Looking for schmaltz this season?
It’s no wonder “schmaltzy” became synonymous with “luxurious”; this rich, silken wonder of rendered chicken fat adds depth of flavor to everything it touches, which is why Richard Markus is looking for it for making matzo-ball soup. And readers have found several local sources.
Joan Bernstein and Phyllis Mack emailed that it’s available in the kosher frozen section at Albertsons at 2550 S. Fort Apache Road (and Bernstein added that the store carries whitefish salad and chopped liver in its kosher deli section). Lois Ripes and Ann Brown said it’s available at Harrie’s Bagelmania at 855 Twain Ave.; Ripes said she’s been buying it there for years. Valerie Weinberg emailed that Empire Kosher frozen schmaltz is sold at Vons at 2667 Windmill Parkway in Henderson and Albertsons at 2910 Bicentennial Parkway in Henderson.
And Joan Goldman and Marcia Bursky make their own. Bursky said she uses raw chicken fat from Glazier’s Food Marketplace at 8525 W. Warm Springs Road and then renders it with an onion and salt and pepper, while Goldman said she uses the skin and fat from a chicken, rendering it with a cut-up onion in a frying pan or pot on a low flame. “The schmaltz will come out clear and the skin will come out crisp and edible, called ‘gribenes’ or ‘griven,’ sort of like Mexican chicharones,” Goldman added. …
For Sandra Campbell, who’s looking for restaurants with Tex-Mex tacos similar to those served in the San Antonio area, Paul Aguirre advised, “Good luck … I stock up on spices, meats and tortillas when I go home and freeze them to bring back here.” But he added that J.T.’s Barbecue at 5611 S. Valley View Blvd. “has a limited selection of breakfast tacos, with homemade tortillas (and no Big Red).” …
For Minnie Mistretta, who’s looking for the smallest size of Moon Pies, Claudia Wright emailed that Bass Pro Shops at 8200 Dean Martin Drive has them in several flavors. …
For Carol Stratford, Ann Brown emailed that she hasn’t found Barilla pastina in Las Vegas, but Siena Deli at 9500 W. Sahara Ave. has the Ronzone brand.
MORE READER REQUESTS
Edward Donovan is looking for cioppino in a bottle — to which the cook adds his or her own seafood — which he used to get at Trader Joe’s and Albertsons. …
The Petersens are looking for Morton Hot Salt, which they once bought at Vons. …
Tom Greenough would like to find Geisha Albacore Solid White Tuna packed in water, which he used to get at Albertsons. …
Pamela Moore is looking for a local source for Haagen-Dazs Bourbon Pecan Praline Ice Cream. …
And Tiffani Stewart asks readers’ help in finding something she had at a potluck several years ago, which looked like a “little burrito wrapped in plastic,” the outer layer made up of sticky rice instead of a tortilla, with a filling that was an Asian-style spicy chicken mixture.
Readers?
Submit information to Heidi Knapp Rinella, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. You also can send faxes to 702-383-4676 or email her at hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Include your first and last names and, if emailing, put “Taste of the Town” in the subject line. Follow @HKRinella on Twitter.
