); font-weight: bold; font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">photo: Ryan Szulc</span> </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#006CDC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.ryanszulc.ca/">www.ryanszulc.ca</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(186, 38, 36); font-family:TrebuchetMS, serif;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-size:16px;"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#006CDC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.ryanszulc.ca/"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(186, 38, 36); font-weight: bold; font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Food Stylist: Noah Witenoff - the Hostel Ch</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">ef</span> </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#006CDC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.nustyling.com/">www.nustyling.com</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:TrebuchetMS, serif;color:#006CDC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:TrebuchetMS, serif;color:#006CDC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); line-height: 72px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;">What you need:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; font-family:'times new roman', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><ul><li><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2 x 6 oz steaks</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1 sweet potato</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family:'trebuchet ms';">3 tablespoons of olive oil<br /></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: normal; "><span style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1 tablespoon red wine vinegar</span></span><br /></li><li><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">salt and pepper (depending on your taste)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal;font-size:small;">RED WINE SAUCE:</span></span></div><ul><li><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">1 teaspoon of chicken powder</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1/4 coffee cup of water</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">1/4 coffee cup of red wine ( You're drinking it anyways...)</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal;font-size:small;">2 tablespoons of sugar</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold; font-family:'times new roman', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><h5 style="line-height: 16px; "><br /></h5><h5 style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">What you need to do:</span></span></span></span></span></h5><h5 style="line-height: 16px; "><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Preheat oven to 400°F or gas mark 6.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Cut the sweet potato into thin french fries and place in a bowl.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Mix the fries with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the red wine vinegar, and some salt and pepper.<br /></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Transfer the fries to a baking dish or a non stick baking tray and place in the oven for 30-40 minutes.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; "> <!--StartFragment--><span style=" color: rgb(145, 145, 145); font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">While the fries are cooking, take a non-stick pan (if possible) and heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil on med-high heat.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span style=" color: rgb(145, 145, 145); font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; ">Season your steaks with salt and pepper on both sides, and then place in pan.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span style=" color: rgb(145, 145, 145); font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; ">Cook for 4 minutes on each side and then place pan in oven for another 10 to 15 minutes (if your pan cannot go in the oven then place steaks in a baking dish).</span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Remove from the oven using a glove, and allow to rest on plate.</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(145, 145, 145); line-height: 25px; font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;">For the sauce: Mix the wine, water, and sugar in a pan and bring to a boil.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#919191;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px; "> <!--StartFragment--><span style=" color: rgb(145, 145, 145); font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Add the chicken powder and reduce the liquid until you have a sauce that coats the back of a spoon.</span></span><!--EndFragment--> </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#919191;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px; "> <!--StartFragment--><span style=" color: rgb(145, 145, 145); font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Place steaks on a plate, drizzle sauce over top, and serve with sweet potato fries.</span></span><!--EndFragment--> </span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#919191;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#919191;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px;font-size:small;">Hope you enjoy and keep in touch. Let me know how it goes!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;color:#919191;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">The Hostel Chef</span></span></span></span></div></h5></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(192, 192, 192); line-height: 72px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:-.5in;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:11.0pt .5in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></p></span></div><p></p></div>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-31319010090553025492009-10-30T09:55:00.001-07:002009-10-30T18:40:02.127-07:00Olive oil....Which One to Get?<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">JOURNAL ENTRY: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 17, 2001</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">"Karine and I had such a great day touring the city. We checked into our hostel, did ou<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">r usual tour and went on our way</span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">. It's beautiful here and so different than Australia. It reminds me of Ireland to some extent with it's rolling hills and countryside. We were looking at our guide book and found that New Zealand has their own olive groves so we will be checking those out. It seems that New Zealand has more then just sheep! Guess the Aussie's were wrong! lol.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;">Auckland is really charming but it's a bit too small for my taste. Great to visit though, and I can't wait to see the rest of the North Island.