West Palm Beach's President Supermarket: A Spanish Shopping Experience
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What is your favorite Mexican food recipe?
Our Journey Begins
Our search for Mexican Chocolate and a tortilla press was proving fruitless in our normal shopping places. There are certain Spanish food items not found in regular super markets that must be bought in specialty stores. After talking with a few friends, we discovered West Palm Beach had a Spanish supermarket, President, just off the corner of Military Trail and Gun Club Road. The store is privately owned and in business since 2005.
The store has a variety of food items available and all in great quantity for purchase. Our first stop was the fresh produce aisle where we discovered yucca, cactus, and boniato used in making flavorful side dishes. At the end of this area was the Pilon espresso sampling booth. Many Hispanics enjoy a cup of this brewed beverage early in the morning, black and strong.
As we continued onward, we found rows of rice, beans and other grains in large twenty - thirty pound bags. It's a little too much for our needs, but larger families benefit from the larger size for at least a couple of weeks. Nearby was the fish market, which displayed fresh varieties packed on ice for patrons to view and purchase, and it was interesting to observe customers making their selection.
President's does have some common grocery items available, but the majority of the grocery items are Spanish or Caribbean. Rows of cookies, crackers, breads, soups, household items, etc., were all of Spanish origin and printed in the language. We discovered organic foods and "green" products were also a good find.
Our favorite part of the trip was the bakery. The fresh pastries were so soft, fresh and truly Spanish in nature. Here you can purchase guava, yam and mango cookies and pies. At the end of the bakery is a cafe selling fresh made tamales, rice and empanadas. Many shoppers took time to stop here and enjoy a cup of espresso before heading home.
This supermarket is an enjoyable cultural experience in West Palm. Be aware that the associates and cashiers are bilingual but primarily speak Spanish. All the store signs, public speaker announcements and store-assistance is in Spanish and one can get quite a cultural flavor of the area as they browse the aisles. We plan to make a trip there more often, especially when we get a craving for fresh tamales and rice
(video produced by teaches12345, music source: I KA Barra, Habib Kaite& Bamada, 1995)
Crema de Avocado (Avocado Spread)
I have posted one of our favorite spreads used on sandwiches, over tacos, enchiladas, and as a simple dip for tortilla chips. It is quite versatile so feel free to improvise to your taste. We use tofuttii sour cream instead of milk-based sour cream for health reasons, but regular sour cream can be substituted. This spread is quickly made and livens up any sandwich, however use it within a couple of days for the best flavor experience. When your long day of shopping is through, it is nice to assemble a cuban sandwich, top it with this spread, add a small salad and enjoy a complete meal.
Rate this Avocado Spread recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup tofutti sour cream, or regular sour cream
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 lime, juiced and zested (1/8 tsp), or a lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- pinch salt & cracked pepper
- 1 garlic clove, or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 medium tomato
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 1 chipotle pepper (canned variety)
Cook Time
- Prep time: 30 min
- Ready in: 30 min
- Yields: 4 - 6
Instructions
- Place tofutti, avocado, lemon zest and juice, cilantro, garlic, tomato, onion, salt, cracked pepper and chipotle pepper in a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Spread over a toasted Cuban bread roll and fill with a helping of chorizo, shredded beef or chicken as a sandwich. Sprinkle Queso Blanco (Mexican white cheese) over the filling and enjoy!
Comments
teaches, Your picture started my Mexican/Spanish food cravings which I often get - I love Mexican food.
The video of a walk through the Spanish Store was intriguing, new products everywhere. I've never been to a Spanish store but would like to.
This recipe for Avocado spread sounds delicious and the ingredients are nutritious. I am so going to make this.
Thank you for sharing!
Voted Up and Useful,
Mekenzie
This recipe is a step up from Guacamole. I especially like the use of chipotle.
DF
I enjoy Mexican food also. The market was a great find. Your recipes sounds very tasty. Thanks.
We have many Mexican grocery stores in Houston, Texas as you might imagine with the large border between Texas and Mexico. Even in our regular grocery stores there are aisles dedicated to other styles of eating such as Oriental, etc. It is quite a melting pot of people calling Houston their home. Your video was an added attraction. Wish I knew how to create them such as you did. Your avocado spread recipe sounds good. Thanks!
Looks like a really great store. I have never seen such big bags of beans before. The food you made looks so good as well. Now, you have got me thinking about eating some Mexican food.
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We have to limit our enjoyment of Spanish food here at the home, it's wonderful but a little on the "heavy" side for us. So, when we do make it we enjoy every bite. Thanks for coming by here and the votes up, Mekenzie. Blessings.
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Love chipotle in food recipes, the smokey spicy flavor makes it taste so good. I appreciate your coming by here, DFiduccia. Take care.
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Pamela, the market was a great find for us in getting the chocolate and the press that we had been wanting. Thanks for stopping in here. Be well and safe.
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I can only imagine the wonderful stores you have in Texas in your area. I would love to taste the variety of foods of such a diverse community. It is not hard to make the videos, Moviemaker does it all for you -- you just have to add your photos and music. I actually followed a hub that Millionaire Tips posted awhile back. Take care.
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You should definitely have some Mexican food soon, it's very tasty. I had never seen such big bags before either, but I guess it will feed a family well for a couple of weeks. Thanks, Truthfornow, for your visit here. Be blessed today.
The store has so many items, will try this recipe. I visited the supermarket through your video. Great hub.
I like your video! Good job. Looks like a very interesting story. I have never browsed in a Mexican supermarket, just the international food's aisle here. This was an enlightening "trip".
Ok, I'm officially homesick! Maybe not for the states but definitely for Mexican food.
This looks like an interesting place to visit even if you aren't looking for something. It would make an interesting field trip for students studying these cultures.
