11 July 2005

Gourmet Groceries

| nick
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Having moved back to Canberra from San Francisco fairly recently, I’ve been having trouble locating some food items I wanted for cooking, so I thought a thread on where people go for their shopping might be helpful. A few of the things I’ve been looking for are:

Parmesan – fresh, real parmigiano-reggiano

Monterey Jack – a white cheese, a bit like cheddar but not sharp, that melts well and is commonly found in California and used a lot in Mexican-style dishes

molasses – I was stunned that this was not available in a standard supermarket, but perhaps it is a very American thing

really, really good bread – I hear great things about the bakery/cafe in Kingston, but I’m in Lyneham and I’d prefer some place in the Inner North

My thought was people could post suggestions for where to buy things, and also lists of what they are looking for, as well as any special deals they run across (like really cheap dried porcini mushrooms, etc.).

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You’re posting onto a thread last touched over two years ago?
Tried the Hub Supermarkets, Asian grocer’s at Belco, Phillip, Erindale, Dickson, and Gungahlin?

51stResident3:45 pm 16 Nov 07

does anyone know where I can find korean green tea. the kind that is a full leaf dehydrated

For Molasses, try your local hippy/health food store. If they don’t have it in stock, they’ll order it for you. Hippies love the stuff. Ironically, it’s very rarely from Australia, despite the huge amounts we would have to generate up north.

Hey all, Coconut oil is also available from the Indian grocer in Isabella Plains. Haggis, Iron Bru & a range of other Scottish stuff can be had from the deli in the Hyperdome (near Woolies). Finally, Juniper berries & many other good things come from Mother Nature’s also at the Hyperdome.

If you want large quantities of molasses real cheap, try a horse feed store. Same stuff, bigger tub.

Now there’s an ACT tourism push….

you can buy herbies at coooking coordinates at the belconnen markets if you don’t feel like shopping online

I found ancho chilies being sold here:

http://www.ozevillage.com.au/herbies/store/index.asp?product_id=120

Oh, I am so happy because it is so hard to find the right chilies for the Mexican dishes I want to make… I am on the Gold Coast and I can only find basic things…tortillas, beans, salsa..etc.. but not the real stuff I need.

Does anyone know if any place in Australia sells an item called “El Pato” sauce?

umm, how and why are you a prick?

newsflash: I’m a prick. I’m out of here.

Xant –
I’ve bought chipotles from Old Bus Depot as well, but they don’t seem right to me – they seem like smoked regular chillis. I’m too timid, however, to challenge them on this. Regardless of what they ARE, they are not what I have bought in the past as chipotles and they don’t give the right smokey taste to my chilli.

As for the parmigiano, a couple of places stock it – the Woolies in Dickson and the Italian deli place across from Supabarn in Civic. But in both cases it does not appear to be too fresh and comes pre-cut and pre-wrapped. I’d prefer to get it freshly cut from a big wheel so I know what I am getting and can really check it out. Actually, that more or less applies to all cheeses I buy – I’d rather get them freshly cut from the source.

(There’s a place in Robertson that has terrific cheese including a local, organic Pecorino Fresco.)

As for all this rubbish about eatin’ Aussie, mate, it’s… well, rubbish. As someone said, taken seriously that would mean witchity grubs and bogong moths, etc. If I can get molasses made in Australia (what I bought was bottled here), ancho chillis grown in Australia, far out. I don’t see anything wrong with wanting to eat a variety of dishes, with having a fondness for Northern Italian, California, and Japanese cuisine. And vegemite is owned by a US-based multinational. So there.

I got some really decent Italian bread at Supabarn today – from Babar Bakery in Fyshwick – still all-white, not a nice pane integrale, but definitely a step up from the Carbone stuff that you see around.

Nick and others

re: chipotles and ancho chilis. I used to get mexican stuff from a mexican food store in Richmond in Melbourne. It has since closed down, but I was referred to Aztec Mexican Products (1/5 Adina Court, Tullamarine, Vic, 03 9330 1733). Their website http://www.aztecmexican.com.au is currently down. I haven’t contacted them direct yet but give it a go.

I tried for a tortilla press at Cooking Coordinates at Belconnen but they don’t sell them. I got mine in Melbourne for about $35.

I bought some excellent chipotles from some folks that had a stall at the bus depot markets. they did mostly indian stuff.

speaking of indian, someone mentioned the indian food shop in belconnen. it’s really good for bulk and cheap lentils/dahls/peas etc. It’s behind Kingsley’s on Rae St, just off Josephson St.

i regularly buy grana padano and parmigiano reggiano at the deli at belconnen markets. i prefer the deli opposite the chicken coop. I think they have black pudding. they’ve also been selling some dried south african meats. the deli on the end sells a selection of poacher’s pantry stuff but the prices get marked up. the peppered sirloin is my fave.

