Q: I'm going to be living in Culiacan, Mexico for the next year and my host family tells me they've never had Indian food and that there are no Indian restaurants around. I want to prepare Chicken Korma for them but can't seem to find all the spices I need. The attendants at both stores I went to gave me a blank stare when I asked about cardamom pods, and I didn't see any bay leaves. I will need coriander, fresh ginger, cloves, cardamom, and bay leaves. Are there alternatives if I can't find these? Okay, nevermind! I went to a Wal-Mart today and found everything except coriander. Thanks capitalismo!
A: What store did you go to? The hardware store? None of those things are unusual so you will get any of them in any of the big supermarkets.