Hi everyone,
This group has been very helpful to me in the past I'm wondering if you
have any ideas on this one. I'm going to visit a friend in France and
would like to bring her some gifts (if I ask her what to bring she'll
tell me nothing) she loves cooking and food. I'm from California and
thought maybe I'd bring some local stuff like pistachio nuts, dates (if
I'm allowed?) and maybe some macadamia nuts (even though they're
Hawaiian they're inexpensive here) She likes Mexican food but I'm not a
cook and have no clue what sort of Mexican products one couldn't get in
France...She doesn't drink at all and anyway its a pain in the neck to
drag bottles of wine around (in my limited experience) I haven't even
been to France for 20 years so I'm even more clueless than usual.
Any thoughts or ideas you have would be greatly greatly appreciated...

In article . com>,
wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> This group has been very helpful to me in the past I'm wondering if you
> have any ideas on this one. I'm going to visit a friend in France and
> would like to bring her some gifts (if I ask her what to bring she'll
> tell me nothing) she loves cooking and food. I'm from California and
> thought maybe I'd bring some local stuff like pistachio nuts, dates (if
> I'm allowed?) and maybe some macadamia nuts (even though they're
> Hawaiian they're inexpensive here) She likes Mexican food but I'm not a
> cook and have no clue what sort of Mexican products one couldn't get in
> France...She doesn't drink at all and anyway its a pain in the neck to
> drag bottles of wine around (in my limited experience) I haven't even
> been to France for 20 years so I'm even more clueless than usual.
> Any thoughts or ideas you have would be greatly greatly appreciated...

When my nephew was married a couple months ago, I sent a big box of
Minnesota-made products to his wife's parents -- lake-grown and
hand-harvested and -parched and -winnowed wild rice; Pearson's Nut
Goodie and Nut Roll candy bars; homemade jams; my Gedney jams; Old Dutch
potato chips.

How about some food-oriented American magazines? Cook's Illustrated,
Saveur, maybe a few small jars of Penzeys (or others') seasoning
blends. Also, consider shipping stuff to her after your visit -- maybe
you'll have a better fix on what she might enjoy -- and bring a small
bouquet of flowers when you first meet up with her.
--
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com, updated 1-3-2006, Sam I Am! and Hello!

I think local goodies is a great idea and if you have any concerns
about any making it through customs, call your ticketing airline and
ask them. Kev

kevnbro wrote:
> I think local goodies is a great idea and if you have any concerns
> about any making it through customs, call your ticketing airline and
> ask them. Kev

Kevin, it would be helpful if you quoted part of what you are replying to.
If you're using Google, click the "show options" link and it will become
apparent. Thanks!

Jill

>Kevin, it would be helpful if you quoted part of what you are replying to. If you're using Google, click the "show options" link and it will become apparent. Thanks! Jill

I don't want to sound condescending Jill but I don't think 3 post down
into the discussion, particularly when the title is to a degree self
explanatory requires quoting the text. As a matter of fact, it's quite
annoying at times scrolling endlessly through guoted text only to reach
the end and find a meaningless 3-word reply.
Besides, you've made me aware in the past that i'm supposed to quote
the text and when I am convinced no one with a half-a-brain will know
what i'm referencing, I usually do.
But thanks for clarifying my responsibilities... again. Kev

kevnbro wrote:
>> Kevin, it would be helpful if you quoted part of what you are
>> replying to. If you're using Google, click the "show options" link
>> and it will become apparent. Thanks! Jill
>
> I don't want to sound condescending Jill but I don't think 3 post
> down
> into the discussion, particularly when the title is to a degree self
> explanatory requires quoting the text. As a matter of fact, it's quite
> annoying at times scrolling endlessly through guoted text only to
> reach
> the end and find a meaningless 3-word reply.

Which is why trimming posts is appropriate (see? I did!)

As for your responsibilities, I've noticed you rarely quote anything
regardless of the subject. And then there are those who have their
newsreaders set to only see posts they haven't read yet - this means they
may not have seen the previous three posts so they have no idea what you're
talking about. It's netiquette to quote part of what you are replying to.
Sorry if it's too much to ask.

Jill

> In article . com>,
> wrote:
>
>
>>Hi everyone,
>>This group has been very helpful to me in the past I'm wondering if you
>>have any ideas on this one. I'm going to visit a friend in France and
>>would like to bring her some gifts (if I ask her what to bring she'll
>>tell me nothing) she loves cooking and food. I'm from California and
>>thought maybe I'd bring some local stuff like pistachio nuts, dates (if
>>I'm allowed?) and maybe some macadamia nuts (even though they're
>>Hawaiian they're inexpensive here) She likes Mexican food but I'm not a
>>cook and have no clue what sort of Mexican products one couldn't get in
>>France...She doesn't drink at all and anyway its a pain in the neck to
>>drag bottles of wine around (in my limited experience) I haven't even
>>been to France for 20 years so I'm even more clueless than usual.
>>Any thoughts or ideas you have would be greatly greatly appreciated...
>
>


Although our European partners often make fun of American food, there
are things they really like and request when we visit:

peanut butter (and the traditional recipe for pb cookies!)
M&Ms
Oreos
macadamias
salsa, bottled, or a recipe plus the spices needed


What about Trader Joe's dried slab apricots? dried chiles?

