jumping doris

I have lots of cookery books, some are US ones but a lot of the books I use aren't printed in the US.
But even using a US recipe I still sometimes can't easily get an ingredient that I would have been able to get in a corner shop in the UK.
Example...I needed heavy cream a few weeks ago and I drove to 4 different supermarkets and I couldn't get it.
That's life in Smelly Armpit, PA.

Tracym

Oh dear, that would not be fun at all.

There much be such a variety between areas - of course, I'm in the Chicago area, so that hardly counts. But I've spent a lot of time in a small town in Michigan, and almost never have problems getting any ingredients, even specialty type ones.

Remind me to not move to PA I guess.... (altho the state stores would put me off anyway!)

lisag8070

You like your new name for PA now don't you...., your using it every chance you get..

And I can honestly say I don't blame you, if I had to drive to 4 different stores trying to find heavy cream...I would be that crazy lady having a hissy fit in the car park....



Smelly Armpit, PA..

lisag8070

Well....look who's back on the land of pixels...

Hello Mrs Tracy, hope Mr Tracy is treating you well.....

Tracym

I have a few minutes to breathe these days... I think...

Mr. Tracy is treating me wonderfully, thank you - he's a sweetie!

lisag8070

awwww....

chicagojlo

And to think I got mad at having to drive to 2 stores for fat free ricotta last night! Doris you have my sympathy.

jumping doris

Actually, I have a much worse name for it but I think it might get bleeped out!


Now there's the ridiculous thing......I can get fat free ricotta anywhere.
Italian ingredients....no problem, lots of choice. Creme fraiche...not a cat in hells chance unless I want a one hour drive (each way) and then it's $12 for a tiny pot.
Fish and sea food....never had so much choice.
Lamb....no chance.
Cheese......yellow rubber only unless I want to pay $$$$$$$ and then there's not much choice.

To be honest I can get stuff but it's a major undertaking, involving lots of different shops. Some of them are in the city and although we are only 11 miles from downtown it takes an eternity and I just haven't got the time.
It was so easy to order it all from Asda or Tesco...how lazy is that!

nethead

After complaining once before about not being able to find mascarpone, I found it in my local store in a part I hadn't looked before Although it is about $6 for a really small tub.

At least you're not in smelly, hairy armpit PA. Think I may change my location under my avatar.

jumping doris

I may change it from Smelly armpit, PA to Smelly- Bingo wing Armpit, PA. That's a bit more descriptive.

chicagojlo

We also don't have creme fraiche. I gave up looking and accepted that I will have to use heavy cream to make my mac and cheese variation. Most things I want that are a little unusual are in Trader Joes. Especially cheese where I buy my favorites at comparable prices to what I paid in Europe.

nethead

Hahahaha, ahhh I needed that laugh.

jumping doris

If I don't feel like spending $$$$ on creme fraiche (if and when I can get it) I use sour cream. It doesn't seem to make that much difference to the end result.
I've never tried it in mac and cheese though so there's a new idea...mmmm.

chicagojlo

Well my 'mac and cheese' recipe involves warming some heavy cream and then melting a boat load of Old Amsterdam gouda into it, and a little Grana Padano or parmesan. Back in Amsterdam I would use creme fraiche because there was no heavy cream, and now I'm using heavy cream because there is no creme fraiche! I might give sour cream a go next time.
I think it's more of a hybrid between English style carbonara and mac and cheese though, particularly because I usually add chicken, mushrooms and bacon. Occasionally some spinach and red peppers.

Tracym

Mmmm that sounds like one for the recipe thread - please?

I make a jazzed up mac and cheese, but it's with cheddar - adding bacon, musroom, green pepper, onion, and tomato.