Each summer we host students from different countries through the Education First Program. Each year I like to prepare something special for them to enjoy at my home, while they are away from theirs. I am looking for ideas on meals (simple) or activities they might enjoy.
Thanks
Pauline
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Interesting topic - are there any family recipes you can foist off on the newbie? If you can make a potato salad (American style) with authentic flavor (Joy of Cooking-style) that might fly. Tender steaks, Mexican food, and a nice full-fledged pizza with no trace of store-bought will be welcome. Also keep Rachael Ray away. But that%26#39;s just me.
If you have a quality hamburger joint with thick shakes, it will be appreciated. No chains, please, just one of those small-town burger places that still know how to put things together. Got a Claimjumper Rest. nearby? That might be a treat too, because that chain has such a huge menu (and gigantic portions).
Activities? How far is the nearest surfing beach? It may be time to break out the boogie board for them. Or a visit to Sequoia NP or Death Valley NP to scare the wits out of these kids.
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Matrose
We are definitely close enough to the beach. We like to incorporate the student%26#39;s native dish along with our American or my Jamaican favorite. Mexican food is a hit with all groups. Home made pizza would be fun, even for my kids. I am seeking simple Austrian recipes or treats as comfort food for them.
Thanks
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OK, now let%26#39;s get to the other topic - food. I don%26#39;t know whether your visitor comes from a city or a country town, but one thing Austrians miss is a good bakery or pastry shop. Since you live near LA, it should be easy to scout out one for honest bread and quality baked goods. Definitely no Great Harvest Baking chain! A good Old World bakery will have a variety of crisp-crusted breads, whether they are in the French style (pain au levain) or the rye breads common in Central Europe (Hausbrot).
American croissants are pretty good, even the ones from Costco (I just wished they would not wrap their pastry goods in plastic right away, which makes the crispy crust go flat). But there are even better rolls and croissants in some bakeries. As for genuine pastry shops, be prepared to Google and research that. Forget Asian bakeries - their interpretation of European pastries is far off the mark. You will find closer approximations in Danish or German bakeries, but be prepared to find wide variations in quality.
As for dishes, ask your student what they eat for breakfast and their favorite home-cooked dish. You will be able to make Austrian crepes (Palatschinken)pretty easy. For more authentic recipes, buy the Best of Austrian Cuisine (Elisabeth Mayer-Browne) but be aware this is an exact translation of an Austrian book and some instructions gloss over the essential local directions. Austrian clubs in LA also have their own recipes. Here is our local club%26#39;s cookbook link www.austriaclubwa.com/about_cookbook.html
There are German and Austrian restaurants (Aahnold%26#39;s place is in Santa Monica), but I%26#39;d also consider Hungarian and Czech restaurants to offer a taste of home. Guten Appetit!
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