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I wish I could help. I have no idea what is authentic where you are, or what your friends remember with fond hearts. The maple syrup, yes, I could drink it neat. Not that I do, but it is North American. Therefore, authentic.Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
I was hoping you would respond!Chili powder or pre-packaged chili mix? I could not find that in Spain although you can get a burrito mix at some stores. I plan to take some with me in the future as a winter hospitalera. Red Lobster cheese biscuit mix?
I also have trouble finding some of the Italian spices like dried basil and sometimes oregano. I also have trouble finding sage for dressing.I was hoping you would respond!
I had a student from the US who made very nice brownies for us - using US flour which he claimed was different from that available in the UK. I don't know if that's factually true, or whether your friends would want to use it in a recipe assuming it is true. I know for sure that US chocolate tastes very different to UK chocolate, so if they have a taste for it then maybe that's something they'd like.Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain
<Shudders>boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags
Whenever I'm enquired for what kind of gift to get me I say raspberry anything. I rarely get raspberry anything.What a great idea! I am from the Northwest and have often gifted anything Huckleberry. Huckleberry pancake mix, Huckleberry syrup, Huckleberry jam, Huckleberry taffy, Huckleberry coated popcorn. Mmmm so yummy.
Oh, don't I wish. People in my small city have been sending petitions to Trader Joe's for years begging them to come to town. No luck.Pay Trader Joe's a visit and pick up something quirky and tasty.
Same here, Laurie...no luck.Oh, don't I wish. People in my small city have been sending petitions to Trader Joe's for years begging them to come to town. No luck.
Oh, don't I wish. People in my small city have been sending petitions to Trader Joe's for years begging them to come to town. No luck.
You ladies have Aldis? Same company...Same here, Laurie...no luck.
Sorry to say, some people don't seem to listen but I've learned over the years. People gift what they themselves like not the other way around. I too love raspberry and my heart skips a beat for all things lemon. Best of luck to you.Whenever I'm enquired for what kind of gift to get me I say raspberry anything. I rarely get raspberry anything.
Well I have never heard of Buc-ees. I had to google it, and all that I see on their website is that they offer a car wash, ethanol-free fuel, and DEF (which I googled to learn stands for diesel exhaust fluid). But I bet you are thinking of something else.Something from Buc-ees of course!
No actually it kind of like a giant superstore gas station. One just opened near Denver. There's one near Springfield, MO.Well I have never heard of Buc-ees. I had to google it, and all that I see on their website is that they offer a car wash, ethanol-free fuel, and DEF (which I googled to learn stands for diesel exhaust fluid). But I bet you are thinking of something else.
No actually it kind of like a giant superstore gas station. One just opened near Denver. There's one near Springfield, MO.
It’s an amazing gas station superstore with wonderfully clean restrooms. Tons of snack type things like Beaver Nuggets, Jerky, and even fudge.Well I have never heard of Buc-ees. I had to google it, and all that I see on their website is that they offer a car wash, ethanol-free fuel, and DEF (which I googled to learn stands for diesel exhaust fluid). But I bet you are thinking of something else.
What are Beaver Nuggets like? Bit like Rabbit?It’s an amazing gas station superstore with wonderfully clean restrooms. Tons of snack type things like Beaver Nuggets, Jerky, and even fudge.
Yes, but the maple syrup they sell is not likely to be from Funks Grove, Illinois.maple syrup is pretty easy to find in Lisbon and Rome so presumably it is in Madrid too.
What are Beaver Nuggets like? Bit like Rabbit?
We eat all kinds of cute local creatures here in Australia. Kangaroos, Crocodiles, Emus......
Not Koalas though! There are limits.
Nick, the easy rider!Rome even has special maple syrup just for me!
