I'll be visiting my son in Madrid soon and would like to surprise him with some of his favorite American foods. I know root beer is hard to find but can any of you Americans (or other non Spaniards) living in Spain give me some suggestions? I posted this question on another thread (I'm new at this - forgive me! ) so sorry for the redundancy.

[ 02-21-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

Don't laugh, but my best friend always asks for Velveeta! His wife is addicted to it because she was an exchange student in Arkansas her senior year of high school and fell in love with cheesy mexican dips.

I love their cheeses - especially manchego - but apparently they don't have many that will melt into a goopy mess.

Peanut butter can be found here, but generally specialty shops and the Corte Inglés....on the expensive side so I have been told (I always bring back a healthy quantity when I travel to the USA). Reeses peanut butter cups do not exist here. I like to bake, especially chocolate chip cookies and have difficulty finding chocolate chips. When ever I travel back to the USA I bring back Bisquick (or other pancake mix) and of course Hershey´s kisses!

When I was in Spain, I missed Oreos. That was about 12 years ago, so they may be available there now. I also missed peanut butter cups and remember a friend sharing hers. I also wanted fried chicken, American-style--but you can probably find that somewhere.

Reese's peanut butter cups - of course! He loves those and Reese's pieces. Now if I can only figure out a way to bring him some good old homemade Mexican tamales I'd be set! As I'll be traveling a looooooooong time I don't know how I can possibly do that. I leave LAX on Friday, 3/29 at 3:00 PM and arrive Madrid on Saturday, 3/30 at 7:20 PM - don't ask!!

Mama chula, you can probably skip the tamales. Chances are excellent one of the many Mexican restaurants in Madrid makes these.

How about Lucky Charms cereal, some Sports Illustrate magazines (Swimsuit Issue, preferably! hehehe.. ) or other magazines from the USA? Also, how 'bout Triscuit, Animal Crackers, or even a 6-pack of Mountain Dew? Just a few ideas here.

taravb, I'm sure you've heard that Kentucky Fried Chicken "restaurants" (term used loosely here) are found everywhere in Spain nowadays.

Good luck, Mama chula. Have a GREAT time traveling around Spain AND Italy! Hope to see you at the "Party With MadridMan: Version 4.0" at El Brillante on April 4th!!

Saludos, MadridMan

[ 02-20-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

For when that craving for Reese's becomes REALLY bad, here's an idea! Make them yourself!

From http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/ , where you can find all sorts of recipes for high-fat, high-salt packaged and restaurant foods (including, frighteningly, Twinkie "creme filling" and various Taco Bell recipes--those should come with "don't try this at home" disclaimers--and did you know that Heinz 57 Steak Sauce contains "raisin puree"!?)!

(Fake) Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

12 paper muffin cups
One 12-ounce pkg. milk chocolate chips
1 cup reduced-fat peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Paper muffin cups and chocolate -- what a glorious day!


1. Cut the top half off of the muffin cups so that they are shallower.
2. Pour the chocolate chips into a glass bowl and melt them in the microwave: Microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes. Stir the chips gently, and let them sit for a minute or so. If the chocolate needs more melting, microwave those chippies again at half power for 30 seconds. Stir gently. Continue the process, stirring gently as you go. But be very careful not to overcook the chocolate or it'll seize up on you like day old Carolina roof tar.
3. Using a teaspoon, spoon a portion of the chocolate into the middle of a muffin cup. Draw the chocolate up the edges of the cup with the back of the spoon. Coat the entire inside of the muffin cup with chocolate and place it into a muffin tin. Repeat with the remaining muffin cups and then put the whole muffin tin in the fridge so that the chocolate hardens.
4. Combine the reduced-fat peanut butter, powdered sugar and salt in a medium bowl.
5. When the chocolate in the muffin cups has hardened, pop the sweetened peanut butter into the microwave oven on full power for 1 minute. This will soften up the peanut butter so that it easily flows into the cups.
6. Spoon a small portion of peanut butter into each of the chocolate-coated cups. Leave room at the top for an additional layer of chocolate, which we'll add later. Pop the candy back in the refrigerator to harden the peanut butter. This should take an hour or so.
7. When the peanut butter filling has hardened, re-melt the chocolate chips in the microwave on half power for 30 to 60 seconds. Use a teaspoon to spread a layer of chocolate over the top of each candy. Chill the candy once again to set up the chocolate.
8. Finally, remember to take the paper off the outside of the peanut butter cups before eating them. (http://www.topsecretrecipes.com)
Makes 12 candies.


