Foodie PenPal May

I'm excited to be participating in Foodie PenPals again this month.  It's so fun waiting for my package to arrive in the middle of the month.  This month Julia, who lives in New York City, sent me my Foodie PenPal package.  When she found out I'm a city girl living in a small town she asked me what I missed most from the city.  My reply was that I really miss the amazing selection of Asian ingredients because I love making Asian food but it's very difficult to get many of the ingredients in my small town. 

When I saw the package from New York sitting on my kitchen table I couldn't wait to open it!  I knew it was from Julia and I was hoping there were some fun Asian ingredients inside.  I certainly wasn't disappointed!  Inside my package was an Asian bean sauce which I have a fish recipe for.  I can't wait to make it soon!  There were also Chinese noodles which I use often.  One of my favorite things was the chili sauce which is great for spicing up my favorite Asian dishes.  There were also a pair of chopsticks inside with a really cute design on them!  We don't have any chopsticks so they will be fun to use when I make the Chinese noodles.

    In addition to all of the above I receives a package of dried shitakes!  These are one ingredient I really miss because they are so versatile and can be used in almost anything!  They are also extra delicious in soups.  Finally Julia wanted to give me a little piece of her own Greek heritage so she put a Greek chocolate bar inside the package as well.  It was unusual with a flowery taste to it but it was delicious!  I ate about half of it and turned the other half into a fabulous chocolate glaze to put on a cake.   There was also a card which depicted Manhattan and a wonderfully detailed note from Julia as well.  I love everything in my package and have found recipes for each ingredient.  I'm looking forward to using them soon.  Thank you Julia!