Editor's Note: The Busy Kitchen is a Monday column written by two area chefs - Tiffany Poe and Valarie Carter - who also happen to be mothers of young children. They explore nutrition, cooking for kids and more.
When I think of discovering new foods to explore and learn more about ... I think Asian.
It's my go-to cuisine for favorite flavors and always challenges me professionally. No matter how much I learn about the cuisines and culture, I still haven't scratched the surface of what it holds. I decided to give my kids a small taste of the Far East by going on a gastronomic field trip to Nam Hai Market at 21st Street and Garnett Road.
I have been shopping at this amazing market for more than a decade and have taken thousands of students there on field trips over the years. As my kids get older and I have them in the kitchen more, I get the frequent question: "What is this, Mommy?" Usually the ingredient in question came from the Asian market so I thought a field trip there would be a sensory and question-answering experience.
Since this culinary field trip was for the kids and not just a shopping trip for me, I decided to approach the experience through a scavenger hunt type of game. This type of search could work for adults, too, but this challenge was totally gastronomy mommy style. After we explored each of the following sections, we talked about each item, ate it or cooked with it and made a list of our favorites to get next time.
Here's the culinary field guide to getting the most out of your Asian market experience if you've never been. It's a great way to introduce kids to an amazing and diverse culture as well as find some super-cool ingredients to play with in your busy kitchen.
Nam Hai Grocery Store
1. Go straight to the candy aisle: OK, so I'm pretty conservative with how many processed products or sugar-added snacks I give my kids, but I make an exception occasionally with Asian candy. The packaging alone is an adventure. Once you get to the aisle, you'll see what I mean. Jackfruit, guava strips and chocolate-covered mushroom crackers cover the shelves and the uniquely packaged cookies and crackers will literally make you and your kids want to buy everything.
Here are my five favorite things to find in the candy aisle:
- Yan Yans: Delicious butter crackers with your choice of chocolate, strawberry or vanilla dipping sauce. Perfect for snacking and on-the-go treats.
- Poxy Cracker Stixs: These little treats are packaged with nuts or candy pieces and come in multiple flavors.
- Hi Chews: Like Asian Starbursts, these little treats come in flavors like guava, mango, coconut and strawberry.
- Hello Panda cookies: If you like truffles, you will love Hello Panda cookies. They are small panda-shaped crackers with chocolate, vanilla or strawberry filling. Basically crunchy truffles, panda style.
- Plum-flavored hard candies: It's no secret I love plums. So, when I'm at the Asian market I stock up on plum-flavored hard candies to have at the bed and breakfast. My guests love them and I sneak a few for myself, too.
2. Check out the condiments aisle: I'm a big fan of Asian condiments and have always had plenty in my cabinet and pantry. Here are a few of the staples I can't live without and a few you've probably never seen before.
- Sriracha hot chili sauce: Just look for the rooster on this bad boy.
If hot sauce had a leader with a tattoo and big ego, it would be Sriracha. This warm, flavorful chili sauce is my absolute favorite Asian condiment of all time.
- Sweet Thai chili sauce: You can now find this amazing sauce in conventional grocery stores, however, I like to stock up on it when I go to the market. It's sweet-spicy and so good on chicken strips, spring rolls or shrimp.
- Pineapple vinegar: We are all familiar with apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar, but have you ever heard of pineapple and grape vinegar? These two items are so flavorful and I love to have them on hand for making dressings, vinaigrettes and marinades.
- Gluten-free soy sauce: This unique ingredient is sometimes hard to find in a basic grocery store. For those of us aware of gluten in food, it can be a wonderful flavor agent for keeping those healthy stir-fried veggies gluten free and tasting great.
3. Noodles, noodles, noodles: If you like noodles, you will love this part of the store. My kids went crazy because they love noodles, and with so many to choose from, you could literally have a different noodle every day of the month.
- Rice noodles: These gluten-free delights have always been a staple in Pad Thai and Vietnamese Po Ba, but I love them with anything! They come in all shapes and sizes and are super-quick cooking for that last-minute pan-fried noodle dinner.
- Egg noodles: Get these noodles nested, folded or straight, and in every width you can imagine. I love these noodles in traditional lo mein dishes as well as stir fries and soups.
- Soba noodles: Just say buckwheat, which is the base grain for soba noodles, and you can have over 10 different colors and sizes of soba noodles. These are great in soups and as a base for any noodle dish.
- Mushroom noodles: Unique flavor and great with beef.
- Pumpkin noodles: Beautiful color and perfect for fall veggies and cooking.
- Bean noodles: Mung bean or soy bean varieties are a great alternative to rice if you are looking for gluten-free options.
4. Tea and unique drink aisles: These two aisles are always a favorite during my trips to this market. You will find everything from the seven teas of the ancient world to exotic dragon and jack fruit juices.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- Lychee fruit juice: I love lychee fruit. It's like a cross between a naked grape and a super-sweet white peach. At Nam Hai, you can find it in cans or in bottles. Try it. The refreshing experience is definitely one to be had.
- Basil seed drink: When I do corporate or sensory training for clients, I always have them sample this drink. Of course I don't tell them what it is because it looks like little tadpoles swimming in a clear liquid. When you try it, it has a sweet banana-tropical flavor and is so wonderful. I guess it just goes to show that you can't judge a book - or a drink - by its cover.
- Loose-leaf teas: I love loose-leaf teas and, at the Asian market, you can find more than you will ever want to experience. Jasmine rose is my personal favorite.
5. Asian-specific fresh fruits and veggies: When it comes to fresh, exotic veggies and unique fruits, the Asian market holds all the cards. My kiddos had fun learning about the unique herbs and greens as well as experiencing the diversity of veggies and fruits from other parts of the world. If you are really adventurous, just wing it and purchase items you can identify or visit my blog -
tulsaworld.com/gastronomymommy - for more pictures of my favorite Asian veggies and fruits.
- Lemongrass: This long stick-like fresh ingredient can be hard to find but when you do it's a treat to add to stews and flavor sauces. Nam Hai offers it in bundles and I always grab two.
- Dragon fruit: If you want to give your kids something out of the ordinary for an afternoon snack, try dragon fruit. It's sweet, colorful and delicious. You'll know the dragon fruit by its bright pink color and funky dragon-shaped winged leaves.
- Exotic melons: Who knew melons could be savory and fresh like a cucumber? Growing up in Mid-America, when you think melon you think sweet and juicy, but at the Asian market that may or may not be the case. They offer several unique melon varieties that can be used like cucumbers for pickling, making salsa or adding to fresh salads.
Give the Asian market a try for your next food field trip. You'll find several ingredients you are familiar with and a whole bunch of fun treats that you've never seen before.
Chef Tiffany Poe, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., owns Tiffany Poe Culinary Services, a consulting, food styling and corporate coaching company. She and her husband have three small children and own The Grandview Inn, a historic bed and breakfast near the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska. Find more of her recipes on her blog,
tulsaworld.com/gastronomymommy
Original Print Headline: Asian market field trip explores the exotic
Food
It's apple season again, one of the few times of the year I'm sorry I live in the city, without a car. If only I lived near an orchard, I'd pick my own apples and be happy.
Word has it that OK+ (in excess of 3.2) Budweiser is coming to a liquor store near you.
