Text 9929, 92 rader
Skriven 2007-01-04 17:11:04 av Carol Shenkenberger (6:757/1)
     Kommentar till en text av Glen Jamieson
Ärende: Re: RICE  70101(new date)
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*** Quoting Glen Jamieson from a message to Carol Shenkenberger ***

 CS> much less, that we have a 
 CS> sign up reminding the Japanese wives of our local sailors, that they
 CS> arent  supposed to buy 50lb bags and pass them to their relatives <g>.

 CS> It al relates to the 'be able to feed ourselves' ethics of Japan. 
 CS> They dont  import rice and folks are happy to eat homegrown at a higher
 CS> price to make  jobsand maintain lifestyle.

GJ> As it was explained to me some years ago, that was the original reason
GJ> for subsidising rice production in Japan by high import duty plus very
GJ> cheap land tax where the land was used for rice growing.  Thus the
GJ> strange sight of tiny plots of land in between huge office blocks,
GJ> with miniscule rotary hoes and other farm machinery working on them.

Yes, I just mentioned those.  You see them all over around Kyushu.  I can only
'presume' other places to it too but we are a more southerly area and grow
more rice than other spots.  I suspect we are the 'grain belt of Japan' but
that's an eyeball view just from the parts of it I have seen.

GJ> passed, but the land speculators who have become wealthy as result of
GJ> this form of protection do not want the system changed to allow the
GJ> land to be taxed realistically, and they are the ones who financially
GJ> support the present government.  Australia and other countries have
GJ> been trying to get the Japanese market opened to their products, but
GJ> without success.  Australia even grows the Japanese variety of rice,
GJ> which I think mainly goes to Japanese restaurants and sushi bars
GJ> around Australia.

Yes, it's much more than rice controlled.  I think the 'rules' are for every
import here, there has to be an equal food value export?

It has a definate up-side.  I've seen the 2 'grocery stores' in Darwin that are
walking distance from the pier.  My shere 'variety' here is much higher and
the town is much smaller.  The difference is 'out of season' some things just
are not here (or only at the commisary).

The below is now printed and hanging at a local place, who figured out
sometimes us crazy gaigin wil delibertaly buy 'green tomatoes' late in season
so started putting a few out.  Then his Japanese customers asked why and he
asked me for a recipe.

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05
 
      Title: Fried Tomatoes (Batter Dipped Tomatoes)
 Categories: Vegetables
      Yield: 6 Servings
 
      4 md Tomatoes, half ripe
    1/2 c  All-purpose Flour
  2 1/2 ts Salt
  2 1/2 ts Sugar
    1/4 ts Pepper
    3/4 c  Pet Evaporated Milk
           Oil for frying
 
  Wash tomatoes, but do not peel. Cut into 3/4" slices.  Place on paper
  towels to drain.  Combine flour, salt, sugar and pepper.  Dust
  tomatoes in flour mixture on both sides.  Add evaporated milk to
  remaining flour mixture to make a thick batter.  Dip floured tomatoes
  in batter. Fry in hot oil 1/2" deep until golden brown on both sides.
  
  Makes 6 servings.
  
  SOURCE: Best Recipes by Ceil Dyer 1982 (from Gold Cookbook by Pet Milk
  1932)
  
  From: Kathy Welch                     Date: 02-17-96 Cooking
 
MMMMM
I told him the canned milk didnt have to be that brand and he could also use
just regular milk and break an egg into it.  The 'canned milk' is a bit
sweeter and suits the Japanese taste buds better I think.

He took the post and added on a second sheet, a handwritten Japanese
translation and put them side by side.  Grin, he even did his best to render
'Kathy Welch' in Kanji.

GJ> Japanese tourists to Australia frequently take styrofoam boxes of
GJ> frozen Australian beef and kangaroo meat back with them to give as
GJ> presents to relatives.  That is very much appreciated.

I'm sure it is!  I gathered it isnt a problem to bring back reasonable amounts
of any food item (as long as it isnt fresh produce of a type that can carry
bugs).  At least, if you live here <g>.  I can tell you from experience, that
a bag (ziplock type) of niboshi, wierd out the American customs when they find
it in your luggage.
                                       xxcarol

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 * Origin: SHENK'S EXPRESS, Sasebo Japan 81-6160-527330 (6:757/1)