I too have had trouble buying molasses. can’t seem to find it anywhere. a good baked beans recipe just isn’t the same without it.

X

Indian food – I love Bollywood Masala on Cape St (?) in Dickson – this is the BEST indian food I have eaten in Canberra – try the bolloywood leg of lamb – yummo!

as long as you are eating the common australian garden variety I don’t mind..

We’ve got plenty of frogs here too, apparently they’re a bit of a nuisance up NT at the moment

And if it’s Aussie whale, I’m keen too. (although the missus would be pissed off if it was the white one)

It all washes down with a barbed wire bitter anyway 🙂

One of my favourite breakfasts is black pudding, well Australian made black pudding anyway.

Mael., I’m not Scottish but have been known to ‘display the Haggis’, fry the frog legs or sink the snail; especially after a long and tedious run of BBQ’s, Goan Prawns and beer – just to find out a little about other people’s cuisine.

I suspect many of the gourmets who’ve contributed to this strand aren’t immigrants hankering after their national cuisine, but Aussies who actually want to try out other national dishes – you know, like the Japanese and whale-meat: it’s research, mate.

Jazz, absolutely nothing makes me think that the BBQ is Australian.

I only use it as an easily identified point of reference while attempting to not discriminate against anybody elses home country.

You must admit however that the Aussie BBQ (as a social ideology) compares with other foreign concepts such as the Fiesta/Siesta (Mex), displaying the Haggis (Scottish), the Hangi (NZ), overcooked vegetables (Brits), etc.

Actually obtaining the ingredients for the abovementioned meals from the country that it originates from is what I’m on about.

If you still have any problems identifying Australians with Barbeques, google it.

Maelinar – i’m not the one whinging about other peoples preferences for cuisines originating from other parts of the world. As for Australian cuisine, it doesn’t exist. What exactly makes you think that the BBQ is australian? It existed in other countries before here.

ssanta: you said you got a tortilla press:
“””
Tortilla Presses you can bag at at kitchen utensil joint at the belco markets. I got one last week.
“””
did you mean “cooking coordinates”? cause they don’t have ’em (i rang and asked; they suggested “someone in sydney has them, but we can’t remember the name”!). if not them, who else at the markets has them?

Maelinars recipie for Goan Prawns

1. Put 1/2 of your prawns on bbq
2. Drink copious quantities of ‘cooking’ beer in the correct Aussie manner
3. If you need any more prawns goan get them.

Beats the traditional recipie every time!

When my wife was on holiday in Tasmania, thanks for asking 🙂

You ?

I was specifically talking about ‘australian made’ products, which includes items that have been produced in Australia and methods of preparing Australian cuisine, when they differ from exotic preparation techniques. (for example BBQ)

Give it a try sometime, you might find a new favourite dish!

what are we talking about here, australian produce or australian food. if the latter, when was the last time you ate wild limes, witchety grubs or had kangaroo burnt over coals??

Yum Cha paste from Kingston markets x 1
Fresh Fish from Belconnen fish markets to taste x qty
Water

boil
eat

This is a thread about where to find hard to get stuff. The Oz stuff isn’t hard to find – its everywhere. If I didn’t eat Australian food I’d starve in Canberra – there’s such poor choice.

I agree that the Asian cooking in Canberra is pretty dire. Timmy’s Shantung Chicken is a winnah though.

How about recommending a good yum cha?

This raises another good point. Alot of this imported food comes from countries with dirty environments and poor food and hygiene standards.

I saw some pre-made curry dinners in Woolies the other week. When I saw they were made in India I put them straight back on the shelf. It could’ve been cooked in water straight from the Ganges for all we know. And next time you’re tucking into your danish cheese don’t forget that the radiation cloud from Chernobyl got blown over most of Europe.

Other than Australia the only other country that I really feel secure eating food from is New Zealand. We have a clean environment and can produce food just as good (if not better) than other countries.

Jazz and LG, Yes I did for the microsecond it took me to wholesomely disagree with bringing in ‘legacy’ foodstuffs from your home town/country/planet.

I have also come to Australia from another country, and have absolutely no hesitation in taking up the wonderful Australian cuisine that is available right here. I have been known to stand in the supermarket and say ‘There’s plenty of Musorian tomato’s here, where’s the Aussie ones?’ What makes Musorian products so superior to Australian ones anyway?

I’m a real advocate of buy Australian made and I don’t shy away from who I am.

Now I don’t mind trying other foods, don’t get me wrong here, although I do prefer to consume Australian made products if they are available.

The other problem I have with people eating their traditional dishes – I’ll use Curry as a generic one, it reminds people of their customs, beliefs and traditions of home.

Well here’s a reality check – you’re not at home. Try some of the local fare!

The problem I have with people being reminded of their customs, beliefs and traditions of home is that they have left home for a reason haven’t they? I personally compare that with swallowing a little bit of that reason every bite I take of the cuisine from my homeland.

