{"id":3397,"date":"2012-01-31T12:56:18","date_gmt":"2012-01-31T19:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nettiesworld.com\/?p=3397"},"modified":"2017-06-28T23:13:11","modified_gmt":"2017-06-29T06:13:11","slug":"the-spice-of-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/old.adoptedjoy.com\/?p=3397","title":{"rendered":"The Spice of Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

I cannot deny that when it comes to things culinary, I’ve gotta spice things up.\u00a0 One aspect of fire recovery that has been on hold has been restocking my spice cupboard… partly due to my forgetfulness, but in large measure due to the fact that every time I wanted to go to Lam’s Asian Market on a shopping day, I was met with loud choruses of “Noooooo!!! Not Lam’s!!!\u00a0 It stinks of fish!!!”\u00a0 Which is true.\u00a0 And so I invariably acquiesced to my family’s sensibilities… until yesterday.\u00a0 I decided to brook no nonsense on the subject, stack the Asian market at the front end of our shopping excursion (ahead of lunch, even!) and off we went.\u00a0 My aim when I walked through the door was just to pick up a few spices, a bottle of my favorite dark soy sauce, and some coconut milk… but the lure of the fresh foods was too much, and I and my little herd wandered through the stacks of exotic fruits and vegetables with stars in our eyes.\u00a0 We did not know whether we could handle something as outrageous looking as this:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>– and I’m glad I walked away, after reading this:<\/p>\n

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Durian (\u0e17\u0e38\u0e40\u0e23\u0e35\u0e22\u0e19\u00a0|t\u00f3o rian)<\/h4>\n

Widely known and revered in\u00a0southeast Asia as the \u201cking of fruits\u201d, the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique\u00a0odor, and formidable\u00a0thorn-covered\u00a0husk. The fruit can grow as large as 30\u00a0centimetres (12\u00a0in) long and 15\u00a0centimetres (6\u00a0in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three\u00a0kilograms (2 to 7\u00a0lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale-yellow to red, depending on the species.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although most fruit is perfect to bring to school to share with your Thai colleagues, it is not a good idea to bring Durian. Some call Durian \u201cStinky Fruit\u201d.\u00a0The edible flesh emits a distinctive odour, strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and offensive. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust. The odour has led to the fruit\u2019s banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in southeast Asia.<\/p>\n

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I did grab some<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Oroblancos<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Pomelos<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Mangoes<\/p>\n

and<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Fresh Mint<\/p>\n

And then I began slowly wending my way through the narrow aisles stacked with all manner of mouthwatering and unpronounceable delicacies.\u00a0 I ended up with much more than I planned, and many items that I will need to research to know how to use.\u00a0 But that’s what makes life fun – LEARNING!!<\/p>\n

Here’s most of my new stash:<\/p>\n