A little getaway to India, El Salvador, Vietnam, and Taiwan

Over the last week Dan and I have been busier than usual and so we have eaten out a little more often. One of the greatest benefits of living in such a culturally diverse part of the world is the easy access to an unlimited number of cuisines. So Dan and I went on a mental and gustatory vacation around the globe. We started with an old favorite. . .

Saag Paneer and Garlic Naan - India (Little India Grill in Artesia)
Saag is spinach and paneer is cheese. We also got an amazing (and spicy hot) eggplant dish which we also love and a goat curry. Their garlic naan (Indian flat bread) is the perfect compliment to sooth your mouth after this spicy meal. The first time I had saag was when our friend Raj's mom from India was visiting and he invited us over to have a traditional Indian meal. Needless to say it was quite amazing! Our most favorite Indian food place was in Long Beach but one day we went to have dinner there and they were closed down- there was a "C" health rating in the window. Hmmmmmm. . .


. . . next we went to an El Salvadorian pupusaria which was a completely new experience for us both.

Papusas - El Salvador (Nancy's Pupusaria in Buena Park)
I had heard of pupusas (stuffed flat bread) on the Food Network and was excited to try a new cuisine. I ordered the cheese and loroco which is an edible flower and herb which I think tastes like artichoke. Dan ordered spinach and cheese pupusa and a pork pupusa. They were so good but I want to try the pupusas at Grand Central Market in L.A. sometime to compare.


. . . then we were off to "Vietnam" for some Pho (noodles with vegetables and various meats).

Pho - Vietnam (California Noodle and Grill in Chino)
Dan's niece, Koren, was the first to introduce us to Pho up in Seattle. Ever since Dan and I have enjoyed pho (pronounced "fuh")at various locations throughout Southern California. Dan always gets the meat variety bowl with everything in it from intestine to fillet. Last time I ordered the chicken bowl which was great! I enjoy mine with lots of fresh basil, lemon, bean sprouts, and fish sauce.


. . . then we hit our favorite tea house a few times for a sweet treat - Milk Tea Boba!

Boba Milk Tea - Taiwan (Zensation in Chino Hills)
I remember clearly the first time I tried boba. My band students at Wilson were addicted to it and would occasionally bring the band directors one for a treat. It is such a fun experience to suck the little tapioca balls up through the extra wide straw along with the milk tea. The hardest part is giving up my favorite flavor (regular milk tea) to try some of the other interesting flavors on the menu (lavender, mango, honeydew, Thai, almond, etc.) One day I know I will get brave enough to try lavender. When I tried mango it was so mangoish that I felt like I was drinking my favorite body lotion (Bath and Body Works mango mandarin)- not so good.


I love our little mental vacations! It is so nice to pack a little adventure into a stress filled week. I am so lucky I married an adventurous eater! Here is to many more culinary excursions! (Any recommendations?)

P.S. Don't worry. . . I am still down 46 pounds since June and I am starting a new morning running routine on Sunday with daylight savings to get ready for the 10K Turkey Trot in Dana Point on Thanksgiving morning. I have at last learned the good habit of eating things in small portions. = )