And I did hear about KFC in Spain, MM--I'll keep my thoughts on that to myself!

Tara

P.S. And because I'll bet the Girl Scouts won't come knocking on every door in Madrid, here's a link for fake Thin Mints: http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/recipes/thinmint.htm Of course, all the ingredients might be nearly as hard to find as the products themselves!

Here's an alternative for the cookie part of the Thin Mints, listed above--so that you don't have to scramble around for the right cake mix. MM, I know this isn't a recipe exchange (well, not all of the time!), but I know I would be very sad to be in Spain at Girl Scout cookie time with nobody to send me any!
Chocolate Mint Cookies

1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup flour
¾ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
¼ cup butter, softened
6 tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1 egg

Melt ½ cup chips over boiling water. Combine dry ingredients in small bowl. Cream butter, sugar, and extracts. Add egg and chocolate to butter/sugar mixture. Gradually add dry ingredients. Shape dough into ball and refrigerate for 1 hour wrapped in wax paper. Roll out and cut cookies with cutters (any shape). Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

GLAZE
1 cup chocolate chips
¼ cup shortening
3 tbsp. corn syrup
2 and ¼ tsp. water

Melt glaze ingredients over boiling water. Add a tiny bit of peppermint extract if you want (1/4 tsp). Dip about 3/4 of each cooled cookie in glaze; shake off excess. Place on waxed paper and refrigerate until glaze cools.

[ 02-20-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

Unless the situation has changed since I was last in Spain, it is a place where you cannot find really good, American quality beef. I found myself longing for a T-bone steak. I was surprised at how much I needed one--almost became obsessed with the idea. Eventually a T-bone was delivered to me, still frozen, by a visitor. Once I had satisfied this craving, it didn't recur.
Cantabene

Oh MadridMan, you poor misguided soul. I don't care how good the Mexican restaurant is (by the way, he hasn't found one in Madrid yet) their tamales will NEVER be as good as his grandma Ramona's homemade tamales (not mine I don't make 'em - too much work!). By the way, what is your obsession with Lucky Charms cereal? You've mentioned them at least twice. Is that your favorite? Triscuits - great idea!

Cantabene, you bring up a good point about the beef. When my son came home for Christmas (he surprised us; we thought he was spending the holidays in Switzerland!) one of the first things he requested was a Santa Maria style barbecued tri tip. I was happy to oblige. However, I don't think I'm up to lugging a side of beef to Madrid. Maybe next time...

Tara, thanks for the recipes, especially the one for the "thin mints". In anticipation of this upcoming trip, I placed an order for two boxes of Thin Mints from my friendly neighborhood Girl Scouts so we're all set there. I've just got to figure out how to transport a six pack of root beer. - MadridMan, my son does not "do the Dew". He's strictly an A&W Root Beer kinda guy. I guess stowing the soda in my suitcase (not my carry on) is out of the question, they would explode wouldn't they? Oh, wouldn't that be lovely?

Anyway, in spite of missing some of his favorite American foods, my son is LOVING Spain and can't wait to show me around the city he has come to love. He's been there since September (he left the week after 9/11 - ask me if I was a nervous wreck) and I am afraid he's not ever moving back home to Santa Barbara.

Thanks all for your suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

MamaChula, if tamales would be special for him, you might try packing them with some of those frozen blue ice things that people put in small coolers. You're not really traveling as long as it seems since you cross so many time zones...the ice might make it that long. If you actually have some sort of styrofoam cooler that you could load up with both goodies and ice, you might even be able to take the beef over (especially if you freeze it first.) If it is in a large package that you check it will keep cool anyway in storage, won't it? The question is whether or not you can bring that sort of thing into Spain. I don't think the tamales would be as big a deal as the beef.

