My New Obsession: Migros' Poulet Curry Wraps

Who would have thought it, something called a curry wrap, would turn out to be so delicious. I don't think I would have ever have even tried something like this if it was on sale in Ireland, weird one.

That said I am absolutely addicted now, what was once a weekly treat has become almost an every other day affair. I just hope to god they are good for you, I mean at least there's no cheese in it (but a curry cheese poulet wrap would be even more delicious).

For those not in the know, Migros is one of the big supermarkets here in Switzerland and more often then not it is the most reasonable place to pick up your lunch (soon I will be able to afford those restaurants, soon).

So a big cheer goes out for a nom I was not expecting to nom so much.

Nom.

GBM

Dublin Delights: Brother Hubbard

I wasn't sure if I should post about my old homestead considering this Blog is about my relocation but when I was back in Dublin I popped into this cute cafe and I just can't keep the altogether pleasant experience to myself.

Brother Hubbard, situated on Capel Street opened its doors a couple of months ago and I had the pleasure of having my morning coffee and cake within on Tuesday. The two owners were incredibly friendly only too happy to answer my numerous questions on their establishment. The interior was fitted using Irish ash wood on all the tables, chairs, counter-space with slight hint of green throughout on the hinges and light fixtures, simple yet elegant.

The countertop was covered in drool inducing, scones and cakes, all baked on site that very morning. I ordered a macchiato and a Chocolate Orange and Almond cake and took a seat. I noticed all the sugar bowls on the tables were empty tin of Royals baking powder, an ingenious idea I thought, considering how much of the stuff they probably go through each day. It was then I realised the cake I had ordered was gluten free, too late to change my mind as my waiter was on the way over to me I decided to suck it up and try it anyways. Good God, it was possibly the moistest and most delicious cake I have ever had the pleasure of devouring. A revelation.

I told the owners I would be back, Hubbie in tow and next time we would be trying some of the lunch menu. They informed me that they are hoping to have an edible garden installed in the back courtyard in the coming weeks, yet another reason to return. Color me absolutely intrigued. Lucky Dublin.

Noms: Are you kidding me? Of course, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.

GBM

 

Zurich Eats on the Cheap: El Luchador

Eating out in Zurich on a budget can be a difficult task, especially if you do not have your own earned income. There is usually a slight onset of guilt felt should I even consider dining out without my hubby and using his money to fit the bill. I probably just need to get over this. Oddly enough it was Husband who set me the new weekly goal for this Blog of finding somewhere tasty and cheap to eat in Zurich and making it known to the masses. My budget is in and around 20 Francs. Challenge accepted Husband, challenge accepted.

I might have slightly cheated this week to be honest as I decided to head to El Luchador on the recommendation of Ron Orp’s newsletter (If you live in Zurich and are not reading this already then sort it out). He advised that it’s one of the first proper authentic mexican cuisine eateries to open in the city and was full of the praise.  A newb has gotta start somewhere and I’m a sucker for a taco, yum yum. 

First impressions were absolutely delightful, the interior was decked out with a mishmash of second hand furniture and wallpapered with an array of mexican wrestlers. The staff were incredibly friendly and once I had used up my very limited German, were only too happy to help translate the menu for me. At each table you are given four tiny bowls with various, chilli sauces, onions and salsas to add to your chosen dish as standard and cutlery served from large tumbler glasses with plenty of napkins (much needed as it is a near impossibility to eat this type of food without out making a mess of yourself, oh the shame). I ordered the following: 

Tacos de pollo al axiote costing  9.50 Francs

Cream de frijoles costing  5.50 Francs

A Corona with a wedge of lime costing 6.50 Francs

To be honest I wasn’t 100% sure what it was I had ordered but who doesn’t love a certain degree of mystery to their food. After waiting no more that 15 minutes at most my table looked like this:

Drool Inducing 

All this for 21.50 Francs? (about €17, great for Zurich)  Amazing, I think I might be on to a winner with El Luchador. The tacos were to die for. Sorry again to say this but there are no other semi-words I can think of to better describe good food other than nom, nom, nom. The only negative I could find was that the chips that came with the cream de frijoles we slightly over fried to my liking but that said I wasn’t familiar with this dish and it’s probably how they are supposed to be served (I mean if I wanted nachos I could have ordered them).

