All right. You’ve seen the best, now see the rest. I promised you a healthy dose of reality and here it is. Continuing on with my riveting adventure at the grocery store…
This is the milk aisle. Note the complete absence of refrigeration. This is what’s called UHT (Ultra High Temperature) milk, or as I call it, dégueulasse, disgusting. It has a shelf life of up to 6 months and has the taste and consistency of liquid plastic, yet people here buy it by the caseload. You can buy fresh milk just not regularly.
As for the international element, well, France isn’t known for embracing food of the world but at least they’re trying…
There’s even a little something from Canada here in Semur…
Of course I’ve kept my country’s contribution to France under my hat. The Americans are here in full force as well. What French fry would be complete without this…
Naturally, I don’t actually go to the grocery store very often. After all I am very busy being a celebrated author. But whenever I do darken the door, there are two areas that I never miss. Each time I stand in the aisle and close my eyes. I summon all the hope and optimism in my possession. I take a deep breath and snap my eyes open ready to receive salvation.
Hmph. Nothing. Not a tangy zip in sight. Still no bloody Miracle Whip. The nerve of this country. See, this is why I need an agent. She’d have crates of the stuff shipped to my door. One final stop. Again, hope springs eternal…
Bastards. Still no sour cream. I mean don’t these people realize who I am? I wrote an entire book about my arse and did two interviews in eastern Canada. I feel some bitch slapping coming on. I knew I’d get the hang of this celebrity thing.
You can substitue fromage blanc for sour cream (Danone, etc) :)
Maybe you should have your chef speak to the local officials!
I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that French culinary law forbids the importation of Miracle Whip or sour cream on the same principles used by the Académie Française.
I figure the only reason the El Paso is allowed is that it couldn’t possibly displace anything in established French cuisine.
Makes a pretty good story, anyway . . .
the cheese section is always very large in french grocery stores. x
Isn’t Carnation milk the Canadian equivalent of UHT? As in, most people think it tastes awful and yet those who like it like it a lot :) (I’m one of those, Carnation I mean) And, have they no cows in France? For fresh milk, I mean.
Need coffee. Having to explain everything too much.
And, condolences on the Miracle Whip and sour cream :(
I do think it’s time to involve the Officials! Neil, your UP!
There is a recipe for homemade Miracle Whip at Food.com. Your hubby can whip up in 20 minutes.
Sour cream in Finland is called Ranskan kerma. Translation: French cream. Go figure. Shall I bring you a jar of Miracle Whip? I’m on my way back over the ocean this summer. In fact, will be in France in July.
I showed my roommate the picture of all the El Paso stuff because I was trying to explain to him what the UK’s interpretation of Mexican food was. He was very sad for the Europeans. Haha.
Oooooh, Heinz Ketchup, Je t’aime. I miss you. Catsup will never replace you.
Make your own homemade sour cream from heavy cream and buttermilk or more sour cream. Plan ahead to give the sour cream 24 hours to thicken up and chill.
Prep Time: 24 hours
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 24 hours, 5 minutes
Ingredients:
•1 cup heavy cream
•1/4 cup sour cream or buttermilk
Preparation:
Mix heavy cream and sour cream or buttermilk in a screw-top jar, cover, and let stand at room temperature about 24 hours until very thick.
This is the receipe for Homemade Sour Cream…. easy peasy… I’m sure your Hubby could whip it up in a snap!!!
Rose
I still like the recipe that says “Take off lid. Enjoy.”
Loved this. In Corsica this summer we went to the ‘exotic foods’ aisle.. and found pasta and tomato sauce! Odd for an ex-Italian dominion. And a selection of Mediterranean bits and bobs. Better to eat local in Europe, and basta. Ate Japanese the other day in town – shamelessly run by friendly Chinese who realise they can up their earnings by posing as Japanese. But what does the average Italian know about Asian food?
Have you ever tried that Amora mayonnaise? The yellow bottle with the orange top that’s actually on the bottom? It is extremely delicious (contains a little hint of dijon), and impossible to buy in Canada. I feel taunted by the surfeit of bottles in your picture! If I can’t have any, you should! Try it with really ripe tomatoes and crusty bread. Also works very well with frites…