An Exhilarating Change in Perspective

During my first few weeks here I complained bitterly that I couldn't find the food I was used to cooking, and that everything I cooked at home was either too expensive or simply not available here. At the time, the older teachers told me to just go to the supermarket with a couple of ideas of what I might like to cook, and pick out ingredients that were less expensive and substitute them for what I would usually use. I strongly resisted this idea, grumbling that I should be able to make whatever I wanted whenever I wanted...

...then it hit me.

What a close-minded way to think...

...and I decided to give their suggestion a shot.

What I have discovered in the past month is that going to the supermarket and buying what is available is, for several reasons, a far better way to go about shopping and preparing food. First, what is available in Korea is what is in season. Unlike in a North American grocery store, you can't find strawberries in the winter, or even apples in the summer. What's more, what isn't grown in Korea either isn't here at all, or is astronomically expensive. I can't buy the expensive stuff because I'm on a budget, so I am forced to look for the more economical things, which are the things that are in season and are grown locally. This of course means that it's a good way to shop for the environment, everything tastes wonderfully fresh, and, obviously, it's easy on the pocket book. BUT, the very best thing is that I am experimenting for the first time ever! Instead of thinking, "Oh, I want chicken tonight," then finding a recipe, then getting the ingredients, then following the recipe, I am just going to the store, picking out the fruit and veggies that are the cheapest, throwing them together with a bit of this and that, and finding that everything always tastes great! I have become a good cook, not just a good imitator.

So, before I leave you, I'll tell you about what I made tonight. In the grocery store near my house there are ladies throughout the store who cook samples on little red electric skillets. One thing that I have tried several times and always enjoy is stir fried tofu dipped in egg. I tried it tonight and it was delish! A great way to make tofu! And so easy! For veggies, I stir-fried spinach with baby tomatoes, onion, garlic, and zucchini.
Simple, cheap, dericious. Yes, I said dericious.