[brulo]

The title might be confusing so I'll give a brief background for this.

I live in south america and some things are pretty difficult to get here, even buying overseas with international shipping.

So, since some time ago I'm purchasing some things on Amazon UK because that site (along with other European Amazon sites but NOT the US site) has the "Global shipping" option that includes the payment of import duties beforehand (hence avoiding pain-in-the-neck bureaucratic hassle).

Also, we have some limits to that kind of orders (no more than 5 per year and a 1000USD/50kg top for each), so we need to make good use of them.

Then, early today I've learnt about Maldon Salt (sounds kinda great) that it's used principally for finishing purposes and I thought "what things could I get on Amazon UK that could bring real cool value to my home cooking without having to but them over and over?"

So, long story short, I want to make a wish list to order on that site, but I'm mainly looking for things that:

• Are not super expensive.
• Are going to last quite some time (not something to be used only on 1 meal).
• Could be consumable or a tool/gadget.
• Will add something really different and maybe "class up" my home cooking.
• Are more or less "typically" obtained in Europe (hence difficult to find here).

One example is that salt, that it's the first item on the list, and I suppose a couple other condiments will fall in this category.

Any ideas of things to add? Just recommend anything you consider, I'll then check if it's available on Amazon.

Thanks!



EDIT: I actually made a public list HERE

 

[maryb]

Where are you located? Would help with what might be good keeping and not available locally...

 

[brulo]

Where are you located? Would help with what might be good keeping and not available locally...

Yup, forgot to mention. In Buenos Aires, capital city of Argentina.

Anyway I don't expect everyone to know what can or cannot be found here, that's why I went with "something typically found in Europe".

Any input will be highly appreciated!

 

[maryb]

Hmm I would think condiments would be good and they have a long shelf life. Dried mushrooms from EU? Spices not available in Argentina? Italian canned tomatoes/tomato paste in tubes?

 

[koukouvagia]

Different kinds of mustard. Saffron. Coffee. Tea. Dried legumes.

 

[brulo]

Hmm I would think condiments would be good and they have a long shelf life. Dried mushrooms from EU? Spices not available in Argentina? Italian canned tomatoes/tomato paste in tubes?

Looks like condiments is a strong winner here. I could try mushrooms too. Cans/tubes could be a little messy if the boxes are not handled carefully, but you gave me another idea, dried italian pasta, it's soooooo good and here it's absurdly expensive, anyway that won't last that much with me around haha.

Different kinds of mustard. Saffron. Coffee. Tea. Dried legumes.

Mustards and peppers could work! Also tea would have those in mind!

 

[maryb]

Tubes of tomato paste ship okay, I order a dozen a year from Amazon. Cans should be fine too, worst case is a dent and use that can first.

 

[brulo]

Tubes of tomato paste ship okay, I order a dozen a year from Amazon. Cans should be fine too, worst case is a dent and use that can first.

Thanks for the input! A dozen tubes last a year for you? I need to check if they came in a single pack or something like that because we have some stupid restrictions on quantities too haha

 

[summer57]

Not easy because I don't know what's available -- and what's not available -- in Argentina. I like the local Italian grocery, where I get dried porcini mushrooms, olives (salt-cured, brined, lots of varieties), pasta, dried cannellini beans and lentils - inc. beluga lentils.
Not exactly European, but trendy -- Maple Syrup, which Amazon.co.uk carries.. Another not European, but trendy is Red Boat 40 Fish Sauce. Works great to add umami to anything. For tubes of tomato paste, I don't use a dozen a year, maybe 3 or 4, but what about this -- Ortolina. It's tomato paste with vegies. I use it a lot.
Anything sound good to you?

 

[butzy]

I use amazon.co.uk quite a lot and sometimes also amazon.de (sometimes cheaper).

Typical European/UK stuff?
Definately herbs and spices
Worchestershire sauce (Amazon is used to shipping, so I am sure it will be properly packed)
Harissa (yes, I know, it's Maroccan, but still very nice)
Soy, sweet soy (kecap manis), fish sauce, char sui and other SE Asian condiments

Tools is more difficult. I bought a fair bit of BBQ tools from them, but I don't know if you like grilling/BBQ'ing
A metric weighing scale?

