just popped into my local asian supermarket for a wander this afternoon . . .

[lucysmam]

& had a look at some bits and pieces I wouldn't normally use & have never heard of . . .

Can anyone help me out with the following questions . . .

what would I use wsabi (sp?) sauce for & it 75p for 2 (bogof) good value?

what is dill weed? & what would I use that for?

Also, is everything better value or would I be better comparing prices on mysupermarket.com before I stock up my cupboard from there in future?

Also, what on earth do you use the huge variety of herbs/spices they stock for??? May sound daft but I have never heard of half of them at least

ta

[lucysmam]

I meant is 75p for 2 good value?

[Lullabyloo]

wasabi is the green v hot sauce you have with sushi

[queenbea]

dill weed is a bit like fennel leaves

[controlfreakinfreaky]

wasabi is like a very very hot japanese horseradish paste, to have with sushi.....
dill weed is like dill (same flavour)

imo you need to plan a specific thing to cook and then see what ingredients you need.... if you just buy random herbs / spices you'll be unsure what to do with them...

[Portofino]

Wasabi is like super hot horseradish. My experience of using it to make sushi - you rub a bit on the seaweed or rice to make the fishy bit stick on. Or you mix with soy sauce to dip things in. It is blardy hot mind. One tube would last me a long time! Dill is herb - mainly cooked with fish I think. Not so sure on the weed bit! Not sure about the value thing. If you do a lot of asian cooking, I'm sure it is cheaper to stock up on the herbs and spices than buy ready made sauces for example.

[lucysmam]

cheers, was just curious as I only pop in for bits & pieces occasionally n thought I'd have a proper look around today. Plus moondog suggested something to try earlier but wasn't sure about the wasabi sauce. will it keep if I buy a tin & only use it for me? oh isn't keen on anything raddishey (sp?) or horseraddishey (sp again?)

[jimmyjammys]

Don't buy 2! you will only use a little bit at a time and it will go off by the time you get round to it all.

you can use it a bit like mustard so you can make things like wasabi mash or put in in sandwiches but taste it first - some are very strong - even stronger than english mustard.

I think Dill weed is different to ordinary dill - not sure though but i am thinking of something with a strong smell that would be an acquired taste that is specific to south east asian cooking.

if you need any help with anything let me know, I am very familiar with majority of oriental ingredients and also have a good encyclopedia that tells you what everything is for with ideas on recipes.

[lucysmam]

thanks jimmyjammys! Ideas for recipes I'm open to anything you could throw at me, I'm starting to really enjoy experimenting in my kitchen!

I might pop in n get 1 pot of wasabi when I'm in town next to try it & see what it's like

[rislip]

Get some wasabi peas too, they are freaking delicious. Good alternative to crisps/nuts etc

[lucysmam]

cheers rislip, I'm always munching on crisps. Will give them a go instead

[Overmydeadbody]

be prepared to have your head blown off by the wasabi peas though

Have you ever eaten wasabi?

[lucysmam]

um, nope. will give anything a go once though!

[Clockface]

I am so that you have a local asian foodstore!

[lucysmam]

It's only little clockface, but they're sooo cheap compared to supermarkets! Another thing we have nearby is a 'weigh n save' so we can pick up as much or as little of something as we want to

[Overmydeadbody]

I love wasabi, definately try it, especially if you like fiery things like mustard and horseradish!

[lucysmam]

I love horseradish! Oh is not keen but I don't mind, more for me

[MaureenMLove]

Ask the shopkeeper. We have an Asian supermarket locally and he loves it when we go in for a chat about his stock! If anyone knows about how to use all the spices and things, it'll be him.

[lucysmam]

He doesn't seem the particularly friendly type Maureen, spends all his time in there stood looking mean n moody behind the counter. Poor bloke, he's only young n he's the only staff member I've ever seen in there!

But you're right, it would be worth asking

[MaureenMLove]

He might be bored because no-one ever talks to him! You never know!

[lucysmam]

True, I never thought of it like that! I will ask him next time I'm in there

[hifi]

i love our local one. i take specimens of veg to the counter and they suggest what i could use them in. so far have done
kohlrabi
okra
big white radishes
chou chou

[jimmyjammys]

The big white radishes are great in pickles!

[hifi]

i cant remember their name, i think it begins with r, thanks jj.

[lucysmam]

chou chou? Now just with a name like that I'm intrigued! What is chou chou? & what do you do with it?