Vegemite: less is more, but a bit is delicious
When it comes to Vegemite, less is more. Seriously. Too many non-Australians come down under, smear a heap of Vegemite on toast like it’s sugary sweet Nutella, and then wrinkle up their nose in disgust and spit out a spoonful of perfectly good Vegemite.
As an American who loves Vegemite—yes, you read that correctly—I can attest to the deliciousness of this salty spread when smeared correctly. Made of yeast extract–a byproduct of beer manufacturing–it’s as Australian as kangaroos and koalas, but best in small doses. Here are my favorite ways to enjoy a bit of Vegemite:
Toastie: My first taste was a Vegemite and cheese toastie while road-tripping the Great Ocean Road with an Australian girlfriend. As with most things, I discovered that melted cheese makes anything palatable.
On toast: The key here is butter. Lots of butter, just a little Vegemite. It is not Nutella, people. I repeat, it IS NOT NUTELLA. Still my favorite Australian snack at any time of day.
With avocado mash on toast: The combination of avocado and Vegemite is unbeatable: a bit of veg, some saltiness, perfectly-toasted bread. While it’s on most brekky menus in Australia, I thought it was the perfect companion to my favorite latte in Melbs at Cafe Racer.
Smith’s Chips: A relatively new addition to the Vegemite scene, I taste-tested a bag with a group of Australians. The overall consensus was: the perfect hungover breakfast in a bag—you’d never even have to leave the couch! Last time I checked, they were only being sold at Cole’s for just $1 a bag!
Frozen yogurt: While I appreciate Tasti D-Lite’s willingness to incorporate some savoury into its sweet, I accept that Vegemite frozen yogurt was a marketing stunt, pure and simple. I fully accept that less is more when it comes to Vegemite, but I could barely even taste it as a mixer with my vanilla!
Cheese and crackers: Using ingredients pictured above, you can make the best possible cheese and crackers EVER. Smear butter on cracker, add Vegemite, top with cheese. Yum!
Cheesymite Scroll: Bakers Delight, a popular Australian franchise, sells a cheesymite scroll that is a carb-alicious combination of cheese and Vegemite. My pick for Vegemite on the go.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy a bit of Vegemite?
