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Shopping Spree!

shopping

I’m not ashamed to admit that I spent the entire day shopping …and eating, and cooking, and eating again.

I have no glitz or glamor to pull out of glossy bags but bits of yummies to share with you from familiar brown paper bags that crinkle oh-so-satisfyingly when food stuffs are shuffled out.  Like little army men, I love to line up my groceries and organize them into perishable/nonperishable, pantry/fridge/freezer and so on in such a manner that the little ocd monster that lives in your head would nod with approval.

First stop, the Farmer’s Market

Scuppernongs & Muscadines

Heirloom Babies…{with this one sending me a message of love}

I turned my findings into a fruit salad –a nod to the fading smells and tastes of Summer.

Second stop, the Asian Mart

The lady there told me that these were Filipino Bananas

Jackfruit (I can’t say I love it as much as Durian) *evil laugh*

In between here and there, I stopped and treated myself to a Pumpkin Pie Italian Ice…yes, ya done heard right!  It’s quintessentially creamy frozen pumpkin pie on a spoon *swoon*

Fourth stop, the “regular” Market

I can’t wait to make Brie en Croute with Figs & Honey–yummy!!

Fifth stop, the Korean Mart

An entire box of creamy melon-y delights, all for me!

L-R: Clear sweetened punch with bits of soft floating rice (think Horchata minus the milkiness and spice), essentially a sweetened OJ, packed with mandarin pulp, and white grape juice with skinned, seedless grapes.

{Sometimes, I like to have something sweet before dinner}

Banchan (counter clockwise): Pickled Cucumber, Radish Kimchi, Spinach, Kimchi, and Beansprouts (most of these recipes may be found here)  These side dishes are traditionally set out before each and every meal and if you’re dining out, is included with the cost of your entree + (usually) free “refills.”  The variety and quantity is Chef’s choice and is influenced by region or season.

Jjangmyeun Black Bean Noodles with Meat & Veggies aka “Korean Spaghetti” says 6 year old me ^.^

Gopchang Jeongol: Cow Intestine & Tripe Stew.  Mom/Dad are huge fans, me not so much.  Not to mention, it’s a paaain to prepare.  There’s just so much fattiness that needs to be extracted from the intestines beforehand and it requires specific cooking techniques revolving around whether or not you can obtain fresh ingredients.  It’s definitely a labor intensive dish but on the fun side, I love Mom/Dad’s matching shirts =)

…and to echo the amazing Pumpkin injection earlier, Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars!  <—just -berries & +1 1/2 c pureed Pumpkin + 2 tb Pumpkin Spice and you’re good to go!

So, I guess this is what I do on my days off, what do you do?

Also if you get the chance, check out my post for Charles at FiveEuroFood!

Love,

Your Squishy Monster ^.^

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60 thoughts on “Shopping Spree!

  • Choc Chip Uru says:

    No glitz or glamour? Puhlease, I think the farmers market is one of the most upbeat places ever

  • Paul Anthony Prince says:

    There is nothing wrong with the way you enjoyed your day!! Sounds a lot better than my day spent: running, crunching, lifting, packing lunches, taxi’ing the brute squad to school, researching and annotating for a paper, remembering that I forgot to eat, >.<' class, taxi'ing the brute squad from school, shopping (yay!! the market had my greens and they weren't about to expire. That has go to be the worse thing about getting my veggies from the store, I finally get around to shopping and they'll only have stock with 3 days or less til expiration. I really need to get that garden going.), home, homework, dinner, and tucking the kiddos down for the night… is it too late for a snack? Some fruit salad (yummy yummy) would hit the spot. Just another average day for ol'fuzzy but I enjoy it!!

    I must say, that my cdo (because that's how the letter are supposed to go) monster tips his hat at the cut of your jib. I cannot put away my groceries until everything is unpacked and set out in order. Want to see me sweat, give me a round coaster on a square patterned coffee table. You just might think I was trying to play table hockey. ~.^

    I've never tried Bri en Croute but that will have to change and the sooner the better, it looks absolutely wonderful. I am going to have to look for those melon bars the next time we're at the market, I bet they are delightfully-delicious!