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;">We are going to see geysers and hot springs which are all naturally heated. Sounds awesome and relaxing! I love vacation!!!!!!!''</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">TIP #4: OLIVE OIL... WHICH ONE TO GET?</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI_gOIfgky184c7tUnEa0zpGe3JXVJ4W99YHRtIFWguGUMToZd9b-Odoa0lGI8CPybMUzHKZHHf9tWWk35llzEQSiIsWnRtLE2HOo7Pbvl92AaiBSzkZItXtisOB3N5c5bN7zs4q5LAvj/s400/olive1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398435856642458098" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><div><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Olive oil is one of those ingredients that people love to talk about. Extra-virgin, virgin, once pressed, twice pressed... The discussion goes on and on and on. People are concerned with its taste level and flavor, what country it came from, and how dark or light it is. These are all important concerns when you are fine dining and cooking for the passion of cooking, but let's be honest: when you are backpacking, these things don't matter to you.</span></span></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The number one reason that I suggest you to use olive oil is because it is a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/expert.q.a/06/19/olive.oil.heart.cholesterol/index.html">healthy choice</a> and an important part of a nutritious diet. It will add flavor and be the smartest option when it comes to using fat. In my opinion, I would reach for the virgin olive oil. There is still some flavor but it is less expensive and more appropriate to cook with. If you were to buy extra-virign olive oil - and cook with it - all the extra flavor you paid for would disapear once it is heated so don't waste your money!</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here are some links about olive oil:<br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.foodtv.ca/content/recipes/ContentDetail.aspx?ContentId=2654&Category=Recipes">Food Network Canada</a><br /><br />2. <a href="http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/how-olive-oil-works.htm">TLC - How Olive Oil Works</a><br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.finecooking.com/item/5551/olive-oil">Fine Cooking</a><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Keep me posted on all your cooking adventures. If you have any suggestions for recipes you'd like to see in the future, please let me know. You can twitter me, email me, or facebook me at any time. Have a blast traveling for all of us wishing we were there with you!<br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;"><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Hostel Chef</span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-68826416142020696752009-10-13T20:35:00.000-07:002009-10-13T21:29:59.498-07:00Recipe 4: Hostel Frittata<div><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">JOURNAL ENTRY: SYDNEY, AUSTRA</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">LIA - JUNE 14, 2001</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms';" class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">"WOW! I just finished breakfast, came down to the computer room and saw your last email. I can't believe that you guys are coming to visit me! That is fantastic and I can't wait. What an amazing surprise.<br /><br />We definitely need to talk tonight before I leave for New Zealand to discuss where we will meet. I have my train ticket to Alice Springs to see Ayer's Rock and then we head north to Darwin. From there, Karine and I will be flying to Cairns (top east c</span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">oast) to see the Great Barrier Reef. Our plan is to do a three day tour of Cape Tribulation (rain forest) and then begin our trek down the coast.<br /><br />I know that you guys fly into Sydney so maybe after a few days there, you can meet us up the coast in Rockhampton... the beef capital of Australia... lol. From there we can go visit Great Keppel Island and Fraser Island. They are supposed to be breathtaking! Can't wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Talk to you soon : )"</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';" class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';" class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;" class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">RECIPE 4: HOSTEL FRITTATA</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;" >(serves 2 - 4)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJzRA3iioAPwgE4IGByApyf2pAY7l-X-3t1p6MpGtd9kz6RMNEhx0XaD_eWHURpI_lgLsIKKJcbpy65a_fd29hGhBK6WSDw-4jN0pKRCBEcZQQ97GrnO4XqsDurbkTX68PkN6DrZSj2jB/s1600-h/Frittata.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 506px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJzRA3iioAPwgE4IGByApyf2pAY7l-X-3t1p6MpGtd9kz6RMNEhx0XaD_eWHURpI_lgLsIKKJcbpy65a_fd29hGhBK6WSDw-4jN0pKRCBEcZQQ97GrnO4XqsDurbkTX68PkN6DrZSj2jB/s400/Frittata.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392298465387419234" border="0" /></a></div></div></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';" class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;" class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJzRA3iioAPwgE4IGByApyf2pAY7l-X-3t1p6MpGtd9kz6RMNEhx0XaD_eWHURpI_lgLsIKKJcbpy65a_fd29hGhBK6WSDw-4jN0pKRCBEcZQQ97GrnO4XqsDurbkTX68PkN6DrZSj2jB/s1600-h/Frittata.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hostel Frittata</span></a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">photo: Ryan Szulc </span><a href="http://www.ryanszulc.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.ryanszulc.ca</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Food Stylist: Noah Witenoff - the Hostel Chef </span><a href="http://www.nustyling.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.nustyling.com</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 72px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">What you need:</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13;" class="Apple-style-span" ><ul><li><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >6 eggs or 4 eggs and 2 egg whites</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >2 tablespoons of milk</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >2 tablespoons of olive oil<br /></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 small red onion, cut in half moons</span></span><br /></li><li><span style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1/2 a coffee cup of cherry tomatoes, cut in half<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2 medium potatoes, peeled, and grated (if you don't have a grater, cut into small cubes)</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">12 small cleaned shrimps</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >1/2 coffee cup of shredded cheddar cheese</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1 tsp of salt and pepper for egg mix</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><h5 style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What you need to do:</span></span></span></span></span></h5><h5 style="line-height: 150%;"><ul><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Preheat oven to 375°F or gas mark 5.