Odeliza Life of a US Expat in South America

Mahalo Chicos,

Ferria, other wise known as Farmers’ Market are abundant in Montevideo, Uruguay. When we first arrived here, I really appreciated the visits, seeing all the frutas y verduras nombres en espanol and its freshness.

Now I have a delivery from my favorite vendor every Tuesday of the week. For those of you that are thinking of vacationing in Montevideo, Uruguay, I’d suggest to stop by the front desk of your hotel and ask when a ferria is happening. More than likely you’ll be able to catch one. They go for roughly four hours.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chico,

Here is a response to your question Edo, you might not have a chance finding real spices in Colonia del Suiza or any neighboring areas.

If you are going to make any trips to Montevideo, I’d suggest the following places:

La Moliedna Productos Naturales-Ejido 1439 esq. Mercedes T: 901 39 47 Open M-F 9:30-13:00 and 13:30-19:00

Singer -18 de Julio 1612 Casi Roxlo T: 409-4030 (They only accept pesos)

Bambu- San Jose 1290 T: 902 7720 Open M-F 9:30-19:30 Saturday 9:00 - 14:00 (They only accept pesos)

Here is a link to my cooking site: I talk about where to purchase other “exotic” goods in Uruguay.

Edo, I must say that most spices are raw, in that you’d have to put together your own mixtures, but for the most part, you can purchase some items in those three places above. Also, if you are really serious and since you live so close to the boats, you could go to Barrio Chino in Buenas Aires.

Good Luck! And if you need anything else, just let me know.

Ciao,

Odeliza

Mahalo Chico,

February is such a short month, I thought that maybe this is a good time to test out my savings plan.

The North American dollar is to 22.00 Uruguayan pesos. In 08, the dollar dropped to as low as 1.00 to 15.00 pesos.

I spent 3,946.67 pesos for groceries at the grocery store for this week, plus 529.00 pesos for fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market. The grocery goods are suppose to last until the end of February. The farmer’s market fresh produce until the following Tuesday -when they have it again-. Now normally I could spend up to 1,500 pesos at the farmer’s market and up to 6,000 pesos at the grocery store four times a month. I plan to spend  a lot less, so far I’ve done pretty well with following the menu for this week. 

Fortunately, our meals don’t vary too much. So, Saturday and Sundays can be repeat menus.

Just to give an example, Wednesday and Thursday menus consist mostly of baked goods (low fat, of course), vegetarian lasagna, adult mac and cheese, spinach gratin, and vegetarian enchilada. Paired with fresh house salad.

The idea is too cook once for the weekend. This would  be our traditional Sunday brunch. All the other meals are just reheats and quick house salads. I take the already baked goods from the past Wednesday and Thursday, reheat for weekend meals.

We’ll see what the end results are.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Mahalo Chicos,

I don’t get out often enough as I did in 07 and 06, mainly because I wanted variety in my meals that is not so abundant here and I have to honestly say, the offerings in restaurants in Uruguay lack in that department.

But when a restaurant comes along that offers a new flavor I like to review it and talk about it on my websites. I even go as far as have visited the kitchens and talked shop with owners about products and menu ideas.

I was sad to see Sat Nam - one of the more exotic type foods- and Rosti - Swiss inspired- out of business. You see, though there are a considerable handful of expats and embassy families in Uruguay it is not -from my professional opinion as a personal chef and caterer- enough to support more global cuisine. How sad and how disappointing. Growing up I was  taught to appreciate foods of different cultures than my own -granted I am ethnically diverse- and it carried on as a grown up. Personal irritation, food snobs!

Would I call the locals in Uruguay food snobs? Some yes I have said to their faces -which I have no problem politely doing-, some share my tastes for the spices that the world offers and some just don’t have a palate I can fathom.

So, what do people that are considering living in Uruguay or vacationing in Uruguay eat? Rustic and simply spiced beef, ham, and lots of french fries. Where can they go for Japanese food? No where. How about Thai food -my personal favorite- no where. And Chinese food, there is one down town - Centro Zona- but I must warn you, have an iron clad tummy, cause its not for the faint of heart. How about some Indian food? Honey, forget about it!  