BE CAREFUL of transporting Marshmallow Fluff! I carried several jars of the stuff to a friend in Spain some years back. Although the plastic jars were tightly sealed and packed in my checked baggage, they leaked during transit and got on everything in the suitcase. ICK!Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
Don't send maple syrup. My daughter was an exchange student assigned to a wonderful family in Belgium. We went to visit and bought coffee mugs with our state's name and a design. The host Family chuckled and thanked us. They showed us a cabinet shelf with many bottles of maple syrup. Gifts from other American families.Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
Thanks for that, but this is a maple syrup made in a maple grove near my Illinois town. The Spanish family I’m sending it to spent an academic year at my university, and we took trips out to Funks Grove when the bluebells were gobsmacking. It may not be the world’s best or fanciest maple syrup, but it packs with it a lot of good memories.Don't send maple syrup. My daughter was an exchange student assigned to a wonderful family in Belgium. We went to visit and bought coffee mugs with our state's name and a design. The host Family chuckled and thanked us. They showed us a cabinet shelf with many bottles of maple syrup. Gifts from other American families.
Ted
Pick anything on the menu! An embarrassment of riches.Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
I bring the much sought after Debby’s homemade mango bread from our beloved tree in the backyard. Taking orders now.It may not be the world’s best or fanciest maple syrup, but it packs with it a lot of good memories.
Cracker Barrell candies.Whenever I'm enquired for what kind of gift to get me I say raspberry anything. I rarely get raspberry anything.
On to baking. Is candied ginger available in Spain? Peg sometimes makes triple ginger cookies with grated ginger, ginger powder and small chunks of candied ginger (aka cystallized ginger).
Thinking of candy how about some old fashioned American candies like horehound, root beer barrels or maybe Bit-a-honey?
I agree, which is why I drew the line at Marshmallow Fluff. The amount of non-food snack food you can find here is pretty amazing, and not necessarily in a good way.I never knew there were so many junk food addicts out there. For what I am not about to receive from my guests may the Lord make me truly grateful!
When my sister was living in Spain she always asked me to bring her peanut butter and Reese’s peanut butter cups!Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
But the spices and extracts are great little additions!
A box of See's chocolatesHoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
Bagged maple sugar can travel more safely than maple syrup in glass bottles, and makes for a versatile substitution (in addition to the maple candy leaves which have a nice strong flavour!)Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
My son always likes to get Ranch dressing. Not to my taste but he likes it. Also Costco quantities of allergy pills.Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
I have found ranch dressing now in the Mercadona!My son always likes to get Ranch dressing. Not to my taste but he likes it. Also Costco quantities of allergy pills.
Buc-ees has “the wall of candy”. All different types of candy. They also sell everything else you didn’t know you needed.Well I have never heard of Buc-ees. I had to google it, and all that I see on their website is that they offer a car wash, ethanol-free fuel, and DEF (which I googled to learn stands for diesel exhaust fluid). But I bet you are thinking of something else.
Arrgghh. That’s supposed to be LAWRY’s seasoned salt.As far as seasonings, the first thing I thought of was Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce - but that’s a liquid and might not travel well. The dry seasoning we like is Adkins Western Style Barbecue Seasoning, and John Henry’s Pecan Rub. Both good on pork and beef
Maybe good old Larry’s Seasoned salt for veggies and meat. (I use it on pork tenderloin.)
But maybe they have all these there?
Note: I wrote this while the webpage was being updated so I couldn't post it. During that time a read through a few of the posts and saw that @wisepilgrim mentioned s'mores.Marshmallow fluff and peanut butter sandwiches..decadent, high calorie and not for the faint of heart!
These powdered seasonings that are specific to parts of North America are a great idea, I think.As far as seasonings, the first thing I thought of was Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce - but that’s a liquid and might not travel well. The dry seasoning we like is Adkins Western Style Barbecue Seasoning, and John Henry’s Pecan Rub. Both good on pork and beef
Maybe good old Larry’s Seasoned salt for veggies and meat. (I use it on pork tenderloin.)
But maybe they have all these there?
I found out when after one particularly hungry sesh..that the little tiny marshmallows in the packets of hot chocolate were good..then a handfull of marshmallows was better and out of the jar...?Note: I wrote this while the webpage was being updated so I couldn't post it. During that time a read through a few of the posts and saw that @wisepilgrim mentioned s'mores.