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Beat the eggs, milk, pepper, and salt in a bowl and set aside.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan on medium heat.<br /></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sautée the shrimp for a minute until they turn pink and set aside on a plate.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Add the onion and potatoes to the pan and sautée for a few minutes turning the potatoes often so they don't burn.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Add the shrimp back in the pan with the tomatoes and cook for another minute.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and top with the cheddar cheese.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Remove from the oven using a glove, and slide the frittata onto a plate.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Serve with salad greens and toast.<br /></span></span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Do I have to use shrimp?<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>I just made this frittata the other day with onions and zucchini and it was awesome. Try it with sautéed mushrooms or bacon. It's a great way to eat eggs and potatoes and it is just filling enough to get you through till lunch.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Enjoy!<br /><br />**Here is a side note. When Ryan and I shot this picture I had come up with a corriander sour cream to garnish the frittata. This was a basic mix of sour cream with fresh, chopped corriander. After remaking the frittata the other day, I decided to try it with salsa.....WOW! It was amazing! You have to try it!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Hostel Chef</span></span></span><br /></div></h5><p style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in; margin-left: 0.25in;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></span></div>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-29724999166370695202009-10-07T06:44:00.000-07:002009-10-07T16:08:46.320-07:00Recipe 3: Hostel Grilled Cheese<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></span> <div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">JOURNAL ENTRY: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13, 2001</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Well this is it, on Friday I bid adieu to beautiful Sydney! Can you believe that I have already been away from home for four months?! It h</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;">as gone by so fast. I have had an amazing time so far and I am so excited for the trip ahead.<br /><br />We are heading to New Zealand on Monday for two week</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;">s, and we begin in Auckland. We are doing a two week tour using <a href="http://www.kiwiexperience.com/">Kiwi Experience</a>. It is a bus service that allows you to get on and off at different stops along the way. The bus takes you to places that the city busses would never bring you like national parks, geysers, and mud baths. It sounds like an amazing trip and I can't wait for it to begin.<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms';">After New Zealand, we are returning to Australia for anothe<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms';">r 8 months! First stop will be Adelaide and then we will be trekking all the way up the center to Ayer's Rock and Darwin. I have to save my money for all this so it looks like grilled cheese will be on the menu for the next little while...lol!"</span></span></span></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">RECIPE 3: HOSTEL GRILLED CHEESE</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">(serves 1)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nD5tX2KCdCnzFX8tqEfpiaM6Nt6XKYC2bH1CAuqYzg5MQRjJFT5_BVLSXmh34ml4BWUC_v_zqOCO2P1MtX02n_tl5ycG6uitErw48kzIbFypmQCFBDRnrbJOQMBGDLSD16FV1NmpzM2q/s1600-h/grillcheese5b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nD5tX2KCdCnzFX8tqEfpiaM6Nt6XKYC2bH1CAuqYzg5MQRjJFT5_BVLSXmh34ml4BWUC_v_zqOCO2P1MtX02n_tl5ycG6uitErw48kzIbFypmQCFBDRnrbJOQMBGDLSD16FV1NmpzM2q/s400/grillcheese.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389867675883733186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nD5tX2KCdCnzFX8tqEfpiaM6Nt6XKYC2bH1CAuqYzg5MQRjJFT5_BVLSXmh34ml4BWUC_v_zqOCO2P1MtX02n_tl5ycG6uitErw48kzIbFypmQCFBDRnrbJOQMBGDLSD16FV1NmpzM2q/s1600-h/grillcheese5b.jpg">Grilled Cheese</a></span></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">photo: Ryan Szulc </span><a href="http://www.ryanszulc.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">www.ryanszulc.ca</span></a></span><br /></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">Food Stylist: Noah Witenoff - the Hostel Chef </span><a href="http://www.nustyling.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">www.nustyling.com</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 72px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">What you need:</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">1 tablespoons of olive oil</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">1 tablespoon of butter</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">2 slices of bread of your choice</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">2 pieces of bacon or 1 piece of Canadian bacon (peameal)</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">1 slice cheddar - buy this in a brick or pre-sliced at the deli counter</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">1 tablespoon of fig jam or fresh figs</span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" class="Apple-style-span"><br /><p style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">What you need to do:</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13;" class="Apple-style-span"><h5 style="line-height: 150%;"><ul style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;font-size:130%;">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees or gas mark 4.</span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px;font-size:130%;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Cook the bacon in a pan, lay on paper towel and set aside.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px;font-size:130%;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Heat</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> the oil and butter in a large pan on med-low heat.</span><br /></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Brown the bread on each side and set aside. </span></span></span></span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;font-size:130%;">Rinse your pan and lightly grease it with a paper towel that has a small amount of olive oil on it.</span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;font-size:130%;">On a plate, build your sandwich: bread, figs or fig jam, bacon, cheese, bread.</span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;font-size:130%;">Put your pan in the oven, and bake for 8-10 minutes.