Friday, November 25, 2011

On buying food

I've been cooking quite a lot recently, as Boaz and LaRae have left for their Christmas vacation, and the lady who usually helps LaRae to cook has also taken off for the month. I've kept careful track of what I buy at the market so that I can learn how to cook things economically here. I thought some of you would be interested to see the things I've gotten at the market the past three trips. 
November 10, 2011

Item
Quantity
Cost -- CFA / ($)*
Salt
1 kilo
150 CFA (0.33)
Potatoes
2 kilos
1,300 CFA (2.88)
Banana
1 hand (8)
500 CFA (1.11)
Lentils
1 kilo
900 CFA (2.00)
Cornmeal
2 kilos
700 CFA (1.55)
Onions
2 kilos
600 CFA (1.33)
Baking Powder 
250 grams
500 CFA (1.11)
Garlic
1/2 kilo
500 CFA (1.11)
Carrots
1 kilo
1,000 CFA (2.22)
Ginger
1/4 kilo
600 CFA (1.33)
Powdered milk
1 bag
1,500 CFA (3.33)
Green Olives
1 jar
750 CFA (1.67)
  • Conversion based on the exchange rate of 450 CFA / $1.00 USD... this is usually variable between 450-500 CFA / $1.00 USD. 
November 13, 2011

Item
Quantity 
Cost -- CFA / ($)*
Sugar
2 kilos
1300 CFA (2.88)
Spaghetti
4 packages
1600 CFA (3.55)
Couscous
2 kilos
1600 CFA (3.55)
Potatoes
2 kilos
1200 CFA (2.66)
Tomatoes
1 kilo
1500 CFA (3.33)
Peanut Butter
2 kilos
2000 CFA (4.44)
Bananas
11 bananas
700 CFA (1.55)
Tomato Paste
2 large cans
2,100 CFA (4.66)
Cabbage
1 kilo (4 small heads)
1,000 CFA (2.22)
Chives
1 small bunch
100 CFA (0.22)
Parsley
1 small bunch
100 CFA (0.22)
November 17, 2011

Item
Quantity
Cost -- CFA / ($)*
Bananas
10
 500 CFA (1.11)
White Flour
2 kilos
950 CFA (2.11)
Onions
2 kilos
600 CFA (1.33)
Chives
1 bunch
100 CFA (0.22)
Beans
1 kilo
700 CFA (1.55)
Couscous
2 kilos
1600 CFA (3.55)
Grapefruit
3
500 CFA (1.11)

2 comments:

Caitlin said...

This is fascinating - thanks for sharing! Awesome work John :) I know you are a fine chef! I'm just curious - how many people are you usually cooking for?

Chopsticks on Oboe said...

Dearie! We will have tons of fruits and veggies when you get home! And dark brown bread... I can't wait to cook for you (although you are an amazing chef) in ONLY TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!