Just checking in. I know it's been a while. I wanted to let you know (if there's anyone out there still following and/or reading) that I have not forgotten about this blog. I love sharing recipes and will eventually get back at it.
I've been a little tied up with a million things including, but not limited to: moving, setting up a new apartment, running a million errands to buy things like ironing boards and toasters and bath mats, starting a new job, and trying to figure out a new city and country.
Also, cooking here has been more of a challenge than I expected. Finding ingredients can be tricky. Finding the grocery stores can be even trickier. Sometimes it takes several stores to find everything needed for any given recipe. I didn't really think all of this through beforehand. I think I took for granted how easy it was to get what I needed in the states.
The good news is that I've been here over a month and my life is starting to feel a little more manageable. And, I'm thinking about what recipes I would like to share next!
Also, cooking here has been more of a challenge than I expected. Finding ingredients can be tricky. Finding the grocery stores can be even trickier. Sometimes it takes several stores to find everything needed for any given recipe. I didn't really think all of this through beforehand. I think I took for granted how easy it was to get what I needed in the states.
The good news is that I've been here over a month and my life is starting to feel a little more manageable. And, I'm thinking about what recipes I would like to share next!
In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy some funny food quirks I've found here:
- The powdered sugar, or "icing sugar" as they call it, sucks. It's really gritty and a little weird. I'm going to have to work on finding a solution because I love frosting too much to let it go for two years.
- You can't buy pork products unless you have a permit and go to a special store where they only sell pork and alcohol. I'm hoping to go soon because living without bacon and salami just isn't going to work for me.
- Food items are sometimes in really strange places in the grocery stores. Someone warned me about this and told me to always check other possible places. I finally found cocoa powder in the coffee aisle, near the hot chocolate and butter and shredded coconut in the freezer section. Go figure.
- No Kosher salt anywhere to be found. Sad. I love that stuff.
- You cannot buy vanilla extract because it contains alcohol. Luckily I knew about this one and came prepared.
So, stay tuned. I'm hoping it won't be long until I am up and running again. Cooking keeps me sane and makes me happy so I'm going to make time to do more of it in the very near future. See you soon!