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Other grilled cheese ideas:</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span><ul style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li style="font-weight: normal;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Try swiss cheese, sautéed onions with a bit of honey, and some fresh thyme</span></li><li style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;font-size:130%;">Try goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, sauteéd red onions.</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="line-height: 19px;font-size:100%;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: normal;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:130%;">This is one of those recipes that you can do whatever you feel. Have a great idea for a grilled cheese? Leave me your comments and let's have a discussion about it. Looking forward to trying some of your ideas!</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:180%;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Hostel Chef</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div></h5><p style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in; margin-left: 0.25in;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></span></div></div>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-51089225048518033232009-09-30T20:11:00.000-07:002009-10-04T10:30:01.980-07:00I Can't Find That Ingredient...<div><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">JOURNAL ENTRY: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAy 14, 2001</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms';" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">"This past weekend was amazing! On Friday night, Karine and I went into the city to a restaurant called Shakespeare's for dinner. It's a place that specializes in meat pies. They have a bunch of different flavors and they are beautiful! You order a small french fry and they give you a bag with heaps of chips. It was soooo filling! Another thing they do here is put chicken salt on their fries. It's actually way better then it sounds. After we ate, Karine, Jen, and I went to a pub called Shakespeare's (hmmmm, not too original... lol) for drinks. Lots of Jen's friends were there and we had an awesome night.<br /><br />Mom - I wanted to thank you for your help last night with the spanish rice. I wasn't sure what to do when I couldn'</span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">t find the marinated vegetables we use at home. Your suggestion to just add a bit of red wine vinegar and fresh vegetables worked perfectly. THANKS! Next time, no panicking... I promise."</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">TIP #3: I CAN'T FIND THAT INGREDIENT...</span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><br /><br /></span></span>When cooking in foreign countries, there are chances that you</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs1Gt82SltPlgESEx9ZXWq1sFwO4jqq78beqch3FQxfHsZvNF1jzm0qbHXx5tM-mzYSc3s-02rlp8eOMfVV9gMFDmXKkoGX3OExpTePbSlaOZ4tmEIyLoowTrHv2qzjdXxb1BrcLyOJTq/s1600-h/toms.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs1Gt82SltPlgESEx9ZXWq1sFwO4jqq78beqch3FQxfHsZvNF1jzm0qbHXx5tM-mzYSc3s-02rlp8eOMfVV9gMFDmXKkoGX3OExpTePbSlaOZ4tmEIyLoowTrHv2qzjdXxb1BrcLyOJTq/s400/toms.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387465458515443922" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> won’t find every item that you need for a recipe. You are probably asking, “What do I do if you can’t find an ingredient?” This is a</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> very common question and may ha</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ppen to you when you are traveling. You basically have two choices: panic or take a</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> deep breath and be creative! This dilemma can actually be the best thing that may happen to you. You may be thinking that if </span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I don’t have the ingredients the recipe requires, then how can I cook it? Recipes are guides that give you direction but there are no rules. Have fun with your food and be adventurous. You never know, this may be the push you need to become an amazing, inventive cook!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My main sug</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ges</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tion is to explore local markets, tal</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">k to the people, and experience the flavors of the world</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> If </span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">you</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> are look</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ing for a certain spice to use, and can’t find the one you need, feel free to s-</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYEjeeXcgvJLi4-9ni-Bsl49pUNgvliyDo7qVBcHO8O_bl2cre4C_jWqZwMde0vUPCOayuZtBNlYJRst3HNqRyAgA3c6g4A5EuPSBtA57C75OTf1iZtIa4ThexrHhSp6ysZnQi5X99bLA/s1600-h/spices1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYEjeeXcgvJLi4-9ni-Bsl49pUNgvliyDo7qVBcHO8O_bl2cre4C_jWqZwMde0vUPCOayuZtBNlYJRst3HNqRyAgA3c6g4A5EuPSBtA57C75OTf1iZtIa4ThexrHhSp6ysZnQi5X99bLA/s400/spices1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387477863842841266" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">m</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">e</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">l</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">l the spices on the rack and choose the one you like. When it comes to fruits and vegetabl</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">e</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">s</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tou</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ch and smell are going to be your guides. If you see som</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ething you have never seen before, ad</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">d it to your cart and try it. The best way to learn about a country is to eat their food so just go for it!<br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I know, I say this a lot, but </span><span style="font-size:100%;">foo</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">d and cooking should not stress you out. It should be a Zen moment for you at the end of a hectic day. When food is comforting, it makes you want to eat it and enjoy it. When it is stressful, it tastes stressed. So please take a moment, re</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">lax, and turn on the ove</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">n.</span><br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Have fun!