This time TC and I were joined by a friend, his wife and daughter along with two other friends (a couple) for their first Indian food crawl...
The last time I went out with our friend was during our Progressive Lunch in 2010 (I guess that's what I called it before using the word 'crawl'). We went to Asia Cafe, Que Huong and a yogurt shop with him, his girlfriend (now wife) and his associate (whom TC knows as one of the senior dancers in her troupe).
Whenever I've gone here, I usually veer towards the same items. Because we were a big group and also because I was counting on them taking home the leftovers, I ordered doubles of almost everything.
Yeah, that's A LOT of food!
Khachori (greenpea balls with spicy sauces), Chole Samosas (samosas in a spicy and chunky chickpea soup), and Pani Puri (puffed wheat balls served with onions, beans, tamarind chutney served with spicy mint water):
Chole Puri (fried wheat flat bread served with sambar) and Khasta Kachori (fried puffed wheat shells filled with potatoes, beans, onions, yogurt and crunchy topping)
Bhel Puri (potatoes, chickpeas and onions covered with two types of chutney, fresh cilantro and a puffed rice cereal mix), the lone order of Delhi Chat (tortilla chips covered with chutney, onions, yogurt and cilantro), and the other Khasta Kachori.
The Chole Samosas and Pani Puri...
One half of the desserts I selected...(for a more comprehensive rundown on their names, etc, refer to Surati's website or my old post which details some of the desserts seen here).
The favorite was the fried syrupy sweet (far left). The silver leafed rose/coconut dessert was also a favorite.
I saw the candy coated fennel seeds by their utensils and brought it to our table. Kirbie had gifted me some before and I liked them. These brightly colored candies are considered a 'breath freshener' and are supposed to aid in digestion.
Our next stop was just a few doors down...to the former Ker Market which is now Akshar Cash & Carry (the other "Cash & Carry" establishment is Miramar Cash & Carry, also an Indian owned market and in the same area).
TC saw these chips on an endcap right away...look at the top row. Only .99 too!
We tried the tomato flavor once we got home and it was just like the ketchup chips from Canada. These were not spicy though.
At home, more of their snacks; we bought doubles of some for ourselves and for food gifts.
Sweets...aaah, rajbhog (the same flavor of ice cream that Bert enjoyed the week prior at Kwality Ice Cream; post linked at the end).
Nexto to Akshare was Bawarchi Dosa, our second actual food stop but third stop if you want to be technical.
We ordered only two dosas and the waiter said we could do the AYCE buffet which includes dosas for one low price but since we had already eaten at Surati Farsan Mart, we did not. Plus, the dosas in the buffet are not the speciality ones like this one, the Paper Dosa (listed on their menu as being two feet long). You can get it either plain or masala which has spiced mashed potatoes anchoring it to the plate. This dosa was served with a spicy and chunky sambar.
It was quite impressive seeing this massive (but airy) dosa being brought to the table.
The three sauces (coconut, tamarind, and I don't rememer the other one, sorry) above were served with the other dosa, which was vegetable filled.
It was fun breaking off the pieces of the paper dosas and dipping them into the sambar. Everyone seemed to enjoy both of the dosas ordered that day. I keep telling myself that we need to return to try their other versions (many which are spicy). TC really liked the vegetable filling.
Our last stop was at Miramar Cash & Carry for the Kwality ice cream!
Our selections:
The young man working the counter was very patient as he gave us samples of the various flavors He was also very knowledgeable about the flavors. There are so many "new to me flavors that I feel compelled to try them all in due time.
Flavors: Pistachio, Rose Petal, my Kesar Pista (yellow pistachio), TC's Sitafal (sugar or custard apple), my friend's daughter's chocolate with sprinkles and their double scoop of Blue Mango and Pistachio.
(photo courtesy of my friend Zar)
Everyone loved their ice creams scoops which were enjoyed outside in the shade while watching the Blue Angels perform their death defying maneuvers for the Miramar Air show just down the road. The planes were too quick for me to catch on film, but you can see the crazy spiral smoke trails left by one of the jets.
It was awesome seeing even just a fleeting glimpse of the Blue Angels. Go Navy!
If you want to make your own Kesar Pista ice cream, check out the link below:
SpiceUptheCurry
This video demonstrates how to make sitafal ice cream (spelled here with a 'ph'/same sound):
The sugar apple looks like this. In the Philippines, this fruit is also known as 'atis'. It is related to the cherimoya and the soursop fruits.
At Akshar Cash and Carry, I bought these Indian eggplants for a dish I would be making later that evening.
On a different (but related note), I was reminded of the song "Dreams" by Van Halen (one of my favorite bands of all time) which was released in 1986 (Bert and I were juniors in high school when this song came out, yeah we're old, ha ha).
"Dreams" was the second hit single from 5150 their sophomore album with their second lead singer, Sammy Hagar, former frontman of Montrose who replaced David Lee Roth. Although I'm a classic VH fan (Roth era), I have to admit that Hagar's voice is much stronger than Roth's.
WTF does Van Halen have to do with this post?
THE BLUE ANGELS that's what!
The Blue Angels, an elite flight demonstration squadron feature prominently in Van Halen's "Dreams" video. The song, originally released in 1986 was made popular nine years later with its inclusion in the "Mighty Morphins Power Rangers - The Movie".
"That's what dreams are made of..."
Akshar Cash and Carry (formerly Ker Market which I visited back in 2006)
9520 Black Mountain Rd., Suite B
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 689-2222
www.aksharcashncarry.com
Previous visit to Surati Farsan Mart:
January 2014
Previous visit to Bawarchi Dosa (which used to be India Asia Buffet)
October 2012
Previous visit to Miramar Cash and Carry & Kwality Ice Cream:
September 29, 2015
It was a super fun crawl and I was glad to reconnect with my friend and his family as well as meet his very good childhood friend and his girlfriend. All of them were so nice and chill and quite open to trying whatever was ordered. Until the next crawl!
2 comments:
This post has been the most informative so far. I'm looking forward to the next time we drive to,that area...and I guess we will try he dosa fresh batter next time!
Thanks so much Cathy. I liked your post as you were able to get a comprehensive look of the whole store. I still want to explore the aisles in more detail...so many things I haven't tried before. That's the fun of exploring and shopping in ethnic markets. Life is too short to eat boring ass food and shop at boring ass places, haha.
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