MM, clearly you are not a tamale eater! They are not all created equal! Tamales are every bit as important to Mexican families as paella is to Spaniards, and as you know, there can be some pretty passionate discussions about which paella is best!

la maestra (who has managed to transport some pretty strange things by following the motto "Querer es poder.")

Mama Chulisima!

My own Mama bought me a tortilla de patatas from Spain in her purse! Mind you the flight was only nine hours, but it didn't spoil and tasted delicious. Even if you manage to bring him just a couple of tamales, I'm sure he'll be in heaven.

Just a side note - I bought a sizeable wheel of queso manchego to the US on my last trip.I shared it with friends during the columbus day regatta. People were coming off the other boats on the anchor-up just to see what we were all raving about. One of my friends however had the audacity to dip a chunk of manchego cheese in velveeta mexican chip dip! Lord have mercy! What sacrilege!

Churrito

For the record: MadridMan LOVES tamales (WITH corn husk, please!), enchiladas, burritos, REAL tortilla made by hand, posole among the MANY other Mexican foods - I'm a BIG fan! And I prefer the green chili over the red if it's HOTTER on that particular day. (I'm almost 50% "New Mexican" by the amount of time I've spent there)

But unfortunately it's currently illegal to transport through customs "fresh foods" like tamales, meats, fruits, plants, etcetera unless they're somehow factory packed, air sealed, etcetera.

Saludos, MadridMan

[ 02-21-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

MaMa Chula,

Here's a remedy for the A&W root beer crisis. It's the same with all American sodas not available there. You can buy the syrups from distributors, or wholesale outlets. Then, when you get to Spain, you buy carbonated water, or make your own using a small spritzer with a C02 bottle, and mix it with the syrup. Voila! You have soda.

A&W's syrup makes a tasty drink. We do it all the time, and in fact can even match up Mountain Dew by buying that syrup.

You just look for food distributor outlets that will sell directly to customers in your area, and you can buy the smaller bottles of syrup and carry them safely in your luggage. In fact, the next time we go to Spain, we intend bringing home some of the Coke syrup from there, so we can make the real coke for ourselves back here.

There aren't any problems bringing the syrup through customs. Since it's not pre-carbonated, it don't matter.

Wolf (Who makes all his own sodas with a post mix system. I'm an old guy, and like the old ways of doing things. That's why we have our own "soda fountain," complete with all the trimmings, and the juke box for the room - )

Here's an idea for those who travel back and forth often...my sister got one of those "as seen on TV" FOOD SAVER vacuum-sealing machines for Christmas, and loves it! You can buy bags for it and vacuum pack tamales, tortilla, whatever! Then you can get things through customs (and perhaps even past the sniffer dogs!).

Taravb --

Oreo cookies are now here in Spain along with Chips Ahoy sad to say. However, the Oreos here have been modified slightly to conform with the Spanish palate and do not taste quite the same as the ones that I am accostumed to in the USA. By the way Oreos and Nilla Wafers are the ONLY cookies that I buy commercially.

For you East Coasters, Dunkin´ Donuts is also here (unfortunately). So if you are looking for some "American coffee...café americano" (although with as rich as the cortados are here, I will never go back!)not to mention your fix on donuts and munchkins, head on down to the Plaza de Cubitos in Madrid (adjacent to the Plaza de España) and you will find yourself in fast food heaven.

Tara thanks for the recipes, but am still looking for those chocolate chips so the reeses´cup recipe will have to wait!

I am searching high and low for a good bagel place...that makes FRESH bagels...so if anyone knows of a place in Madrid or Segovia, please please please let me know. I am looking forward to my trip home when I can go to Manhattan Bagels, load up on the sundried, spinach and cheddar cheese bagels and haul them back here!!

