Spring cleaning

One of the more interesting things I like to do when I travel to another country or it can even be another state is to visit grocery stores. This may seem odd and ridiculous and some may be appalled that I would take time of out sightseeing to check out grocery stores, but I am going to take a stand on this and say you will not believe what you can find.

It is one thing to dine at unfamiliar restaurants and to get a sense of food and culture the city/country has to offer, but what you find in grocery stores gives you a better insight into how most of the population eats. As much I like dining out, when I am home I enjoy cooking as often as I can, which means dining out does not happen on a regular basis. But when I am outside of my home, I tend to go out more, looking for something different. But if you want to get a true sense of how everyone eats, the grocery stores will show you just about everything you could wish to know.

I like to marvel at the differences from my grocery store. Depending on where you visit, you will find various types of fruits and vegetables. I’ve often come across fruit and vegetables that I have don’t recognize, which I like taking pictures of.

I’ve noticed that there seems to be a great focus on fresh food everywhere but the United States. Here no matter what grocery store I go into, it would be the same vegetables and fruits on display. I also find the variety of sweet treats offered to be fascinating and different from the typical cupcakes and muffins that seem to have taken over here.

Food says a lot about the culture and the people who live there. Next time you’re in afar away or not too far away land, eat as much as you can ! Stroll through the markets and explore, pick up something that’s unfamiliar. You just might learn more than what you expected.

On my recent trip to Canada, while strolling through Chinatown, there were quite a few unfamiliar fruits and vegetables. At that moment all I wished was that I could live there, so I could have the opportunity to experiment and experience all the food they had to offer.

PS : These fruits are familiar to me, but might not be to some others.

During one of my stops in a cheese store, I picked up a bottle of mustard made out of herbs. Yes, I did get some cheese too. I have been staring at this bottle for days trying to figure out what to do.

Now that it’s the season for dusting, scrubbing and cleaning and that includes my pantry, my refrigerator and every nook and cranny where I have stuff stored, I need to start putting all those things to use.

I have had quinoa a few times and the one time I did attempt to make it, was not very successful, the bitter after taste made me want to let the pack of quinoa sit in my pantry, till I decide to toss it out.

However, a friend recently made some quinoa, which made me want to attempt to give it another chance. I read as much as I can about how to make the quinoa light and fluffy, while everyone seems to have their own theory, the one I picked seemed to work the best for me. ( I will spare you the details)

Besides picking up cheese and random odds and ends related to food, I also picked up a few extra pounds on my waistline, therefore, while cleaning out my pantry, I am at the same time attempting to shed those pounds. So maybe this is my chance to get on the quinoa bandwagon, after all I am told it is healthy.

This is what I did ;

1 cup quinoa rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 garlic cloves
12 Broiled Shrimp (which I marinated in balsamic, garlic, salt and pepper & red chili flakes)
Asparagus (broiled)
Roasted Bell Pepper

I sautéed the quinoa in a tablespoon of olive oil and once it toasted, I added the crushed garlic. Then put in the chicken broth, put a lid on it and let it cook over a low flame. I turned the stove off, when the broth was absorbed and let it sit covered for 10 minutes.

Next I tossed in the vegetables and lastly the cooked shrimp.

For the dressing,

1 tbls of the herb mustard, Dijon will work fine
2 tbls of Balsamic
Salt & pepper to taste
4 tbls of olive oil

Stir together and drizzle into the quinoa and top with toasted slivered almonds.

I was surprised as to how great it was….I am now a quinoa fan and will try more recipes with it.