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March 11, 2013

We’re Still Alive and Eating Well!

We have learned to eat where the locals eat, but sometimes that takes a day or two to figure out. When I first got to Athens,though, it was easy to find a Gyros stand where I got one and promptly dripped tsatsiki sauce and made a mess on myself. This became a regular experience for me while we were in Greece. Our next stop on the trip was Italy where we learned that no matter how convenient the food carts are on the main roads, it was always way better and was worth the extra money to hit the side streets. The Italians are serious about their coffee! Everyone, including McDonalds, has crazy expensive espresso machines. First, you walk into any shop, order your coffee, and pay. Then you take your receipt to the barista and he makes your coffee. From there you can drink it standing at the counter and pound it like most Italians or savor it and take a bit longer. Eating cured meats in France was a new experience and it tasted delicious. I am experienced enough now to say that food anywhere on the Mediterranean is usually pretty darn good.
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Written by in Food?, Levi 3 Comments
January 22, 2013

Laffa Bread

Laffa bread, a traditional bread in the Middle East, is easy to make if you have an open fire and a cast iron bowl flipped upside down on it. The thinner you make it the better it is. Enjoy it with olive oil, hummus, and zatar! Recipe: 7 cups unbleached bread flour plus another ½ cup in case the dough is little too sticky 1 package dry rapid rise yeast 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons olive oil 3 cups of warm water Combine the dry ingredients.  Add the oil and water and if you are using a food processor process for about 60 seconds until a very smooth, soft, and slightly sticky ball forms. If using a mixer, mix with the dough hook until the dough is very smooth, soft and elastic.  If making by hand; after you add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, mix by hand in the bowl for a few moments until well combined and coming together.  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about ten minutes until smooth and elastic.

Bake over open fire pit!


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Written by in Food?, Israel 1 Comment
January 10, 2013

Pita, pita, pita!

Pita bread is government subsidized in Jordan. It costs 35 cents a kilo. It comes in 3 sizes and is eaten with every meal. It’s really tasty (even better that Israeli pita) so my mom and I bought 9 kilos of it before leaving Jordan to put in the freezer at Granny’s. That should last for the rest of our time here. P1050646-001

Written by in Food?, Jordan, Levi 3 Comments
November 22, 2012

That Was Easy!

Eating out in Thailand is incredibly cheap, easy, and the food is delicious, but even that gets tiring. So a quick trip to town on a moped or a walk up the road solves the problem. What do the Butlers buy when they can’t handle any more gourmet food? Peanut butter, bananas, quality bread, jelly, muesli, and boxed milk. Plastic kid cups for 50 cents double as bowls. That was easy!
Written by in Food?, Logistics, Mom 2 Comments
November 15, 2012

Cannon Fire?

It sounds like it. Coconuts fall from the trees all the time here. At least 3 fell from the tree by our bungalow. We had fun with one of them. Interesting fact: About 300 Thais (mostly workers) die each year from falling coconuts.
Coconuts!
Fresh Milk
Coconut Meat

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Written by in Food?, Levi, Thailand 2 Comments
November 12, 2012

Banana Pancakes

We thought it was strange that a motorcycle with a side cart and sign that read “Pancake of Banana” stopped in front of the outdoor restaurant where we were eating.  The waitress told us that we should buy it. “It is very good. You should try it; only 15 baht.”  It turns out they all buy from these road-side carts who cruise around at dinner time. She was right! The crepe-type pancake with drizzled, sweetened condensed milk and sprinkled sugar on it is scrumptious. So, now that we know what to do, we get them every night.
Pancake of Banana and Dries Squid
Thin as a pancake...
Egg and Banana
Filling
On the Coals
All Done.

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Written by in Food?, Levi, Thailand 1 Comment
November 12, 2012

My Thailand Diet

Breakfast:  Rice with 2 fried eggs and mango. Lunch: Pad thai, eggs, and rice or a pb&j with basil-flavored Lay’s and chocolate wafers. Dinner:  Something with rice or noodles with chicken, shrimp, or squid. All of the meals here are served with a coconut shell filled with baby-sized bananas. Cost per day: $7.50.

200 feet down the beach from our Bungalow!

Written by in Food?, Levi, Thailand 3 Comments
November 8, 2012

Street Food in Bangkok

All this food for just over $1.00 and the food was great tasting. Pad Thai, eggs, and shrimp. A main dish costs about 40 Baht ($1.30). Fresh fruit smoothies are about 30 Baht ($1.00) and much better tasting than Arizonas. My first one was papaya!
Written by in Food?, Levi 3 Comments
November 8, 2012

Ahhh, the wonders of airplane food.

How about some onion cookies, aviation radishes, weenie in a blanket, fish-flavored banana bread, and hazelnuts? Food tray on the Shanghai – Bangkok leg.  
Written by in Food?, Levi 3 Comments