Just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean that you should deprive yourself good food. With a bit of planning and a little creativity, shopping at ethnic stores near you can help you get the best of your budget with no need to sacrifice variety and flavor.
Beans
The world of beans goes well beyond those bulk food bins you always see. Why not buy some urad dal or black gram and mung beans and mix them with other beans you have in your pantry, such as black-eye peas, chickpeas, and kidney beans, to prepare a spicy and delish 5 bean curry?
Confections, Teas, and Candies
If you are shopping from a Middle Eastern market, don’t forget to get a square of sesame halvah for your sweet tooth. If you will buy from an Indian grocery store, burfi and laddu are must-haves you shouldn’t miss.
Ethnic stores are also the best place to experiment with new different kinds of loose tea. These are also the best places to shop for bubble tea mix and tapioca pearls so you can prepare your very own bubble tea at the comfort of your home.
Dairy Products and Refrigerator Items
Tofu is not just cheap at ethnic stores because you can also find more diverse types you can choose from. Aside from extra firm and firm, you can also find silken tofu, soft tofu, and tofu skins or yuba.
There are also various sizes, shapes, and colors of premade dumpling skins that you can fill with lamb, chicken, or shrimp. Be sure to look for labneh, a type of strained yogurt cheese that you can enjoy on its own or use to prepare a tangy tart.
Pick up some kefir and paneer at the refrigerated section, too.
Noodles
Be sure to stock up on dried and fresh rice noodles in all sizes and shapes for your own homemade versions of impromptu rice noodle salads and drunken or Thai pad noodles.
You can also find chewy and thick fresh udon noodles at the refrigerated section. You can also buy bright yellow ramen noodles so you can whip up homemade ramen.
Produce
No kitchen will ever be complete without garlic. For a change, however, you can get black garlic for that umami-packed punch. You can also add this to hummus to take your favorite dip to another level.
If you are tired of your usual kale, browse through the produce section to grab some tatsoi, shiso, and bok choy. You can even try some new produce you haven’t tried before. Switch out orange with pomelo, ditch sweet potatoes for Japanese yams, and prepare prickly pear ice cream instead of the usual strawberry. Thinly slice jackfruit and fry it as an alternative to potato or prepare your soup with yuca instead of squash.
Rice
If you haven’t tried sushi rice just yet, why not give it a taste today? This is not just chewy and sticky because it can also serve as the best bed for stir-fries and curries.
Contact Bakkal – Ethnic Stores Near You to shop for these ingredients and more!
