DAY 29: shopping at M-MART, 2000 S. Havana--finding seeds for this year's Asian vegetable garden

I wasn't searching for garden seeds while at M-Mart, a smaller Korean/Japanese grocery store on S. Havana, but look what I found!  Aren't they beautiful?

As Spring approaches, that will be something else that I keep my eyes peeled for in Aurora--seeds for this year's garden.

DAY 28: Shopping at BOMBAY BAZAAR, 3140 S. Parker Rd., for Academy Awards snacks

BOMBAY BAZAAR, 3140 S. Parker Rd., is a great market for those seeking culinary specialties from all regions of India.  

One section of the store is devoted to coolers filled with frozen vegetables, breads, ready-to-cook meals and snacks.  Here you will also find paneer (fresh curd cheese) and Kulfi (ice cream) in an assortment of flavors.

Other areas are packed with boxed items of all kinds--mixes, spices, beauty products, toiletries, etc., and a HUGE selection of basmati rices, flours (gram!) and legumes. Large quantities of all are available..

 

 I came in search for an interesting alternative to popcorn for an Academy Awards party--NAMKEENS (fried, crunchy snack mixes made of a combination of varietal grams (legumes), peanuts, popped rices, toasted vermacelli, etc.)

 BOMBAY BAZAAR has isles and isles of namkeen offerings; most mild, many spicy (printed warnings).  They are very delicious and high in protein!  The mix on the plate is of a lentil flour pasta and MOOTH GRAM.

 A selection of what I purchased.  The DESI CHICKPEAS are actually not a chickpea at all, but it's own gram.  The owner, A Sikh from the Punjab region, told me that the skins of the desi chickpea are known to have beneficial qualities for diabetics--they help to balance blood sugar levels.

Bhel mix.  This is an interesting puffed rice mix that is often used in making "chaat"--Indian street food.  I'll be making "Bhel Puri" with it...

DAY 25: My "Somali" kitchen--Suqaar and eggs, served on Sourdough Lahooh (Somali flatbread) with sauteed mixed vegetables on the side

LAHOOH WITH SUQAAR AND EGGS:  A tomato beef sauce (I used ground beef) with baked eggs on top.

SOURDOUGH LAHOOH (SOMALI FLATBREAD):  Made with wheat flour, ground millet and corn meal.  A daily staple of the Somali diet and very similar to Ethiopian Injera bread, which is made of teff flour.

This recipe calls for whole millet; I ground mine, which I would recommend.

And, I would also add some salt to the batter.

SAUTEED MIXED VEGETABLES:  Shredded cabbage, potatoes, carrots, zucchini and yellow squash.

All recipes can be found on this good Somali cuisine website--

www.mysomalifood.com

quite delicious!

DAY 23: My kitchen with Russian pickled mushrooms

These are the mushrooms I bought at EUROPA GROCERY, 13728 E. Quincy Ave.

I am eating the ones one the left.  There's no English on the label, but the shop owner told me that they are wild picked.  They might be "slippery jacks", as they are very slimy.  They are also in a dill brine, not unlike dill pickles.  I've been putting them in sandwiches and on salads.  The others on the right are a varietal mix of wild picked mushrooms.

DAY 22: What Happened to the 2200 block of S. Havana?

From the street, driving past, this little strip mall looked promising.  But when we pulled up, got out of the car to investigate, most shops were out of business.

 still in business, but empty

 empty

 Korean nightclub, open from 8pm to 2am. It might still be in business...

Iraqi bread sounded exciting, but, alas, empty

DAH WON RICE CAKE BAKERY, 2222 S. Havana, was open, but looking in, there was very little on the shelves available.  I will probably go back for rice cakes.

DAY 21: ROYAL DELI FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, Chambers and Hampden

Well, I made it to ROYAL INTERNATIONAL CUISINE, but it's not a sit down restaurant anymore, it's a grocery store and deli.  

 What distinguishes ROYAL from the other Russian grocery stores I've been to in Aurora, is that it is a full deli, stocked with home made salads, meat and other dishes, and a full bakery with many cakes and sweet things that looked gooey and dangerous!  Again, everything made from scratch, on the premises.

I will be back to take photos and buy.  a lot. 

And eat. a lot.

DAY 20: From Russia: Pickled Wild Mushrooms at EUROPA GROCERY, 13728 E. Quincy Ave.

On day 15, my family and I had gone in search for a Russian restaurant called ROYAL INTERNATIONAL CUISINE, which had been replaced by another Pho(75). On that trip, I noticed a Russian grocery store called EUROPA.  I didn't stop then, but returned yesterday.

  

Like SOLOMON'S, on 1939 S. Havana, EUROPA has a fantastic array of Eastern European breads, sausages, dairy and imported prepared stuffs. I fell in love with the pickled mushrooms.

Four shelves filled with scores of varieties, many wild picked.

Cherry Creek Reservoir is right next door, so this is a great stop for gathering picnic stuffs before a hike!

I also asked one of the owners about ROYAL INTERNATIONAL CUISINE.  Apparently, they are still in business but moved to Chambers and Hampden...That's for tomorrow.