Grocery Shopping!

Yay! Today I get to go international food grocery shopping with my mom. Our area has lots of foreign food markets and we're gonna get some stuff! Ever since I posted that Pav Bhaji recipe, I've had cravings for it. So we're going to go to our Indian grocery store, Namaste. We also have a new South Asian grocery store, and a new Korean grocery store we're gonna try. We used to have a German store called Inge's, which has killer spatzel, but it went out of business. There's a place that's pretty close called Al Basha, which is a Mediterranean place that's half-store, half-restaurant. Do I smell falafels in my near future?

Vichyssoise: France (Medium)

Vichyssoise is a controversial recipe. Some claim that Vichyssoise, a chilled potato and leek soup, is an entirely French creation. Others say that Vichyssoise was an invention of chef Louis Diat for the opening of a rooftop restaurant at the New York Ritz-Carlton in 1917. It is supposedly named after Louis's birth-town, Vichy.

INGREDIENTS

 2 medium leeks, white parts only, washed and diced thinly

1 Tbsp butter

1 medium potato; peeled and thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp white pepper

1/2 cup whipping cream

METHOD

Melt butter in a large soup pot over low heat, add the leeks, and saute', stirring occasionally, until golden.

Add the stock, potatoes, and salt, and bring to a simmer.

Simmer, covered, for 40 minutes.

Puree in a blender, then press through a sieve.

Return to the saucepan, add the milk and pepper, and bring to a simmer.

Remove from heat, stir in the cream, taste, adjust the seasoning, and chill overnight.

Pav Bhaji: India (Easy)

Pav Bhaji is an Indian recipe that my mom picked up from my dad's off-shore co-worker's wife at a company picnic. Indian lady whose name I do not know said that Pav Bhaji was pretty simple to make as long as you could hit up an Indian grocery store and buy a box of Masala. Pav Bhaji is like baby food for grown-ups. Basically, its a big old mush of vegetables and spices. Might not sound, or look too appetizing, but trust me, it's good. 

INGREDIENTS

Garlic Paste

2 chopped onions

2 Tbsp Vegetable oil

2 chopped tomatoes

1 Tbsp Pav Bhaji Masala Powder

1/2 Tbsp chilli powder

Dash of salt

500 grams worth of boiled vegetables:

Potatoes, peas, cauliflower

METHOD

Shallow fry garlic paste and onions in oil till soft. Add the tomatoes, Masala, chilli powder, and salt. Roast. Add the boiled vegetables. Cook and mash for 2 to 3 minutes. Add a pat of butter. Serve with hot buttered pav (bread) for full effect.

Green Tea Pound Cake: Japan (Easy)

This simple loaf cake is a great Japanese classic and a way to use some green tea!

INGREDIENTS

2 large eggs

1 cup flour

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

1-2 Tbsp Maccha green tea powder

1/2 tsp baking powder

METHOD

Cream butter in a bowl. Add sugar in the butter and mix well. Gradually add beaten eggs and stir well. Sift flour, baking powder, and green te powder together and add to the egg mixture. Pour the batter into a buttered loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 340* oven for about 30-40 minutes. Enjoy!

Lebkuchen: Germany (Medium)

Lebkuchen, German for gingerbread, is very different from the molasses-enriched little people your mom used to make on Christmas. Today I made some Lebkuchen and absolutely loved the interesting spicy flavor. 

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup shelled almonds, ground

1/2 cup chopped candied orange and lemon peel

2 eggs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups honey

1/2 cup milk

~~~~~~~~~

Frosting

6 oz confectioner's sugar

1/2 tsp almond extract

1 tsp lemon juice

water

Method

Line a jelly roll tin with waxed paper, brush

lightly with oil and put aside. In a bowl, sift

   the flour, baking powder, and spices together.

Stir in the almonds and chopped peel. Break

the eggs into another bowl, add the sugar, and

beat until the mixture is light and thick, leav-

ing a trail when the whisk is lifted. Beat in the

honey and milk followed by the flour mixture.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake

in a preheated oven at 400*F for 15-20 minutes.

To make the frosting, put the confectioner's 

sugar into a bowl.  Add the extract, lemon juice

and enough water to mix to a thick consistency.

Brush the frosting over the hot Lebkuchen. Cut 

into bars to serve.