Peanut butter is readily available these days in Spain. I've found it even in small towns near Villares de Órbigo off the Camino route so in Madrid it can surely be found.
Marshmallow fluff? Not my cup of tea although I spent my first 20+ years in the US. But roasted marshmallows by an open fire to make s'mores (sandwich of graham crackers with chocolate)? Definitely !
Come to think of it, I always loved graham crackers and I've never found them in Europe.
I too usually carry some butterscotch candies when I walk, guess I'll have to bring a bag from home, I figured they would be easy to find along the way.In Spain, I’ve had trouble finding hard candy (which I like to pop in my mouth for a quick carb fix). A few places carry Werthers, but that’s about it. So I would suggest Lifesavers, butterscotch pieces, Jolly Ranchers, etc.
Besides cold and artic cold fronts syrup is Canadas secind greatest export..well, there is the Banff Eye candyFirst there is all this talk about maple syrup. Now it is beavers.
As we all know, Canada is the Beaver.
You use the marshmallow fluff with Peanut Butter (better send that, too, as it is very hard to find in Spain. I prefer super crunchy) to make a FlufferNutter sandwich. Send Marshmallows and Graham crackers to make s'moors. Better use Spanish chocolate bars; darned site better than Hershey's junk.Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
Mix fireball whisky with rum chata. Tastes like cinnamon toast crunch.There is a brand of hard chocolate that you break off pieces and mix in hot milk
"Abuelitas" branded which is a dark chocolate with cinnamon in the mix
Which makes a very cozy cup of goodness
Also Heard...
Fireball cinnamon flavor whiskey....I heard when added to said chocolate milk mix..adds a whang to your drink..
Maybe now, but it was invented in Maine. Ha Ha HaAll you Americans talking about maple syrup like it's American when 85% of the world's maple syrup is made in Canada. There's a reason the maple leaf is on our flag.
Whoopie pies - official Maine desertBased on the season, what about jelly beans? I have not seen these in Spain, and, if you want to be more impressive, maple sugar jelly beans! For baking, do they sell chocolate chips - especially Nestles- and if you can transport across the ocean - whoopie pies.
Agreed. They say it is available, but I got a hankering for peanut butter walking CF a couple of years ago and could not find it anywhere!!!How about peanut butter whoopie pies? I had such a hard time finding PB in Spain.
That Rum Chata needs to be taken to Spain!Mix fireball whisky with rum chata. Tastes like cinnamon toast crunch.
My invention: one shot fireball, one shot Natural Bliss Vanilla coffee creamer, 3 shots 100 proof Captain Morgan spiced rum, sprinkle in some nutmeg and throw in a few ice cubes. I call it a rum fizzle!!
I found peanut butter is carried at Mercadona in the childrens' snack section. Also found it at a pilgrim shop in Pamplona. Unfortunately both has a lot of palm oil as an ingredient instead of peanut oil...How about peanut butter whoopie pies? I had such a hard time finding PB in Spain.
According to archeological evidence, maple tree sap was being processed into syrup long before Europeans arrived, and thus also long before Maine existed.Maybe now, but it was invented in Maine. Ha Ha Ha
Just to let you know and maybe you already do know. When I lived in Oregon my town of 20,000 and the town nearby of 50,000 wanted a Trader Joe’s and sent petitions for one to no avail. We were eventually told it came down not only to population density but to overall yearly income. We never knew the formula of how it was determined. But eventually we got one.Oh, don't I wish. People in my small city have been sending petitions to Trader Joe's for years begging them to come to town. No luck.
I would check out natural food stores for decent PB without palm oil, sugar, etc.I found peanut butter is carried at Mercadona in the childrens' snack section. Also found it at a pilgrim shop in Pamplona. Unfortunately both has a lot of palm oil as an ingredient instead of peanut oil...
I have a Spanish friend who loves Fluff (not that I think I like that… everyone always brings her family Fluff…Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
Agreed! I concede the point. I should have said invented in the land that was to become Maine.According to archeological evidence, maple tree sap was being processed into syrup long before Europeans arrived, and thus also long before Maine existed.