Mama Chula...my parents had the same fear, that after studying in Spain, I would never return to the USA, but alas I did...for 13 years, only to fall in love with a Spaniard and move back here!!

[ 02-22-2002: Message edited by: Chica ]

[ 02-22-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

Chica, I think a 12-oz bag of chocolate chips is the same as 2 cups, so you might be able to work out the math if you can find chocolate packages marked in ounces (or find a conversion table).

How are the Oreos different, chica?

I also would put cereal down as one of my important foods to bring to Spain (the variety here is better--though unlike MM, I am not a Lucky Charms fan)--and (VERY IMPORTANT) loose-leaf tea!! I drink tea every day (both green and black, and various blends), made from loose leaves, and couldn't find anything like that in Spain. As they say at my local tea shop, "tea is the new coffee!"

Other possibilities would be Pepperidge Farm cookies and goldfish crackers and Craisins dried cranberries. And popcorn too.

Hey taravb, do you have a recipe for Samoas? What's up with that?

As for me, when I spent my first extended stay in Spain, I attained God-like status amongst my fellow American peers by receiving a steady stream of Kool-Aid packets...the sugar-free kind (for ease of preparation).

When I last looked, peanut butter was available, but the brands, if my recollection serves me, were something like "Britain's Nice Try Super Dry", "This Was on a Shelf in Slovakia for Six Months Super Chunk" and "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter...Since That's What it Tastes Like-Extra Creamy"

Candy bars like Snickers were not readily available, and always welcome, but the best thing I saw for someone who's there for the long-haul was a mom that brought over one of those Costco gallon jugs of Pace "Hot" Picante sauce. Even though it probably doesn't match Mama Ramona's homemade salsa, you'd be surprised what a little salsa does for the soul on foreign soil.

Chica,
When you mentioned bagels it brought back a memory for me. When my cousin came to visit me in Madrid in 1980 My friends and I asked her to bring NY Bagels...and we feasted on them when she arrived. Bagels are boiled in water and they cannot be made just anywhere...we researched the idea of making them in Madrid (we thought the madrileños would love them)yet we were told the water in Madrid is not the best for bagel making...I wonder if someone was "tomándonos el pelo". It makes me think that it might be true since you still cannot find a good bagel in Madrid (or Segovia!).

Esperanza,

You use bottled water to replace the Madrid city water. A person I've talked to said that did the trick. That their bagels came out the way they wanted them. They suggested avoiding a mineral water though, since it leaves a heavier taste in them.

Like CaliBasco said, Kool-Aid is king. We always stuff dozens upon dozens of packages in everything. In fact, we even stuff them in shoes ( ). Also, like I said in an earlier post, the syrups from American soft drinks not available there, makes a good choice, since carbonated water can be made in a $20 gizmo with a $6 CO2 cartridge, and it costs about 4 to 6 cents to make an 8 oz. serving of the American soft drink. It's also very handy, since the ratio of water to syrup is very high.

The objective shouldn't be to bring completed items over there. Bring the ingredients you can't get there, and make everything from scratch, if you have kitchen facilities available. That's the ticket to having a touch of home.

Wolf

Good morning to you all,

I was once store manager at Taste of America (in Madrid), so I can guarantee you that they sell EVERYTHING that's been mentioned before, (though maybe not all the time, 'cause they run out of several things very fast, and then have to wait for the next shipment that always has some problems in customs) except for MMan's Lucky Charms, the tamales and fresh bagels(they're frozen, sorry Chica!).
It is expensive, of course, they're imported goods, isn't Spanish olive oil much more expensive in the US? Besides, they're the only and exclusive place in Spain to get many of the authentic American stuff, so I guess they can afford to "not be cheap", think about it.
Oh!, and here's an advice, you'll find real American foods at the Sanchez Romero supermarkets also, well, these are bought from Taste....so they're even more expensive.
And, the thought of Mama Chula(great name, I agree) having to carry the weight of cans of pop overseas, instead of paying some extra euro cents for the same product here..., I'm not sure it's worth it.