</span><br /></span><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Hostel Chef</span></span></span>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-39567751835734125462009-09-29T16:39:00.000-07:002009-10-04T11:09:50.276-07:00Recipe 2: Beer Chili<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span> <div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">JOURNAL ENTRY: PARRAMATTA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 4, 2001</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I am back in Parramatta, and let me tell you, it is no Surfer's Paradise! I have so much to catch you guys up on, so I will start with the most exciting event... wait for it... wait for it... it happened before we left on our trip to Surfer's. Are you ready for this? Ok... Well they have a "Chili's Grill and Bar" here! It is about a 15-minute train ride from where I am staying here! How cool is that?! The layout was exactly like the one at home and even the bathrooms were in the same place! Too cool! Ok, maybe I'm a little over excited about this, but having a little taste of home is such a treat for us. I had the fajitas (of course) and Karine had the chili. It was really good!<br /><br />I booked my tickets for the Good Will Games in Brisbane. I know I am really early but the tickets are selling fast. I am going to go see beach volleyball and I am in the 5th row. It should be awesome. Hopefully when I am there, there will be tickets for other events available. It sounds like a great time with all the athletes taking over the city!"<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">RECIPE 2: BEER CHILI</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">(serves 4)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG74JPBwzcNJkB82kx6SPI11oEUELBswNh4Dk-S8cz6JMbBIyu_tFaST6wcl7jqg4EdVdYLvTZCjBOrUdzXOvLjH-1-pH6wmPigRjc4QNtR4a-j28HnAtJzEnGA97IIX0-TVYsq80h2VR/s1600-h/BeerChili.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 486px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG74JPBwzcNJkB82kx6SPI11oEUELBswNh4Dk-S8cz6JMbBIyu_tFaST6wcl7jqg4EdVdYLvTZCjBOrUdzXOvLjH-1-pH6wmPigRjc4QNtR4a-j28HnAtJzEnGA97IIX0-TVYsq80h2VR/s400/BeerChili.jpg"/> Beer Chili </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">photo: Ryan Szulc </span><a href="http://www.ryanszulc.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">www.ryanszulc.ca</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">Food Stylist: Noah Witenoff - the Hostel Chef </span><a href="http://www.nustyling.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">www.nustyling.com</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 72px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">What you need:</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">2 tablespoons of olive oil</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 package of minced lean ground beef (454g - 600g)</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 small onion, chopped</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 clove of garlic, chopped (tip - use your knife to smash the garlic and remove the skin)</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 carrot, chopped</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 celery stalk, cut on a diagonal</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 jalapeno (optional) seeded and chopped (wash your hands and knife right away to avoid getting any in your eyes)</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 package of taco seasoning mix</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">2 splashes of beer (adds a lot of flavor and you're drinking it anyways!)</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 can of diced tomatoes (796ml)</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 can of water (796ml)</span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;">1 can of red kidney beans or any bean of your choice, drained and rinsed (540ml)<br /></span></li><li style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 tablespoon of chicken powder</span><br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13;" class="Apple-style-span"><br /><p style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">What you need to do:</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13;" class="Apple-style-span"><h5 style="line-height: 150%;"><ul style="font-weight: bold;"><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Heat</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> the oil in a large pot.<br /></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Brown the meat for about 5 minutes or until it is cooked through.</span></span></span></span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Add the onions and garlic and cook for another couple of minutes.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Add the carrot, celery, and jalapeno.<br /></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Deglaze the pan by adding the beer and allow to cook for a minute while stirring to make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Add tomatoes, water, and chicken powder and bring to a boil.<br /></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Lower the heat and allow to simmer for 45 minutes.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Eat with bread, rice, or on its own.</span></span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Here are some leftover suggestions:</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><ul style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li style="font-weight: normal;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Try a sloppy joe on a hamburger bun.</span></li><li style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Use it as a meat sauce for pasta.</span></span></span></span></li></ul></div><div><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: normal;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hope you enjoy this recipe and keep me posted with your recipe suggestions. Much more to come!</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Hostel Chef</span></span></span><br /></div></h5><p style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in; margin-left: 0.25in;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></span></div>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-48695083488465390482009-09-28T12:53:00.000-07:002009-09-30T06:15:07.330-07:00Cooking for You + 1<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#33ccff;">JOURNAL ENTRY: BLUE MOUNTAINS, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17, 2001 </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#33ccff;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VLFECdlded75sxXMTzt4GsSvc8IPq8isiiPkYSDR2hUvhFBkaw99_t09_vhsRt-0BUqljcJzcn-JsiLBPUzCrf8LSZJ_XpZRuNYKazztjyc0sPlwqUxX8W9wmGyESSTTx0_pfn_vwN-5/s1600-h/Australia%2520three%2520sisters.jpg"></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 235px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 152px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386609246057188146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvlJfPlaSvY3LQtZ4Y8sap6SBgxFJoAF-2PhqbVG2RxVWLjZIForMZGqMb7ZreJey7XSDibMnODoYtvtDLRQgVfnKGoqfGX7uMT_Qc3fmbxuaMXKHbf-H64U_3_o9OPy_eW25Bjw7qx_B/s400/Australia%2520three%2520sisters.jpg" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"><span style="color:#33ccff;">"Today was a gorgeous day. We took