: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=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "The 9 American Grocery Gadgets I Miss the Most Since Transferring Overseas")
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About 4 years in the past, I picked up my life and moved 5,000 miles from sunny southern California to Lisbon, Portugal. Virtually every part in regards to the transfer has been excellent, aside from one teeny, tiny element — I can now not simply entry my favourite mac and cheese.
Transferring 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 It additionally means letting go of some outdated methods of life, together with your consolation meals routine.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 “trend haul.” Effectively, after I go to the States, the very first thing I do is head proper to my nearest grocery retailer for just a little “American meals haul.” Listed below are the 9 issues I decide up each time I’m within the U.S. to share with all my American mates residing in Lisbon.
Ranch seasoning
Meals & Wine / The HV Meals Merchandise Firm
Ranch dressing is so distinctly American that if you happen to go overseas and order it together with your salad, everybody will know precisely the place you’re from. Whereas yow will discover it in some specialty outlets in Portugal, it’s very dear. That’s why after I’m dwelling, I attain for both the massive shaker or little packets of ranch seasoning. This fashion, I can simply make my very own dressing (normally with Greek yogurt) or sprinkle the great things proper on high of popcorn, veggies, or no matter else I’ve readily available for just a little style of dwelling.
Pumpkin spice
Meals & Wine / Merely Natural
After I’m within the spice aisle, I additionally decide up just a little pumpkin spice — even when I’m dwelling in the course of summer season. You merely can’t discover this combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves wherever in Portugal, making it essential 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 may’t beat the comfort of American grocery merchandise.)
Mac and cheese
Courtesy of Stacey Leasca
As I mentioned, this really is the meal I miss essentially the most. I by no means realized how a lot I relied on packaged mac and cheese after 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 night time meal. On my final journey dwelling, 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, yow 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 sure that to pack just a few in your bag to convey dwelling. For me, that’s a bundle of Taste Blasted, which gives a giant punch of cheddar every time I would like it.
…and chips
Meals & Wine / Frito-Lay North America, Inc
Each time I’m dwelling, you’ll discover me staring down the chip aisle for what looks 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. Normally, I find yourself with a bag or two of chips in a enjoyable new taste, but additionally American classics like Cape Cod or Bitter Cream & Onion Lays, together with a bag of flavored popcorn for good measure. (If you happen to’re an American touring overseas, be sure that to attempt the native chip flavors in your journey, too. You could discover a new favourite alongside the way in which.)
Every little thing bagel seasoning
Courtesy of Stacey Leasca
People residing overseas can have a troublesome time discovering an excellent every part bagel, not to mention this seasoning combine, made with sesame and poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt. Use it to make home made bagels, or sprinkle it on savory dishes like eggs, hen, 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 nations. (Sizzling 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 opponents are a uncommon sight. I don’t pack these to convey dwelling with me (the logistics of flying with liquids is just too irritating), however I do be sure that to have no less than one Olipop each single day I’m dwelling 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 dwelling of sardines, in any case. However a comforting can of Campell’s tomato soup is one other product that’s arduous to return by (once more, yow will discover it within the specialty American shops, however the worth is actually outrageous). Normally, I’ll snag a can or two of tomato soup for these days I’m sick or need the proper pairing with my grilled cheese.
Sizzling sauce
Meals & Wine / The French’s Meals Firm LLC
In Portugal, you may all the time get a bottle of piri piri, which is able to burn your tastebuds off if you happen to use sufficient. However typically, I simply need what’s acquainted, and for me, that’s Frank’s RedHot. You’ll find it in teeny tiny bottles for about a bajillion {dollars} in Portugal, nevertheless it’s higher to only pack one in your checked bag in your return. As with the chip aisle, be sure that to take a look at the sauce aisle whenever you’re dwelling to see what wild varieties American firms have give you now.
All these little tastes of dwelling certain are beautiful, however I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that I’ve changed just a few 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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