This Thursday Thirteen is about early food memories and experiences and how these helped me continue with my interest in food. Again, some of it is quite light hearted, so enjoy and tell me what you think.

Thirteen childhood food memories 1. I'll never forget the first time I ate Greek Chicken Soup. It provided such calming relief and to this day always conjures up memories of my childhood home. I still cook it once a week in the winter time. 2. I had my first "meat pie" (a classic Australian take away food) in Grade 1. Being of Greek descent I had no idea what it was. To this day, I still love em but prefer to make my own version as the commercial ones have lost their appeal and flavour. 3. Making home made tomato sauce (thats marinara sauce to our US counterparts). Boxes of tomatoes were used to make bottles of this beautiful concoction. It truly was a family affair. While I don't make it anymore, I still use home made sauce that I get from relatives to this day. 4. Dipping your bread in the salad bowl dressing. We were encouraged to dip our bread in the juices of the salad. The dressing almost always used to consist of Olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice. Nothing beats dipping a crusty piece of bread into a pure good quality extra virgin olive oil. 5. Chocolate cake!!! The first time I bit into this I thought all my Christmases had come at once. Nothing beats a good home made chocolate cake. 6. Pizza!!! I still remember the first bite. Baked bread with tomato and melted cheese. The Italians deserve a medal for this creation. These days I make my own and try different toppings. 7. Smelly cheeses. I was exposed to new foods quite regularly but this was one that would not sit well at all. Even though my taste buds have become "mature", I still avoid strong, offensive smelly cheeses. Something about sweaty socks that just doesn't do well with me. 8. Roast Lamb. Greek style of course!!! Olive oil, lemon juice and oregano are the holy trinity of greek cooking and make this dish the taste sensation it is. When you bake one of these, the whole house will undertake a new dimension. Expect the neighbours to be knocking on the door...Again, I cook this at least once a fortnight in the winter time. 9. Olives. Green, black, marinated...whatever. I bit into one of these beauties and have never looked back!!! I love their plump, meaty texture and the strong salty flavours. There is always a tub in my refrigerator. They are truly versatile and they work well with pre dinner drinks. they are a perfect appetite stimulator. 10. Spaghetti. Out of all the types of pastas this is still my favourite. Made with bolognaise sauce and you have another comfort food that screams happy childhood memories. Who can forget slurping long strands of pasta through your lips and getting dirty at the same time. There a packets of this in my pantry always. 11. Garlic. The aroma of this had me anaesthetised almost immediately. It featured in many of my childhood dishes as you can imagine. I still cook with it. It's almost an addiction. And it's good for you. 12. Olive oil. Boxes of this stuff would arrive on our doorstep from Greece almost every year. It still is and always will be the LIFEBLOOD of my kitchen. I can go on about this forever. It's a staple and it will never ever leave the pantry. 13. Spinach and Cheese Pie. Otherwise known as Spanakopita. Again, another comfort food. Always served at greek parties and celebrations. Delicate layers of thin filo pastry brushed with butter, encasing a spinach and cheese mixture. Its the perfect pie. Crunchy on the outside and soft oozy goodness on the inside. Quite a healty dish when you think about it. With all that iron you can give Popeye a run for his money!!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1.   (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)



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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday.  Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!  If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments.  It’s easy, and fun!  Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well!  I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Well...What can I say? This Thursday Thirteen meme has proved to be a very social event. I have been introduced to people far and wide and I've discovered some new blogs. Here's another one...Please note: while some of the advice offered is useful most of it is very light hearted and tongue in cheek!


Thirteen Tips And Tricks to IMPRESS YOUR LOVED ONE...USING FOOD, OF COURSE!



1. Never ever attempt to recreate that scene from 9 1/2 Weeks. (The one with Mickey Rourke and Kim Bassinger in front of the refrigerator!).



2. Think sensual... Strawberries marinated in balsamic vinegar or dipped in a high couverture chocolate to end a meal.


3. Gentlemen, if you plan on proposing to your girlfriend and you go out for a meal please avoid anything to do with beans/brussel sprouts/broccoli.


4. Bake a cake, from scratch preferably, to tell them you love them. However, avoid tacky "I THINK YOUR THE BEST HUSBAND/LOVER/BOYFRIEND/SOUL MATE" pink frosted icing logos.


5. You can never go wrong with a good quality box of chocolates as a gift to a female loved one. Chocolate is the universal language for females worldwide!


6. Cinammon, cloves and vanilla beans are the Holy Trinity of romantic spices. Use these three in a dessert and you will definetly get to home base! This one's a winner


7. Give them breakfast in bed. Good quality coffee, freshly baked blueberry muffins and some freshly squeezed juice is adequate. Avoid bacon, eggs, sausage and hash browns in the bedroom.


8. Impress them with a home cooked meal using simple, seasonal, fresh food ideas. Nothing over the top! (I specifically mean things like Bombe Alaska or a 48 stack hazelnut crepe cake with praline!)


9. Take a cooking class together with your loved one. It's a great way to learn something together.


10. Surprise them with some freshly baked loaves of bread. It's always a winner. Unless of course they have gone over to the dark side of "no carbs".


11. Lick the spoon or bowl AFTER the cake batter has been poured into a cake pan. Preferably together!


12. Ladies, don't insist on going to an expensive restaurant for a romantic dinner.


13. Gentlemen, on second thoughts TAKE her to that expensive restaurant. She's worth it!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Jerry


2. Christine


3. Xilly


4. Malinda


5. Robin


6. Mymsie


7. Gabrielle



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

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