France produces almost everything I need, but I would never be without any of the above. Marmite, for example, has been a part of my life since I was a toddler; I could never live without it.
England's colonial past has given us a taste for curry pastes and pickles, and Patak's hot lime pickle is an essential part of any Indian meal; just as the Indian influenced Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce is an essential accompaniment to a good hearty English breakfast.
And what red-blooded Englishman could eat his huge Sunday joint of beef without Colman's mustard and horseradish sauce.
Oh, and as for tea, my life wouldn't be worth living without Lady Magnon's (and my) favourite afternoon cup of Lapsang.
All of the above are now available here in France; apart from the mustard powder!
I would like to add a few of my favourites:
ReplyDeleteHP sauce
Strong cheddar - the men in my family prefer this to all the French cheeses
Paxo stuffing
Shredded Wheat
When we first came to France 14 years ago, I brought loads of fod back with me - bacon, SR flour, sausages etc, but now, as you say, most of it can either be bought here - at a very inflated cost or I have found other products that I prefer.
I do have a food order from Asda delivered from the UK a couple of times a year, mainly for Christmas food and the things listed above. It works out cheaper to buy things that way and my boys can have the odd treat - twiglets, cheddars, syrup etc
Sue
Sue. You've just reminded me to get Lady Magnon to bring back our Christmas Pud'; she's off to Blighty to do some 'baby' sitting.
ReplyDeleteOur local Leclerc sells good Cheddar.
I had guest from England and they brought me the dry mustard. Fabulous. Ours comes wet and in a squeeze bottle. I think all of our food here in America will soon be sold in squeeze bottles!.
ReplyDeleteAh! the English cupboard...how I love it...speaking as an Irish woman...it's a delight to the nose as well as the eye!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all these products. The hot lime pickle sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that difficult to make oneself, Amy. But Patak's is the best.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of hot lime pickle before, but it does sound interesting. I'll check for it the next trip to our local Brit food shop. Ditto the tea. Always interested in finding that "perfect" tea.
ReplyDeleteFortunately there are only two UK items on my list, one of which I cannot obtain is Clotted Cream and the other one is available in Tescos is Melton Mowbray Pork Pies
ReplyDeleteI regularly have to send PG Tips T bags, Tunnocks Caramel Wafers and Milk Chocolate Digestive Biscuits to one of your neighbours!
ReplyDeleteDon't tell me the French ports have blockaded the mustard shipment again!
ReplyDeleteThank cheesus they sell Patak's curry paste in Tillsonburg, Ontario. Worcestershire... check. You can never have enough brown sauce. The only thing I am very sadly missing is Branston Pickle. *sob* I love that with my cheese sandwiches. Whenever I have seen it, it's $5 for a tiny jar. Now I'm hungry. :) Oooh, and Tetley's tea. Thank heavens they sell Tetley's.
ReplyDeleteYour lovely addictions have made me hungry, Cro...
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly does one do with Marmite, pray tell?!
ReplyDeleteT. You spread it on buttered toast. Some HATE it; others LOVE it..... I'm of the latter variety.
ReplyDelete