    I need to give my hand a try at making some Kimchi, I only have enough of the market brand left over for one more dish; I was thinking of trying some chicken/spinach sausage with rice and seeing how it turns out. The spinach kimchi you mentioned has really peaked my interest, I'm having trouble finding your recipe.

    It looks like you had a busy but well worth it day off. Thanks for sharing it with us!!

    Warmest Regards,
    -Paul

  • Paul Anthony Prince says:

    I just noticed there was a comma between spinach and kimchi >.< I guess I'll have to try my hand at another type, perhaps Ggaennip. I have a good idea where to get most of the ingredients with the exception of Perilla.

    I wouldn't mind trying some of them battered and fried too, sounds like the start of a good breakfast, just add some bacon and eggs.

    Mmmmmmm bacon.
    -Paul

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    That’s actually a thing—street vendors are notorious for serving these up. Your idea sounds stellar…hm, may just very well have to look into that! Thanks for the idea, Paul!!

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    It’s never too late for a snack!…you should consider blogging…I would love to see your garden grow! Lemme know how your Kimchi fried rice comes out…I got a lotta heat for adding bacon to mine but it’s a wonder why it’s not in there in the first place, lol.

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    I knooow, right? We bring the glitz and glamor with us, girl!!! =D

  • Paul Anthony Prince says:

    I thought I hit reply on that last post instead of going to a new comment, My apologies for spamming you up. m(_ _)m

    However, I just had to say that your brown paper bag remark brought a smile to my face. I thought I was the only one still using them. I love the way they sound, plastic ones are like nails on a chalk board for me…. ironically nails on a chalk board don’t really phase me but I do not know another old adage to use in comparison. Oh well… I’m going to call it a night.

    G’night squishy!!
    -fuzzy

  • rondamkisner says:

    All I did today is make a cake!

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    That sounds like a great day to me! ^.^

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    Sweet dreams!

  • Kiran says:

    Pumpkin pie italian ice?!? Oh my, sign me up!!!

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    I would sooo work for food, lol! ^.^

  • Erin says:

    It’s a pretty great trade… and the veggies I get from them are amazing – so much flavour! Plus, such a fun atmosphere, everyone is happy at the market!

  • Mmmmm!!! Mmmm!!! says:

    I take everyday off…but I need to find some better stores around here! I need a squishy monster!!!

    Filipino bananas are trippin me out!

  • Susan @ Caribbean Cruises says:

    Well, honestly speaking according to me maybe I shouldn’t be rich on this post and saw these pictures especially when I am too much hungry. I can’t control myself after seen some strawberries. I love strawberries yemmie …

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    What a life! They are so teeny tiny ^.^

  • grace says:

    i love it when i find naturally heart-shaped foods–it makes me feel like all is right with the world. :)
    pumpkin pie italian ice? if i didn’t see it here, i wouldn’t believe it!

  • libishski says:

    I LOVE heirloom tomatoes! Can’t wait until our autumn/fall for them!

  • Charles says:

    Scuppernongs and muscadines? LOL – I’ve never heard of them

  • yummychunklet says:

    Those are my favorite bananas!

  • yummychunklet says:

    That looks like an awesome day!

  • thehautecookie says:

    love the farmers market!!! happy friday and weekend love! xO!
    http://www.thehautecookie.com

  • mjskit says:

    Definitely wouldn’t find a market like this where I live in the SW U.S. Wish I could but then I wouldn’t know what I was buying. :) Thanks for sharing your shopping spree! What a fun day!

  • Lester says:

    Dear Angie as long as you are not harming your self and or others( I know you would never do either) You can and should be able to do as you want. As Tom Jones once sang in a famous song ( She’s a Lady!) A lady should be able to shop all day , Bathe in milk,Sing in the rain , Ride a pony, Lol, etc , etc.

    The food looks delicious and wonderful Angie!! OOOOOOOOOOO! Pumpkin cheese cake!! I had a pumpkin doughnut yesterday! Hey I was good all day,lol!1
    The pictures look interesting.Those fruits looks, exotic,colorful sexy and wexy!!

    Thanks for sharing and have a lovely day Angie!

    xoxoxo.

    Les.

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    Ooooh, now you’ve got me craving a pumpkin donut!!!

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    That’s part of the fun, I think. It’s like the grown up version of a surprise goodie bag…it’s how I discovered that I enjoy Durian so much, lol.