For those who get a sudden craving for a huge American steak, they may try restaurants such as Angus Beef , or maybe one of the 'chuletones' at one of the nice Argentinian restaurants could do the trick?

Feel free to ask me about the products at Taste, here's some of what they have and I can remember at this moment:
Marshmellows, Jiff's p.b., Reese's p.b., cups & pieces, several of the Pepperidge Farm cookies(Verona, Milano, etc....), Bisquick, semi-sweet chocolate chips(Hershey's and Baker's), sweet corn, corn flour, Paul Newman's spaguetti sauces, salad dressings, pop corn, dips & lemonade; cranberry sauce, yams, stuffing, and pumpkin pie mix for Thanksgiving; clam chowder, Bisto's gravy, cake and pie mixes such as Devil's food, Angel cake, White cake, Yellow cake,...also gingerbread, several brownie mixes, muffin mixes, pie fillings, cake toppings, icings, corn bread..., jell-o, Crisco, root beer, Dr. Pepper, M.Dew, cherry sodas, Canadian Splash, fruit rolls, vanilla and cinnamon waffers, fried beans, maple syrup, cheese curls, pretzels, Miracle whip, Coffe-mate, decaf tea, Celestial Seasoning's teas, sweet relish, French's mustard, oatmeal, Instant grits, Pop tarts, Ocean Spray's juices, margarita and bloody Mary mixes, Cheerios' cerals, Kellogg's squares, mini M&ms, Nerds, cinnamonn flavored gum(Big Red),...I could go on and on....

Oh! and what I sometimes miss food-wise is the American blueberry jelly, French beans,...Sloppy Joes! (is the spelling right?), AND those cans of frozen natural orange juice!

Mama Chula, have a great trip!

[ 02-23-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

[ 02-25-2002: Message edited by: pim ]

PIM you are a Godsend!!! Where is Taste of America located or are there several stores? Sanchez Romero is ridiculously expensive. Of course being located in Las Rozas/Majadahonda also explains why.

I don´t miss too many American foods, my semi frequent trips back home seem to satisfy whatever "need" I may have...but it´s great to know that the store exists and carries AUTHENTIC things! My fave PB is Skippy although "Mom´s prefer Jiff".

I am surprised with Nestle being a Swiss company that has a variety of products in the Spanish market that Nestle´s chocolate chips aren´t available here.

I do believe snickers are now available here as are Kit Kat, M&M´s and I think Twix bars. What I would do for a Skor bar however...

Other less "American" items that are a little more challenging for me to find are soy sauce (it´s not readily available at my corner market. I usually find it in one of the hypermarkets like Carrefour)...patis (or nuk mam? a fish sauce used in Filipino and Vietnamese cooking)...bok choy (Chinese vegetable) and dried rice noodles. Oh well, can´t have everything! At least I have cochinillo, cordero and tortilla española!!

[ 02-23-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

Taste of America is on the Castellana a few doors down from Serrano's ABC mall.
You can get a HUGE jar of soy sauce for a couple of euros at one of many asian markets along with other asian spices, sesame oil, fish oil, cooking utensils, etc. I got an amazing wok there for about 1800pts. There are tons around Bravo Murillo around the Tetuan area (on the right side) if you don't have one near you- I guess you wouldn't in Segovia .

Madrid's Taste of America (<-pseudo-website with photos) address/info is:

C/ Serrano, 149
28002 - Madrid

Telephone: 91 - 562 16 32
Fax: 91 - 562 02 78

SEE the address in photos HERE via the QDQ.com website. According to the map therein, it's a LONG walk from La Castellana. Maybe they've moved??? Or maybe the address I've posted is old?? Pim, what's its current location?

[ 02-23-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

The one in Pso. Castellana by the ABC shopping centre has been closed for over a year now (it used to be "my store") the building was sold so we had to get out of there. Now there's only the cramped store at Serrano 149, by the Plaza de la Republica Argentina in what is called the 'colonia de El Viso' or just 'EL Viso'. (It's just so full of stuff from the two stores now).

