Holiday food shopping

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Posted at 2:32PM, 29 July 2008 by Graeme Allister - Blogger

There's not a lot Nigella and I agree on. We differ on suitable names to give a child , and the definition of an 'express meal' (Homemade ice-cream which takes two hours? Really?). But at last she's said something that makes sense.

Speaking on American radio she said her favourite thing about going on holiday isn't the culture or the scenery but going food shopping.

Whether it's exploring a foodie emporium like New York's famous Dean and Deluca, or finding a farmers' market, being on holiday offers rich opportunities for food shopping. Maybe it's the unusual ingredients or local produce or maybe just the thrill of being able to shop at leisure, rather than dashing round an enormous supermarket, but shopping abroad just seems so much more pleasurable. No wonder we're then tempted to bring a flavour of that home with us. Do you do the same?

Ices, conserves, dressings, cereals - bought with the intention of re-creating a great holiday meal or trying something new, all too often these languish in kitchen cupboards.

There are obvious purchases such as chocolates from Brussels, cheese from France and meats from Italy. Personally, as well as the fine local foods, I have a weakness for the sweet treats from America. Thankfully Reece's Peanut Butter Cups are available in Britain now but it's more difficult to track down Jelly Bellys.

To the uninitiated, these are gourmet jelly beans which actually taste like the flavours they claim to be. There's 50 flavours, from Toasted Marshmallow to Jalapeno, and best of all each pack comes with 'recipes' 'recipes', suggestions of flavours to combine to create new ones.

Aside from the favourites, there are those impulse purchases, bought in a haze of excitement that only summer holidays can bring. Spices, conserves, dressings, cereals - bought with the intention of re-creating a great holiday meal or trying something new, all too often these languish in kitchen cupboards, as much ignored as those souvenirs that seem somewhat tacky when you get home. Even if you do use your new ingredients, it's unlikely it'll taste anywhere near as good as it did on holiday.

It's also no longer as easy as it was to pick up some local delicacies. With budget airlines charging more and more to carry luggage, it's tempting just to bring hand luggage, especially for those weekends away.

Unfortunately hand baggage restrictions mean that carefully selected local liquor will end up being dumped at the airport unless it's under the all-important 100 mls. Even for those with larger baggage might regret buying that special bottle of olive oil after clumsy airport staff get their hands on your bags.

So perhaps, like holiday romances and revealing swimsuits, those local delights are best left on holiday.

Comments

SparklyJellyBaby

29 July 2008, 3:47PM
SparklyJellyBaby

If you're after JellyBellys, try their website www.jellybelly-uk.com. It lists all the UK stockists and is a really cute website! Enjoy!

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GraemeAllister

29 July 2008, 4:47PM
GraemeAllister

Ah, thank you, I'd only really seen Jelly Bellys in department store foodhalls going for outrageous sums. Still, part of the pleasure might be that they are something of a treat rather than an everyday thing.

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SparklyJellyBaby

29 July 2008, 8:46PM
SparklyJellyBaby

If you live in the UK, I'm pretty sure Woolworths have them, but I may be wrong. I think my next batch of baking is going to have include some now I've spent so much time thinking about them! JellyBelly Fairy Cakes - yummy!!

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kd40

30 July 2008, 4:41PM
kd40

I love food shopping on holiday - ther's so much different stuff, from British makers too - I find in France they have a different range of products that I just can't get here. On holiday in St Lucia we brought back some banana ketchup and it still tastes as good :)

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catn

31 July 2008, 6:09AM
catn

Im such a sucker for buying stuff from little delis, wineries, farms, cheese dairies etc etc. Sometimes I go for weekends away that are literally just driving around the country side (such as the Yarra Valley and the Barossa Valley) and stopping at every place that has a 'direct sales' sign. Even though I feel a bit guilty that often the produce I buy is not even cheaper than at home, it is the atmosphere and meeting the producers that I really love (not to mention the free tastings!)

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Italiana

1 August 2008, 8:29PM
Italiana

I absolutely love shopping for food abroad. I went to Venice last year and buying fresh fruit and veg from the local market and fresh chicken which gets stuffed with fresh lemon and rosemary right in front of you and dressed ready for the oven is amazing! wish we had butchers like that!

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