Delicacies from home for Christmas

[SalishSea 17,829]

On 11/27/2023 at 8:41 AM, mam521 said:

You can get a good number of proper "British" things if you bump across the northern border.  When I had to leave for the 18mo while my visa process was playing out, DH, a Brit, was delighted to find things like proper chocolate and reasonable dairy.  He delighted in making sausage rolls while we were there, too.  Unfortunately, he never did manage to perfect the Yorkshire pudding at altitude with a wonky oven that didn't seem to heat evenly.  

 

In the US, he's ordered from https://jollyposhfoods.com/ to get some proper sausages.  

 

Me, being Canadian - my kids just came back from visiting their dad and brought back their favourite granola bars and brought me some Moritz Icy Squares. I've commandeered a cookbook from an expat Canadian who wrote all of her recipes for expats, sourcing available local ingredients to mimic a taste of home.  I will say that Nanaimo squares require Bird's custard and not vanilla pudding, irrespective of what any recipe says!  

We here in Western Washington try to claim Nanaimo bars as a nearly local treat....I should get some Bird's and try them that way!

[mam521 2,062]

On 12/2/2023 at 11:09 PM, SalishSea said:

We here in Western Washington try to claim Nanaimo bars as a nearly local treat....I should get some Bird's and try them that way!

I have a friend here in TX who just wants Nanaimo squares for Christmas.  Every year - "are you gonna make me some of those tasty Nanaimo squares?" Easy peasy!  

[laylalex 7,284]

We put in our order with British Corner Shop just before Thanksgiving. I started this annual tradition when I was married to my ex, also a Brit, who taught me that it is Very Important to have proper Xmas things to eat for a proper Xmas. So this year we got: 

 

Umm, somehow we also put in another order which is arriving on Friday.

 

I will stress that the first order was not solely for us -- I ordered a few things for others who have gotten hooked on certain UK food stuffs. 

 

I have never seen anything disappear as quickly before my eyes as that bag of prawn crackers in my husband's hands. I looked away to mess with my phone and when I looked back poof! Gone. Magic.

[Boiler 45,492]

OK you win

 

If any non English speakers need a translation regarding any of the items listed happy to oblige.

 

Why does the US not do Cordials? Hopefully the Branston Pickle 1 meant a case.

[millefleur 5,046]

9 hours ago, Boiler said:

If any non English speakers need a translation regarding any of the items listed happy to oblige.

 

As an American English native speaker, even I need a translation of this stuff. I have no clue what most of it is! 

 

Lemon cordial is a beverage? 

[yuna628 9,676]

In the states, cordials are considered alcoholic beverages or types of chocolates, but in the UK they are non-alcoholic - a syrupy fruit juice with sparkling added. Though you can make them alcoholic - like a Cider & Black (alcoholic cider + blackcurrant juice cordial) or a type of snakebite. My great grandma used to make cordials and they were added to alcohol like a sort of mixer at parties. I would often debate with my husband if Martinelli's Sparkling Cider or Welch's is considered a type of cordial rather than just a non-alcoholic cider or wine, but we couldn't get a definite answer. You can get non-alcoholic cordial in the US, but they are like mixers right?

 

Layla, you got the kiplings mince pies but not the almond cakes? Man... I could eat a whole box of those right now.

Edited December 14, 2023 by yuna628

[Boiler 45,492]

Ribena is a cordial, and I have seen lime juice here bit not the regular.

 

No sparkle.

 

So I grew up with this, well before Coke was common. I remember the milkman delivered fizzy pop, Corona? with the milk but it was limited, once a week or special occasions.

 

So a cordial you added to water, i never measured it but say 10 to 1?, perhaps as the strength varied. You just know how much to have according to your taste.

[Neonred 3,562]

3 hours ago, millefleur said:

As an American English native speaker, even I need a translation of this stuff. I have no clue what most of it is! 

 

Lemon cordial is a beverage? 

I don't know about the lemon cordial.  I'd go straight to the limoncello.

[Lil bear 4,201]

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

Ribena is a cordial, and I have seen lime juice here bit not the regular.

 

No sparkle.

 

So I grew up with this, well before Coke was common. I remember the milkman delivered fizzy pop, Corona? with the milk but it was limited, once a week or special occasions.

 

So a cordial you added to water, i never measured it but say 10 to 1?, perhaps as the strength varied. You just know how much to have according to your taste.

The australian food shop .. should google easily or DM me .. has Cottees lemon cordial .. for a price 

[laylalex 7,284]

6 hours ago, yuna628 said:

Layla, you got the kiplings mince pies but not the almond cakes? Man... I could eat a whole box of those right now.

No almond cakes were available! Trust me, I looked....

 

I had to go back for the second order because (apparently) Xmas is not Xmas without Xmas crackers. 

17 hours ago, Boiler said:

Why does the US not do Cordials? Hopefully the Branston Pickle 1 meant a case.

The lack of cordials is a regular topic of discussion at home. I can find Ribena in the supermarket, but that's about it. The other delicacies needed (Irn Bru, Scotch eggs) must be acquired in a specialty shop in Santa Monica. And no, just a jar of Branston pickle. The Twiglets and Marmite are for me, because (I am told) I have no taste buds.

[Boiler 45,492]

Marmite?

 

On toast, you have Avocados. Of course you need Christmas crackers and a Angel on top of the tree.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Man... sure am glad that we Colonists beat you Lobsterbacks, or we'd all be having to relish these completely incomprehensible concoctions.

[mam521 2,062]

13 hours ago, laylalex said:

The Twiglets and Marmite are for me, because (I am told) I have no taste buds.

British Marmite and Aussie Vegemite...not the same (yes, I have tried both), but I think this Canuck will stick to Kraft peanut butter.  

[laylalex 7,284]

Vegemite and Marmite are definitely not the same. 

 

Not a delicacy, but I just want to take the opportunity to complain about my lack of an

22 hours ago, Boiler said:

Angel on top of the tree.

This is our first Xmas in our new house, and we didn't have a full size tree before in the old place. This year we have a proper one, so it is what I am calling the foundational year for the tree. Think basic baubles and lighting, some ribbon garlands, and in years to follow we will acquire more ornaments of a less basic nature. Anyway, and crucially, we do not have a star to top the tree! Why? Because all the stars out there weigh so much they cause the top of the tree to bend over. They all have battery packs because they light up, or project light shows on the ceiling (!) or whatever. I just want a plain, lightweight star but I have given up for the year. In its place I have a large red bow, which looks festive but... not what I want.

 

I am in the grip of Xmas rage!  

 

 

[Boiler 45,492]

I thought they have done Barbie Angels?, now that would seem fitting. I  can think of 2 solutions, one is to use fishing wire to take the strain from above or something I used for a Guy once, use a rod would or metal strapped to the trunk.

 

Or make your own?

 

My current problem is they effectively have one price shipping up to 30Kg and part of me wants to max out but that is a LOT of stuff.