Married to a Californian

Hi Liz,
I am knew to this site, but have been in the UK for 2 years and still homesick. Since your first posting was in September you might already know this. I come from So Cal and can relate to missing "cheap mexican food", Taco Bell! But did you know that there is a Chili's in the London area and their salsa is just like home. Being from so cal, I am sure your hubby knows the salsa at Chilis.

They also opened Krispy Kreme, just like home also in Harrod's. Just so you know. It makes the homesickness bearable to know some familiar places.

Hi Liz,
I am a New Mexican married to a Englishman... and dying for a good taco, burrito, enchilada... I made migas for breakfast this morning (salsa, eggs, tortillas, cheese).  My solution was to have the spicy stuff sent over.  The cupboard is full of New Mexican green chile.  Nothing else is hot enough!  (I was born in So. Cal. - where is your husband from?  And you? My husband is from Bucks).

Hi Buendia,
I just was wondering where in So Cal are you from? I am from the Arcadia Pasadena area? I too have my stuff shipped from the US. Thank god for mom!! Did you husband have to acquire the taste for spicy. Mine likes a bit of spice, but not much. He bit into a jalepena one time and I thought he was going to die. lol
Celia

thanks guys!

No I didn't know about Chilis, do you know whereabouts it is? we'll definitley have to check that out! Stu ("yankhusband") is from Orange.

Yes I think you are probably right to get ingredients shipped over, it is pretty near impossible to find anything here and what you do find isn't up to much.  We had some old el paso tacos last night - nothing quite like the taste of a stale taco shell!!

Liz

Chili's is in Canary Wharf in London. It's just like home, including the bottomless chips and salsa, along with free refills. We travelled all the way from Leeds in July when I found out there was a Chili's in England. There is also one in Reading. I hope this makes your hubby happy. It sure cured my homesickness, well at least for awhile

I know the orange area quite well, as I have family that leaves there and huntington beach also.

Have fun @ Chili's
Celia

Thanks Celia! I haven't told him yet but I think he'll be ecstatic, especially about the free refills and bottomless chips!!

(Yes I know it's an old thread.. but I'm catching up )

Britwife.. thanks for the info on "traditional" english pubs around London.  I'll be bringing my mom and niece over next May for their first visit.  I was actually looking online for this very information.  My mom is interested in all of the "stereotypically" british things.  You know, the red phone booths, double decker bus, black taxi, traditional english pub..  ::)I've been to London a few times before, so I'm trying to focus this coming trip on her interests.  Will definitely stop by the above-mentioned.  

hey no worries Tenrith, feel free to ask away if there's anything else you need to know about London before your next trip

I have yet to introduce myself - I'm a newbie to these msg boards - but this thread caught my eye! lol

I'm from California, currently residing in Hampshire and can fully empathise with your hubby!! I used to live in a heavily populated Hispanic neighborhood who had THE best Mexican food (even better than most found in the likes of San Diego or further on down lol)

One thing I *have* been able to replicate was this one quesedilla my former neighbor Maria used to make..

Find the largest flour tortilla's you can find (Tesco's has some *somewhat* large ones - not as large as..well you get it).. I don't have my old favoured steamer here - but decided to alter this 'recipe' slightly....

Sauté mince or preferrably stew meat (can be slivers of chicken or pork as well) - if taco seasoning is unavailable - work with paprika, garlic, chili powder, cayanne pepper, etc..let the meat simmer in the sauté for about 20 minutes making sure that there's enough moisture whilst cooking (covered tends to 'pro-create' the moisture - some don't like a lot of that in their dish - soooo leave the lid off!!)

(Being without a steamer....)(otherwise would steam both top and bottom tortilla's and place cheese/round the base, and spread the meat out over the cheese, place the topper on and ding in the microwave for about 2 mins)

placing 1 tortilla down on a baking sheet -- fanning around the tortilla strong white cheese (white cheddar, swiss even works!) -- then spreading the meat out over the cheese, I'll sprinkle a nice hefty fan of paprika, garlic powder and chili powder over the meat - drizzle a VERY light additional coating of cheese over top the meat - and place the remaining tortilla on top....place in beneath the grill/broiler (on the lowest rung) - stand-by and watch so it doesn't brown TOO much, then remove to get the flip-side!

Fresh salsa -- finely dice/chop tomatoes, cilantro, onions, celery, bell pepper (green and/or red) - add any spices you prefer - including hot sauce (i.e., tobasco) - paprika, chili powder, garlic, onion powder, salt/pepper, I tend to grab hold of whatever is left in the cupboard....lol - I'll let this sit covered/sealed in the fridge over night, then drain off some of the tomato juices.....and HOPEFULLY i'll have remembered the tortilla chips at the store! (otherwise will just make my own!)

(Hey now wait sec.....since they're not the standard UK 'crisp' per se.....what would tortilla chips be? Tortilla crisps?  

lol -- otherwise I brought a shoebox full  of seasoning packets I knew I hadn't seen very often over here....taco seasoning namely (tho I HAVE seen it on a few rare occasions!!)

Thanks, and best wishes,
sapphy

Thanks for the tips Sapphy! We have found Discovery taco seasoning is pretty good and so are their sauces. Oh and we even found a salsa now that  meets with Stu's approval ... Waitrose fresh salsa .. although still not as good as Tostitos of course!