A few years I was lucky enough to travel to the USA and do so many great things and see so many great places. Of course the highlight was meeting so many great people. One of those people (well actually 5 of those people) were the Dillow family. I met Elizabeth through scrapbooking, and after about 6 years of online friendship, we got to meet up when I went to stay with her in Washington DC.
You can read more about the trip here.
So we had many, many laughs and I think I talked non-stop for 3 days but on one of the days we had a little cross cultural culinary experience. I had been talking up vegemite (you know as an Aussie, we just have to do that, right!) and Elizabeth came right back at me about the pure pleasure of a chilled Dr Pepper.
Bring it on...
Round 1 - The vegemite toast:
We prepared a few pieces of toast, covered it in butter and a light smear of vegemite (didn't want to scare the newbies LOL). We cut it into soldiers and served it up on a plate. There were suspicious glances around the table and Matt (being the brave one) dug in. Mmmmm, OK, not so bad. Elizabeth followed with a polite nibble and then once again questioned the fact that we did really serve this to babies. The girls, well they were not that keen. Nikki & I finished it off and left the tube of Vegemite in the pantry, for future use (hope it's still there guys).
Round 2 - The Dr Pepper:
Not to be outdone by the Vegemite, Elizabeth decided to walk the walk after talking the talk. Oh she talked that beverage up big time and I was suckered in as I do enjoy a coke zero. There was a process involved that included chilling the can well and also prepping the glass in the freezer. We all gathered in the kitchen and the Dr Pepper was removed and swiftly poured into a frosty mug. Ooohhh, this is going to be good.
One big sip and the nastiest taste began to invade my taste buds as memories of a childhood medicine surfaced in my brain. Using all my self control I swallowed that "drink of death" (instead of spitting it across the room as was my first instinct LOL) and my eyes met Elizabeths as they all burst out laughing at the Aussie who could gobble down a tar like yeast extract, but could not handle a soft drink. OK, I just don't get it, why do you like it!!
An interesting experiment, and a great ice breaker.
Now the point of all this back story, is that a few weeks ago I chanced upon a small lolly shop that sold "international sweets" and what did I spy...a can of Dr Pepper. I swooped on this can with the intent of recreating this experience for my family, as they had all been regaled with the story from my trip. I took that can home and chilled it real good. And then I served it up...
Well, I am thinking the apple does not fall far from the tree!
And just to finish this epic tale, check out the baby, Dillow Family...
Ha!
