SNAP Challenge Day 3

Remember?  Yesterday Chris bought a 10 lb bag of rice?  So we only had $6 to spend on day 3. 
Chris and I both had yogurt for breakfast.  Lunch was leftover from the night before, so we had the whole $6 to spend for dinner. 

So we went to Chinatown to purchase cheap goodies.  Chris had a plan to make feijoada.  We already had black beans, so we bought pork belly, pork shoulder, onion, and green bell pepper = $6.30.  I thought we did pretty well. 

Mustard green in the picture is from a jar in the pantry. 

We shopped at Hong Kong Supermarket.  When you are watching your budget, it's a good place to go.  They have everything!

 Hong Kong Supermarket
157 Hester St
(between Elizabeth St & Bowery)
New York, NY 10013

Day 3 in Cuzco

We finally checked out San Pedro market today. Chris always gets very excited at markets or grocery stores wherever we go so it was nice see him acting like a child.

The market was divided into many sections - ie, potato sections, dairy sections, meat sections and food court like sections.

We didn't have a meal there because we had had a meal before getting there but we decided that we would like to go back to the market before going back to Lima for a lunch.

We have one more full day in Cuzco tomorrow and we are trying to decide what to do tomorrow. On Wednesday we have an early morning train to Aguas Calientes so we wouldn't want to do anything outrageous tomorrow. We are thinking of going to Pisac tomorrow. There is Pisac market there that we want to check out plus the ruins.

We pre-ordered guinea pig today for tomorrow's dinner. I will report back tomorrow. Couldn't leave Peru without tasting cuy!!!

We ordered at restaurant called Parhapapa. A few blocks from our hotel and was recommended by our hotel.

By the way, we love our hotel. It is on a hill so the walk is rough but it's worth it when eating breakfast outside every morning with amazing view.

We are staying at:

La Morada Suites
Kurkurpata 230
Cusco, 84

Each unit has a kitchen which was the big selling point for me. This time we are staying at a separate unit from my sister, Michelle, but when we come back from Machu Picchu we have a two bedroom unit booked.

Breakfast and airport transportation included. And we saw other units and hold up to 5-6 people. So this would be ideal for big families.

Pinotxo Bar

Michelle's friend recommended Pinotxo Bar, so we had to check it out. It's right inside of Boqueria market. We were lucky enough to grab two seats, because after us sitting down, people were waiting.

They have small dishes that they serve. It's perfect before/after shopping. We were there for later breakfast.



Address : La Rambla, 91
Zip code : 08001
City : Barcelona - Spain
Area : Ciutat Vella
Opening hours : 6am-4pm Monday to Saturday
Prices : From 3 to 10€
Phone : +34 93 317 17 31
Metro/Bus : Ramblas

La Boqueria Market

Since I wanted to go to Spain for food, we couldn't miss La Boqueria Market. And it was definitely more than my eye can handle. We were surrounded by meat, vegetable, and seafood and the color and smell were incredible. Photos don't do any justice, so I won't even bother posting more photos than three. You just have to see and smell it yourself. I just wanted to pick up a leg of jamon and a case of tomatoes and get on a plane.




http://www.boqueria.info/index.php

Mango with Sticky Rice!!!

Who knew that I could find Mango with Sticky Rice in a box.
But I found it at Trader Joe's.

Because I didn't know how it was going to taste, I only bought one box. Now I regret it... I should have bought more.

You just have to defrost in a microwave for 5 minutes.

Now I can have my favorite Thai dessert everyday!!!




Trader Joe's
142 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003-4170
(212) 529-4612

http://www.traderjoes.com/

New Noodle Soup Option

I enjoy things that are cooked for 5- 6 hours, but I am also all about something quick and easy.
After work and school, sometimes I just want to eat something in 10 minutes. Most of the nights, Chris takes care of dinner and I appreciate that, but when my blood sugar goes down, there is no cure!!!

So, when my mom was here over Christmas, she recommended this noodle soup. My knowledge of Korean snack and packaged food stopped in the early/mid 90's, so it's good that someone is telling me what's good and what's not good. Apparently this brand called "Pulmuone" puts out good products.

This particular noodle was really good on a cold day.
It's not your $1 top ramen - this was almost $9 and there were two servings inside. And it took about 5-6 minutes, but it was worth it.

Chris said it was a bit bland... but I am Korean after all. I can always add Kimchee.



You can find this at:

Hanareum Supermarket
25 West, 32nd Street
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212. 695. 3238

Takoyaki at home

You can finally eat takoyaki at home. At Sunrise, you can find frozen takoyaki's.
I tried to cook them in macrowave, which wasn't successful. Chris finally put them in a toaster oven and they came out to be perfect.

Otafuku in East Village only makes good takoyaki's. A lot of restaurants in the city try, but they are not the same. But now I am glad that I can eat these at home.

This is the brand that I buy and I am extremely happy with it.

Sunrise Mart
29 3rd Ave
(between 10th St & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10003

Otafuku
236 E 9th St
(between 2nd Ave & Stuyvesant St)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 353-8503

Shopping!!!

We were out of a lot stuff, more specifically Japanese food products, we were headed to Sunrise Mart. While we were buying necessary items such as Miso and Japanese mayo, I was distracted by Kimchi Natto.

If this isn't biological weapon, I don't know what is.
I am not that brave to try... if any of you are willing to try, let me know...


Then, I found frozen Taiyaki. I was thrilled!!!
I just put them in microwave for a minute and half. It was better than I expected.


Older Sunrise post -
Sunrise Mart
29 3rd Avenue (between 10th St & 2nd Ave)
212 598 3040

We went to New Amsterdam Market today to support Lauryn who is starting her own business. She now is starting Mother in Law's Kimchi and we are proud of her. It's her mother's recipe and we approve!!!

