Grand Mart International Food, Alexandria, VA

Grand Mart International Food is a mecca of exotic fruits and vegetables.  I didn’t see anything in the way of organics but they certainly had a wide variety of unusual produce, much of which I was entirely unfamiliar.  What I did recognize were the isles of ethnic foods and spices.  Most prevalent were the spice blends which comes in handy when you are experimenting with various cuisines and would like to sample the flavors of a region without investing in all the individual herbs and spices contained in particular regional blends. Available were also rices, beans, noodles and other fare native to many regional cuisines, including Asian, Indian and Hispanic to mention only a few.

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Hob Nob Farm Cafe

Hob Nob's Interior

Hob Nob’s Interior

by Danielle Bussone

A very interesting couple owns this cafe.  Nova and Mike Nelson, whom I believe is the chef, seem to love creating new restaurants which combine marvelous fusions of cultures and flavors with very healthy eating, always with vegetarian and vegan options.

 

Hob Nob's Outdoor Dining

Hob Nob’s Outdoor Dining

 

The first of their restaurants, at least that we’ve experienced, was called Angelica’s.  You could fine Asian-style nori rolls, Cajun red beans and rice and wonderful Italian pastas.  Once this restaurant became a huge success, they sold it and moved to another location across town where they founded The Coyote Kitchen.  I’ll talk about this restaurant in depth later as it still exists under new management.  Coyote Kitchen quickly became our favorite restaurant in Boone with its creative fusions of Caribbean and Southwestern cuisines.  Once this was up and running full tilt, they again sold their restaurant and opened a Thai restaurant in yet another area of town.  (I did not make it to this restaurant and can not reliably comment on it.)  The next thing we knew, they were back at the Angelica’s location with still another restaurant which they call the Hob Nob Farm Cafe.  It is marvelous! I’ve never had a bad meal there.

 

Hob Nob Unknown dish

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Jade’s Market (Jade’s Market has been sold and is now Angkor Bistro)

by Danielle Bussone

Jade’s Market has been one of Johnson City’s best kept secrets. But the secret is out!  Located conveniently near Johnson City Medical Center right off of State of Franklin Road, you won’t find better Thai food anywhere.  There is a lunch buffet for carnivores and a menu from which Tara can convert any of the recipes to vegan, all costing a modest $7.59.  Drunken Noodles is Rich’s favorite, I love the Pad Thai equally well.  Much of her herbs and vegetable produce come from Tara’s own garden, even the keffir lime leaves essential to Thai Cuisine.  The restaurant is named after one of her twin girls, Jade.  She also owns Lola’s Bistro and Wine Bar which is named after the other twin, Lola, located near The Olive Garden off  N. Roan Street.   (more…)

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Jade’s Market (now Angkor Bistro’s) Thai Drunken Noodles

 

One of the dishes Rich and I love most at Jade’s Market and Eatery is her flavorful Drunken Noodles.

 

 

Recipe For Thai Drunken Noodles

1 tsp canola oil

1 tsp of chopped garlic

1/2 cup white onions, large dice

1/2 cup sliced carrots

1/2 cup mixed bell peppers, large dice

1/2 cup baby corn, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/2 cup fresh broccoli

1 1/2 cups rice noodles (soaked)

1 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce

1 tsp sugar

1 tbsp thin soy sauce

1 tsp dark sweet soy sauce

1 tbsp chili garlic (sambal oelek)

2 tbsp thai basil (8-10 leaves)

 

Vegetables can be added as much or as little as you like. For this example, Tara uses white onion, multicolored bell peppers (large dice), broccoli pieces, sliced carrots, baby corn cut into chunks, and Thai basil.

Add a little vegetable oil to a hot wok or skillet. Add vegetables and garlic and stir constantly until a little soft.  Stir in rice noodles.  Add a little water if needed to make sure they cook through.  Add remaining ingredients and continue to stir until vegetables are crisp tender and noodles are done, 1-2 minutes. Serve hot.  All of the sauces for this dish can be purchased at Jade’s Market or can be purchased at a Thai or Asian Market in your area.

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Suwana’s Thai Orchid, Asheville, NC

by Danielle Bussone

Asheville, North Carolina was recently voted the best small city in which to find vegetarian restaurants.  Somehow, Suwana’s Thai Orchid was overlooked in several of the on-line vegetarian search engines. We are so tired of the standard vegan fare, meatless meals made to look like meat, tofu out the wazoo.  What we want are delicious fresh vegetables presented in healthy, tasty sauces. Suwana’s Thai Orchid certainly accomplishes that.

 

Suwana's Exterior

Suwana’s Exterior

 

 Spicy Eggplant

Spicy Eggplant

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