Hi,

I've finally settled in some... I've found Coop's and Migros. I've found some essentials, and my cupboards are no longer bare.

I have grand plans to create some comfort foods... Mexican comfort foods... I think I can do this if I can find some basic things. I think I've scouted about everything I need, except fresh Jalapenos and Cilantro. Anyone know where I can find this in/near Lausanne?

Thanks,

MB

I don't know about Lausanne, but there are jalapenos to be had from El Maiz in Zurich. I think they do mail order. Their website (search the forum) is in German, but the folks who run it also speak english.

You should be able to find Cilantro at COOP and Migros, it's called Corieandre in French.

Cilantro is called coriander and you can buy it in Coop.

Try Manor or Globus if you draw a blank at Migors and the Coop. Otherwise look out for Indian or Thai shops...there's one on the Rue de la Borde where you can get huge bunches of coriander complete with roots.

Well, it's summer. Grow your jalapenos on your window or balcolny.. No kidding. I did this for years back in Chicago. Until then, try specialty shops. Often, I ask at the local American store and they tell me where to get things they do not carry.

And someone else nailed it. Cilatro is call corriander here.Confused the heck out of me too when I was looking for ground corriander seed, not ground corriander (cilatro).

Uhh..... and when your find it all let me know. I'm coming for dinner. It's been 6 months since I have had good mexican. God I miss late night burritos as big as your head.

grow my own jalapeños? Cool, er, heissss...

thanks for all the tips... I like the idea of growing my own, but there lies another question... where does one find seeds here?

when I've got my ingredients, I will be happy to have some peeps over for some tasty Mexican food... I love cooking, but its only REALLY fun when you've got some guests to eat!



MB

Have some friends from back home slick open a few fesh ones, dry the seeds out on a paper towel in light for a week or so, then post them to you.

To start them here, take a ziploc bag and put a few sheets a paper towel in it. Moisten the paper towel till well wet, but you see no standing water inthe bag. Place seeds on top. Leave bag open for ventilation. Keep the towel wet always, in a week or two, they will sprout and you can transplant them into moist soil in a pot, which you keep moist and with some plastic wrap on the top. (Helps create your greenhouse). In another week or two, viola! You have pepper plants popping through the top.

I just bought some seeds online from...

www.chili-shop24.de

jalapenos and poblanos - haven't received them yet though, so I don't know how it will go.

I also bought some dried chilis from Penzey's in the US - anchos, jalopenos (great with eggs) and some other stuff.

I'd like to find some goo-ey cheese that melts well. I've been using something called mutschli (or something) - it's pretty mild and ok - not quite monterrey jack or quesidilla though. Or even mild crappy longhorn cheddar.

Oh, and thanks for the seed starting tips.

Thanks everyone for the tips... now I have to figure out how to keep the cats away from the jalapenos

BTW, as I've mentioned before. Jalapenos keep nicely frozen in a couple of ziplock bags. I'd suggest slicing them before freezing. They'll then chop up quite nicely. Though, this doesn't work quite as well for jalapeno poppers. Next time in the US, be sure to bring a few back with you.

I've also come across dried jalapenos in the US, which work great as well for salsa. I just used some tonight, as the fresh ones weren't very hot and I needed to pep the salsa up a bit.

Hey I would be sooooo in for real Mexican food (veg style).

Also I found habañeros at Globus the other day, tried them tonight, they are the real thing.

-mark

Also, LaurenM, I when did you live in Chicago? I was there from '93 to '99, though I started visiting seriously in the late 80s

-mark

The dried ones are great in scrambled eggs!

Woooohh!! This poor guy realised they were the real thing too!!



Ros

I'm not a fan of scrambled eggs myself, so I mostly just use them to pep things up when I'm short on fresh jalapenos or the fresh ones I've got are too mild.

'cept that I only use 1/4 of a habanero in a fairly large amount of food.

I've come up with Jalapeno seeds, and Im going to start a Jalapeno garden... Also came up with a tortilla press and masa. I'll be whipping up some authentic'ish Mex food soon. When I've got my ingredients and recipes, I'll be welcoming people over for an evenings of fine, Northern Mexico/San Diego influenced dining... oh and good margaritas.........

Where do you buy tortillas?

You can get tortillas at Migros or Coop, and also at a new shop called Comptoir des Ameriques which is next to the Catholic Notre Dame off of Rue Neuve.