This month we bring you the second part of our series on Ethnic Foods. For those of you who missed the first part here is a brief introduction as to how this series began. We at Mosaic have wanted to do an article on Ethnic Foods, a write-up on where to find authentic foodstuff from our home countries. Food is an eternal theme, and very often at WBFN we hear each other tipping: “I discovered a terrific store where they sell.....” We wanted our members to lay out their inside knowledge on this universal theme. They did, and so, this series began. But, to keep it going you need to write to us with your information on this topic as well. This month, Catherine Labaste gives you some of her tips, Gilda Dadush tells you were to find the best halal meat and merguez from North Africa and Mariel gives you a Peruvian culinary snap-shot.
What to cook for Dinner?
What can I cook for dinner? For many households this is a major concern. After arriving in the US, I found myself a bit lost, not being able to find the various products I was accustomed to buy in Europe. Grocery shopping became more time consuming and we had to go from one store to another in order to find the right products. I highly recommend a delicious chicken grown on Amish farms (Eberly’s Young Organic Chicken) found at Giant stores. Traditional markets are also difficult to come by in this area, but the Korean market can come as a handy substitute. It offers a various range of good quality fresh produce. One of the secrets of good and efficient cooking lies in exploring markets to find the quality products, leaving enough time for preparation.
Catherine Labaste
The best Peruvian food stores
When we arrived in the DC area in 1979, we were given a name for the “best Peruvian restaurant” and soon found a couple of ethnic markets carrying a few products, and… that was all we could aspire to. Fortunately, times have changed. Thanks to the internet, for example, I was able to prepare a wonderful quinoa pilaf side dish last month by googling Quinoa recipes and then choosing the recipe from . I also learned here from Stephanie Gallager, that quinoa is “one of the world’s true super foods... a complete protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids… a great source of fiber, iron and magnesium.”
To find ethnic food shops, I google Latin food market (add the area DC, MD or VA). Quinoa may also be found at most Wholefoods and other organic stores. El Chaparral Meat Marketin Virginia and Las Americas International Market in Rockville, two of my favorites, carry a variety of foreign products that will help bring back to life all those childhood flavors you maybe craving for.
Mariel Escudero
North African Flavors
Halal Meat Market,1331 Rockville Pike, #C, Rockville, MD 20852
Looking for that special cut of meat? Looking for very good quality meat? Looking for excellent service? Looking for a very clean place? Look no further…Cons: It is on the pricey side.
La Merguez Comme Chez Nous, contact Frederic Boukata, Phone: 703-724-0062
Are you looking for the best merguez ever (I would venture to say even better than in Morocco)? “La Merguez Comme Chez Nous” is your answer!
Gilda Dadush