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!
Monday, April 4, 2011
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!
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.
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.
Monday, October 11, 2010
First post on a new blog.
I have another journal, under another name. I created that journal July 15th 2001. It seems a lifetime ago. I was a student, off work due to injuries sustained on the job while working in the airline industry.
A friend gave me the idea to start again. I am a 'grown up' now! The life I lead is so very different. I will do my best to share my life with you.
About me, I like my creative side and try to keep active, whether from doing something with my hands, or from reading a book. Recently I have gotten back into crocheting. I can only do it for so long before old injuries (yup, from 2001) tell me it is time to take a break! I am not great at anything in particular, but do a few things rather well! My interests are varied, and my time--which is rather limited. Reason being, I am a 'domestic goddess' aka "Stay at home Mom"!
I do love to travel, and had majored in Travel and Tourism, while minoring in Nursing. My plans were to become a travel agent for those with special needs. I got the surprise of my life when I 'fell'* pregnant. My life changed dramatically so, all at once. Nov 2007, I got married on a Wednesday, and moved on the Sunday to another country! Did I happen to mention that I was 6 month's pregnant at the time? My family will tell you I never do anything in the right order, or for that matter EASY! After dating my now husband for 8 years, it was time! We did get married exactly one year from getting engaged. Little did I know that my coming over to go househunting would end up to tell me just exactly how big a house I was going to need.
Life has been interesting since then. Adapting to many things at once, such as: being a wife, becoming a mother, and living life as a foreigner.
I am going to try and document my life as best as I can... as honestly as I can. Sometimes the truth is hard, especially when coming from yourself!
*A term that has always amused me, How do you 'fall' into pregnancy?!
A friend gave me the idea to start again. I am a 'grown up' now! The life I lead is so very different. I will do my best to share my life with you.
About me, I like my creative side and try to keep active, whether from doing something with my hands, or from reading a book. Recently I have gotten back into crocheting. I can only do it for so long before old injuries (yup, from 2001) tell me it is time to take a break! I am not great at anything in particular, but do a few things rather well! My interests are varied, and my time--which is rather limited. Reason being, I am a 'domestic goddess' aka "Stay at home Mom"!
I do love to travel, and had majored in Travel and Tourism, while minoring in Nursing. My plans were to become a travel agent for those with special needs. I got the surprise of my life when I 'fell'* pregnant. My life changed dramatically so, all at once. Nov 2007, I got married on a Wednesday, and moved on the Sunday to another country! Did I happen to mention that I was 6 month's pregnant at the time? My family will tell you I never do anything in the right order, or for that matter EASY! After dating my now husband for 8 years, it was time! We did get married exactly one year from getting engaged. Little did I know that my coming over to go househunting would end up to tell me just exactly how big a house I was going to need.
Life has been interesting since then. Adapting to many things at once, such as: being a wife, becoming a mother, and living life as a foreigner.
I am going to try and document my life as best as I can... as honestly as I can. Sometimes the truth is hard, especially when coming from yourself!
*A term that has always amused me, How do you 'fall' into pregnancy?!
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