You can find her bottles of goodness at:

Essex Street Market in Manhattan and Marlow & Daughters in Brooklyn.
Go buy some already!!!

http://www.milkimchi.com/


http://www.newamsterdammarket.org/markets.html

Trader Joe's

Yes, we are from California and we are spoiled - more specifically we are from San Francisco.
When we had everything good in the world, we didn't appreciate it - perfect weather, kind people, amazing produce, and personal space...

Almost 7 years ago when we moved to Manhattan, we hated it. We couldn't stand it.
Winter (in Chris's case, Summer), no personal space, nasty subway/station, people, and horrible produce...

Then we found friends, started going to museums, operas, concerts, THEN Trader Joe's opened and our life was almost back to normal. The relationship with New York is somewhat of a love/hate relationship. You love everything that New York has to offer - world class museums, symphony, opera, and how can I forget... lectures and speeches... but at the same time, you hate the weather, rude people, nasty subway stations, and garbage mountains on the street.

OK, OK, about Trader Joe's. We always had it back home (San Francisco). It wasn't a big deal. But when Trader Joe's opened in Manhattan about 3-4 years ago, there was a line out the door. So we refused to go. Then we realized... New Yorkers had never seen anything like this. Fresh produce and healthy food at affordable prices. When we finally walked in for the first time, we felt like we were home... ah... home...

We were in the neighborhood, after the dentist appointment, we decided to stop by.
They had so many vegetarian options, which I never noticed before, obviously. So we picked up bags and bags of things...

The only beer I can drink... Another reason I am in love with Belgium...

Vegetarian corn dog. You gotta love Trader Joe's!!!

Oh yes, I almost forgot. Trader Joe's also has a wine shop next to it and sells wine at a very good price.


Trader Joe's Union Square Grocery
142 E. 14th St.
New York, NY 10003
Phone Number: 212-529-4612
Trading Hours: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Alcohol: Only Beer Sold


Trader Joe's Union Square Wine
138 E. 14th St.
New York, NY 10003
Phone Number: 212-529-6326
Trading Hours: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm M-Sa 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm Su
Alcohol: Only Wine Sold


More store list, go to their website.

Chatuchak Market in Bangkok

We woke up early and were off to Chatuchak Market. I have only heard of this market but this was going to be my first time. The size of market was unbelievable and they had everything from clothing to household products. We apparently saw not even 1/10 of the market. But it was getting really hot that we had to leave.

We managed to picked up some t-shirts, magnets, and jewelry.







http://bangkok.sawadee.com/chatuchak.htm

Steak!!!

I don't know what Chris's trick is, but he makes the best steak. He uses broiler 2-3 minutes on each side. I try the same way, but it never comes out the same way.

Rice on the side is Japanese vegetable rice. We call it mushroom rice in our household. Maybe someone can let me know the proper name. You can get it from any Japanese market. The one that I normally go to is:

Sunrise Mart
29 3rd Avenue (between 10th St & 2nd Ave)
212 598 3040

Escargots at home

For those who love escargots, but don't want to go to restaurants all the time, here is your answer. You can buy them at a store. They are already stuffed with herb butter. You just have to put them in you oven at 350 for 10 minutes.

Christoff bought them from:

Agata & Valentina
1504 First Avenue @ 79th Street

More on food in San Francisco

We visited more restaurants, cafes, farmer's market (together or separately), but don't have pictures from all the places. So, I will just list them -


Osha Thai Noodle Cafe (Original)
696 Geary Street
415-673 2368
http://www.oshathai.com/
Apparently, Osha is expanding with multiple/fancy locations.
However, one on Geary was still nice to go back to.


Great Eastern Restaurant
649 Jackson Street
415 986 2500
We couldn't be in San Francisco without having Dimsum with Chu family.
We still think Dimsum is better in San Francisco than in New York.


UN Plaza Farmers' Market
Sundays: 7AM - 5PM
1182 Market Street (at 8th Street & Grove)
The above picture was taken at the market

Elmhurst

We are looking for a place again and this time we are obsessed with Elmhurst. Elmhurst right below Jackson Heights, but it definitely has a different feel to it. For about a month and half, we have been going to Elmhurst every Sunday, and we are trying out different restaurants and checking out different stores every time.

While Jackson Heights is represented by Central & South America and South Asia, Elmhurst is represented mostly by East & Southeast Asia.

By accident, we found this store. It sells Thai goodies - snacks, drinks, and stuff that's made by Sea Restaurant (appetizers & pastes).

Sugar Club
81-20 Broadway

At the above store, I found my TEA!!! There was only one store that had this tea in Woodside, but last few times I went there, there was none. But at Sugar Club, I found it.
My friends that tried this tea weren't that impressed, but this has to be my favorite! It's made by Japanese company, but it's made in Thailand.
I had this tea for the first time in Cambodia and fell in love with it. Maybe I was in the moment - right outside of Angkor Wat, it saved me from steamy weather...
Whatever the reason is, I am just glad that I found the store that carries it!

We were very impressed with Pacific Supermarket (Broadway / 75th Street). We walked in thinking that it was going to be a Chinese grocery market, but we were shocked to find everything - Korean, Japanese, Southeast Asian...

I grew up eating this melon - Cham Wei in Korean. I never saw this in San Francisco, but found it in New York Chinatown and Pacific Supermarket also had it.

This is what inside of Cham Wei looks like.

Di Palo's

If you are looking for fine Italian Cheeses, meats, olive oil, and coffee, this is the place.
The store also makes their own Mozzarella.

Di Palo's
200 Grand Streeat @ Mott
New York, NY 10013
(212)226-1033

Hours
Mon-Sat 9AM-6:30PM
Sun 9AM - 3:30PM