Chocolate for the Athletic Frog In You

(nail polish = "Office" from American Apparel, another great gift)

Cadbury's Freddo makes me think, Froggy* Plays Tennis.

I found a little something strawberry inside this Australian frog, but it all tasted pretty artificial. Still, I'm not sorry I sampled it. Thanks, Cali!

p.s. Do frogs really taste like chicken? Anyone?

n.b. *Turns out, "Freddo" is a beloved character in his own right. And comes in numerous flavors.

If we hold hands, we can make a circle.

Our knitting triangle has become a square with the addition of another Jenni. This one is a brainy blogger whom I quite respect.

Jenni hosted last week's knitting session (once again, we didn't get to the "watching Twin Peaks episodes" part, which happens about a third of the time) with style. She turned out to be the sort of get-together host I really appreciate. She even made a toasted sandwich for a latecomer who hadn't gotten a chance to eat dinner before arriving. Now that's classy.

I started the evening with a spicy ginger tea, then moved on to the World Peace Cookies. I recognized them as they came out of the oven, as the recipe is one I tried for this year's cookie party.



As a bonus treat, Jenni shared an Australian candy bar (also distributed in New Zealand) called Cherry Ripe. It was like a Mounds bar crossed with a Cherry Mash. Delightful!

Giant Movie Night Breaks the Aboriginal Curse!

GMN Week eight
Film: The Last Wave (Criterion).
Snack: Anzac biscuits (made by Carolyn), Tim Tams (slammed or un-slammed).
Guests: Carolyn, Moss, Hero, Dan.
Outcome: Tomorrow is Australia Day, but it's already tomorrow in Australia. We thought we'd celebrate with another Giant Movie Night. Like an Australian Angel Heart from 1977, The Last Wave left me befuddled and haunted. Also, it turns out that Anzac biscuits are quite good -- flaky and buttery and sweet. I assumed they'd be dry and hard, and am thrilled to have been wrong.



Carolyn also brought along a dictionary of Australian slang, which is how I know what "a packet of poo tickets" means. Do you?

Happy Australia Day, everyone!

Wham, Bam, Thank you, Tim Tam!

At long last -- they're back in my life.

Just like last year, I caught a ride to Target from my in-laws while in Pittsburgh, PA and located Tim Tams on the shelves there. I hope this becomes a family tradition.

Notes:

1. They are still 2 for $5. I bought six packages so that I could hoard 4 and share 2 as an after-the-Thanksgiving-feast treat.
2. This year, the store I visited was stocking two flavors -- caramel (like last year) and chocolate cream (which I'd never tried).
3. Just as I suspected, chocolate cream is better for Slamming with hot beverages.
4. Both flavors remain thrillingly delicious.
   

And now, I have an admission to make. I got a little goofy after Thanksgiving dinner (and not because I was tipsy; I hadn't even finished one glass of white wine). Some of the guests were drinking an Australian red called Jim Jim. I tried to get Dan to do a Tim Tam Slam with the room temperature Jim Jim -- just to see if it would work.



He wouldn't do it, so I did. It worked and it was gross (I do not blame the wine). But I remain simultaneously embarrassed and proud of my Jim Jim Tim Tam Slam. I'm all for breaking new ground in snacking.


[photo by Dan. This photo doesn't need to be any bigger, but I also cannot deny its existence.]


p.s. To my family: that I now have four packages does not mean I don't still want Tim Tams for Christmas. I need a stockpile!

n.b. Everyone else who was new to the cookie (and I, eventually) tried the Slam with hot coffee or tea, at my recommendation (cocoa or steamed milk work, too). I didn't want to spoil Tim Tams for anyone eating them for the first time. But I just couldn't resist this Australian pairing!

The search begins. Again.

Last year, when I was visiting my in-laws for Thanksgiving, I learned that Pepperidge Farm had dropped a limited edition supply of Australia's famous Tim Tams into Target stores across the US. Though I had never eaten Tim Tams, I was convinced by the internet buzz that they would change my life. I ran out and bought several packages (the only variety I saw was caramel), shared a few, tasted my life changing, and then hoarded the remainder.

I ate them sparingly in the following months, usually as part of a Tim Tam Slam with hot tea or cocoa, and treasured every bite, knowing that they were no longer on the shelves at Target and that Pepperidge Farm had not committed to producing any more Tim Tams in the US. I wanted to introduce more friends to the glory of Tim Tams, but I couldn't spare the cookies. I needed them to last. I'm sorry, friends.

Nearly a year later, I have eaten my final Tim Tam from that batch. Last night, I "Slammed" two with some vanilla jasmine tea and then ate the last one dry. Slowly, sadly, the world of Tim Tam slipped away from me. There are but poor substitutes.

But I live in New York City. Surely, in this beautiful land of expats and foreign markets, there is a supplier of real, Australian, Arnott's (for they should not have been Pepperidge Farm's at all) Tim Tams. I want to try the double coat! I want to have a party and force my friends to slam!

According to Wikipedia (and this was news to me, as I researched while writing this post), P.F.'s US Tim Tams will be released roughly October through March each year. They should be in Targets again now, but I doubt the supply is sufficient. Has anyone seen them? I don't live very near a Target store, but I will attempt to get to one this month to check on their availability. They are supposed to be in "other supermarkets," too. Where are you, Tim Tams?

I know I seem obsessed, but if you've had them you should understand. This "Tim Tam season" scheme is evil. Pepperidge Farm, this will not do. Don't be stingy; flood the market, sirs and madams in charge! I need these cookies in my life every month.

Bottom line: Let me know if you see seasonal Tim Tams out and about (at Target or elsewhere). And if you know of a year-round Tim Tam purveyor or Australian grocery in NYC, please leave a comment. In return, I will let you know if I find any, though I will be ever so tempted to keep their location to myself.

Found 'em!

I am so kindly indulged by family members (yeah, and friends. I didn't forget you guys)!

A few days ago, Jim drove me to Target to look for Tim Tams (named after the horse that won the Kentucky Derby in 1958?!) after I read on Georgina's Tumblr that they are now available there.

We found them! I only saw a caramel variety and they were branded Pepperidge Farm, but they're Tim Tams. On sale, even. I bought four packages (there are only 10 in a package, after all. What do you want from me?).

Once home, I brewed a cup of Chocolate Chai and did a Tim Tam Slam. Then I did it again. And then a third time.

You guys. They're pretty good. Actually, I would love for them to resist the beverage a little longer. They mush up so quickly. Only the caramel stayed firm in its layer. It would be nice to chew on something slightly firmer once I pop it into my mouth. According to Wikipedia, that's why the Double Coated Tim Tam was created. But I don't really feel like complaining. I feel like eating more Tim Tams (they're delicious without slamming, too).

For the scoop on the introduction of Tim Tams to the American (US) market, read this article.

Who will help me find Tim Tams?

I need to try this.


Tim Tam Slam!!!! from Melissa Whalen on Vimeo.

(via georgina in nyc)

It's...

It's hard toasted marshmallow. It's crunchy nougat. It's light, crisp meringue. It's a pavlova shell. It's encased in rich chocolate. It's "Australia's Crisp Golden Honeycomb."

It's Violet Crumble. It's terrific because it's different. It's a new favorite, though I wouldn't eat one every day.



Thanks, Tia!