Asian Market Haul, Plus More!

So I was going to go to Trader Joe's yesterday, but it was a little later than usual and I just didn't feel up to dealing with the crowds. I decided that since I was already on the bus that takes me to the Asian market I would just go there. I don't know what I was thinking because the Asian market was a zoo just like Trader Joe's on a Saturday. The last time I went to that market it was a weekday and it was nice and relaxing and calm. Oh well, you live and learn right? I did okay with the crowds at first, but when I got honked at by some little kids in those huge car carts I knew it was time to wrap it up and exit with the quickness. I forgot to get jackfruit which is what I most wanted, but that's okay.

I had to get this shot of the beautiful snow capped mountains from outside the store. It's probably the last time they'll be covered in snow for awhile. There is a strip club, I'm sorry "Gentleman's Club" right next to the market, and I could hear the thumping bass. Those clubs are depressing enough at night, but it reaches new levels of sadness to me when they're open during the day on a beautiful sunny day.

They have so many different Miso pastes! I'm so used to seeing only a few at regular stores this was pretty amazing!

Fried tofu,Persian cucumbers,Chinese Eggplant,coconut milk,soy sauce,sriracha,split mung beans,rice noodles,Jasmine rice,more tofu,genmaicha tea,wasabi paste,mochi,red and yellow onion, green onion and nori wraps

I am so excited that I found split mung beans! Now I can make proper kitchari! I've been using split red lentils which are fine, but traditional kitchari is made with yellow split mung beans and I couldn't find them anywhere!! They also had Persian cucumbers on sale for $.50 a pound!! I got two pounds for one dollar! Deal of the century! All in all it was worth dealing with crowds and getting honked at. But when I go back it will definitely be during the week!

I had picked this up to sip on while I waited for my bus not knowing what to expect. Well, it is maybe the most delicious thing I've ever drank in my life. It's the sap from a coconut tree, and it tastes like liquid cupcakes or birthday cake. Now, I know that might sound sickly sweet, but it wasn't. There is no sugar in this, and it's sweet in the way that dates or raisins are. Sweet but naturally so. I sucked this down so fast and wished I had bought more. If you ever see palm juice anywhere you should try it, it is AHMAZING!

For dinner I made miso glazed eggplant with the Chinese eggplant that I bought. I have seen this dish several times on Susan's blog and it always looks so good. But I can never find Chinese eggplant, and I have a track record of failure when it comes to cooking regular eggplant. This was a success and it was delicious! I threw in a few cubes of fried tofu because why not. I kind of used this recipe, except I changed everything! I sliced the eggplant in circles, and I have no miren or sake, so I just used some rice wine vinegar. I also added some chili garlic sauce cause we all know I love my spice! This was a delicious meal. I've never used miso for anything other than soup!

My neighbor across the street have this in their yard for sale. How awesome is it? I so wish I had a yard, or room for it in my apartment. I've never seen anything like it and it makes me smile!

Speaking of things that make me smile, I love this picture of Etta and Afro. It looks like Etta is holding Afro down. She isn't, but it cracked me up!