the train out to Blue Mountains National Park in Katoomba. It was a beautiful ride and we were super excited to see the Three Sisters rock formation that everyone had told us about. When we got there, we were not surprised to see so many tourists but it did annoy us that we weren't the only ones! </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Near the lookout there was a staircase that seemed like it went down forever. We had heard that there was a scenic train that would take us back up the hillside which sounded really cool. We started to walk down and it was breathtaking. I think in all, it took us an hour and half to get all the way to the bottom. When we finally reached flat ground, Karine, Nathalie, Christine, and myself almost died when we saw a sign for the train that read: "CLOSED"!!!! We had no choice but to walk all the way back up the stairs which seemed like they went forever up this forested mountain! It was beautiful but there were times where we thought we weren't going to make it! Moral of the story...always read the signs! </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"><span style="color:#33ccff;">When we got back to our hostel, we made a delicious meal all together. It was the first time that Karine and I cooked with the girls and we ended up saving at least 15 dollars. This is what we will be doing from now on when we are all together. After dinner, we decided to sit by the fireplace in the hostel and just chat. I didn't think that backpacking would be this cool. I have met so many different people that I would have never had the chance to meet."</span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>TIP #2: COOKING FOR YOU + 1</strong></span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;">When you are cooking in a hostel it is always important to think about three things:</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"><blockquote><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"></span></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><ul><li>Budget</li></ul><ul><li>Waste</li></ul><ul><li>Leftovers for the next day </li></ul><p><br /><span style="color:#999999;">When possible, it will always be cheaper to cook for more than one person at a time. If you are alone, you can always cook for two and that way, your leftovers become tomorrow's lunch. This is a great way to save time and money. If you make a big pot of <a href="http://thehostelchef.blogspot.com/2009/09/journal-entry-sydney-australia-march-4.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">chili</span></span></span></a> one night, you can definitely save it for lunch the next day and maybe even dinner! Another cool thing about leftovers is that sometimes you can use them the following day in a new recipe. For example, if you made chicken one night and you have leftovers, you can use it on a salad, or in pasta, or to garnish a soup. Many options can be made from one meal. </span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;">Staying in youth hostels is a fantastic way to travel... because it is almost 100% a social way to travel. Cooking is a great way to meet people and a fun activity to do together. Why not take that pot of chili and share it with some new friends? There were many times that I would be cooking in a hostel, and a random stranger would come over to see what I was making. We would end up sharing the meal and getting to know eachother. I met a lot of people this way, and am still in touch with them to this day. </span></p><span style="color:#999999;"><p><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Here are some tips about leftovers:</span></p><ul><li>Make leftovers for lunch. Plan to cook a bit extra for each dinner, so that you’ll have leftovers for your lunch. Pack it right away, after dinner, so you don’t have to worry about it in the morning.<a href="http://zenhabits.net/2007/04/50-tips-for-grocery-shopping/">http://zenhabits.net/2007/04/50-tips-for-grocery-shopping/</a></li></ul><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span></p><ul><li><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Refrigerate or freeze any leftovers within two hours of their preparation. Store in a covered container in your fridge. Don’t reheat leftovers more than once. Eat leftovers within two days. WHEN IN DOUBT - THROW IT OUT.<a href="http://sgfoodfad.blogspot.com/2009/06/food-safety-tips-handling-leftovers.html">http://sgfoodfad.blogspot.com/2009/06/food-safety-tips-handling-leftovers.html</a></span></span><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span></li></ul><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span></p><ul><li><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Some suggestions for leftovers:</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"><span style="color:#ffffff;"> <a href="http://gomestic.com/cooking/some-suggestions-for-leftovers/Cute">http://gomestic.com/cooking/some-suggestions-for-leftovers/</a></span><a href="http://gomestic.com/cooking/some-suggestions-for-leftovers/Cute"></a></span><a href="http://gomestic.com/cooking/some-suggestions-for-leftovers/Cute"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"></span></a> Cute ideas that might spark something in you and inspire you with your own leftovers.<br /></li></ul></span><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;">Don't forget to have fun! Food is not about stress. Take your leftovers and try something that you never thought would work. Worse comes to worse, you order in a <a href="http://thehostelchef.blogspot.com/2009/09/look-at-past.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">pizza</span></span></span></a>... lol. Good luck and keep me posted! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#999999;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">The Hostel Chef</span></span></p></span>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-91978703382827685072009-09-28T12:42:00.000-07:002009-10-04T15:37:14.073-07:00The Cook's Bag<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">JOURNAL ENTRY: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14, 2001</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1jir4pDyJd8/SsEQSxvzYxI/AAAAAAAAADM/JTzfQkotcGc/s1600-h/aussie.jpg"></a></span> </div><div></div><div><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 307px; display: block; height: 188px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386612295297256450" alt="Australia" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u7FmNNQuJ6TKxuuR5x-mhfdnvi34IzVX75-aJa4nM1cgiPD3fKC-BK22PYtVJ0AbKSvtdNQ82M39hY_-a00JFCEGHkwyAapWJ3RYcgFqU_yxAAkxVsALsLWeEEjQDxMxusI2p7_PBCyo/s400/Australia.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"Well, the sun has come back out finally! After what seemed like forever, the heat returned. It rained here for 7 days straight! It was crazy. Everyday we would wake up and look outside and hope for sun. Well, yesterday the sun G-d's heard our prayers. I spent the day in the park reading my book and basking in the sun. This backpacking adventure is quite relaxing, I must say..hehe.Friday I am off to Blue Mountains with some friends and will write again after that excursion. We have been cooking every night and so far so good. Karine and I went to get some water bottles to transport our olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Not sure if this will work but fingers crossed. I really don't feel like washing all my clothes... oy!"