Where to get stuff for cravings on the Wirral?

Hello everybody!

Okay so I have a couple questions/ thoughts.
Adapting to life here in the UK has not been all too difficult. Except for certain food things.
When I first got here, I was completely bewildered by what I should be buying to complete my recipes that I have brought over from the USA. I think all and all I have most of it figured out, with a couple exceptions:

1. I make cookies and they always fall flat for some reason! I used to be the queen of the puffy chocochip and PB cookies. Now though, I put them in, they begin to rise and then !BOOM! flat round cookie! I know this just isnt me, because all the stores have the same thin little cookie shape. Is it the gas oven?
2. YEAST! I have yet to make a batch of bread that doesnt taste yeasty weird. Cant explain it completely, but this yeast I get here, is far different from Goldstar in USA. Does anyone know where I can get good yeast? I live on the Wirral, I am the only American in the village, so I can guarantee that a regular shop wont have it.
3. Most of the time if I get a hankering for something from the states, I make it. I was elated when ASDA popped out with corn tortillas! FIESTA!!! However there are still some things that I really miss and cant find... Does anyone know where to get:

1. Frankenberry cereal? I miss this sooo much! It was a custom that every fall, I would have a couple boxes around for that halloween mood at breakfast. Now I cant find it. I have written general mills and they said they do not intend to carry it here.

2. TATOR TOTS!!!! I miss these! Tesco had a product similiar to  tator crowns but when I went back later they were gone.

3. Cheese Hotdogs.. any ideas where to get this one?

Costco (mon amour) always has a good selection of American products, but unfortunatly none that you mentioned. I have seen Tater Tot like products in pretty much every supermarket, try Morrisons. Frankenberry you might have to order from one of those companies that do USA Products. Why not have a family member send you some goldstar yeast...it might not taste the same as the water here might be different, sometimes that makes a difference to me. Also, are you having problems with your puffy cookies because the baking powder is like half the strength of US baking powder? I always bring some from the states. Good luck!!

thanks for the input. I had no idea about the decrease in BKNG PWDR! No wonder my bisquits just havent been right! I thought I had lost my knack. Do you think it will harm my recipes too bump up the quantity?
I know about costco, love em love em! Recently they started carrying the all beef hotdogs for purchase! NUMMERS!
But I keep hasseling them to carry saltines, cheetos and whoppers to no avail.
In Manchester have you been able to find polish sausage? I have heard rumors that there may be a store or two that carry them, but on the Wirral I dont get much variety. As I said ASDA just finally got corn tortillas.
I dont have family in the states to speak of.. so I cant get anyone to send me what I want so I am stuck on that one...
Again thanks for your input!
michele

You should be able to find polish sausage at any Polski Schlep, there are so many Polish people around, there are tons of shops! It might not be the same as in the states, but it will be Polish Sausage of a fashion!

Whoppers are called Maltesers here.  Not exactly the same, but close enough, IMO.  This site has some American food.  You might be out of luck with the Frankenberry, though, I suspect there isn't enough of a demand for most import places to carry it.  Can someone in the States mail you some?

Edited for spelling.

As for your cookies, flour has less gluten here, so either use some extra plain flour, or use strong flour. 

WOW had no idea about the flour thing either! I know how to cook I just never have had to bother with reading the fine print on em, just kind of mix and go usually! LOL

But I appreciate everyones input. Now does anyone know what I can substitute molasses with? Cant find that either! I dont think treacle is the same, the pumpkin pie was HORRIBLE!

I could think of a million and one things that I would love to get my hands on. How about nutterbutters? anyone missing those?

Also, are you having problems with your puffy cookies because the baking powder is like half the strength of US baking powder? I always bring some from the states. Good luck!!

Wow, really? I didn't know that either!

Whoppers are called Maltesers here. 

IMHO, Maltesers are way better!

i dont like maltesers actually. I find the chocolate taste is different. i miss my whoppers!

WOW had no idea about the flour thing either! I know how to cook I just never have had to bother with reading the fine print on em, just kind of mix and go usually! LOL

The gluten thing is because American wheat gets more sunlight and heat, it isn't something they do on purpose or anything.

I have always just used black treacle.  You can find molasses, but I've only ever seen blackstrap and that stuff is harsh in sweet baked goods; it is ok in bread though.  Maybe a combination of black treacle and blackstrap?

Try Julian Graves or Holland & Barrett for molasses.

Try Julian Graves or Holland & Barrett for molasses.

Do they have regular molasses, or blackstrap? 

The only kind they have at H&B near me is the blackstrap kind, but if JG has regular it might be worth a trip. 

Do they have regular molasses, or blackstrap? 

The only kind they have at H&B near me is the blackstrap kind, but if JG has regular it might be worth a trip. 

I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, as I've only ever found blackstrap there.