  • Monet says:

    There is nothing better than shopping for food! Thank you for sharing!

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    I was so in love ^.^

  • Erin says:

    Ummmm, shopping, eating, and cooking (and more eating)?! Sounds like my kind of day. That market looks awesome. I spend every Saturday at the Market volunteering for a vendor and I LOVE it! I get to take home tons of fresh local veggies… it’s heavenly :) Oh and thanks for the lovely comment on my blog, I’m glad I checked yours out, I will be back often!

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    Were there ever truer words spoken? =)

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    You too, Unni!! Kiss your babies for me =)

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    Indeed it was!!

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    Mm, they were yummy!

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    They’re super sweet. I can’t even trick my friends into trying Durian…they literally won’t even get in the car with me, lol. I mean, if Andrew Zimmern won’t even down it…

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    They’re the tastiest…and worth the extra few bucks, I think.

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    It put a big ole’ smile on my face. I slurped up that cup and wanted to go back for more but time wouldn’t allow. I think that’s the first thing I’ll do after work today…. =)

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    lol…I’m sad they’re going to be obsolete within this season :(

  • Paul Anthony Prince says:

    I got the idea from you when were talking about your dad in the Charles @ FiveEuroFood guest blogging I thought they’d make a good crispy base for breakfast instead of hash-browns or country potatoes. Use some as a wrap for the bacon and eggs (maybe some rice too) and save some to fry up also.

    Where do I need to go to find some Perilla, would G-Mart be the place? My daughter has been asking when we’re going back.

  • Alex says:

    I loved to see your day, shopping-wise. Oh, the brie… yum.

  • Christine @ Cooking Crusade says:

    What a lovely day of shopping! I just loooove farmer’s markets – the produce is wonderful there and sooo fresh

  • Sophie Wang (@aecliss) says:

    So much wonderful produce I see!!! Ah, the creations that could result from that bounty

  • thatbackpacker says:

    Okay, the pumpkin cheesecake bars look superb! We don’t get those in Korea!!!

  • Hannah says:

    Pumpkin pie Italian ice and banchan? Oh yes, many good things indeed :)

  • Sammie says:

    omg! You’re so cute! You’re just like me! All I do is eat, grocery shop, cook, bake, and then eat again! lol and asian markets are super awesome

  • Joanne says:

    This is definitely my kind of shopping spree!

  • Veronica says:

    I haven’t had a shopping day like that in a while. I do love food shopping above any other kind, but that much of any shopping drives me crazy! I love your eats though, looks like it was time well spent. P.S. I’ve never had jack fruit OR durian. How badly am I missing out?

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    How fun would it be to be a personal grocery shopper, like they have in high end boutiques/couture shops but dealing with food vs. clothes, lol.

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    That’s the life, huh? ^.~

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    Sometimes, I make a meal out of just banchan..hehe

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    I bet a goguma flavor would be nice, too…conversely, it’s very difficult to get castilla here so I suppose it’s an almost even trade =)

  • Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says:

    You’ve inspired me to go crazy shopping at our Farmer’s Market this weekend!! I love your blog btw!! xx

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    On a downside, it doesn’t last very long in our house but on the upside, it’s healthy snackin’! =)

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    I feel like I could wander those aisles and tucker out in the produce aisle comfortably…I really enjoy Durian but it’s terribly stinky and offensive, LOL!

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    Thank you so much, Barbara! I hope you have a blast {I know I always do}

  • Rebecca Ciriaco Sullivan says:

    This post surely made me smile & LOL, Angie! Especially that part about the Filipino bananas and the DURIAN,,,hahaha! You’d surely see more of me here!!!

    REBECCA
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    You make ME smile =)

  • Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake says:

    Oh I do exactly what you do! I’d rather shop for beautiful food ingredients than to go shop for dresses and makeup.

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    My gf just won a gift card at a local boutique and she asked me to come along—my first question: do they sell food? LOL

  • Veronica says:

    That’s what I’ve heard, but I’ve also heard there’s canned durian. Ever seen it? I haven’t looked yet.

  • The Squishy Monster says:

    I think personally, I’d steer clear of canned Durian. For me, it already has a bit of a metallic taste to it. I’m curious to know if you enjoy it at all when you do try it! =)

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