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong>TIP #1: THE COOK'S BAG</strong></span></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span></span></p><br /><p><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Ok guys, here is my first tip. When you are travelling from hostel to hostel you want to have as few bags as possible. However when you are cooking in hostels, you will need to buy a few items that you will want to bring with you so you don't waste your money at every stop you make. This is where the "cook's bag" comes into place. The cook's bag is basically your bag of cooking essentials that you will need for almost every recipe you make. Here is how I made this work for me:</span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><p><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Food staples for the cook's bag:</span></p><ul><br /><li><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Olive oil</span></li><br /><li><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Balsamic vinegar</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Salt and pepper mix</span></li><br /><li><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Cajun spice mix or curry spice</span></li></ul></span><ul><li><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Chicken powder</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;">(great as a salt substitute but gives a lot of flavor as well)</span><br /></li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><p><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Before travelling you can purchase two small water bottle-type containers for your olive oil and vinegar. These containers usually come in space saving designs which are ideal for travelling. When I backpacked, my "cook's bag" was a simple plastic grocery bag with my name clearly marked on it. I would attach it to the outside of my pack when I had to switch hostels or carefully pack it in my day bag. </span></p><br /><p><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">When it was necessary, I would buy some extra items, leave some items behind, and share some items with fellow backpackers. One of the greatest things about cooking in hostels is that there almost always is a communal section where people leave sauces, spices etc. These are things that usually are costly so it is great when you can find something for free and it is equally great to leave something behind for the next backpacker. </span></p><br /><p><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">The greatest reason to have a "cooks bag" is that you will save tons of cash by avoiding double shopping. Saving cash is awesome because then you get to spend your money on cool things like seeing the sights, going out, and of course...drinking! You will quickly see that cooking in hostels is cheaper then eating out all the time. Also eating real, fresh, tasty food is just as affordable as the canned stuff so please put down the canned meatballs and let's make them instead!</span></p><br /><p><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Stay tuned for more tips, advice, and of course recipes.</span></p><br /><p><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"></span></p><p><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" >The Hostel Chef</span></p></span>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-77637138032339503172009-09-23T14:54:00.000-07:002009-10-04T15:28:59.106-07:00Recipe 1: Hostel Pizza<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After doing some looking around the house, I stumbled upon my old emails that I had sent when I was on my backpacking adventure through Australia. It was quite a moment of nostalgia finding these emails...so much so that I have decided that they would be a great way to start each of my posts and follow them with a recipe designed just for you. Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed finding them!</span></span></span></span> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">JOURNAL ENTRY: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 4, 2001</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-family:'trebuchet ms';" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">"Well guys, I did it....I tried kangaroo! It was in sausage form so I still have to try it in a steak, but it was pretty good (as long as you tried to not think about what you were eating). </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">Today it rained, which sucked! It was the first bad day since we got here so instead of going to the beach, we went in town to Sydney. We went to Hyde Park - which was really nice, St. Mary's Church, the Great Synagogue, and the Australia museum. The museum took 3 hours! A bit long but I learnt a lot.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="Apple-style-span">Once we left the museum, we were famished so when we got home, we made our pita pizzas. They are really great and easy and super cheap! Karine and I have mastered the food shopping, if I do say so myself. 40$ for a weeks worth of food! Don't ask me how, but somehow we are doing it."</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">RECIPE 1: HOSTEL PIZZA</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">(serves 2)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK8dJ-pwny4VIx0M7zNCchmBaV9nTkZzCcwg6yueg0Qn6d80tG4nF7Y8K0tBo00uZ1W_43yPxvGHg-wQySN9dCsjRxaZY1GOawTYGHPL8k9H3xK2K3H-PiAIL0naS1DGlKM5OcLFrifxy/s1600-h/HostelPizza.jpg"><img style="width: 304px; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384828080035895650" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK8dJ-pwny4VIx0M7zNCchmBaV9nTkZzCcwg6yueg0Qn6d80tG4nF7Y8K0tBo00uZ1W_43yPxvGHg-wQySN9dCsjRxaZY1GOawTYGHPL8k9H3xK2K3H-PiAIL0naS1DGlKM5OcLFrifxy/s400/HostelPizza.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK8dJ-pwny4VIx0M7zNCchmBaV9nTkZzCcwg6yueg0Qn6d80tG4nF7Y8K0tBo00uZ1W_43yPxvGHg-wQySN9dCsjRxaZY1GOawTYGHPL8k9H3xK2K3H-PiAIL0naS1DGlKM5OcLFrifxy/s1600-h/HostelPizza.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hostel Pizza</span></a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">photo: Ryan Szulc </span><a href="http://www.ryanszulc.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">www.ryanszulc.ca</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">Food Stylist: Noah Witenoff - the Hostel Chef </span><a href="http://www.nustyling.