As I was making my exit I got speaking to the other waitress who appeared to be the owner of the establishment. I asked if they served margaritas as I could not see them on the menu and I was pleasantly informed that yes, the classic kind are their staple (I will be back to sample soon).  I told her the food was delicious and she asked me to spread the word (the restaurant has only been opened for 3 weeks). So here you go friendly nice lady from El Luchador, to be honest I’m not sure what my reach is like yet in Switzerland but if any Zurchers (yes I found out recently it’s Zurchers not Zurichans) are reading this then get yourself down to El Luchador on Konradstrasse for some of the tastiest mexican food I’ve had in a long time and the price aint half bad neither.

Noms: 5 noms out of 5

Price: One full GBM for around 20 Francs

The Mayonnaise Problem

Having moved to Zurich it would seem whilst giving up old bad habits due to geography I have developed new ones. Lets say that I like most Paddies had tendency to overuse the old spreadable deliciousness that is Irish Butter. Not a problem here however as Swiss butter is more akin to tasteless smeg and has not become a staple in our refrigerator. Huzzah! The flip-side of this is mayonnaise on the continent is so delectable that I am developing a slight addiction. Husband's tearing of a piece of bread and handing it to me sees me reaching into the fridge to pour a dollop of my Thomy mayonnaise on top (that's all I need) and scoffing it down. Sometimes I even just pour a little on a spoon and swallow. I've stopped looking at Husband now whenever I do this but I can feel his eyes piercing the back of my skull with judgement. I don't care.

It's a slippery slope though, I envision my future one where I begin purchasing industrial size tubs of the stuff and eating it with my hand. The weight will pile on, I'll start wearing muumuus, I won't be able to see my penis anymore and I'll cry all the time because I can no longer fit through the door frame. Ok seriously, this now needs to stop!

Tastes like failure, yum

No, You're a Spar

Look what my nearest food buyie place is:

Shove it under your tree

Awww sure it's like I've never left Dublin (which has been under an outbreak of Spars and Eurospars, like a bad venereal disease). Wandered in expecting the same usual overpricedness and was pleasantly surprised. Only in Switzerland is your local Spar the cheaper alternative.

I Like!

GBM

My Paddy Pinings: 1. Curry Cheese Chips

I've decided to do a series of posts on everything altogether Irish that I'm going to miss the most now that I am officially an expat. Those general miscellany that really and truly only exist in Ireland and it is my belief that there's nothing more fitting to begin with than the humble 'Curry Cheese Chip'.

For the uneducated you are probably thinking that this is actually gross (the picture above might not help matters) but hear me out. Like the Irish themselves, it's not about looks when it comes to this delicacy. To be honest I reckon the first ever Curry Cheese Chips concocted was because of a (possible drink induced, knowing our type) mistake. In fact more often than not you have heard of someone who knows someone, whose sister's boyfriend's cousin twice removed came up with the idea to place cheese on top of curry chips (I've a vague fragmented memory of asking my local chippee to add cheese to my curry chips off menu, so guilty as charged). Tastes amazing. Nom nom nom nom.

It is not something you can nor should eat very often, moreover it should be a reward for your consumption of over ten pints of beer and not actually choking on your own vomit (I've awoken many a morning after a night of heavy drinking in my early twenties smelling of stale curry cheese and regret).  If you wish to truly sample the Curry Cheese Chip they way it's meant to be then make your way to your local ITICA chipper (Irish Traditional Italian Chipper Association, mind boggling considering no equivalent chippers are in Italy, how did these Italians create a monopoly in Ireland from something that doesn't seem to exist in their own country?). Sorry Supermacs yours just don't hold a candle to the original and best. Thick cut chips, my preference is for the cheese to be placed on next that once the curry sauce is poured over them it will speed up the melting process. The cheese should always be the finest Irish red cheddar. I'm salivating just now thinking of them, again nom.

It really is specific only to Ireland, you can walk into most chippers and order away, tried once to get them in the UK and received a response along the lines of:

English Chippee: 'Curry cheese chips? Aaaahre you menall?'


I salute you, you crazy Irish, those that have the courage and conviction to add cheese to curry sauce and for it not only to taste good but for it to become a staple in our modern fast food culture. Bravo, bravo.