Mama Chula (and others), here's an idea, when I worked at Taste....I used to prepare a lot of gift certificates as presents, for visiting relatives of Americans living here; that way, they have whatever amount of euros you decide, to spend on precisely the things that they may crave at one particular moment.
I realize it looks like it, but I'm not trying to publicize the store! Really, ha, ha!


Have a nice weekend everyone. Chica, I'll see you tonight!

[ 02-23-2002: Message edited by: pim ]

Hey, CaliBasco--Here's a recipe for Samoas (which, strangely, are called Caramel DeLites or something like that out here): http://robbiehaf.com/Recipes/G/75.htm

They are my favorites--especially frozen, when they'll nearly break your teeth!

Can't wait to stock up on the real thing during the cookie-sale season!
Tara

oops, just goes to show how long it's been since I've needed a Mt. Dew fix! I used to walk by after work and be drawn in just thinking of Mt. Dew! (I'm off the dew now)!
Pim, I know your not there anymore but how do you think the business has been since they've changed locations? I suppose some would walk miles on their knees to get ahold of the goods they sell.

Nevado --

Thanks for the lead on the Asian cooking ingredients! I think I live in the only town in Spain where there ISN´T a Chinese restaurant yet (El Espinar). Segovia might have an Asian store, but I am in Madrid almost every day so it´s easier for me to go there!

Pim, MM and anyone else I might have forgotten, thanks for the Taste of America address.

Good luck Mama Chula on your food shopping!

Thanks everyone for all the valuable information and helpful suggestions. I like the idea of a gift certificate from Taste of America and I may do that. I will, however, still be bringing some of his favorites with me.

Chica, I would be more than happy to bring you a nice big bag of Nestle's chocolate chips. My son's apartment is in Madrid near the Plaza Mayor and I will be there until April 12th maybe we can arrange something. Please email me and let me know if you would like me to do that.

Madrid Man, this is such a wonderful web site, I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed it since I accidentally surfed in last Saturday night!

Saludos,
Mama Chula
P.S. thanks to those who find my name cute. I chuckled when I came up with it and then I worried that people might find it conceited of me. But hey, I AM kinda cute for an old lady!

Anyone in need of a top steak needs to visit La Cabana on Ventura de la Vega.My mouth is watering as I type.With regard to other American essentials....Mc Donalds are everywhere!

Mama Chula --

Thanks for your kind offer! I will actually be heading "home" (they say home is where the heart is, and my heart is in Spain and the USA!!)....in March for a short visit and plan to stock up then!

Enjoy your visit with your son!!!

chica

Here's a list of things I would recommend taking to your son: Lucky Charms(I'm with you MM, I'm with you) Root Beer(the syrup idea is great!) Maple(to make Syrup for Pancakes if you take Bisquick as well. Boil 1 C. sugar, 2 C. water, add maple till you get a rich dark color, stirring until sugar dissolves) 3 Muskateer Bars,Reese Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut Butter,. Oh, and as long as you're there will you bring me back a package of filipino cookies?

One more thing, while in the Canary Islands, I did run across a couple of British cornerstores that sold Mountain Dew as well as Dr. Pepper. So if anybody knows of a British cornerstores, perharps, they can cure that antojo.

[ 02-24-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

For those of you claim to have a craving for steak while in Madrid, I would recommend EL BUEY, especialided en lomos de buey al carbon. They bring you these huge steaks on a sizzling platter, almost raw and you cook it to your liking. They probably have the guerney standing by just in case your heart has difficulty pumping that thickened blood after the meal. But, seriously, if I had only time for 1 meal in Madrid, this would probably be it. The only drawback is that you come out of that place smelling like a steak. A bit smokey due the grilling going on right on the tables. Location: frente al senado, in front of the Senate building.

What about Cheezits or Cheese Nips? Are these easily found in Madrid? I would have to say those are my son's absolute favorite crackers. I don't know how I could have forgotten to ask about these before...

Thanks and I think that will be my last question on this topic!


Cheers!
Mama Chula