Ciao,

www.odeliza.com

Mahalo Chicos,

There are tons of really great things you can purchase in Uruguay. Here is a list that I often enjoy purchasing and I highly recommend of great quality. Of course there are other things you can purchase in Uruguay this list is unbiased opinion.

1. Saffron Threads
2. Organic Honey
3. Fresh Cinnamon Sticks
4. Fresh nut meg
5. Hand woven authentic wool items
6. Great Leather items
7. Brazilian Shoes

Ciao,

www.odeliza.com

Mahalo Chicos,

When you go grocery shopping in South America; Brasil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay to speak of, the cashier clerk would ask you if you have a ‘tarjeta puntos’. This is basically a card that allows you points every time you shop at their store.

You have to fill out a really simple form written in Spanish - which someone that does not read Spanish so well, ME- can easily do. Then return in a couple of weeks and ask the customer service for your card - you have to show them your formal identification; Passport and or some country issued identification.

Once you’ve accumulate some points you can get ’stuff’. Like a cell phone with some minutes, some basic kitchen appliances and the like.

So, if you have not done so already and you are planning on hanging out in South America, get a card, there are no attachments and you can pile on more stuff on top of more stuff.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Book Shop located across the street from the main entrance of Punta Carteas Shopping in Montevideo, Uruguay. A rather small book shop not necessarily designed for meandering, more for purchase and go, the Book Shop holds a rather impressive stock of English Books.

I dragged my other half to accompany me the other day and we were both delighted to see they offered some of our favorite authors. His being Koontz and mine Nora Roberts.

One of the clerks came up to me right away and asked if I needed any help. I requested that he tell me if there were are any Nora Roberts’s novels.

I was giddy with anticipation. I could not resists the actual jumping up and down when the kind Clerk, Nicolas whom by the way speaks excellent English, handed me about 10 books from Nora Roberts.

My other half purchased all the books for me as well as a few for him, I’d say we spent well over one hundred American dollars there. The prices of the books are North American prices, it seems that they do not add extra onto it, but I am not sure about other books.

There were a total of three book clerks of the three two spoke excellent English, so an expat or visitor that had a bit of time with Spanish should not have a problem with help. Speaking of help, the three clerks were very friendly, helpful and conversational.

If you are ever in need of some English written books, I’d suggest to stop on by at the Book Shop and see what you find.

It makes living in another foreign country so much better when one finds something from home.

In the mean time, I’m off to read my newest novels!

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Verde & Wok located inside the Punta Caretas Shopping Mall located on the third level. More like a fast eats place. I say fast eats because it is not quite fast food. Its more like diner style food served faster and eaten faster. So would that mean its fast food?

I ordered the fish of the day over white rice flavored in yellow curry and some grilled fresh vegetables.

Overall, the execution was done well. The veggies were still crisps, the rice had a curry flavor in it and the fish of the day was Merloza which was just grilled with a pinch of salt.

I paid 175 pesos for the entire dish about ten American dollars and it was very filling and satisfying.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Bambu on San Jose 1290 telephone number 902-7720 located in the down town area of Montevideo, Uruguay.

The only Vegan Asian grocery store in the country. Though limited in selection as majority of the habitants eat meat like crazy here. They offer some staples.

Just a few staples I pick up there:

1. Home made tofu
2. Vegan mushroom sauce
3. Vegan BBQ sauce
4. Mirin
5. Fish Sauce
6. Coconut milk
7. Rice wine
8. Soy sauce
9. Wasabi

Enjoy,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Ricci located on Juaquin Nunez 2848 in the Punta Caretas barrio telephone number 712-00 30.

Ricci opened its doors in 1927 and continues to strive today. Its specialty is Mediterranean French cuisine. They are open for lunch and dinner every day. The restaurant also offers wireless Internet to its customer.

In a French inspired home, the exterior painted a lovely dark purple with gold trimmings. Seating is available outside underneath old trees.

The inside is intimate with dim lighting and dark wooden chairs and tables. The winery is small but houses a fine selection of wines.

My other half and I ate at Ricci for lunch. I’d have to say that every dish was well executed and remained honorable to its French inspiration.

Its a bit more of a fancy place to eat, so I’d suggest to bring your love onefor one evening on a date night or special occasions.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza