Going native: SpiceRack Market a taste of India in Reno, Nevada

I’ve been making the culinary trip to India in our house more often these days, largely because we are trending toward a loose kind of flexitarian/vegatarian diet. But I’ve always been a fan of Indian cuisine since I was first introduced to it during a visit to the Empress Hotel in Victoria B.C. nearly 40 years ago. I became an instant fan. In more recent years I had the pleasant opportunity to work with Indians and was able to learn more about their cuisine - and sample lots. Yum.

While running errands today, I was caught up in Googling on the old iPhone to see if there was a newer, better Asian market that would offer some Indian specialties. Sigh. Just the usual suspects: dark, dreary, poorly laid out, smelly and not terribly clean. The selections of Indian foods were minimal.

But being a determined and tenacious sort, I Googled again. Voila! The SpiceRack Market, and I was close by.

Just over on Vassar Street and Kietzke, tucked - and I mean hidden - back off the street in the Town and Country Shopping Center. I parked and boldly ventured inside, trying to look like I knew what was what. I’m hardly a newbie when it comes to ethnic markets, but I’d never been a totally Indian one before.

Whoa! Valhalla. Nirvana. This is the Motherlode.

Bright, clean, well laid out and stocked. If you can’t find your quality Indian ingredients here, you’re not trying.

They have a large frozen foods section, in addition to an adequate fresh veggie section, too. Fresh veggies arrive on Friday and Tuesday.

I’m definitely going back for some of the frozen entrees and specialty items - some that you can get for more money at Whole Foods, and a lot that look way better and far more authentic and interesting. The fresh paneer cheese is a huge bargain, and I went away with a bag of frozen that would serve me well for quick small meals for one - when just a few cubes will do.

I came away determined to learn more about the wonderful Indian ingredients, so that I could return and shop with more confidence. But the woman at the cash register was very approachable and kind - and very willing to help.

They also offer freshly baked Indian sweets and samosas. Had I not just eaten lunch, I would have partaken. Next time.

The only thing that causes me a little heartburn is the sodium content of so many Asian or Indian foods. Each item I reach for gets flipped over to the nutrition box. Any sodium content over about 15% goes back onto the shelf. It’s time these manufacturers get a clue about the cause of heart disease and sodium’s role. Unfortuntely, I think adding copious amounts of salt is a way of cutting costs on otherwise more expensive ingredients. They don’t seem to understand that I’d pay more for a healthy product.

I recommend SpiceRack Market. Excellent variety of quality products, clean and well-lit store, good prices, nice employees.

spicerackmarket@gmail.com‎‎

1535 Vassar Street, Reno, NV, NV 89502 (775) 682-4400 () – (775) 682-4401

-maven