Dilemma

After meeting a pal in the West End yesterday my 'rain food' (see below!) ended up being a beautiful, steaming pot of mussels from Brel, in a garlic and white-wine cream. Absolutely delicious. I made moules mariniere for Mr Gastro not so long ago, with a huge (2kg) bag of mussels from Alan Beveridge (near Hillhead underground), some garlic, wine, shallot and parsley. He seemed to enjoy it, so I may repeat the feat soon.

Having come in last night and had a late coq au vin supper (yes, even after the mussels!) I need to do a bit of cooking this afternoon for tonight. Maybe something a bit simpler, like a penne arriabiata, or some mini vegetable filo pies with the Filo pastry I have in the freezer.... 

I think I need to go food shopping, and then decide! 

Photo by peskymac, Flickr.

Deli shopping

I mentioned in my last post, 'Credit Crunch Cook', that I do deli shopping if I happen to be passing. In Glasgow, there are so many lovely individual food shops I'm spoiled for choice. I mentioned Tapa yesterday, and I love their bread and cakes. Other favourites, though, include:

Kember and Jones, pictured, on Byres Road. They sell everything for a goumet picnic or deli dinner; olives, sundried tomatoes, wonderful cheeses and freshly prepared sauces. They have a good range of cookbooks too, and some kitchen 'gadgets'. Their meringues are really special.

Heart Buchanan, also on Byres Road. Their great service, where they will cook your dinner party food for you, in your own pots, is a lifesaver for the West End social set. But the deli food is a treat in itself - wonderful shelves crammed with jars from all around the world, smells emanating from the kitchen, meats and cheeses laid out under the counter. Marvellous.

Lupe Pinto's, on Great Western Road. Specialist deli selling American, Mexican and Spanish ingredients, including the legendary Bisquick. They've branched out into Japanese and Thai ingredients too, but this isn't their strength. Try the American sweets and Mexican spices. 

Other food shopping places that I love that aren't 'delicatessens' as such, are:

The Fish People, at Shields Road Underground. The best fishmonger in Glasgow, by a country mile. I have it on good authority that they supply to all the best seafood restaurants in the city. Remember not to visit on a Monday - but do go, every other day of the week, for beautiful, glistening fish, and the freshest shellfish you can find away from the coast. 

Roots and Fruits, Byres Road, Great Western Road. Brilliant vegetable shops, with a small selection of deli ingredients. 

Allison Street, Govanhill. Should really be Glasgow's Brick Lane, but the amount of fresh vegetable shops on this street, home to a varied mix of communities, makes it a foodie target. Citrus Green, at the Victoria Road end, is great for all sorts of veg, including many you won't have heard of! 

Lim's Chinese Supermarket on Cambridge Street. They sell everything for Japanese and Chinese cooking, including every kind of noodle you can imagine. They also sell woks and tea sets.