Q: Harissa, as you know, is a very spicy North African chili paste that generally comes in a tube. I have looked far and wide and cannot locate any in the metro area. You seem to be miraculous in your searches, and I sincerely hope you can solve this one, too. — Alex Norman, Decatur
A: Loaded with ground chilies, spices and garlic, harissa adds a generous kick to a variety of foods, from meats and pasta dishes to eggs and soups. While you can find powdered harissa mix, to which you add water and oil, having the ready made paste on hand is even more convenient. In the past, I’ve actually found harissa in glass jars at HomeGoods stores. But, there’s a place in town that carries two types of harissa paste on a regular basis. Buford Highway Farmers Market, 5600 Buford Highway, Doraville, 770-455-0770, stocks tubes of DEA harissa from France on aisle 11 for $2.99, and Piquant in a can from Morocco for $3.19. That one is located on aisle 18.
Q: I have a friend who is looking for a wine that has disappeared from Georgia shelves recently. It's called Terra Andina Carmenere. In your quest to track down different items, could you please see if the wine is still available, and if she could pick up a case? Thank you. — K. Hines, Decatur
A: Carmenere is a grape variety related to Cabernet that now is mostly grown in Chile, but with its roots firmly entrenched in the Bordeaux region of France. Terra Andina Carmenere is a Chilean wine boasting an intense flavor that pairs perfectly with grilled meats and other hearty fare. I spoke with the owner of Decatur Package, 1220 Clairmont Road, Decatur, 404-633-5250, and he said that he can order the wine. Just call the store to make sure it’s in stock. Each bottle costs $11.99, and cases are available.
Q: My friends have this cool two-man tent that you set up like a Frisbee. Throw down the tent and stake it down, and you are good to go. So very cool. Looked and looked and haven't found it. Help. — Kathy Watson, Atlanta
A: Rightline Gear makes a two-person pop-up tent priced at $99.95 that’s available through www.dickssportinggoods.com. However, while the store doesn’t stock the two-person tent, you can visit Dick’s Sporting Goods, 3535 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, 404-267-0200, and order it there. That way, you can have it delivered to your home without shipping charges, which you’d incur if you ordered it online. The Rightline Gear tent folds up like a Frisbee instead of rolling up. The pop-up tent that Dick’s stocks is similar to the Rightline Gear version, but it’s a five-person tent by Coleman.
Q: I travel with a group of fun-loving seniors, and your column is often the topic of our conversations. We have seen but never have been able to track down something I call a bus caddy. It looks like a plastic shelf hanging by straps from the back of the seat in front of you. It holds a water bottle, pencil, etc. If you can locate this item, I know you will make many senior citizens more organized and very happy. — Natalie Harris, Decatur
A: Natalie, while there are a lot of different car organizers, most of them are made of soft materials, but I did come across a caddy that seems to be very much like the one you described. Take a look at www.amazon.com and check out the back seat caddy car storage organizer by Collections, Etc. It’s a hard plastic caddy with a little flip-down tray, and there’s plenty of room for a drink, pencils and other travel items. If you read the reviews, you’ll find that one buyer uses it for bus travel. It’s priced at $7.49, but you’ll notice that the shipping charges are almost as much. If you like this caddy, I’d suggest you buy as many as you think you might need because it’s no longer available on the Collections, Etc. catalog.
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