 

[flipflopgirl]

I couldn't live without....
Fine and course grinds of cornmeal.
Good flours (a couple of whites a whole wheat and rye minimum) King Arthur brand is almost always the most reliable in quality IME.
Powdered (icing) sugar....don't go cheap on this as there are a lot of crappy brands out there.
Fruit pastes and jams as well as flavoring oils, extracts and emulsions.
Almonds, pecans and walnuts at the very least...these do double and triple duty depending on if you plan to grind for "flour" or nut butters.
...but I do a fair amt of baking.

mimi

#cannot forget demi concentrates!
A pantry staple for me.

m.

 

[brulo]

Not easy because I don't know what's available -- and what's not available -- in Argentina. I like the local Italian grocery, where I get dried porcini mushrooms, olives (salt-cured, brined, lots of varieties), pasta, dried cannellini beans and lentils - inc. beluga lentils.
Not exactly European, but trendy -- Maple Syrup, which Amazon.co.uk carries.. Another not European, but trendy is Red Boat 40 Fish Sauce. Works great to add umami to anything. For tubes of tomato paste, I don't use a dozen a year, maybe 3 or 4, but what about this -- Ortolina. It's tomato paste with vegies. I use it a lot.
Anything sound good to you?

I'll check for the mushrooms, I love all kind of dried mushrooms

I'm tempted with pasta but it's not the most convenient size/weight wise (in a kilo of pasta that would last a couple meals I could buy something that can be used in a lot more situations).

The tomato tubes you mention are not available, but I found this thing that looks promising.

Fish sauce is something I think I can get in our chinatown pretty easily and regarding beans and lentils I think we have pretty good quality around here.

All in all I'll totally try to get some dried mushrooms Thanks a lot for the input!

I use amazon.co.uk quite a lot and sometimes also amazon.de (sometimes cheaper).

Typical European/UK stuff?
Definately herbs and spices
Worchestershire sauce (Amazon is used to shipping, so I am sure it will be properly packed)
Harissa (yes, I know, it's Maroccan, but still very nice)
Soy, sweet soy (kecap manis), fish sauce, char sui and other SE Asian condiments

Tools is more difficult. I bought a fair bit of BBQ tools from them, but I don't know if you like grilling/BBQ'ing
A metric weighing scale?

Thanks for the ideas, I'll check out those sauces (and investigate how to even use them haha!)

I couldn't live without....
Fine and course grinds of cornmeal.
Good flours (a couple of whites a whole wheat and rye minimum) King Arthur brand is almost always the most reliable in quality IME.
Powdered (icing) sugar....don't go cheap on this as there are a lot of crappy brands out there.
Fruit pastes and jams as well as flavoring oils, extracts and emulsions.
Almonds, pecans and walnuts at the very least...these do double and triple duty depending on if you plan to grind for "flour" or nut butters.
...but I do a fair amt of baking.

mimi

#cannot forget demi concentrates!
A pantry staple for me.

m.

Thanks! In this case I think those are things we have around here with pretty good quality

-----------------------------------

I've also found this that looks promising to give some life to different preparations. Anyone tried something similar?

 

[brulo]

welp, all the items that appear with globalshipping appears as unable to be shipped to my location... I guess there's some kind of restriction for them being edibles...

Looks like we need to abort the mission!

 

[flipflopgirl]

Not surprised....but still sux for you.


mimi

 

[maryb]

I split them with my sisters so 4 tubes each and they are only 4.5 oz www.amazon.com/Amore-Tomato-Paste-Ounce-Tubes/dp/B001FA1KLW/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1500760911&sr=8-5&keywords=tomato%2Bpaste%2Btube&refinements=p_89%3AAmore&th=1

Thanks for the input! A dozen tubes last a year for you? I need to check if they came in a single pack or something like that because we have some stupid restrictions on quantities too haha

 

[scott livesey]

I am a fan of olives so I ordered a 500gr package of Gemlik type black olives a spice I like that is hard to find here is Szechuan Peppercorns, the 100gr should last at least a year