If I was a genuine refugee – wow, I can’t even conceive how I would be able to stomach a curry in the style of my homeland, it would be a bitter pill to swallow.

What it comes down to IMHO is that there is a reason why we’re all here and by clinging on to the cuisine of your home country you’re not really adopting your new country are you? It’s like taking your own sandwiches to a dinner party.

this is a beverage related question – has anyone spotted a ‘sip and save’ selling Shag Lager? Apparently you can pick up a six pack in Sydney, but haven’t spotted a drop of it here.

Terubo, very funny. And, contrary to popular belief, I don’t have anything to do with immigration.

In other words, LurkerGal = Aussie chef/chefette at immigration detention centre?
Didn’t know there were any, around here. But then, I’m new to the locale…

It’s ok Jazz, people like Maelinar are the reason I have a job!

Maelinar – have you considered that some of the people here might BE from other countries?

Couldn’t agree more.

The only problem I have with all these ingredients is cooking them on the BBQ.

You should try to eat the food of the country that you are in, perhaps you should give it a go sometime, you’ll quickly get attuned to burnt snags, raw chops and barbed-wire bitter! – and don’t forget the MOUNTAINS of potato salad ;P

On a serious note, if you want a great marinade, mix some Glen McGrath sauce with some Jim Beam, works with everything (and I mean ANY thing).

Can’t really see why you’d wanna eat foods from other countries when we have such good stuff here, but I suppose that’s your choice..

The yank food website.. It’s Brilliant….

DANG ME. . I have found tootsie rolls in Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wooohooo

you used to be able to get Juniper berries growing wild round Khancoban

Timmys in Manuka is a cracker for chinese/malaysian takeaway.

You are joking aren’t you? The food there is fucking awful. Canberra has a fair share of ordinary Asian restaurants, and this one is up there with them.

if you need coconut oil (the best oil for frying since it’s totally saturated and doesn’t turn trans when it’s cooked) apparently the indian grocery under the blue elephant in braddon is the go.

theres a brand called herbies spices that do dried juniper berries. cooking coordinates (also at the belconnen markets) stock them

I’ve tried for cranberries and not had any luck. I ended up reconstituting dried ones. How about juniper berries?

I’ll put in a vote for Ramas – definately the best Indian I’ve had in Canberra. Timmys in Manuka is a cracker for chinese/malaysian takeaway.

And I’m a bit keen on getting in to the tex-mex. Any good recipe archive site?

Thanks, Jazz,
Will go sniff it out.

“specific merkin stuff”

Uh huh…

i’m pretty sure i’ve seen haggis at eco meats at the belocnnen markets. not sure it the have it all the time though.

I agree, the wealth of info is staggering…but I still don’t know where to source that haggis.

Well, I regularly go to the Belconnen markets – agree that the fishmonger there is one of the best – though lately I’ve switched to the farmers market at EPIC on Saturday morning for most fruit and veg.

Urambi Bakery also sells there, and I really like their bread – can also get it at the Old Bus Depot on Sundays.

And I’ve often shopped in the Ainslie grocery store and have to agree that it does a good job of stocking the odd, more gourmet-esque foodstuffs that my local IGA in Lyneham doesn’t carry – things such as polenta.

This evening I found… MOLASSES… there. An organic blackstrap molasses, imported from Paraguay of all places, for $5 for a decent-sized jar.

Everything I’ve heard about and had from Silo’s is great, but it is just too far for regular shopping – for things like bread, etc. And a bit pricey.

The inner south in general seems to be a bit better off for gourmet groceries – in addition to the various good shops in Kingston, there are the more organic/health food shops in Griffith. The little health food grocery store there is excellent, though very pricey on some things to my eye (admittedly an eye trained by San Francisco prices).

Someone mentioned Tomatillas – another important item for Mexi-Cali cooking, in addition to the earlier mentioned monterey jack cheese. Would also be nice to find good cheap salsa – this new Byron Bay stuff is about the best I’ve found – but when tomatoes are good it seems better just to make one’s own.

Also need to locate:

ancho chillis – dried, whole
chipotle chillis – dried, whole
cranberries – fresh or frozen

Thanks to every one for their useful suggestions and comments.

Although not in Canberra as such, usafoods in Melbourne should be able to help you out with specific merkin stuff. Check ’em out here. I’m heading down that way in a couple of weeks, so I plan on dropping in and having a gander.

Jeez, you guys are a wealth of information!

If you are a Yarpie, or just into slavery and South African products in general, the Holt Supermarket seems to do a roaring trade with the food stuffs it sources from that part of the world

An Indian grocery store has also recently opened in Belconnen.

WHile we’re on the gourmet gear, for tip top Indian-Fijian you have to get to Rama’s in Pearce. Pretty tightly packed inside, so takeaway or delivery is a sound option.

