Sunday 20 November 2011

Food Sunday

One of the more obvious differences between the UK and the US is food. Potions are generally bigger [to the point where they are too big to finish], yet food is often cheaper here, some of it can be hit and miss but its generally eat-able. I did my first batch of home baking with cookies - recipes in the states are measured out by cup size, it seems a little less exact but the cookies came out fine so it can't be that odd. The Astoria Pastry shop in the next city is where we shared the huge strawberry shortcake  - which was delicious - the store was crammed full of freshly made pastries, cakes and treats of which we took away something for afters, of which I tried my first American cupcake [last image]. The icing was utterly yummy and overall they make a good rival for their British counterparts, again they tower them in size. One food item I still haven't had the guts to try is canned cheese; you don't even need to keep it in your fridge. The fact that they need to state that it's "real" cheese on the labelling is somewhat disturbing. I think cheese is one of the things i'm missing food wise, proper cheese that's not sliced or out of a plastic wrapper. Cheese out of a tin to a girl that loves her cheese sarnies doesn't fit well.

27 comments:

  1. Oh maaaaaaaan, I have only ever been to America once for a couple of days, it was a stop off on the way back from visiting family in Australia. But the FOOD! Oh I love it! Look at those pancakes! I would just adore to go to America and eat and eat for a few days! Let us know about the cheese. I'm intrigued. Can you get a decent cup of tea over there? My husband's sis just moved to Canada and rang up going "Please send Yorkshire tea bags!" :-) x

    ReplyDelete
  2. We have alot of Australian and American cookbooks so I've mostly only used Cups for that reason,

    I ate at IHOP when i went on holiday, i couldn't even eat a quarter of my omelette :( way too big
    I feel so bad when i waste food as well

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. @ Powder almond - I think we must be lucky because we can get Yorkshire tea both as the bag and as the leaf - so so glad! Think might even be able to get teatley tea.

    @ Merlins - The IHOP is so yummy but yeah, their potions were huge, I managed just over half of the pancakes [like a stack of four] would have loved to have finished it but my tummy was like nooo!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think I'd be the same way - thrilled at all the gigantic cupcakes on offer but missing my obscure little cheeses from all around Britain! :-) Your cookies look utterly delicious so you clearly did something right with the weighing/measuring!

    Jem xXx

    ReplyDelete
  5. @ Jem - yeah I mean I didn't really like cheese slices in the UK and they try and make them fancy over here with different types of cheese in one slice but yeah - not really the same! I'd kill for a bit of Red Leicester!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Do Americans not import any cheese?! Is Jack-something.. cheese American? The burger cheese... My cheese knowledge is lacking..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cheese out a tin sounds gross! I've been eating the lactose free stuff, it makes a rather good substitute and my skin thanks me! Think I'd rather have one of those strawberry gooey things tho... :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your blog Ive just started one on hair and beauty please help me get started and follow me
    http://be-jules.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. @sinead - you go into the supermarket and it's just rows of the processed cheese slices [like your burger cheese] and pretty much nothing else. I think you get posh/proper/what we know as cheese in speciality shops i'm starting to think!

    @Faff It' doesn't seem right at all does it?!

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are all very yummy looking! I agree the portion sizes everytime ive been stateside have been huge :o) Scarlett x

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've only been to the US once but i did love the portion sizes ehe O_O i have to admit i wasnt taken with the bread though! It was stragely sweet O_o!

    This food is making me drool! xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ooh I'm so glad your posting about the food differences, I'd hoped you would since I'm so curious about it all! what kind of dairy product doesn't need to be kept chilled?! *doubts 'cheese' claims* do tell what it's like if you ever try it though, please do!

    P.S- good luck in your real cheese quest!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I live here in the states and do not purchase processed cheese. Grocery stores nearby carry a lovely selection of "real" cheese. I think some people use the Kraft Canned Cheese for snacking on crackers or maybe nachos. Hope you have a lovely time!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh Rachel its so funny you mention the canned cheese...my boyfriend LOVES it and I won't touch it....eww!

    And you're right, the can does say it's "real"....but real cheese requires refrigeration, so in my book...*errrrrrrtt!* (buzzer noise)

    Cheers!
    Vanessa=)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Like the look of the cake! Is that spray cheese?
    Looks a bit odd!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wait ... they don't have real cheese?! I think I would die!!!

    x Jasmine

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm glad so many people agree with me regarding the cheese - when you raise this with Americans they look at you oddly and claim it is very real! We managed to find a cheese that came in a block last night so i'm going to try and see how real it is!

    ReplyDelete
  18. omgosh i haven't had easy cheese since i was in college 10 years ago!! hahah

    omgosh that strawberry shortcake looks AMAZING!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. everything looks delicious! definitely not sure about canned cheese.. X

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jon and I were laughing about canned cheese only the other day, it sounds truly awful.Those cheesecakes look yummy (about the only sweet thing I enjoy). x
    PS I just realised you're not in my favourites side bar, I've just rectified that.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Aw thank you Vix! I was googling about the squirty cheese and you can get it canned too. It just gets worse! I think i'm going to have to try it - if only once!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I squealed when I saw the canned cheese because my husband loves that crap. And he finally bought a can for himself over the weekend. And our cats love it. It's sooo gross >.<
    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights

    ReplyDelete
  23. interesting, yer i dont think caned cheese sounds that nice.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The pancakes at IHOP look amazing! x

    ReplyDelete
  25. The food looks scrummy! How I'd cope over there, I can't even finish the UK portions :P

    Lucy xx

    ReplyDelete