Food Pantry Famine

It happens each year. Despite months of careful rationing, I start to run out of my non-Prague food supply. It's a painful process. A sidebar of “Things Not Available Here” on a new expat-in-Czech blog got me thinking about my own foodie needs*.

Two months ago, oh how I howled after hunting through my cabinets and realizing that the recently empty jar of Lee Kum Kee's Chiu Chow Oil was indeed my last. (Some days I still search the cabinets hoping a jar will magically appear. There you are. I knew there was one more left!)

Last month, I ran out of Garri—a Nigerian staple that helps calm my late-night munchies. (Soaked in ice cold water, with roasted peanuts and scoops of sugar—Yum!) There are African suppliers who I can buy from in Prague, but I really prefer to get Garri from my mom. I just trust what she buys better. It's a weird quirk.... But if and when
I get desperate I may just pick up a small bag here—and eat guiltily.

Last week, the oh-so-addictive Apple-Ginger Chutney from the Forest Product stand in London's Borough market. (Early last year, it was jars of Lemon Curd from De Bakkerswinkel in Amsterdam.)

Four days ago, Weetabix cereal which I buy in bulk in London as well, or on the rare-oh-so-rare-I-am-about-to-write-an-official-note-about-my-discontent chance that Tesco in Prague stocks it.

In another two weeks, it will be the last pack of medium-grain brown rice from Whole Foods. (Yeah, there's brown rice here, but it's long-grained, and gosh, I dislike long-grain brown rice. I'd rather eat the white stuff, which is what I'll be doing soon.)

If I eat pancakes once a month from now on I could stretch the maple syrup (the real stuff—you know, graded and such!) through the Summer....

And so on it goes.

Typically, when supplies start to run low I've always had a trip abroad coming up just ahead. (Or my friend Adina flying in from London to visit her Czech family.) But this year, no such luck! September is the nearest I can predict (tentatively) a return visit home. My "courier" Adina has relocated to the US. (Girl, why?!)

I suppose that with the exception of the UK, if you relocate anywhere abroad you realize very quickly that food-shopping convenience and availability is a privilege. Make note of the things you love and be prepared to:

Exist without it .

Accept a local or inferior version.

**Pay double or more for the real thing.

Get creative.

I've done all four. What about you? If you live abroad I'm curious to know what you miss/do-without.

Cauky.

*Chris lives in Brno, which might explain his sidebar. Some of his listed items can be found in Prague, as long as one is willing to pay double or more for them.

**When returning from home paying for an additional luggage devoted solely to food purchases.