How I Ended Up With Grapefruit in the Oven

By Deb

Thalia: What's for dessert?

Me: There's no dessert.

Thalia: NO dessert?

Zoe: There's grapefruit.

Thalia: (sighs)

Zoe: You can broil grapefruit, right?

Me and Thalia: (blank stares)

Me: Is that a thing?

Zoe: Didn't we see a recipe for that somewhere? Remember Mom?

Me: I have no recollection of ever hearing of this.

A lot of things we eat around here stem from a conversation like this one, which took place after dinner the other night.  After Zoe pores over Food Network Magazine (no luck) and I do a Google search (success!) we are armed with many recipes for broiled grapefruit that are all a variation of:

cut grapefruit

sprinkle with something (brown sugar, cinnamon, turbinado sugar, agave nectar, etc.)

broil

So how was it? Kind of messy for Zoe because she broke hers apart and ate it in sections (I guess I never taught her how to eat grapefruit with a spoon). But unexpectedly delicious and sweet, even with very little sugar on them.

Thalia: I want this for breakfast!

Me: Wow, these are good!

Zoe: Yeah! I wonder what other fruits we could try broiling?

Hmm, to be continued...

H-Mart!

Click here to visit the H-Mart website and online grocery store!

By Zoe

Not too long ago, one of the shopping centers near our house was entirely redone. Our speculations were that it wouldn't really do well because it had no major store to bring in shoppers. There was a restaurant specializing in Korean tofu soup and a barbecue buffet. The biggest store there was an H-Mart. Of course, these speculations were made before we had any idea whatsoever what an H-Mart was. So one day, out of sheer curiosity, my mom and I went to H-Mart. I was immediately blown away. H-Mart is probably the most amazing Asian grocery store on the planet. Or at least in the country. After walking in the door, we encountered an enormous food court and a bakery/coffee shop. Just after that was an array of little stores, with toys, clothes, kitchen tools and even furniture! This store had EVERYTHING!  There was essentially anything you could ever want from an American grocery store, just with a bigger selection. For example, you could buy tomato or pumpkin-flavored candies, and red bean or sesame ice cream as well as vanilla. There are all sorts of Asian groceries, and an abundance of pickles like kimchi. But what really got both of us was the fresh-foods section. One area was filled with tanks of live, swimming fish. If that's not your thing (because it certainly isn't mine) head over to the produce section. It's like a family reunion for your favorite fruits and veggies: all the slightly weird cousins you have never met. There had to be at least twenty types of greens! We ended up with some oyster mushrooms, sweet potatoes, pears, little cookies with chocolate inside, coconut soy milk, amazing hot sauce, and instant rice-cake soup, which i have yet to try. H-Mart is my New Official Favorite Grocery Store Ever, and if you ever get the chance to visit one, I hope you find it as amazing as I did!