subject: Stock Your Puerto Vallarta Kitchen [print this page] Mexicos Pacific coast is a marvelous place for a holiday, and you can ask the folks who book vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta for verification of that fact. They know they can expect sunshine, good food and all the relaxation and/or excitement they can handle. And every day that theyre in town gives them more chances to catch on to the local language, an important consideration for folks who want to walk the walk and talk the talk.
One of the advantages of staying in vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta is the chef guests get splendid meals every day, and theyre welcome to make special requests. One perhaps unanticipated benefit is the opportunity to visit the local market to pick out the chefs ingredients. Sure, you can shop at a big chain super market (Wal-Mart is everywhere these days), but you might enjoy the experience a bit more if you shop the smaller, specialty stores.
Bread and Water for You
Before you leave your villa, you might want to learn a little something of what you can expect in certain types of shops. A panadera, for instance, is a bakery or bread store pan is bread, and the panadero is the bread-maker. Mexican breads and pastries are wonderful; try the cuernos de azucar (sugar horns, or sugar-sprinkled croissants) and the pan de huevo (rich egg bread topped with a sugar glaze). You may decide to live on bread and water for the duration of your stay.
Suppose youre craving a traditional meat dish, albondigas (meat balls) or pollo con salsa mole (chicken with mole sauce). Visit a good carnicera to pick out the meat (carne) for your dish; talk to el carnicero (thats right, the butcher) to learn about the best cut for your special dinner.
Today, Veggies Tomorrow, Shoes!
Remember how your mother told you that no meal is complete without vegetables? You can handle that part of your shopping at Agro Gourmet Organic Produce (222 Basilio Badillo). Theyre open every day and they promise to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the specialty spices you need for your authentic Mexican dishes.
Shopping for every-day items is really a very good way to learn more about the local language and customs. Your good manners will encourage shop proprietors to coach you until you are an efficient shopper. When your skills and confidence reach that point, its time to go shoe shopping (zapatos)!
