"plain" chocolate chips??

Cornmeal is polenta...   

Huh?  Are you guys serious?  I never knew this!  Why the heck do they sell polenta separate from corn meal then?  I found corn meal in my Waitrose (labeled corn meal) but this time they were out.  Didn't check polenta!  I will try this ASAP!  The things you learn on this forum!

I found the polenta in waitrose in the pasta section. It is usually in stock. The other stuff was in the exotic section eh?

I believe Indians and Africans use "corn meal" too so it is labled differently... silly really. I was hope to make corn tortillas but straight polenta isn't the same as masa harina and I am too stubborn to buy the 500g size in the exotic section for a ridiculous price. 

I just looked up Costco and there is one here in Bristol!  How similar are they here to the one in US?

The layout is the same.  But the products are mostly British, of course.  You can get a HUGE jar of Skippy there  .  But don't expect Tollhouse choccie chips, Stouffer's frozen lasagne (mmmmm) or Lay's crisps.

We go out once a season and buy stuff we use in bulk:  washing powder, lazy garlic, etc.  I also buy my Oil of Olay Regenerist serum there once a year, b/c they have two bottles for £27 incl. VAT.  YES!  Mach blades are a good buy there, too, if your man uses these.  And they have Glide dental floss, which is the best.

We go out once a season and buy stuff we use in bulk:  washing powder, lazy garlic, etc.  I also buy my Oil of Olay Regenerist serum there once a year, b/c they have two bottles for £27 incl. VAT.  YES!  Mach blades are a good buy there, too, if your man uses these.  And they have Glide dental floss, which is the best.

Dont forget my white tuna next time you go! 

Dont forget my white tuna next time you go! 

White tuna?  I didn't know they had it!  No prob.  We're going to have to head out to IKEA here soon  :\\\'(.

I agree the ones at Costco are the worst chocolate chips ever.  I bought a giant vat of them a few months ago--the cookies I made were absolutely dreadful.  I used them twice to make sure it was the chips and not the recipe that was bad.

uh oh....what about flour?  Boy says there is plain flour and self raising flour.  He thinks I need self raising flour for baking.  And what about the brown sugar?!?!?  I feel totally lost and Im a experienced baker!!!

I do alot of baking and I recommend self raising for all baking - even cookies.  Also use at least 1.5 times the amount of baking soda or baking powder asked for.

I just looked up Costco and there is one here in Bristol!  How similar are they here to the one in US?

Costco is pretty much the same - reminds me of home which is why I go..

They don't have as many American foods as I would like but it is pretty darn close.  Didn't see chocolate chips when I was there last looking for them.  Had my sister bring some over when she visited.  they should last a while.  What my girl guides do, is use chocolate bars, apparently and chop them up.

  What my girl guides do, is use chocolate bars, apparently and chop them up.

That's what I do here otherwise it get expensive. All the supermarkets have cheap chocolate bars. Just find one you like. I usually use the dark chocolate.  I put it the freezer for a bit and then wrap in a tea towel and smack it with something heavy, I like big chunks of chocolate.

Wow! All this time and I never knew polenta was corn meal. Damn. Well know I know. I am the only one I know here that likes cornbread, I mean what else can you eat with red beans & rice? Thanks Q-G!

Is there another name for Cream of Wheat? I have tried semolina but it is too fine.

Happy baking

Is there another name for Cream of Wheat?

yeah there is but the name escapes me... check out the cereal section near the granola. Farina or something like that.

I agree the ones at Costco are the worst chocolate chips ever.  I bought a giant vat of them a few months ago--the cookies I made were absolutely dreadful.  I used them twice to make sure it was the chips and not the recipe that was bad.

they're rank, aren't they?  were they in a big white vat?  i binned 'em.  my cookies were the boak and i was sooo bummed.

And brown sugar is just... brown sugar.   There's dark brown and light brown, just like in the US.
The light brown is sometimes called Demerara, but the one i have in my cupboard just says 'light brown soft sugar'

I've tried both dark and light soft brown sugar here, and found it much more "molassesey"in taste (hey, a new word!).  I ended up increasing the white sugar and decreasing the brown, but the taste still wasn't the same as home.

Aline

Hey maybe we should do a cookie mail exchange?  If anyone's game I would love to participate!

I'd like to participate, but I live alone so am not sure being inundated with yummies (and just me to eat them) is a wise idea. 

I've tried both dark and light soft brown sugar here, and found it much more "molassesey"in taste (hey, a new word!).  I ended up increasing the white sugar and decreasing the brown, but the taste still wasn't the same as home.

Aline

Aline try some of the different brands of light brown sugar.  Some do not have as strong of a treacle flavor as others. 

I have made Toll House cookies here with no problems.  I just wish I had a bag of the sugar I used.  I will try to remember to get the brand name for you.

I use the soft brown tate and lyle suger and they turned out nice!


Polenta I have found here at tesco but it is wet? not loose like proper dried corn meal...I have found maize meal which is the same...our health food shop here sells it..