Broke-Ass (Gourmet) of the Week – Gabi Moskowitz
Every week we feature a different person from the community shedding a little light on their life of brokeitude. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about the human spirit — probably not.
Wanna be a Broke-Ass of the Week? Holler at us here and we’ll send you the questionnaire.
Gabi is one of my favorite broke-asses ever. I can’t believe she hasn’t been Broke-Ass of the Week until now! We first met around the time Gabi was launching her incredibly popular website BrokeAss Gourmet. Since then we’ve become good friends and she’s fed me really amazing food on numerous occasions. Besides writing for her own site, she also has recipes that are syndicated in publications all over the US and contributed to a kick ass ipad cooking app called Appetites. So basically, this girl will teach you how to shake some motherfucking pots and pans, and not spend all your loot doing it. Plus a little birdie (and by this I mean Gabi) just informed me that the BrokeAss Gourmet Cookbook will be in stores on May 8th! Let’s read what she has to say.
Name: Gabi Moskowitz
Age: 29
Occupation: Food writer.
What neighborhood do you live in?: About a block from Dolores Park. If I walk left out of my front door, I’m in the Castro. Right, and I’m in the Mission.
What are you listening to these days?: Don’t tell anyone, but the “Glee Cast” Pandora station is my favorite.
Best money saving tip: Learn how to cook, but first, stock your pantry. When you have long-lasting staples on-hand, cooking becomes little more than a matter of picking up a few fresh ingredients.
What do you refuse to spend money on?: Prepared foods from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. Ten minutes and a few simple techniques and you can make your own healthier, fresher and much cheaper version. I do, however make an exception for the hummus from BiRite. It’s out-of-control good.
Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: My car: a shiny red Toyota Prius.
How’d that feel?: Awesome…and scary.
Favorite cheap eat: Dim Sum at Good Luck Dim Sum, between 8th and 9th on Clement. It’s a tiny, hole-in-the-wall, order-at-the-counter little place, but the tea is hot and strong, the dumplings are superb and you can eat like a king (or queen) for about $4.
Favorite dive bar: Thieves Tavern on Guerrero at 14th has a great shot-and-a-beer deal, as well as a pretty laid-back, fun regular clientele. On the right night though, I have a damn hard time resisting a $2 Tecate at Delirium.
Best deal you’ve ever gotten: I bought a case of wine at an expensive winery last year and when I mentioned to the guy ringing me up that I write about food, he took 50% off my bill.
Favorite free thing to do: Hang out at smaller, neighborhood farmers markets like the Mission Community Market or the Noe Valley farmers market. I love the Ferry Building one too, but I find the music and sense of community is better at the smaller ones. I’ll admire the produce, smell the flowers, listen to music and nosh on samples. It’s a solid way to spend a few hours.
If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: An apartment with a fabulous kitchen. Mine is nice but tiny.
Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: So, so much. I am the luckiest girl I know. I won the lottery in the family and friends department.
Do you own my book?: Of course I do. What kind of question is that?
Best hangover cure: When I was twenty-three, I could drink all night and then undo it all with four cups of coffee and a greasy breakfast. Now I have to down coconut water, pop two Advil and take a nap.
Are you a hipster?: No, but I do have a joke about hipsters:
Q: How many hipsters does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: It’s a really obscure number. You’ve probably never heard of it.
