We expats sometimes suffer a loss when it comes to favorite products. The funny thing is, we live just fine without them but have near heart attack level of excitement if home items become available here.
Take Jim yesterday. He finally got the soaps that my Mom had ordered and sent in one of my boxes, yes she is that awesome. And an expat friend Stephanie posted an entire Facebook album dedicated to new imported goodies. And last but certainly not least, I saw that list and went out and bought a pack of Skittles (which I ate for breakfast).
It's not that we are lacking goods here. We have stuff. It's just not the same. Sadly, getting the stuff we miss down here means import taxes and/or shipping fees. Of course sometimes it's a small cost for a taste of home.
Now if they could just start selling some fajita seasoning packets, I'd be in heaven!
I found Haribo Gummy Bears at the Carre Four in Barra the other day... which then made me pass up the Skittles I saw for sale in Barra Shopping. The Gummy Bears were only 4R!! Needless to say that I bought way too many :)
ReplyDeleteAs for fajita seasoning you can buy it sometimes but they call it burrito seasoning. Works great with ground meat for tacos. Also if you want to cook grilled chicken or steak then use the Knorr Oregano and Limao packets where you put the meat in the bag and bake. We are in love with this substitution and you can find it anywhere!! Makes awesome fajitas!
Sara
I have heard about how the Mexican food scene in Brasil sucks, and that is a horrible shame. I am madly in love with Mexican Food, and will probably have to open up my own Mexican Restaurant chain in order to get my fix down there in the future. I was thinking the name could be "Agavezinho Azul." Whaddaya think?
ReplyDeleteMy sister is going to send me a Snickers....I'm too excited. :-)
ReplyDeleteUgh what I would do for good mexican food... but that skittle breakfast looked fine and dandy to me! I brought back Choc chips last time I was home and brownie mix, the best!
ReplyDeleteSitting here this morning reading this post, guess what I'm eating? SKITTLES!
ReplyDeleteYou can make your own Fajita seasoning really easily. Here is a recipe I've used and stored with excellent results. You can make a batch with enough to make 9 or 10 packets worth, plus I'm sure you can find all of these ingredients in Brasil.
ReplyDeleteFajita or taco seasoning? Because I have a stash of the latter scored off of guests and friends who left... and am willing to share. :)
ReplyDeleteThe last time I was in the Sam's Club (Norte)they had a whole bunch of the El Paso taco kits and seasoning packets. I was tempted, but I'm working on mastering substitutions for 'english' ingredients. Cream cheese and a hint of lime blended with a bit of plain yogurt to make the consistency of sour cream works great =)
ReplyDeleteBoxed cream and some citric acid (can get it at Casas Pedro) does a pretty decent substitute for the sour cream Americans are used to...
ReplyDeleteAlex,
ReplyDeleteI think "Agavezinho Azul" sounds genius! :)
Then you will have to negotiate a great deal with "Azul" Airlines and have them re-introduce meals at flights around Brazil, starting with your chain catering Mexican food on the go for the Airplanes ;)
Ray
Mexican food on airplanes, am I the only one who foressees a problem here?
ReplyDeleteI just love these posts where people end up mentioning their ingredient substitutions. Here are some I use ( the comments to these are also very helpfull). I like the Coalhada Seca substitution for Sour Cream and only found out that I can get it at Habib's thanks to a commentator.
For Sour Cream
http://cinarasplace.blogspot.com/2008/05/sour-cream.html
For Half and Half
http://cinarasplace.blogspot.com/2007/04/half-and-half.html
For Buttermilk
http://cinarasplace.blogspot.com/2007/03/buttermilk.html
Food Sub of the year (and the Oscar goes to...)
http://cinarasplace.blogspot.com/2007/05/coalhada.html
If they have Mexican on domestic Brazilian flights, I would have to go ahead and wait 6 hrs to use the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteI've been served "hot soup" on a plane between Brasilia and Sao Paulo, which I thought it was crazy due to the risk of turbulence and "hot soup" in an enclosed enviroment.
ReplyDeleteBut come to think, perhaps, Mexican on a plane should be avoided... :)
Ray
Does any of you Rio residents know any place that sells good Italian products that do not break the bank (Am I asking for too much??)? This Christmas I am coming to Rio to spend the holidays with my in-laws and I would like to cook a true Italian feast for them. I know it's early to be thinking about xmas menu, but since we're on the subject of imported food....many many thanks!!
ReplyDeleteAdriana
sorry forgot to say: they actually live in Niteroi, so any place around that area would be GOLD!!!
ReplyDeleteJim from Qualidade da Vida may know of places in Niteroi. If you can, I'd say bring everything you possibly can with you! What is it that you need?
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how common it would be to find stuff like olive oil other than Gallo (yuk!), Barilla or De Cecco pasta and maybe some fresh cheeses, some panettone...anything really...I don't have something specific in mind right now, it's just that hearing how difficult it is to find American products I figured it might be the same with Italian stuff. My husband has lived abroad for quite a while now and therefore he can't really help me with this...but I think I will eventually follow your advice and stick the spaghetti and the salame in my suitcase. It wouldn't be the first time!
ReplyDeleteYou've just named the best pasta brands I've seen! There is a new one at zona sul though I can't remember which. Google Supermercado zona sul and Supermercado Pao de Acucar to get to their sites. You should be able to see what options you have there
ReplyDeleteskittles, red vines and sour patch kids... mmm I miss my fruity candies.
ReplyDeleteYAY, after 3 weeks missing, Skittles are back (just in time for my fractured tooth which precludes me from eating any). And know what else was new at Zona Sul today? Budweiser longneck in the 6 pack...there's a huge display. I don't like Bud (much prefer Ant. Original or Bohemia/Skol) but I applaud the selection of new products (and not just the imported ones) that we're enjoying quite often these days. Variety is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteJust read Adriana's posts @drian@, and don't worry, cooking Italian here is very easy. You will find Barilla and De Cecco, you will find a good selection olive oils from Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal and great, albeit expensive cheeses to select from. During the Christmas season, Panettone is everywhere. Again, not cheap, I think I remember it being around R$30, but you won't have a problem finding it.
ReplyDeleteWhoo Hooo they are back!
ReplyDelete