Thursday, January 12, 2012

whoa?!

In the past week, most leafy veggie prices have skyrocketed.

After seeing Kirk's tacos, I was thinking of making taco rice for dinner, but as I looked for lettuce at the market, I stopped and had to look again...390 yen (about US$5-something) for a head?! and it wasn't even a "nutritious" head of lettuce, it was iceberg lettuce.

So...I subbed lettuce with cabbage.

And even cabbage, I bought a 1/4 of a head for 108 yen (about US$1.40) which is still high, if you convert it, but at least it camouflages the blow of 390 yen, because a whole head of cabbage would be close or higher than the lettuce...sigh.

I stir-fried everything (zucchini, brown mushrooms, carrots, onion & cabbage) then added a tablespoon of taco mix.

Over the hot rice, I placed a slice of red cheddar then, topped it with the stir-fry and a tablespoon of salsa.

I liked this version because everything was pretty much hot (temperature wise), if I had used lettuce like I intended, it would have been a bit more summery.

Guess I have my taco cravings under control, for now...

18 comments:

Rowena said...

5 bucks for a head of lettuce...ouch!

K and S said...

I know Rowena, and it was iceberg, blah! :p

Take care.
Kat

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Yikes...and iceberg heads seem to be half air these days! Yummy rice dish, Kat~

Helen said...

I was just complaining about this on my blog the other day! What happened to lettuce anyway? Way too expensive.

K and S said...

so true Lizzy!

I heard it is due to the weird weather, Helen, but I sometimes also think that the Agriculture department that oversees the farmers/farms are a bit too picky and pride themselves on perfect veggies which we end up paying big bucks for :(

Take care you two.
Kat

KirkK said...

Hi Kat - Man, I read that Tweet..... five bucks for lettuce! That's crazy......

K and S said...

crazy indeed Kirk!

Take care.
Kat

Japan Australia said...

That is pretty expensive! The Taco rice looks good and seems pretty easy to make :)

Japan Australia

Pandabonium said...

We've been fortunate in the last month. On two occasions, neighbors dropped by after harvesting some of their veggie crops and gave us several Chinese cabbage, bags full of carrots, several heads of broccoli, and bunches of leaks. More food than we could handle so we "spread 'em around" as they say in Hawaii.

Last winter we had lettuces but not this year. I am definitely going back to that - and more - so we'll have more to eat and share.

I think as this goes on, more people will get into growing their own, even with very small areas to do so - like you and your patio. I only makes sense.

Dayna said...

Such ridiculous prices...

Btw, if you're craving some Mexican, there's a place in Shinsaibashi area with reasonable prices and reasonable sized burritos! It's called El Zocalo Burrito ^^

K and S said...

so nice you have neighbors that share, PB, I should try growing lettuce next :)

Thanks for the info Dayna :) got it bookmarked.

Take care you two.
Kat

K and S said...

very easy J-A! :)

Take care.
Kat

Unknown said...

I wonder what the prices will be 10 years from now . . . .

K and S said...

no kidding Jhobell!

Take care.
Kat

K said...

Oh man that IS pricey!!

K and S said...

pricey is right, K :0

Take care.
Kat

Deb in Hawaii said...

I like cabbage so this looks like a great substitution to me--but ouch on those lettuce prices. ;-(

K and S said...

still high, Deb :(

Take care.
Kat