:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/The-American-Grocery-Store-Foods-I-Miss-The-Most-Since-Moving-To-Europe-FT-BLOG0325-Mac-and-Cheese-9ef0f64a519041149abd67b7d4ea492c.jpg?w=1500&resize=1500,1000&ssl=1 "The 9 American Grocery Gadgets I Miss the Most Since Shifting Overseas")
About 4 years in the past, I picked up my life and moved 5,000 miles from sunny southern California to Lisbon, Portugal. Nearly all the pieces in regards to the transfer has been excellent, apart from one teeny, tiny element — I can not simply entry my favourite mac and cheese.
Shifting overseas requires a whole lot of work, from acquiring the proper visa to studying a brand new language and adapting to new cultural requirements. It additionally means letting go of some outdated methods of life, together with your consolation meals routine.
You may need seen People touring to South Korea for a “skincare haul” or to Paris for a “style haul.” Properly, once I go to the States, the very first thing I do is head proper to my nearest grocery retailer for a bit “American meals haul.” Listed here are the 9 issues I decide up each time I’m within the U.S. to share with all my American buddies dwelling in Lisbon.
Ranch seasoning
Meals & Wine / The HV Meals Merchandise Firm
Ranch dressing is so distinctly American that when you go overseas and order it together with your salad, everybody will know precisely the place you might be from. Whereas you will discover it in some specialty outlets in Portugal, it’s very expensive. That’s why once I’m residence, I attain for both the big shaker or little packets of ranch seasoning. This manner, I can simply make my very own dressing (normally with Greek yogurt) or sprinkle the good things proper on prime of popcorn, veggies, or no matter else I’ve available for a bit style of residence.
Pumpkin spice
Meals & Wine / Merely Natural
Once I’m within the spice aisle, I additionally decide up a bit pumpkin spice — even when I’m residence in the course of summer time. You merely can not discover this combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves wherever in Portugal, making it vital in my pantry for lattes or sprinkling into pies, muffins, breads, or even cocktails. (And sure, I do know I could make my very own pumpkin spice, however come on — you possibly can’t beat the comfort of American grocery merchandise.)
Mac and cheese
Courtesy of Stacey Leasca
As I stated, this really is the meal I miss essentially the most. I by no means realized how a lot I trusted packaged mac and cheese once I was sick, too drained to cook dinner, or simply craving the wealthy, tacky goodness of a boxed meal. Annie’s has all the time been a favourite of mine, however with so many new mac and cheese firms sprouting up since I moved, I additionally decide up no matter seems enjoyable for a fast Sunday evening meal. On my final journey residence, I grabbed my favourite Annie’s and some bins of Goodles. Actually, the Goodles Cheddy Mac taste could also be a contender for a brand new favourite.
Particular Goldfish flavors…
Courtesy of Stacey Leasca
Sure, you will discover Goldfish in some American specialty shops and really choose grocers in Portugal, however the vary of flavors is extraordinarily restricted. If in case you have a favourite taste, be certain to pack a couple of in your bag to deliver residence. For me, that’s a package deal of Taste Blasted, which supplies an enormous punch of cheddar each time I want it.
…and chips
Meals & Wine / Frito-Lay North America, Inc
Each time I’m residence, you’ll discover me staring down the chip aisle for what appears like an eternity. After being overseas for an excellent period of time, the sheer quantity of flavors — and issues we make chips out of, like arrowroot and cauliflower — is mind-blowing. Often, I find yourself with a bag or two of chips in a enjoyable new taste, but in addition American classics like Cape Cod or Bitter Cream & Onion Lays, together with a bag of flavored popcorn for good measure. (When you’re an American touring overseas, be certain to strive the native chip flavors in your journey, too. It’s possible you’ll discover a new favourite alongside the best way.)
All the pieces bagel seasoning
Courtesy of Stacey Leasca
People dwelling overseas may have a troublesome time discovering an excellent all the pieces bagel, not to mention this seasoning combine, made with sesame and poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt. Use it to make do-it-yourself bagels, or sprinkle it on savory dishes like eggs, rooster, avocado toast, or all that mac and cheese you’re hoarding. Simply watch out about the place you are taking this spice mix, as it’s technically unlawful in some international locations. (Scorching tip if you end up in Lisbon: Head to Rhodo Bagels, which gained the Worldwide title at New York Bagel Fest and took fourth place total.)
Olipop
Courtesy of Stacey Leasca
The prebiotic soda craze has but to hit Portugal, so Olipop and all its rivals are a uncommon sight. I don’t pack these to deliver residence with me (the logistics of flying with liquids is just too irritating), however I do be certain to have a minimum of one Olipop each single day I’m residence to fulfill my cravings. My favourite is the root beer, an American icon in its personal proper.
Campell’s tomato soup
Courtesy of Stacey Leasca
Portugal loves a canned or tinned product — we’re the residence of sardines, in any case. However a comforting can of Campell’s tomato soup is one other product that’s laborious to come back by (once more, you will discover it within the specialty American shops, however the worth is really outrageous). Often, I’ll snag a can or two of tomato soup for these days I’m sick or need the right pairing with my grilled cheese.
Scorching sauce
Meals & Wine / The French’s Meals Firm LLC
In Portugal, you possibly can all the time get a bottle of piri piri, which is able to burn your tastebuds off when you use sufficient. However typically, I simply need what’s acquainted, and for me, that’s Frank’s RedHot. You could find it in teeny tiny bottles for about a bajillion {dollars} in Portugal, however it’s higher to only pack one in your checked bag in your return. As with the chip aisle, be certain to take a look at the sauce aisle while you’re residence to see what wild varieties American firms have provide you with now.
All these little tastes of residence certain are beautiful, however I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that I’ve changed a couple of consolation meals with native favorites right here, too, together with these seven important Portuguese dishes that brighten my day virtually as a lot as mac and cheese…virtually.
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