This was my second month doing the foodie penpal swap. Jessica in Minnesota and I were paired and it was an interesting few weeks of flying packages. I sent along a fun bunch of weird and funky (yet super tasty) odds and ends from our local Asian market. I love this place. I may not know what all the packages are saying, but I interpret them to mean “delicious” and they often are. This appeals to my cheap sensibilities (as many of the packets run .80 – .90 cents each), as well as my adventurous wanna-be foodie side, and you get a lot for your $15 buck.
In return, I received a pound of Minnesota cultivated, cracked, wild rice! It also came with a recipe for wild rice soup. It looks nice and rich calling for among other things, 1 stick of butter, 1/2 cup of flour and 1 cup half and half. I haven’t had a chance to give it a whirl yet, but should you want to have at it first let me know and I’ll send the complete recipe along (makes approximately 6 cups). You can also grab your own bags of Gourmet House Minnesota Cultivated Cracked Wild Rice on Amazon: 4 16 oz bags for only $18. What a deal (or 6 for $22)!
I am unsure of whether I will sign up for the swap again this coming month or perhaps instead treat myself to lots of little bags of goodies from the market….I suppose time will tell!