Not much to report on the culinary front from yesterday. I made a chicken salad (heavy on the chicken and mayo, lighter on the capers, and that's it) and turned it into an open-faced sandwich of sorts. I ate chunks of cheese, and melted cheese atop bread. (I really do wish I'd packed the toaster, but I didn't want to dirty up a skillet or Papa's pan.) I finally finished the panade from what, last week? It really holds up well. I'm glad I have all the elements with which to make another one soon.
It wasn't a nice day to be outside, nor had it been on the previous day. For two days straight, the wind blew so hard that the local flags seemed starched
and we were sandblasted every time we crossed a street in line with the sand dunes.
Still, I had to go out. It was Old Farts Day at the local Fry's: 10% discount on everything, for senior citizens, on the first Wednesday of the month.
Know what? I have too much food already. You probably won't be surprised at that. So household cleaning items, pet supplies, coffee and half-and-half constituted my shopping. It still added up. Pet food and treats are expensive!
I've already shown you some of that Fry's. But going back to last week, I see I haven't shown you the local Albertson's or the Oriental Gift Shop next to the laundromat I use. Sit back and enjoy the show. If there's something you want to know more about, or get a better peek at, ask away.
First, the Oriental Gift Shop. I've posted about it in years past. They have a lot of fun decorations in the window
and even more inside. If I were inclined toward redecorating, I'd probably spend a bundle in here.
I actually had a goal: to see whether they carry the Aji Amarillo paste I wanted, since @C. sapidus had found some at H-Mart. This store is a lot smaller than H-Mart, of course, but it was worth looking while the washing machines ran.
They have a dizzying array of noodles, sauces, beans, spices, vinegars. Canned and fermented eggs. There's a refrigerator section that I didn't even photograph, but it's full of interesting foods too. I still have some of their kimchi from last year. No Peruvian chili pastes, though they had plenty of Chinese and Indian chili pastes. And curry sauces. Have a look!
(I love those little parasols. I didn't buy any, though.)
I went out empty-handed. On the way out I admired the elaborate sculpture/fountain by the door. Unfortunately this is only a still photo. It had quite a few moving parts: spinning wheels and balls, with changing light colors and moving bubbles. You'll have to use your imagination.
When the laundry was done I went to Albertson's for something...now I've forgotten what. I know I looked for the Aji Amarillo paste there too, without success. I want to show you some of the meat and seafood offerings!
That's right. A whole, wild-caught (now frozen and dead) octopus. I wasn't tempted.
I thought this pompano was interesting, but didn't buy it either. I'm amazed at what can be found here in Yuma! Granted, we aren't far from the Pacific Ocean or the Sea of Cortez, but it still isn't like being at a port for easy access.
After all that, I went to the Post Office and picked up my package:
Very securely wrapped, with triple wrappings of bubble packing. I'd worried that my paste, having zinged around the country for weeks, would have been damaged. Nope. Excellent condition. Based on this experience, I'd buy from this company again -- if I like the paste.
I haven't gotten far enough to decide on that yet.
