The US food available here is the worst kind

Cheers. Yeah, I was getting all worked up over the class dynamics of boxed foods. It was awful, you really wouldn't have wanted to read it, trust me. 

interesting goings on here..... i must add that i too harbor longings for boxed american food. specifically, jiffy corn muffin mix. and it only costs $.25 per box.  i didn't grow up in the states ( missionary kid from haiti) so i didn't have the childhood experience of US eating, but i do value good products. including the occasional kraft mac n cheese.  i enjoy elegant food, and often cook it, but nothing beats jiffy broccoli corn bread and pinto beans. hows that for trashy american??

Ah, yes, but the original point was that the American food that is available here in the UK isn't necessarily the most "desirable."  I find Jiffy Cornbread mix highly desirable - and haven't yet found it in this country!  So that may just prove the point? 

(The "winking smilie" is to denote this is tongue-in-cheek...)

Wow, is this gonna end up in Pettifogg? Whoda thunk it? 

In my ideal world, I wouldn't ever use those foods as I hate the preservatives and additives in them. But in the real world, I have lazy days and poor days and just don't care days. So I use a couple of the UK equivalents as well as the occasionaly American import. I don't get Kraft Mac and Cheese much here as I always had to have a side of Del Monte stewed tomatoes with them at home and those you can't get here!

That said, I fail to understand what's wrong with nostalgic eating? Even if you didn't eat it yourself in the US, now that you're here, it may remind you of home or people you love back home. And as long as you're not wallowing in nostalgia, it's not a bad thing, is it? And yes, a lot of food can be a bit of a disappointment, but, frankly, that can happen anywhere.

There's nothing wrong with nostalgic eating...this thread cracked me up; I enjoyed reading it. It's amazing what people can allow themselves to get in a huff over. LOL

I think the ire displayed in this thread is less about nostalgic eating more about the condescending -- or certainly what appeared to be the condescending -- attitude towards those that choose to use convenience, boxed or 'dorm' food.

I rarely fix meals that come from box; most are made from scratch -- regardless of where I live.  But just as Balmerhon said, there are those bad or lazy days when a quick jar of sauce or a package of Mac and Cheese makes life a little easier.  Yes, I certainly do get a craving Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff, but more often than not, I make it from scratch.

After nearly six years and the loads of American goodies that hubby has brought home, I can honestly say that only thing I was disappointed with was Oscar Meyer Bacon.  Yes, it tasted of home, but I was horrified by the huge amount of fat left in the frying pan.  So now I settled for Tesco's Finest Maple Cured Bacon.  It tastes like home, but with significantly less fat.

I think even the foodiest foody will have to admit to using convenience foods. Who doesn't use pasta sauce from a jar? You can't tell me that something you spent hours preparing is any better than a good Lloyd Grossman or Seeds of Change product. The whole argument is academic and besides that if someone wants to live on Jiffy cornbread mix, Smash and Bird's Yellow Custard, whose business is it! Geesh, food nazis and their evangelistic zeal. Get over it!

You can't tell me that something you spent hours preparing is any better than a good Lloyd Grossman or Seeds of Change product.

Ah, you've clearly never tasted the ragu that I make for lasagne! It takes just over an hour to make and I'd put it up against Lloyd anyday  But that doesn't mean that I don't use Lloyd, etc. when I'm too tired to deal with cooking....

This thread is *very* amusing reading!

Well I just paid £3.00 for a small jar of Motts applesauce which I would normally pay about a dollar for in the USA. My babies always loved it so I always had huge jars in the house. But since you cant get it here I just bought a small jar from the internet and am actually saving it for a special occasion. Probably Thanksgiving.
Pebs 

I have to agree, America has some pretty crap "prepared" food.  But still, I love it--sometimes.  I am quite the cook, it runs in my family.  Most meals are made from scratch...down to home made pasta when time permits.

Which makes me think...when time permits.  Used to be, every where in the world, that foods were always made from scatch...begining to end.  During WWI, thinks began to change.  Shortly after WWII Mr Boy-Ar-Dee and Mr Byrd (as in Byrds Eye) came out with their new products and that started the chain reaction that we see today.  Over the last 50+ years, our lives have changed dramatically.  So have our eating habits...many people no longer have the time let alone the skills to cook a "real" meal.  In an ideal world, I would never open a box to feed myself or my man.  But give me a break.  Sometimes, I don't have the time.  Sometimes, I don't have the energy.  And sometimes, I just want to eat "crap" food.  We all know the feeling...wanting nothing more than to sit on the couch with a box of wheat thins, a can of cheese and a box of oreos.  Then, if we feel energetic, we'll get up, make a box of mac-n-cheese and eat it right out of the pan.

It's not an American thing.  There are just as many crappy boxed foods in the UK...Paxo?  Smash?  Canned meat...you name it, they have it...just with a slightly different spin.  To really see it in action though, on your next trip home, stop by a UK import store.  That way, you will see the pap that the Brits living in the States crave from home...you know, the same kind of junk that they won't dare touch while at home in the UK...

Just my opinion...

Is anyone trying to make anyone eat anything? How can eating a food be 'immature'? LOL

I can't believe this debate!  So American expats want an Oreo every once in a while?  Big deal!  It's not like the UK is the land of 100% organic-free-range-super-healty food.  Just ask any of the fools walking around eating pasties, dodgy take-aways and greasy fish and chips.  Just because it doesn't come in a box doesn't mean it's healthy.

Frances, you have an excellent point.  UK food stores in the US carry total crap.  They're not going to offer Sunday roasts, are they?  Geez.   

Okay gang...let's go! Gather at my place and bring your wellies and best camouflage (or just wear all black). I'll provide the black smudge for under the eyes.

We're going to storm Jemima's cupboards and list everything she's got for public viewing and ridicule!

Are you with me gang? Raaaaaaaaaaaar!


 

hahaha!

LOL. Lisa!


Also does anyone know where I can get some Oscar Mayer Bologna? 
lol


Pebbles

Also does anyone know where I can get some Oscar Mayer Bologna?

Spain apparently!  I've heard a few expats mention that you can find OS bologna, bacon and hots dogs there.