Also, Asian Supermarket in Tugerranong (Homeworld Centre) has awesome bits and pieces. Only store you can always find treasures like Galangal, Kaffir Lime and GOOD palm sugar. For all aisan cooking enthusiasts, it’s every bit as good as Dickson.

The real parmigiano-reggiano which is imported from Italy is available at Woolworths. I have managed to find it at the Kippax store near the deli section so I guess other stores would stock it too.

Apparently the organic market in Farrer has some good stuff too.

Tortilla Presses you can bag at at kitchen utensil joint at the belco markets. I got one last week. tomatillos you can grab when in season at belco as well. better growing your own, it is a piece of piss under plstic all year round in the ACT. Just dont grow tomatoes near em, they gall up quicker than a fat man doing aerobics.

there’s a few asian stores in dickson that will cater for the weird asian food-stuffs (e.g., straw mushrooms and the tiny thai eggplants [pea-sized]).

does anyone know where you can get tomatillos, or a tortilla press?

Thumper,
Re how to catch a haggis: not easy. They are enormous bumbling beasts, prone to sip from the loch late at night.
You need a ladder, jam jar, binoculars and tweezers. Find a suitable tree by the edge of the loch, use the ladder to climb to the highest branches.
When – or rather if – the haggis approaches, view its activities through the wrong end of the binoculars. That way, it will be small enough to pick up with your tweezers and deposit in the jam jar.
QED.

Best pide is Mahnaz in Gunghalin marketplace. He wholesales to a few posh bakeries who sell his pide and charge double what he does.

Ah yes, that one. I tad out of the way, but I think I’ve noticed some stores carry some of his produce.

Croissant d’or (in Civic) do really nice breads and french pastries too.

Poachers Pantry is on the way to Murrumbateman. About 15km’s past the border.

For molasses, buy very dark brown sugar (thats what it says on the packet, made by CSR, available in all supermarkets) and melt it in a pot over a gentle heat.

Looks like a gourmet outing to Kingston is on the cards this weekend.

Where is Poachers Pantry?

For those who ever get any of Oprah’s recipes….

Two items that I had difficulty finding were Hickroy Smoke Marinade (for cooking real good tasty ribs mmmmmm) and Grahams Animal Crackers (base material for biscuit bases etc).

After tasting them both in States I can tell ya that the first one can be a problem to be found here but you can generally find a good suitable substitute in Jack Daniels or Southen Comfort marinade sauce brands.

I have never seen the real Grahams crackers here but again after a taste test in the States, the best thing to say they are like would be a slightly saltier version of Arnotts Milk Arrowroot biscuits.

..and haggis is good tucker

black pudding… high country meats.

Often hanker after a haggis – where to buy?

You’re going to have to make a trip into the inner south. Silo in Kingston have both the greatest bread this side of Victoire in Balmain, and have a specialist cheese shop in the store. That’s probably the cheese shop ssanta is on about.

Silo is run by a couple who used to have something to do with Cornucopia in Braddon. Cornucopia have great breat (not as good as Silo), and fantastic tarts and pastries (better than Silo). But no cheese.

Poachers Pantry have a few cheeses, but not the range and quality of Silo. Poachers have the most fantastic smoked meats I’ve ever had. Great smoked lamb cutlets and Christmas hams. Getting Monterey Jack anywhere could be a problem – its not common in Australia. Try gruyere instead.

Molasses – not common – try dark golden syrup – its a very very close substitute.

As to general calls about good places to shop in Canberra – its a small market, with some excellent individual places. But there’s some big gaps in the market.

Silo is the standout for foodies. Their sourdough on the weekends is fantastic. The butcher in the city market (Civic) (where Supabarn is) is great. The supabarn there is probably the best supermarket in Canberra.

The fishmonger in Belconnen markets is the best I’ve found, good produce and won’t lie on what has been frozen. Has some lines that are hard to get (eg unfrozen scallops on the shell). I think the fruit shop in the city market is a good one, with a great range. The poultry shop in Fyshwick markets is good. The deli near Deep Dish in Manuka is good for western meditteranean stuff. The deli in Fyshwick markets is good for italian.

But I can’t find french butter (lescure), paella rice, black pudding and a few other things not immediately to mind. Would love tips on sources for these.

My suggestion would be to head for the fyshwick markets. Your cheeses will be able to be sourced from a joint called ‘Poachers Pantry’ out near Murrumbateman. there is meant to be specialty cheese shop somewhere, but i have no idea where.

Molasses you can get in a chain of shops called ‘Ankor what’ ironically and Asian produce joint.

As for bread, i make my own, so frankly i dont give a stuff!

Belconnen or Fyshwick markets, while out of area, would be a good option. The Ainslie shops have an ‘independent’ grocery store, that is foodie friendly, and a good deal closer.

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