This week's PhotoHunt theme is monthly.
Once a month I make a pilgrimage across Adelaide to Chile Mojo. The small shop on Magil is a mecca for those needing a chile fix. I am not talking about prepared food, but rather all types of Mexican and Tex-Mex products. It is here where I am able to make sure my cupboard remains stocked with the ingredients I hold closest to my heart--my soul food.
As a native New Mexican, one of the hardest parts of living the life of an expat is finding quality ingredients to make Mexican and/or New Mexican food. Of course, thanks to globalization and Old El Paso, some of the staples like jalapeños (fresh and pickled), beans, taco shells, tortillas, and fresh cilantro, are easily found. Some of the more exotic ingredients--fresh tomatillos, jicama, and flor de calabaza--are sprouting up at the market. I've learned that hot banana peppers can be substituted for green chile, but forget trying to use them for rellenos. With all of these ingredients at hand I am able to create a tasty meal and to satisfy a craving, but still there is something missing. It is as though I can fill a small void in my life, but not the longing.
This is where Chile Mojo comes into play. The owners, a wonderful Australian/US couple, have done an amazing job at bringing hundreds of nearly impossible to find ingredients to Australia. Their shelves are filled with all kinds of Mexican and Tex-Mex products including canned chiles, dried chiles, pre-made salsas, mole, taco shells, canned tomatillos, hominy, dried beans, spices, blue corn masa and hot sauces.
Thanks to these ingredients I'm once again able to take my cultural heritage in the kitchen beyond Taco Tuesday. I am no longer confined to serving pseudo green chile, but am given the choice of "red or green?" I am able to celebrate the arrival of fall with Chiles en Nogada and home-made Mole. My freezer is stocked with red chile for those cold winter nights. It is thanks to Chile Mojo that I am able to make my "new home" in Adelaide "mi casa."
If you are an Adelaide local be sure to stop in to Chile Mojo for your chile fix. Their "wall of flame" is a must see. Other Australians are now able to shop online at Chile Mojo's new web page.
Address: 381 Magill Road, St. Morris SA 5068
Phone: 08-8333 1931
Email: info@chilemojo.com.au
Store Hours:
Tuesday - Friday, 10am - 5.30pm
Saturday, 10am - 4pm
Sunday and Monday, closed
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Hi Maya --
ReplyDeleteDidn't realize you were a native New Mexican! Spent some great times there (and the Four Corners region in general) back in the summer of 1988 -- yeah, a long time ago... but the memories remain, including of the good food there! :)
Hi Maya, that's a great photo of Chile Mojo and a very creative take on this week's theme. It's so cool that you have a store like this within reach so far away from new Mexico. And how convenient that they also offer an on-line store too for those who can't make it there in person.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day today.
Hi YTSL, thanks for stopping in. I still hold NM close to my heart and call it home. We still own a house there and plan to return one of these days.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy, this weeks theme was once again hard. I was thinking about skipping it until I realized my cupboard was bare. So my monthly trip came in handy with photohunt. Hope you have a good week.
Would love to visit their store. Unfortunately I am not in the Adelaide area :(
ReplyDeleteI've been buying my hot sauces from www.houseofscoville.com.au who specialises in Australian-made hot chilli sauces, although they do have a few Mexican-style sauces you will probably like :)