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Dried Chipotles - having withdrawls


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Well, not THE only thing but I used to be able to buy dried chipotles, among many other varieties of chilis, for cheap and in bulk at the underground market in downtown LA. Having recently moved up here (and loving it) I do miss my Mexican food and grocers and would be so happy to find one.

I love to make my own dry rub using chipotles but have run out. (sigh) Sadly, one of the few latin markets I've run across here on E. Hastings has stopped carrying them. Now I'm back to square one. I'm sure some of the hoity-toity gourmet markets may have them, about 3 teeny-weeny pods for about $12.99, but I gotta get my hands on a REAL supply where I can dig in and fill up one of those plastic grocery bags! I'll even go over the border if necessary! Please help!

:biggrin: gracias!

bimbojones
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Thanks for the tip, eatrustic!! I'll check them out and the thread, too.

Correcto mundo, rjwong! Yes, I do miss that place...also the small local markets in and around Cypress Park area, etc. Jicama, jalapenos, cheap avocados, tomatillos, all super fresh and cheap. Heck, I could get most of what I needed at Safeway. I really miss the fresh tortilla masa...

Anyway. Sure! Send up a 5lb bag of dried chipotles! I'll pay ya back! (we're gettin' the rain up here so don't feel too bad)

bimbojones
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I also just saw a selection of dried chilies (including chipotle) at Que Pasa down in Richmond on No. 5 road. Here is their link.

I just read that thread eatrustic linked to, and saw a mention of Fonda San Miguel in Austin, Texas. Now THAT is an amazing restaurant. I haven't found anything like it elsewhere in the U.S. or Canada. Their website is Fonda San Miguel if anyone wants to check it out and recommend local options! :rolleyes:

Cheers!

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Well, not THE only thing but I used to be able to buy dried chipotles, among many other varieties of chilis, for cheap and in bulk at the underground market in downtown LA. Having recently moved up here (and loving it) I do miss my Mexican food and grocers and would be so happy to find one.

I love to make my own dry rub using chipotles but have run out. (sigh) Sadly, one of the few latin markets I've run across here on E. Hastings has stopped carrying them. Now I'm back to square one. I'm sure some of the hoity-toity gourmet markets may have them, about 3 teeny-weeny pods for about $12.99, but I gotta get my hands on a REAL supply where I can dig in and fill up one of those plastic grocery bags! I'll even go over the border if necessary! Please help!

:biggrin: gracias!

Try South China Seas in Granville Island Market....not cheap....but not hugely expensive either. And they have a lot af specialty Mexican (as well as Asian) ingredients. Like achiote or Annatto seeds

The owners are fabulous and have lots of suggestions as well.

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I don't know what prices are like for chiles and such in Vancouver, but if you're ever down near the border I'd suggest crossing over to grab supplies. The prices there are dead cheap, and I'm pretty sure you'll have a larger selection. There's a little tienda maybe 15 minutes south on the Guide Meridian that has dried chiles and spices, Mexican cheeses in big wedges, vegetables (sometimes) and tortillas. They don't have the chiles in bulk, but at least they're cheap enough you can buy a grocery bag full of little packets of them. =) As you're driving south, it's on the left hand side of the road.

I haven't found anyplace with fresh tortillas yet, but I'll post when I do - there's got to be somewhere near Bellingham, and while I'm glad to have real corn tortillas again, I'd like something a little better than what I'm getting.

There's also a little deli in Langley that sells some items, but their selection can be a little odd. They also have queso fresco, which I hadn't been able to find anywhere north of the border. I can't remember if they have chipotles or not, though. They're on the main downtown drag through Langley, but I'm afraid I can't remember the name.

- Leilah

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I second the El Sureno tip. On Commercial near 2nd. They might indeed have the dried chipotles, but last time I checked there was a couple making and deliverying fresh cheese, tamales and crema on a regular basis. They may also be doing fresh masa, worth an enquiry. But the store also carries Don Pancho brand tortillas out of Oregon. They are very very good, don't crack when you heat them up like most packaged tortillas you buy here.

