Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Grocery Outlet and Oyster Mushroom Fried Rice

I went to Grocery Outlet yesterday to see what kinds of deals I could find. The last couple of times I've stopped in have been a bit of a letdown, but I've never left empty handed. It's just that when you get Chao cheese for $1.99 a package, it's all downhill from there!! I found a few things, even one thing that I was just wondering if I'd ever get to try.
Onion burger buns,booch!!! yves veggie burgers, and crinkle cut fries
I had just watched a YouTube video featuring the Yves burgers, and they had kale root vegetable burgers which I have never seen before. And there they were staring me in the face for only $1.50 a package!!!! And they had my favorite booch ever, Kevita for two dollars a bottle, ahmazing! They had grapefruit and ginger flavors. I love the grapefruit which has been harder to find since they came out with their new flavors.
I made a smoothie when I got home and it was the most beautiful color! I used strawberries, raspberries, mango and a little orange juice. It was as delicious as it was beautiful!
Kanye was less than thrilled to have her nap interrupted! How do they put up with me. Berries have been amazing this year, I feel like I can't get enough. I haven't had blueberries or blackberries yet because hello, expensive but the raspberries and strawberries have been blowing my mind. To be honest, blueberries are my least favorite berry. I only eat them because they're healthy. Blackberries are okay, but here in Seattle they grow everywhere, so there's no reason to pay the RIDICULOUS prices.
I was looking up things to do with oyster mushrooms, and a lot of the recipes involved breading and frying. I didn't want to do that, and I didn't have proper bread for a po' boy type of sandwich. So, I decided to go with oyster mushroom fried rice with Thai basil and scallions! A little sesame oil at the end, and I was in heaven!
I used Basmati rice which I am now convinced is the PERFECT rice for fried rice. It's so fluffy and the grains like to be individuals and do their own thing, not stick together. The last time I was at Trader Joe's and was overwhelmed by the crowds, I accidentally grabbed Basmati instead of the cheaper Jasmine. I now understand the price difference. Sorry Jasmine, I still love you and will continue to buy you, but Basmati really does make an amazing fried rice. Thai basil at the end was really what made this dish for me. I first discovered Thai basil with my first bowl of Pho, and it was love at first sniff. I didn't measure anything as usual, but man my instincts were on point last night, this was maybe my best batch of fried rice ever! Oyster mushrooms have a really nice texture, I almost want to say buttery? I enjoyed them, and would love to maybe make an oyster mushroom po boy in the future!
Happy Tuesday!


8 comments:

  1. Some really wonderful prices on quality vegan product you found!!!

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  2. Yeah $2 chao cheese is pretty hard to beat. That stuff is so good but I already think daiya is a splurge! XD

    I think I remember Alton Brown talking about rice on his show stressing how nice basmati was, but jasmine wasn't a bad compromise, but to NEVER buy parboiled. I did that once by accident and it was painful. Never again.

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    1. I know. The frustrating thing to me is that here in Seattle, where Field roast is located, Chao is only at Safeway and Whole Foods. But Safeway charges almost eight dollars a package, and it's local!! That's why I have it so little, and it is my favorite!
      I think I bought parboiled brown rice before, and it was a disaster! Basmati rice is definitely worth the extra money.

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    2. I think Whole Foods might have a special deal with Chao because Whole Foods is cheaper than Wegman's near me (though not by much, like 50 cents)

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  3. What great finds you get there! That does sound like a wonderful fried rice dinner, especially that thai basil- it really does make any dish you use it it.
    You're really turning into quite the fabulous cook!!
    Ttrockwood

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    1. Thanks! I feel like I have definitely been learning and improving! Thai basil is hands down my favorite herb!

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  4. Those prices!! I'm so jealous! The fried rice is giving me life, that looks incredible! Mushrooms are such a good addition to any dish to make it more hearty. Yum!

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