the rib love affair...

Americans love ribs, and rightfully so. They're definitely onto something. I think I ate ribs about 3 times in 35 years before moving to Canada and then later the US. Some corn pudding, a baked potato, a simple tossed salad to serve with some ribs cooked to perfection on the barbie and HELLO! You have yourself one hell of a fabulous meal. I've made ribs several ways since adopting America as my home, this is my last attempt and it certainly won't be my last. Serve these delectable morsels with a good beer from one of your local boutique breweries. 

sticky plum and chili ribs

4 lbs (2kg) racks pork ribs

4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup sliced ginger

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup malt vinegar

3 cups water

1 1/2 cups plum sauce

1 tablespoon crushed dried chilies

Cut rack of ribs in half if necessary to fit into large pot. Combine ribs, garlic, ginger, sugar, vinegar and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/3 cup of the cooking liquid.

Heat the barbecue to medium and grease the grill.

Combine the plum sauce, dried chilies and reserved cooking liquid in a large shallow dish. Add the ribs and turn to coat. Cook the ribs on the barbecue, brushing with sauce, for about 15 minutes, turning and basting constantly, until glazed and sticky. Cut the ribs into sections to serve.Serves 4.

This beautiful photo was taken by my friend Bruce Nimmer of Bruce Nimmer photography in Minneapolis using direct sunlight. 

The Oz Burger

Americans have a love affair with hamburgers. Ask me what food I think is synonymous to the US and I will probably answer "burgers". My only qualm, no beets (or beetroot as we call it in my native land). You could put pickled, sliced beets on any burger here but this is something that has alluded my dear American friends. And I don't know why because it is delicious. 
Here is the Aussie burger with the lot in all its glory - grilled pineapple, bacon, fried onions, beets, patty, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese (preferably white cheddar), a fried egg and bbq sauce or ketchup. Open wide! 

Prawnzza

Or 'shrimpzza', whatever way you want to say it! Don't get me wrong, this blog is not all about shrimp... it's about my experiences with food, love and life in Canada and now my new home, the US and my experiences and take on being a foreigner etc. Anyhoo, it is summer and shrimp are the perfect summer food so here is another pic - prawn (shrimp) pizza. Take a ready-made pizza base, smear on some alfredo sauce, finely grated fresh parmesan cheese, thinly sliced green onions and a handful or two of shrimp and cook on the barbie on low until golden and crisp....delicious.

Fabriplating - the art of food styling

I love shooting food in natural light. Here is a a scrumptious shrimp (or prawn, take your pick), salad roll. You'd make it the same as you would chicken salad, just add shrimp. Nothing too groundbreaking but tasty. Especially with a glass of chilled vino.