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:small;">www.nustyling.com</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 72px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">What you need:</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 150%;" class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li><span style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2 large Lebanese style pitas (or any large flat bread available)</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Half a large red onion, cut into half moons</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1</span></span></span><span style="white-space: pre;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">green pepper, cut into random medium size pieces</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1 </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">can of artichoke hearts</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1 small can of pizza sauce </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2 </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">coffee mugs of shredded mozarella cheese </span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">8 basil leaves (optional)</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1 sheet of aluminum paper </span></span></span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><p></p><h5 style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What you need to do:</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></span></h5><h5 style="line-height: 150%;"><ul><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Preheat oven to 375°F or gas mark 5.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Place the sheet of tin foil on the middle rack in the oven.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Drain the artichoke hearts and cut into quarters if they are not already cut in the can.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cover each pita with half the sauce.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Place the green peppers and the onions randomly over both pitas.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cover each pita with cheese and place the basil over top.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Place pitas directly on the oven rack and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When it's ready carefully slide your pita on a cutting board or directly on your plate.</span></span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ok now here are some options for you guys who are saying what if I can't find basil:</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Feel free to change any toppings for anything under the sun. You can put pepperoni, prosciutto, tomatoes, olives or any other of your favorite pizza toppings. Just remember budget and that you don't want to buy too much that you won't use and that you will end up wasting. If you won't finish a whole pack of pepperoni, try to get the deli counter to cut just what you need and save some money.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Also if you are nervous about cooking your pizza on the rack, you can always put it on a tray (if you have one at your hostel) or stick it directly in a pan and cook it like that.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Don't forget to have fun and enjoy! </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px; font-weight: normal;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">No more spaghetti out of a can on toast. It is time to see how easy and cheap it is to enjoy great food while you backpack.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 19px;" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Hostel Chef</span></span></span><br /></div></h5><p style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in; margin-left: 0.25in;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></span></div>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106566520515648415.post-15945111199627444152009-09-22T18:33:00.000-07:002009-10-04T15:35:14.236-07:00A Long Time Coming<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How does a cookbook designed for backpackers travelling in youth hostels sound? It has been my dream for man<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGEi0jOxn9ENnjY6U2UDsojvahwWkVbkM4tn3fEgj8ZVrtMTobnsu790AcqNN2RsdsR_D5oLFi9pH84OUvK6nDveAYV9kGaPhRChf44o4_NSw1Qy4d6WnM48OgREQySQzGb0bDuEqCqQW/s1600-h/Devil'sMarbles.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 264px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386618113813256546" border="0" alt="Devil's Marbles Australia, 2001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGEi0jOxn9ENnjY6U2UDsojvahwWkVbkM4tn3fEgj8ZVrtMTobnsu790AcqNN2RsdsR_D5oLFi9pH84OUvK6nDveAYV9kGaPhRChf44o4_NSw1Qy4d6WnM48OgREQySQzGb0bDuEqCqQW/s400/Devil'sMarbles.jpg" alt = "Devil's Marbles Australia, 2001"/></a>y years to publish a cookbook 100% designed for backpackers travelling around the world and living in youth hostels and so I have decided to do it the modern way...blog style! This blog is based on my travels and my experience. I am now a professional food stylist with much experience in fine dining but my cooking and career started in youth hostels, where I fell in love with cooking.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">8 years ago I travelled through Australia on the greatest adventure of my life. I was a university student looking for something new and exciting to do with my life. I hated what I was studying and like so many university students I had no idea what I would do when I had to enter the "real" world. I graduated with a degree in International Business and the only reason I went into the program was because I loved to travel....not the smartest move I ever made : )</span></span></span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In Australia I taught myself how to cook while travelling from hostel to hostel and living on a tight budget. I quickly learned that the best way to budget my food ex<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCnjUeBib20iDs2Oay7nYKjdFQyOddmS-EBvWLA6CKnOy-59NJzx_FD-RLVDAbG-lmEOP-owNeBMou4LHkF8ctwP61cI4FZDDyNE2iVi9i-kZzagvQi3Ij9u7fJuicigkfqF9F7lLscfr/s1600-h/Ayer'sRock2001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386615903326235506" border="0" alt="Ayer's Rock, Australia - 2001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCnjUeBib20iDs2Oay7nYKjdFQyOddmS-EBvWLA6CKnOy-59NJzx_FD-RLVDAbG-lmEOP-owNeBMou4LHkF8ctwP61cI4FZDDyNE2iVi9i-kZzagvQi3Ij9u7fJuicigkfqF9F7lLscfr/s400/aus2.jpg" /></a>penses was to cook fresh and tasty food in hostels, and when I travelled from one hostel to the other I would leave some stuff behind for fellow backpackers and bring my key ingredients with me. Cooking in hostels was a way for me to be social as well. I would cook for me and some new friends and next thing you knew, we were touring the city together. It was a great experience and I am super excited to share this way of travelling with you all. </span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I really hope you all enjoy this blog, and are able to use these recipes while you travel. Feel free to leave me your comments and questions and lets chat about food and how you can take a recipe and make it work for you. </span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Talk to you all soon!</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">The Hostel Chef</span></span></span></span>The Hostel Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13752472851870719356noreply@blogger.com1