Observing the Aussies: Savo(u)ry & sweet...

While surveying the vast array of food put out for Christmas dinner, I realized I've learned to appreciate food pairings that (from what I can tell) is definitely not part of the Australian diet. I am referring to the combination of a savory (non-sweet) item and a sweet item together on a dish, evidenced on the menu today by the ubiquitous paring of turkey and cranberry sauce.

Or, believe it or not, pancakes and bacon. Australians view pancakes more as a dessert, and so putting bacon (a savory) which it seems is as distasteful a combination to them as having a slice of bacon with chocolate cake would be to an American.

I didn't realize this until I tried to order it at the Mulberry Cafe in the heartland of South Australia. Listed on the menu were Canadian waffles (an indicator on any menu it's served with maple syrup) topped with whipped cream. separately listed was bacon. I ordered them together (sans whipped cream, but butter please!) on three consecutive visits just to see how they would handle it:

Attempt 1: Canadian waffles appeared with whipped cream, no butter. Bacon followed later on a separate plate along with a very strange look from the server as if I'd made a mistake and would surely send it back. I didn't.

Attempt 2: Canadian waffles appeared, no whipped cream, no butter. Bacon came at the same time on a separate plate. Sever looked questioning, but just sighed as I nodded acceptance.

Attempt 3: Admitting defeat, waffles appeared WITH the bacon on the same plate; no whipped cream. No strange look this time. Still no butter, though: guess they had to try to save a bit of face with that.

The only thing in Australia that comes close to combining the two is a version of the pastie (pronounced pass'-tee), an odd pastry that can be made with a meat-filling in one half and a fruit filling in the other. I kid you not.

Now THAT would get odd looks from me.

- Farmer Ted