Montreal,PQ

Today my friend and I went to Montreal to search for white precooked cornmeal to make arepas bread. we had this bread at a yummy Cafe in Province Town when we visited the Cape this month. We came home with the taste of the fresh hot creamy feeling Arepas lingering in our minds. A quick search of the Internet told us that finding the special cornmeal was going to be difficult if we didn't want to order online.

So we started looking for Hispanic Markets in Montreal our favorite go to place for ethnic food and the special ingredients we need to execute these dishes. We had success however it wasn't that easy many of the markets that we searched out had closed and all we found we empty store fronts , however we didn't give up , my husband had diligently programmed about 10 markets into my trusty GPS and we kept looking,finally we had success,as a matter of fact we also found dried chillies, large cans of Hominy and Tomatillos,fresh made tortillas and many other ingredients that will ensure some mighty tasty Mexican/Spanish/Latino dishes. We` also found a Little Taqueria by the Jean talon Market that served us a Delicious lunch of assorted meats,beans,rice,guacamole and fresh hot tortillas served with fresh lime wedges that made our day. We topped off the visit to The Jean Talon market by hitting a Chocolatier for a treat.

So after lunch we went on the road again looking for Indian food markets, again many had closed but after heading down Parc st. all the way to the end and turning left at the Metro station we were pleasantly surprised to find a very nice well stocked market, lots of legumes, mung dal,fresh naan bread,mixes for pakoras,poppadoms to be fried fresh in our kitchens, we left happy and relieved that we can come again to find these specialties.

On to the Adonnis Market a big very well stocked Lebanese Market and we bought fresh filo a real find when we can only get frozen here in Vt., tdzeki yogurt,fresh feta,Lebneh a tart thick lebonese yogurt,tiny pitas that make my Grandaughter smile,fresh dates,Tabbouleh...this market had an aisle that is as lond as one at hannafords and is packed with nuts, olives,cheese,yogurt sauces,hundreds of selections I tell you it is a foodies paradise!

Also one must hit Gourmet Laurier on Laurier st. this Market is in a very upscale part of Montreal and had many delicacies,you can buy Valhrona chocolate by the pound here for cooking and baking,you can find Balsamic affordable and those behind locked cabinet doors that will make you drool, this is where I also find my moderately priced white balsamic to make a few dressings that just aren't the same without that taste. I also buy coffee there and Montreal steak seasoning,their cookie and jam/preserves aisle is so extensive you need half an hour to just peruse them. You can also get Valhrona sprinkles and flakes to scatter on your cupcakes that make people go where did you get these?

Today we also hit a small middle eastern market across from the Jean talon Market, we bought rose water, geranium water, orange water, and several essential oils to cook and for medicinal purposes, this man was very informative, my friend bought this oil that helps people with Gout(it also enhances male performance,we were informed of this by the man behind the counter in very discreet and humorous way, we had to buy that oil!

Well I hope that you have enjoyed my Musing about Montreal, I will post any Delicious dinners that come out of this shopping expedition...Night all