Friday, March 7, 2014

Oodells of Noodles And A Mutant Bird Of Paradise

Was in the mood for a Stir-Fry over Soba Noodles, so ran over to the H-Mart, that giant Korean Grocery Store, where there is one entire aisle devoted to Noodles, and there are still more on the next aisle.  Very small price difference, so I went with the Organic, and surprise - these Japanese noodles were made in Australia.  And not just one Organic brand, at least 3 different brands were Australian.  And they were exceptionally good!   






My favorite "flower" in the world is the Bird of Paradise.  When I was growing up in Southern California, they fascinated me.  If you've familiar with them, you probably think of them as about a metre high, but they get much taller.  There is one off my second floor balcony that is currently blooming although the Date Palm next to it makes it hard to tell.
 Young (less than 5 years old) Bird of Paradise
So beautiful!


Old Bird of Paradise - almost 20 feet tall.

17 comments:

  1. Wow, that is one tall Bird of Paradise tree! They grow well here, but most admit I don't have one - it really is an exquisite tropical flower. As for Japanese noodles, made in Australia, sold in the Korean Grocer in the USA: well, just can't get my head around it at all. I am glad we are managing to export something, somewhere...

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    1. Hi Patricia - If Australia exported Tim Tams, I wouldn't fit into any of my jeans. I would love it if Vegemite was available worldwide, too.

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  2. That store isn't in Tulsa is it? I would so love going there. I've wondered if there is someone/somewhere in Tulsa that makes a good bowl of Pho. I never knew the bird of paradise could grow so large. Amazing.

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    1. Hi Donna - Sorry but the H-Mart is a Southern California chain. I have it on good authority (from several sources) that there is an excellent Pho place in Owasso on 86th, just by the Tag Agency. It's where the Merritt Bakery used to be. I just heard about it and haven't been there yet.

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  3. It is a beautiful flower and I didn't know it could grow so big!

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    1. Hi Jay - I always love this flower and it's resemblance to an exotic bird.

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  4. Love the foreign product names - sort of like a mini trip to somewhere exotic. Had no idea Birds of Paradise could grow so large...I've only ever met them in floral arrangements so obviously the petite version. They are really beautiful but so spiky they make me a bit nervous (not that my roses don't try to murder me when I go near them).

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    1. Hi Shelley - I do feel like I've travelled when I visit these Ethnic stores. I think that's why Pier One and Cost Plus World Market are such a treat. Wish Oklahoma had Cost Plus - it's hard for me to convince John to stop there when we're in Kansas City. I do agree that as beautiful as they are, Roses can be mean.

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  5. Ones that Bird of Paradise live outdoors year round in California? They are such exotic plants and you have had great luck growing it so large.

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    1. Should read "Does that Bird......."

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    2. Hi Sanda - In most of California they are outdoor plants. I confess that I rent in California and those are grown by the apartment building's gardeners.

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  6. You do indeed have a mind boggling choice of noodles. I'd be wandering those aisles for hours. I like Bird of Paradise too - tho I don't think I've seen one as tall as your picture.

    Darla

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    1. Hi Darla - I spent a long time in those aisles, even knowing that I wanted Soba noodles. Fun, though.

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  7. Oh my gosh Beryl we have millions of birds of paradise - they are going to overtake us!! don't you love how arty they are as if always taking flight. what a cornucopia of noods!! Love noodles, I really need to know how to make more of these dishes as they are my all-time faves!!!

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    1. Hi Jody - I have noticed the abundance Birds in your pictures. I remember living on those packaged Ramen noodles which is when I first started experimenting - adding things in and putting them in salads. I'd just go eat out and come home and try to duplicate technique. My cooking experience came from the French side of my family, so Asian dishes I had to figure out on my own.

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  8. Just came across your blog via Faux Fuchsia, lovely to see Japanese Noodles made in
    Australia available in the USA. I think Australia should be exporting Tim Tams to the USA
    a great export idea. I have friends who travel to the USA to visit their daughter every year
    and always take several packets of Tim Tams for their family to enjoy.

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    1. Hi UK - And those noodles were fantastic! Tim Tams, Australian Afternoon Tea, and Vegemite are all items I would love to see available here.

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