One of the things I enjoy about living in the UK...

Butchers and Fishmongers.

There is nothing better than being able to go in and get what you want, how you want it.  You can even get halal, or kosher if you wish. 

Just as in a grocery store, the butcher prepares time saving, pre-prepared parcels of meat like Beef Olives.  This was a new dish to me.  It is a thin cut of steak with a stuffing inside of it that you cook in the over usually with onions and gravy.  I prefer the oat stuffing, but generally known for being stuffed with a pork sausage.  It is a pleasant change from a meatloaf when you want a hot meal to warm your toes!

Which leads me to another pleasantry:  Bakeries

There is a local bakery that has an internal cafe that I quite enjoy going for lunch.  I have never been able to eat lunch meat and that knocks out about 95% of cafes and restaurants for me at lunchtime!  This bakery has a lovely steak pie that is heaven on my tastebuds!  I never tire of it!  If my husband is with me he likes going for the 'afters' aka desserts!  Coffee Towers, and Fudge Donuts are his favorites.  In truth, most of the desserts here are too sweet for me, so I tend to pass.  Hard to believe, I know!  Just not my sort of treats!


It is just nice to not have to buy these items in a supermarket but able to buy them direct from a specialist.  I like that it hasnt been taken over by Corporate Suits!  So, if you come to visit and have access to preparing a meal, please buy something from the local shoppes!  Odds are, you wont be disappointed!

Fast Food and Restaurant Chains

One thing everyone will agree upon when they find out I am American is that Americans know how to do Restaurant Food.  I hate to say it, but I agree.  I miss places like Chili's, and Outback Steakhouse, along with Wendy's and just about any hamburger place from Fuddruckers to Five Guys.

That being said, I have come across McDonald's, Burger King, Subway,  and KFC in the town I live in for when I am feeling nostalgic for Amercian junk food.  I hate to say it though, it isnt the same. Lets take KFC for example, they have french fries instead of wedges, no biscuits and NO MASHED POTATOES!  Here is the kicker, they have the GRAVY!  If you are found of the lovely dish they serve in the bowl in the states with either rice or potatoes, you are sadly out of luck.  As I am, seeing as it was one of my menu favorites, along with Honey boneless BBQ wings.  KFC wont let all you pepsi drinkers down though, as they do have it, but remember to ask for ice, and a full cup at that!  So, even though it is familiar--it just isnt the same. 

I must say I eat more heathily as I prepared 90% of my meals at home!  Back to the basics here!

FOOD: Shopping for groceries, Sounds Easy Right?!

One of my first experiences here that presented a challenge for me was going grocery shopping. Doesn't sound so difficult, but I would get so frustrated trying to find what I needed.  For Example, at first, it took me forever in the canned (tinned) tomato aisle.  My poor husband would get phonecalls, and I would ask him what I knew I wanted, but to him, it was completely different!  I knew I couldnt ask for help from someone in the store, if my husband didnt have a clue, how would they!?  Not only that, after I started home delivery,  everything being weighted with a different measurement messed me up, many a time!  Let me see if I can translate for you readers so you can understand.

USA Terminology                                                      UK Terminology
Tomato Paste                                                              Tomato Puree
Tomato Sauce                                                             Tomato Passata
Eggplant                                                                      Aubergine
Zuchini                                                                        Courgette
Snow Peas                                                                   Mange Tout
Ketchup                                                                       Red Sauce
Cilantro                                                                       Coriander
Okra                                                                            Bhindi


Imagine asking for Squash, and getting sent to the Juice Aisle.  Little language differences! 

There are more food differences, and as I recall them, I will add them to the list!  Who knows, maybe it will help someone else making the move from the US to the UK!  Some things I will add to the list, even though they arent that hard to find in the supermarket, they just might have a nickname that can stump you!

Another thing I noticed is when ordering at a restaurant, I spied a chicken dish topped with chili sauce.  Imagine my horrible surprise when I took a bit to find a minty flavored sweet sauce and NOT a spicy chili sauce.  My poor taste buds didnt forgive me for days!  In fact, I tend to prefer restaurants these days where I know I wont get any surprises, like Indian Cuisine, Chinese, or PIZZA!

Feel free to comment below on differences you may know about that I have not yet added, and I will put it on the list.