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Hello from Paris, Texas
Started
by Volatile Vegan
on November 12, 2009
Just wanted to drop by and say Hello!!!! I just bought the book yesterday and so far I love it. I am having a few problems with some of the recipes. They sound so wonderful however getting the ingredients in my small town might be a problem!! Anyone else having the same problems???? If so let me know what you are using for substitutes. For example for the sea vegetables!!!
I don't have any problems finding the ingredients for the most part but the ones I do have issues with I order from Amazon.com. That's my go-to place for grocery items I can't find. Usually you have to buy in bulk, but if you like the grocery item than it can save a ton of money.
You might also request the finer grocery stores in your little Paris, TX town to order the items in question, if they will. I've had luck with that before at my small grocery store close by my house.
Hello Kristie,
I have talked to my local stores including my local health food stores and I can special order some items however it is usually by the case and sometimes that isn't very practical!! I most of the time drive to Dallas and pick up some of the hard to find items but it is an hour drive so I don't do it very often plus that just adds to the issues associated with food transportation. I guess I'll just have to work on some of the recipes and make them a little bit my own using ingredients that are available in my area.
That is so frustrating. Maybe you could plan a monthly visit to Dallas to pick up what you need. I know that dried mushrooms and most sea veggies are dried so they last a long, long time.
I like the idea of tweaking your recipes for what you have on hand, I do that a lot also.
Hey Volatile...hmmm Volatile Vegan...is that an oxymoron? Just kidding. Nice to meet you on here and have another Texas buddy :) Are there any asian grocers in Paris? You can always try there. The monthly visit to Dallas seems like it may be your best option though. But if you do that you may have to invest in one of those vaccum sealer things for food to make sure that it all lasts. If you've got a local seafood place you may be able to talk to the owner about purchasing through them. They have to buy in bulk anyhow so they may be willing to order a little extra that you can then buy from them.
Hi, Monk and Kristi- the name is an inside joke. I'm really not that volatile just a little opinionated and sometimes meat eaters (my family mostly) seem to take a little offense - not sure why though??? LOL
There is one asian place here and she did say she could order me some things that she doesn't carry but I would have to buy a case - I'm a bit of a pack rat any way so there is not a lot of room to store some of these items. So I guess I'll just stick with my trip to Dallas.
As far as the seafood places around here I wouldn't exactly call them fine restaurants. Mostly fried catfish and fried shrimp are what they carry so ordering anything that's not ready to fry would be out of the question.
Thanks guys though for all your help!!! I'm going to go to Dallas next weekend to a Whole Foods there so I might be able to get some stuff there!!!
You may also want to check out Central Market too. Not as big as whole foods but they have some good stuff there as well and the prices can sometimes be a little cheaper. Here's their info:
Central Market
5750 East Lovers Ln.Dallas, TX 75206(214) 234-7000http://www.centralmarket.com
They're run by HEB but have more items like what people like us would be looking for. Speaking of HEB, since it's a Texas store, you can find some descent things there but if there's an HEB Plus in your area or closer than Dallas all the better.
Hi Volatile Vegan, I am from Paris, TX as well (actually Blossom). I now live in FL but find it almost impossible to eat when visiting. I can totally relate to being the only vegan in the family of carnivors! I actually know the new owners of one of the grocery stores in Paris. I'll zap her a note and see what she has to say about special orders. Cross your fingers! I'll let you know.
Thank you so much sdenslow for your help!!! It's so hard here to be vegan especially this time of year when every carnivore in town has to proudly display their latest kill in the back of their truck. I hate hunting season!!!!!! I guess our town has grown a little over the years - I don't know how long you have been away but the small town hicksville attitude will never go away I guess. People here just aren't ready for change!!!
Please let me know what you find out from your friend!! It would be nice to be able to follow a few of Alicia's delicious sounding recipes - I can change them and substitute here and there but some of them sound so good just the way they are!!!!
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