Is there a dish that reminds you of summer? Somehow ratatouille reminds me of summer. Different veggies combined into something delicious, dipping crusty bread into the soupy part.Last year, I posted about making ratatouille here and since then, I realized that I didn't add water to the ratatouille the first time which is why it looks thick in that previous photo.
Another thing that changed is the supermarket that I had been loyal to for 6 years has done away with their 10% off all their veggie coupons, as well as other money saving opportunities.
Actually, when they were a smaller operation, I think they catered to the customer more. Now that they have joined up with a big name, they have brought in more of the big name's private brand items and done away with a lot of money saving opportunities for the customer. (insert pouty face)
It is true that with the cost of food rising, it is hard for supermarkets to make ends meet. But the money saving opportunites are what kept me giving them my business. And now that they have chosen to do away with these opportunities, I have also chosen not to be so loyal to them. In fact, I now shop where I am at the time, I don't make a special trip to shop at their store.
Not being loyal, lead me to find this huge zucchini yesterday (about 2 inches in diameter) at another supermarket for 198 yen (about US$1.98). (I felt like I had found buried treasure! It was under to the puny ones which were also 198 yen. The puny ones which are normally seen in the markets here are not even big enough to stuff and are only about an inch in diameter.) I also found a can of Italian diced tomato for 100 yen (about US$1).
Not being loyal, lead me to another supermarket next door to the one with the zucchini and canned tomato, where I found 3 small eggplant for 99 yen (about US$.99).
Since I had carrots, red bell peppers, okra & onion at home, I only purchased these 3 items. Not bad for a day's shopping...I was kind of proud of myself.
I used to shop everyday (at my supermarket), but now purchase several days worth of foods, depending on what's on sale at the market I am in. Most times I spend 1500 yen to 2000 yen (about US$15-20) for a day or two's worth of food, depending on what I need, so if there are day's when I can get away with spending less than that, I'm happy.
So, I want to thank "my supermarket" for abandoning me, you sent me out to check out other stores to find that you weren't the cheapest after all.
Anyway, now that I got that out of my system...Is there a dish that reminds you of summer?
11 comments:
That's a hard one--so many foods say summer to me but I think the line gets a bit blurred living in a warm climate year-round. Probably the first is my Mom's potato salad as she usually makes it mostly in the summer. The other one is gazpacho it always makes me think of summer.
Your ratatouille looks wonderful!
I tried making ratatoille the other month! YOurs looks and sounds like it turned out so much better! (mine wasnt all that great)
Sorry to hear your ratatouille didn't turn out, hope you try this version, Lina :)
Ooh, your mom's potato salad and gazpacho sound really good for summer, Deb!
Take care you two.
Kat
What a great dish...got to try this one too! Hope all is well.
I hope you like this Laura :)
Take care.
Kat
Kat, you saucy tart! Cheating on your once favorite supermarket. heh heh..me, I've never been the loyal type, a deal is a deal, but the fruit or veg better be good or never again will I shop there.
Summer for me = salad, fruit and fish. Even if it isn't wicked hot like other areas in Italy, it's the only time of year where I can really appreciate seasonal produce that hasn't been shipped in from a far away country.
I love the fact that you get to barbeque every weekend, Rowena :) That is so cool!
Take care.
Kat
I agree! Ratatouille is indeed one of those dishes that remind me of summer! Looks wonderful! :)
I also agree about the supermarkets and prices -I tend to "shop around" too as much as I can.
Hi, Kat. Summer for me means kalbi and skewered prawns on the grill, which is what we always make when we have friends over for BBQ. My haole husband makes his own kalbi sauce and is charge of all marination. I just some olive oil, garlic and a few other seasonings to the peeled prawns and then stick a few on each skewer. So easy and so ono!
Of course, shave ice means summer, too, but where I live (near Seattle) it's sold mainland-style, with just the shave ice and syrup, no azuki beans or ice cream. (Sadness.)
That ratatouille looks great. I'm spoiled by having a garden, as well as nearby in-laws with a bigger garden. We have fresh veggies all summer. I love zucchini and am growing that.
Summer.... hiyashi chuka (cold ramen) is good. :p
Thanks JennDZ!
Ooh, kalbi and prawns sounds nice, Jenster! too bad the shave ice is mainland style :(
Hiyashi chuka sounds good too PB, you are very lucky to have a garden :)
Take care everyone!
Kat
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