For the first Foodie Files chat of 2017 I’m turning the tables and interviewing, well, me! I thought it was about time to answer my own questions and there’s no better time than the start of a fresh year! So come join in the fun!
Do you have a philosophy towards food?
I’m all about simple, delicious home cooked food around these parts – nothing too fancy gets whipped up in my kitchen! Fresh, seasonal ingredients paired with herbs and spices is about as tricky as things get around here, and that works well for me.
What’s your favourite food memory?
The food memory that jumps out for me is a meal my sister & I had in Kyoto a few years back. A staff member at the ryokan we were staying at put in a call to a chef friend of his and we showed up at a restaurant knowing nothing about what was ahead of us. It was a beautiful, tiny restaurant and we were quickly seated at a table overlooking the kitchen and through our limited Japanese had a chat to the chefs, and watched on as geishas arrived and joined some of the tables around us. Then, course after course of the most amazingly delicious (and beautiful) food appeared in front of us – 7 or 8 in total. Somehow the whole thing only came to about $50 a head, so we’re pretty sure we got a massive discount, I would have happily paid more than double that for the meal we had! A meal I will never forget, that’s for sure.
Do you have a go-to food of choice?
When I’m short on time or inspiration for dinner I usually turn to a stir-fry – it was one of the first dishes I learned to cook by myself and I can whip up a pretty tasty one in no time at all these days, so it’s an excellent fall back option. Otherwise I don’t think you can ever go wrong with Mexican food, it’s another quick, easy and delicious vegetarian friendly option full of all kinds of delicious flavours!
What’s your favourite meal of the day?
On weekends it’s definitely brunch but during the week I try really hard to make delicious lunches to take to work to both save me money but also provide something to look forward to at the middle of the day. Hearty salads are my general go-to and Israeli couscous makes a regular appearance, that’s for sure!
What’s the strangest food you’re ever eaten (and would you eat it again?!)
When I was at uni my parents lived in China so I used to go visit them a couple of times a year, so I definitely ate a few strange things on those visits (I wasn’t vegetarian back then either!). I think one of the most unusual foods I ate would have to be yak, and I also ate a few different kinds of bugs although they are showing up on menus here in Melbourne these days as well!
I also tried all the semi-standard Australian fare on a visit to the Northern Territory as a kid – emu and crocodile. I don’t remember having any particular reaction to them, but it’s safe to say I won’t be breaking my meat-free eating for them either!
If you were showing a visitor around town for a weekend where would be your must-eat destinations?
Golly, this is a bit of a tough question I ask isn’t it! I’m going to stick with local places to make this easier on myself! Here’s some places I’d be sure to hit up:
- I’d take them for a coffee at Plug Nickel – my new favourite local coffee joint
- Brunch would be at South of Johnston or maybe Square & Compass or Archie’s All Day
- A visit to Smith & Daughters would definitely be on the list, as well as some sneaky treats from Smith & Deli
- We’d hit a local pub for a drink or two, and maybe a feed – somewhere like The Napier, The Grace Darling, The Fox, The Gertrude or The Rainbow (there’s lots of excellent pubs around me!)
- For a more fancy meal I’d probably take them to Easy Tiger or Transformer
And after that no-one will have to eat for a week!
Where can people follow your food (and other!) adventures?
Right here! But you already knew that I’m sure!
If you’re not already following my social media adventures you can find me on:
- Facebook at I Spy Plum Pie
- Instagram at I Spy Plum Pie
- Snapchat at I Spy Plum Pie
I hope you liked this change of pace for the Foodie Files chat!
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I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!