We're rounding things off with: Culture
Buzzy Bees: A quintessential piece of Kiwiana. It is a small wooden bee that toddlers can drag around on a piece of string. It has wings that rotate (backwards) and it makes a wierd clicking sound. They are no longer made, much to many adult kiwi's remorse.
The Edmond's Cook Book: More copies of this book have been sold in New Zealand than any other book (ever). Produced by Edmonds, makers of fine Baking Powder, Cake Mix and Bournville Cocoa. There are hundreds of recipes, many incorporating Edmond's "Sure to Rise" Baking Powder, Edmond's Cake Mix, and Bournville Cocoa.
Holdens: Holden is an Australian car manufacturer, a subsidiary of General Motors. Most Australiasians either don't know this, or don't care. The classic New Zealand car is a very old grey Holden station wagon, with shot suspension and dodgy brakes. It is driven by Westies. They are popular because they are cheap and have big engines, which may or may not be V8s. Kiwis don't know, nor care. Kiwis are cyclists, who dislike most cars and hate Holdens.
Swannies: Woolen bush shirts and jackets made by Swanndri NZ Ltd. Very waterproof, scratchy, rugged, warm and make you look like a mass murderer when hitch hiking.Pavlova: 3 egg whites 1 teaspoon vinegar 3 tablespoons cold water 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1 cup castor sugar 3 teaspoons cornflour Beat egg whites until stiff, add cold water and beat again. Add castor sugar gradually while still beating. Slow beater and add vinegar, vanilla and cornflour. Place of greased paper on greased tray and bake at 150 degrees C (300 F) for 45 minutes, then leave to cool in the oven. (Courtesy of The Edmond's Cookbook (naturally)).
This recipe never works, nor does any other recipe for pav, except this one: $15 Bicycle Carrier bag Ride bicycle down to supermarket, purchase pavlova with $15, place in carrier bag. Ride home. Remove pavlova from carrier bag, place in cold oven. When guests arrive, remove from oven and say "Look at this pav I just made!" Any Australians, South Africans, Yugoslavians or Tibetans who tell you that the pav was invented in their country are not to be believed.
Pies: North Americans may be unfamiliar with this phenomenon. A pie is a savoury hors d'oeuvre pastry thing, but three times the size, filled with meat (from whence we can only guess) and with a lid on. The worst pies in New Zealand can be had for NZ$1.60 a piece at a grimy, smelly, cockroach-infested petrol station by Lake Karapiro.
Coming a close second are the infamous Putrid Pies of Panmure (a suburb of Auckland). They seem to be available from all the bakeries - do not touch them, they are the source of all evil. There are some quite nice pies in Queenstown, but Kiwis really hate Queenstown, and this ruins the whole pie eating experience for them. There are also some quite nice pies in Onehunga (south Auckland). However, it should be noted that pies can never be rated at anything above "good". Also, pie criticism is one of the most subjective things imaginable.
Pies: North Americans may be unfamiliar with this phenomenon. A pie is a savoury hors d'oeuvre pastry thing, but three times the size, filled with meat (from whence we can only guess) and with a lid on. The worst pies in New Zealand can be had for NZ$1.60 a piece at a grimy, smelly, cockroach-infested petrol station by Lake Karapiro.
Coming a close second are the infamous Putrid Pies of Panmure (a suburb of Auckland). They seem to be available from all the bakeries - do not touch them, they are the source of all evil. There are some quite nice pies in Queenstown, but Kiwis really hate Queenstown, and this ruins the whole pie eating experience for them. There are also some quite nice pies in Onehunga (south Auckland). However, it should be noted that pies can never be rated at anything above "good". Also, pie criticism is one of the most subjective things imaginable.
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