Shopping!

So, there's this wonderful store in Seattle called The Spanish Table. As one might imagine, it sells cookware and foodstuffs from Iberia (and Latin America and North Africa - a little less logical, but whatcha gonna do?). My mom has been dying to go there for ages. Last night I decided that I wanted to pick up a real paella pan, so I called my mom and asked her if she wanted to go. She was thrilled.

Today I went and picked up my parents and took them downtown to shop for cookware. I picked up a Spanish-made carbon steel six serving paella pan. It's purty. Now I just need some people to make paella for - I wonder wherever shall I find people who want to eat my food? My mom went a little crazy and got pickled peppers, saffron, some grains, and some honest to gods Iberico ham. Alas, they didn't have my mom's favorite Latin treat, guava paste, because they were out of stock. I'll have to pick some up for her next time I go in.

Since we were in the area we popped into World Spice, mecca of all seasonings. One step into the store and both my dad and I promptly sneezed. The combination of smells that live in that store can be overwhelming at first. My dad elected to stand outside, away from the odiferousness. I picked up a bunch of true cinnamon (most of what's sold as cinnamon in the US is actually cassia, a similar but not quite identical spice). I'm going to attempt cinnamon brioche for Easter, so why not splurge and get real cinnamon? I also picked up a spice grinder because the idea of using a mortal and pestle to grind a half cup of cinnamon sticks does not appeal to me.

Now my paella pan is seasoning in the oven (carbon steel isn't exactly dishwasher safe) and my new spice grinder is happily in a cupboard. I look forward to using them for many culinary adventures.

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