The video was an appealing addition as well as the recipe.
Firstly, I like the video! The music really got me going :) How nice to see you exploring other subjects. Pleased to share and vote up this one.
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Glad you enjoyed the tour here, Vellur. There's so much more to the experience, but it's a good view into the basics. Have a great day.
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It was a fun trip for us and we did buy a few items more than intended. Thanks for your comment on the hub and video. Take care, Rebecca.
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Hi Blond Logic! Where are you at that Mexican food isn't available? A friend of mine told me that when he was serving in the war -- way out in the middle of Iraq -- he saw a tiny Mexican restaurant. Won't say what the "beef" probably was though. I thought the same thing, would make a great field trip for Spanish classes. Thanks for visiting here and for your support.
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Christy, thanks for your validation on the video and hub. Your comment means so much to me. Appreciate your visit, vote and sharing. Have a most excellent day, my friend!
Delicious!
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dm, thanks for the stop by here. It's a very delicious meal and dip. Have a great Sunday.
It looks like a lot of the products here are Cuban, or as you said, from the Eastern side of Central America. Yucas are one of my favorites from the region. Voting this Up and Interesting.
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Correct, Alocsin, lots of South & Central American influence in this market. Saw plenty of Jamaican/Haitian influence as well. Thanks for the votes of support.
Thanks for the nice video--it just makes the hub more interesting. Love your dinner, not bad when you consider you went there for Mexican chocolate--where's the dessert? Next hub, maybe? Enjoyed the hub and rated up.
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Anglnwu, we did buy some small Mexican cookies, but thought I would leave that unmentioned (shh!). Thanks for your comments and support. Blessings to you, my dear friend.
I loved the information about food and drinks that I've never tried before, teaches! The supermarket tour was very interesting. Thanks for sharing the recipe, too. It sounds delicious.
Wonderful Video, very Educational. I agree with Alicia, love trying Food and Drink that will bring a new Eating Experience. Can't say that I'v had much Spanish Food. But I'd be will to give it a try. Thanks for sharing Teacher.
This sounds absolutely delicious and so easy to make, I love any food that is different from my normal stuff, so this is great, and will definitely be trying it, thanks!
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Hey, Alicia. Couldn't put all of the foods on here because there is so much in the store. We had to control ourselves to keep from buying on impulse!
B.Malin, It's always good to hear others enjoy experiencing new things too. I find that Spanish food has a lot of common ground with other cultural foods: cumin, chili, tomato, etc. Enjoy.
Nell, try it some time. I would start with something mellow like Spanish rice. Hope you enjoy it.
Such a neat trip to the grocery store! Does your husband take orders?
Thanks so much for posting your Avocado Spread with the dairy alternative. I'm looking forward to trying this very soon!
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I have suggested he do some small dinner parties to get into the business. I think he would do well, but then it's just a therapy thing for him right now. Thanks for stopping in here, RTalloni. Hope you enjoy the avocado spread.
chipotle? How come I'm always outdated??? never heard of this before. But I kinda like your recipe, I love avocados.
shared
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Snowdrops, chipotle is a chili pepper that goes with just about anything. It adds a good mild flavor to a recipe. Avocados are my favorite just raw or added to something. Thanks for your visit here and for sharing. Take care, dear friend.
Funny you should write about President's in West Palm Beach. I was just there last month and enjoyed the experience very much.
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Hello Lipnancy, we may have been there the same day and didn't know it! This was our first time there and we've been around for almost 8 years now. Glad to know another fellow Floridian has been there.
Great hub! Makes me want to go on a foodie road trip to Mexico.
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Hi Thom! I am glad it has inspired an adventure for you. Don't have to go that far though, you can either make it yourself or find a local spot. Thanks for coming by and have a great day.
You've messed me up, Teaches. Now I'm hungry!! :-) Can I come to your house for dinner?
And who played the music on your video? I liked them too!
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Molly, come on over tonight. We're having Mexican for dinner tonight! Music source is : I KA Barra, Habib Kaite& Bamada, 1995. Thanks for your visit and support.
My granddaughter and I went into a Spanish supermarket and it was a different experience. The one we went into had dried peppers hanging on strings all over. I found the different cooking pans interesting. We bought candy though. Interesting hub!
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Barbara, it is a different shopping experience. The Kitchen utensils/pans are usually made from piel, which is native to Mexico and South America (they are blue in design). I love using them when I serve Mexican to my guests. Thanks for stopping by here, you are always a welcome visitor.
The avacado spread sounds fantastic. I'm not really an avacado lover, but fresh avacados can be tasty. I'll have to give this recipe a try sometime.
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I like to think that if you like cucumbers, you probably will love avocados. They have a similar taste. Thanks for the visit Natasha!
Will definitely try your avocado spread - looks simple and delicious and we are avocado lovers - the market tour brings things alive - we've spend many of our vacations in Mexico and South America so it brings back many pleasant memories - B.
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Thanks, Billips for your visit and support. You must have some interesting stories to share about markets in Mexico and South America. Be well and strong.
I shall give that avocado recipe a try.
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Oh, do try the avocado recipe! It is really good. Have a wonderful weekend, Rasta.
Hi teaches12345, President in West Palm Beach sounds like a great store. I love to go to a good fresh fish market and of course, I always love a good bakery.
The crema de avocado recipe also seems delicious. For whatever odd reason, sour cream was my biggest craving during my last pregnancy and I still enjoy it a lot today. I also like avocado, cilantro and tomato so having all these ingredients and more in the recipe seems great. Thanks a lot for sharing all this information. Voted up.
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Hi Journey! So sorry I am late responding to your wonderful visit. I am off to the market today to get the ingredients for gaucamole. It is a great way to garnish any Mexican dish.
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