Camping, Princess Style

[Smithy]

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.

Edited Thursday at 07:42 PM by Smithy
Speling (log)

[Margaret Pilgrim]

Pssst!    Shhhhhh!   Just between the two of us, I, granted a Hun and without taste credentials, did not find the imported aji paste that singular in flavor or, indeed, worth the trouble of tracking it down.   When we did, and at that only had to cross town to buy it, husband insisted I buy two so I'd have it on hand, and the recipe called for half a cup.   As I wrote on another thread, I used little more than 2 tablespoons so have 90% of opened jar left as well as full jar.   Unless there is a very special reason besides "authenticity" for using this product,  I would rather substitute an on-hand pepper.   

[Smithy]

19 minutes ago, Margaret Pilgrim said:

Unless there is a very special reason besides "authenticity" for using this product,  I would rather substitute an on-hand pepper. 

 

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind for the future. 

 

But...

 

My particular recipe was provided by a chef who served in the Peace Corps in Peru (I'm not sure when). She was good enough to provide the recipe for the stew she made that I liked very much. In her notes she says that it must be this particular pepper to taste right. Granted, I couldn't find the brand of paste she uses, but when I make and post about this recipe I think I owe it to her to follow her instructions as closely as possible.

 

Later, I'm sure I'll be taking liberties as I always do. 🙂

 

[Margaret Pilgrim]

I totally understand.   My recipe came with the same caveat which explains the effort I took to find the aji called for.    And I agree that it's always smart to follow good instructions at least the first time.    (After that, I usually wing it.)

[JoNorvelleWalker]

9 hours ago, Smithy said:

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.

 

Have you considered whole dried Aji Amarillo?  That's how I buy it.  Probably longer shelf life too.

 

[ElsieD]

I used to buy frozen ones.

[Smithy]

No need to drive anywhere today. It was pleasant outside for a walk this morning, but now the wind has come up again...just as gusty, and just as dusty as yesterday and the day before. It's a good day to work on the taxes I've promised myself I'd do.

 

Well, I've hit a wall. Time to eat. What to make, what to make? Those potatoes I rescued are still waiting on the counter to be cooked. Do I want to make potato salad? No. Do I want a sandwich? No. I finished the last of the Sopa de Lima last night. I don't feel like starting tonight's planned panade yet.

 

I really, really like the salad dressing and salad recipe, give or take minor ingredient adjustments, from this article: Don't feel like cooking? Try this easy and savory Antipasti Salad.

 

Okay, salad dressing was already on my to-do list today. 

 

Before dressing (and before I thought to clean the phone lens), here's what I had:

 

 

After tossing, serving and dressing (and cleaning the lens):

 

 

It's now 2:30 pm. Will I feel like cooking that panade this evening? I dunno yet. I do know that I'll have to clear the "desk" of all this paper and do something else more entertaining. Otherwise I'll start the comfort-food noshing. Look out, chocolate Easter bunnies!

 

 

[Margaret Pilgrim]

Good luck with your taxes.    i was on the phone, either waiting or on hold by the agent, with IRS today for over an hour.    Received a letter that I had a large credit balance that needed to be addressed.    After much back and forth and holds, I convinced her that they were estimates that should have been applied.    She agreed and said I should file an amended return and include them.   "They are listed on the current return, line 33!"   "Ah, so they are.   You can disregard this letter."    I decided it was time to take a nap!