YUM! I'm coming to your house for dinner!I really like the idea of maple syrup. Chocolate chips; good salt water taffy if there is some local to central Illinois (most are just tooth-achingly sweet and bland. I really like it from the Goldenrod in York, ME); peanut butter is very American. A seasonal pie like rhubarb or strawberry rhubarb, cherry, wild blueberry, or peach is delicious and very American, but not the easiest thing to travel with. A blueberry buckle (recipe below from an almanac I published forty years ago) might travel better but not keep well for more than a couple of days. Maybe a bundt cake with the pan for a gift that keeps on giving. If there is good local chocolate, that would be pretty easy to travel with. (A salesperson just brought us a little box of See's chocolates that we were very happy to get.)
A fun question.
Blueberry Buckle
Cake
¼ cup butter
¾ sugar
1 egg
½ t salt
2 t baking powder
2 cups flour
½ cup milk
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Cream the butter, add sugar and the egg. Mix in the dry ingredients and milk. The batter will be very thick and wet. Fold in the blueberries and spread in a greased 9” x 9” pan.
Topping
¼ cup soft butter
1/3 cup flour
½ cup sugar
1 t cinnamon
Cut the flour, sugar and cinnamon into the butter with a pastry blender or several knives.
Sprinkle the topping over the cake and bake in a 350º oven for 45-50 minutes until done (browned). Serve hot, cold, plain or topped with vanilla ice or whipped cream.
Chesapeake Old Bay Seasoning!Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
When I was there, it was indeed hard to find. But when I did find it, I liked it better than the American ones. Ours was thinner. Easier to spread, but not by much, and I preferred the taste with less added oil.For baking, I used to bring gifts of peanut butter. It used to be more rare in Spain and across Europe.
I love only "chunky style" peanut butter, weird as it may seem. Years ago I converted to "natural" peanut butter and always look at the ingredients of other brands to make sure they only have peanuts and salt...no sugar and no palm or other oils added.When I was there, it was indeed hard to find. But when I did find it, I liked it better than the American ones. Ours was thinner. Easier to spread, but not by much, and I preferred the taste with less added oil.
It is interesting to me how many of our very average, well known US grocery store processed items are "worth their weight in gold" so to speak and brought back to Europe as specialty items.Italian travelling often to US here. I bring back home Ranch sauce, BBQ sauce, pickles, pancake mix. I would say more sauces.
BBQ sauce or other good marinades.Hoping someone will have some new ideas for me! I always bring a box to Spain to mail to my friends in Madrid. It has for years had the following items — boxes of Vanilla Chai tea bags, Dentyne gum, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup. These are things they miss from their year spent in my little university town, but I am wondering about adding some new things this year. Any ideas? Items that can be used in baking that would not be easy to get in Spain would be the great.
One friend has suggested Marshmallow Fluff but I am at a loss to know how anyone uses or eats that.
Going to a US grocery store and spend some hours there and see what is being sold and eaten is a part of cultural program. At least for me.It is interesting to me how many of our very average, well known US grocery store processed items are "worth their weight in gold" so to speak and brought back to Europe as specialty items.
I understand and agree. I meant that food items we take for granted in the US are a curiosity to visitors from other countries. I am the same as you when I am on the Camino and stop in at tiendas and supermarcados.Going to a US grocery store and spend some hours there and see what is being sold and eaten is a part of cultural program. At least for me.
I think the sheer amount of choice and range of foods available in the USA is mind boggling to folks from elsewhere so a gift or a recommendation is always good. Especially sweets/candy, chocolate, chips/crisp. I went into a’gas station’ in Miami this morning (I called it a ‘garage’ to a chap yesterday and got a quizzical look!) and there must have been three aisles of sweet stuff alone. Of course in major cities partly driven by the huge diversity of the population. I stuck with known brands - Reese’s and Hersheys, but would have liked a recommendation.I understand and agree. I meant that food items we take for granted in the US are a curiosity to visitors from other countries. I am the same as you when I am on the Camino and stop in at tiendas and supermarcados.
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