You might also phone Gourmet Warehouse in Vancouver. They do carry ancho and guajillos. Don't know the quality, since I live over on the island and they don't deliver.

I can get dried chipotles here, so if you excersize all your options to no avail, let me know.

s

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Wow, thanks for all the great replys. I may head over the border soon anyway (to land!!) and will check out that place, (on the Guide Meridian), where is that exactly?

On my last trip down to the Bay Area (Santa Cruz to be exact) I did pick up a whole wack of supplies including two huge bricks of achihote paste, mexican oregano and chilies (for pennies) but no chipotles. Didn't have time to hit all the markets, unfortunately. My suitcase smelled really good, though!

Fresh masa, crema....oh man, I'm drooling! Will definitely check out El Sureno. If I can get fresh masa I will be one happy chick. :laugh:

bimbojones
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:biggrin: Happy Happy!!!! Joy Joy!!!! El Sureno just made my day. They're not terribly cheap but didn't kill me either at $15 per lb. Paid about $8 for this stash. And they're nice and fresh! Picked up some fresh tomatillos and a nice overripe plantain. Didn't see any crema or fresh masa dough but, I'm good with my chilis for now. Woo hoo!<br><img src="http://www.geocities.com/michele_graybeal/chipotles.jpg">
bimbojones
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Nice looking chilies you've got there ! I'm glad it worked. Do check back regarding cheese, crema and masa. The couple who make that stuff drive in from the outskirts on a regular basis. Perhaps next time you are in, ask at the counter. At least, I hope they are still making it.

I want to know what you are making.............

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..and another place to buy lots of the basics: Los Guerreros "su tienda latina" #102 - 3317 Kingsway (near Joyce) You really have to look for it as the shop blends in with all the other little nondescript places.

This reminds me of something I would see in Mexico: grim lighting, craggy owner, but there are lots of good latin ingredients here and about 5 chest freezers with all kinds of hard to find items. They even have Mexican style pastries, which are nothing to rush down for if you have never had them, but they do bring back the memories.

The pepper selection is better at El Sureno (thanks Shelora for the gentle correction on spelling and proximity). On the weekends they make a few little Pupusa style items from the tiny kitchen in the back. Not to sure (quality) as I haven't tried them yet.

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Nice looking chilies you've got there ! I'm glad it worked. Do check back regarding cheese, crema and masa. The couple who make that stuff drive in from the outskirts on a regular basis. Perhaps next time you are in, ask at the counter. At least,  I hope they are still making it.

I want to know what you are making.............

I will stop by there more often now and hopefully they'll have the rest of the goods. They do have fresh corn tortillas which look pretty good but I like to make my own. I'll let you in on one of my little secrets. Kind of a happy accident, really. The first time I made tortillas using fresh masa dough I didn't realize there were two different kinds at my grocer - one for tortillas and one for tamales. I bought the latter without knowing. The difference is the tamale masa has lard, lime and salt in it which is of course MORE flavor! I did experience a little trouble keeping them from tearing but once I got the feel they were great! Now I just mix the two masas together so they're easier to work with...well, at least I used to...sniff.

Yesterday I made my chili/garlic rub using some chipotles, guajillo, ancho and arbol chilis. I can email you the recipe if you want.

Thanks also for the other market, eatrustic! I'll check them out, too.

bimbojones
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Shelora - you've got mail! In case you didn't get it here's the link to my recipe: http://www.citychef.ca/xcart/customer/pages.php?pageid=120

Again, if you have questions let me know.

By the way, I've got 2lbs of Nixtamal soaking in the Cal solution. Should be ready to grind into masa in about an hour. Speaking of grinding, anybody try this corn grinder? http://www.retsel.com/

If this batch turns out good I may make the investment.

Wish me luck!

bimbojones
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Thanks Irish Girl! It is suprising what you can find at that store...when you say the non-lard type do you mean just masa harina? Or is this a wet mix?

That's a great link, Huevos del Toro. I've actually researched it myself and have considered it. I lost the link I had but yours looks better anyway. Have you tried making your own?

As far as the masa experiment goes, not sure the Cal (slaked lime) is working...but that's in another thread I started in Mexican cuisine http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=61988 ...hopefully I'll get some help there!

I have to tell you, the smell of the Nixtamal is heavenly!! :rolleyes:

Michele

Edited by bimbojones (log)
bimbojones
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Hi there,

What kind of corn are you using? Where did you buy it? Where did you get the slaked lime? This is something I want to make this year, using some of the local corn, but not sure which kind would be best.

I'm very curious as to how this turns out. Keep me posted.

Thanks,

Shelora

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It said "Masa Cal" and it's ingredients were basically corn and lime. It was a dry mix that you just add water to to make the dough. English was hard to find on the packaging. The spanish and French were more predominant.

It certainly made me interested though....I am going to have a Mexican Theme Party soon....maybe something else to try. :rolleyes:

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Hi there,

What kind of corn are you using? Where did you buy it? Where did you get the slaked lime? This is something I want to make this year, using some of the local corn, but not sure which kind would be best.

I'm very curious as to how this turns out. Keep me posted.

Thanks,

Shelora

I'm using field or dent corn. You don't want to use regular sweet corn as it's not the same thing.

Would you mind if we moved this thread over to the Mexican forum so I can keep my other "masa" thread going? That way we can get others who know about masa in the loop! I have photos of the finished process!

Link to thread: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=61988

Michele

bimbojones
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DRIED CHIPOTLES--HAVING WITHDRAWLS

Well, not THE only thing but I used to be able to buy dried chipotles, among many other varieties of chilis, for cheap and in bulk at the underground market in downtown LA. Having recently moved up here (and loving it) I do miss my Mexican food and grocers and would be so happy to find one.

Please help!

:biggrin: gracias!

A drawl is a beautiful thing. No wonder you miss it. Next thing you know you'll be saying 'oot and aboot'.

Welcome,

Jamie

Edited by jamiemaw (log)

from the thinly veneered desk of:

Jamie Maw

Food Editor

Vancouver magazine

www.vancouvermagazine.com

Foodblog: In the Belly of the Feast - Eating BC

"Profumo profondo della mia carne"

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A drawl is a beautiful thing. No wonder you miss it. Next thing you know you'll be saying 'oot and aboot'.

Welcome,

Jamie

LOL! Thanks, Jamie! Haven't picked up that much of an accent. I must admit I've thrown in an "eh" occasionally...and was just starting to get into hockey then that "thing" happened. You can congratulate me, though! I have officially landed as of yesterday! Woohoo!

As for a drawl in California? I'm not sure about that. I guess I don't really hear it do you? Probably more down in LA. (like, woah, man...trippy) but not so much in the Bay Area where I'm from. But of course, we're far superior. :wink:

bimbojones
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  • 1 month later...

Wanted to resurrect this post because of my recent trip to Vancouver and in particular my stop in at El Sureno on Commercial Drive.

Much to my delight, El Sureno has increased their selection of Latin and Caribbean foods. Here are some of the highlights of my trip through the aisles.

El Comal, a corn tortilla maker, now make crema - the Mexican creme fraiche. Check out also the queso fresco and cotija cheese.

One large shelf is home to Yerba Mate, the Argentinian tea. The packaging selection is deluxe.

Cajeta that delicious goat milk caramel is now available in the plastic squeeze bottle. A great idea who's time has come. I prefer the quemada over the envinada anyday.

Look for the industrial size cans of chipotles en adobo and the hominy corn for big vats of pozole.

You'll also find an amazing selection of hot sauces. Again excellent packaging.

I picked up my 6 month supply of Don Pancho corn tortillas - the taco size being the house favourite.

The best looking poblano peppers in the fresh produce aisle, which I couldn't resist, and big size jalapenos, great for stuffing.

And last but not least, hot tamales are available at the check out. Hope you can check it out.

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