There are still things not widely available in our global economy.

gloria p

On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 18:04:56 GMT, Puester >
wrote:

>peanut butter (and the traditional recipe for pb cookies!)
To be found in just about any supermarket here in Switzerland (the
chunky type may be hard to find though)

>M&Ms
To be found in every single cinema, newsstand, supermarket,
minimarket...

>Oreos
Now available too

>macadamias
Easy to find

>salsa, bottled, or a recipe plus the spices needed
That might be interesting

>
>What about Trader Joe's dried slab apricots? dried chiles?
Depends. I find great dried apricots from Turkey at the local
supermarket.

>There are still things not widely available in our global economy.

Less and less...

Nathalie in Switzerland

wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> This group has been very helpful to me in the past I'm wondering if you
> have any ideas on this one. I'm going to visit a friend in France and
> would like to bring her some gifts (if I ask her what to bring she'll
> tell me nothing) she loves cooking and food. I'm from California and
> thought maybe I'd bring some local stuff like pistachio nuts, dates (if
> I'm allowed?) and maybe some macadamia nuts (even though they're
> Hawaiian they're inexpensive here) She likes Mexican food but I'm not a
> cook and have no clue what sort of Mexican products one couldn't get in
> France...She doesn't drink at all and anyway its a pain in the neck to
> drag bottles of wine around (in my limited experience) I haven't even
> been to France for 20 years so I'm even more clueless than usual.
> Any thoughts or ideas you have would be greatly greatly appreciated...

I don't think there are many incredients you cannot get in France. Since
she likes Mexican food, http://www.mexgrocer.com/ could be one place to
look for ideas. AFAIK there's no such wide a variety of hot sauces in
Europe as in the Americas, with the possible exception of some specialty
stores. In addition to food items, some cooking utensils to prepare and
present Mexican or other foods could be one option.

On 8 Jan 2006 18:01:36 -0800, wrote:

>Hi everyone,
>This group has been very helpful to me in the past I'm wondering if you
>have any ideas on this one. I'm going to visit a friend in France and
>would like to bring her some gifts (if I ask her what to bring she'll
>tell me nothing) she loves cooking and food. I'm from California and
>thought maybe I'd bring some local stuff like pistachio nuts, dates (if
>I'm allowed?) and maybe some macadamia nuts (even though they're
>Hawaiian they're inexpensive here) She likes Mexican food but I'm not a
>cook and have no clue what sort of Mexican products one couldn't get in
>France...She doesn't drink at all and anyway its a pain in the neck to
>drag bottles of wine around (in my limited experience) I haven't even
>been to France for 20 years so I'm even more clueless than usual.
>Any thoughts or ideas you have would be greatly greatly appreciated...

A couple of cans of chipotles, maybe? Some canned salsa, too.


modom

modom wrote:
> On 8 Jan 2006 18:01:36 -0800, wrote:
>
> >Hi everyone,
> >This group has been very helpful to me in the past I'm wondering if you
> >have any ideas on this one. I'm going to visit a friend in France and
> >would like to bring her some gifts (if I ask her what to bring she'll
> >tell me nothing) she loves cooking and food. I'm from California and
> >thought maybe I'd bring some local stuff like pistachio nuts, dates (if
> >I'm allowed?) and maybe some macadamia nuts (even though they're
> >Hawaiian they're inexpensive here) She likes Mexican food but I'm not a
> >cook and have no clue what sort of Mexican products one couldn't get in
> >France...She doesn't drink at all and anyway its a pain in the neck to
> >drag bottles of wine around (in my limited experience) I haven't even
> >been to France for 20 years so I'm even more clueless than usual.
> >Any thoughts or ideas you have would be greatly greatly appreciated...
>
> A couple of cans of chipotles, maybe? Some canned salsa, too.
>
>

Take some real Mexican chocolate, the kind in the big block that she
can use for hot chocolate, and a chocolate whipper to mix it into hot
water.

An assortment of dried chili peppers would be nice, but you need to
check if you can get them through customs and in what form.

Susan B.

On 9 Jan 2006 09:30:13 -0800, "sueb" > wrote:


>An assortment of dried chili peppers would be nice, but you need to
>check if you can get them through customs and in what form.

I don't know about getting them out of the US, but getting them into
France shouldn't be a problem. Now getting food *into* the US, that's
another story...

Nathalie in Switzerland (can't even send boxes of chocolate anymore)

On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 22:04:45 +0100, Nathalie Chiva
> wrote:

>On 9 Jan 2006 09:30:13 -0800, "sueb" > wrote:
>
>
>>An assortment of dried chili peppers would be nice, but you need to
>>check if you can get them through customs and in what form.
>
>I don't know about getting them out of the US, but getting them into
>France shouldn't be a problem. Now getting food *into* the US, that's
>another story...
>
>Nathalie in Switzerland (can't even send boxes of chocolate anymore)

Yeah, but we sure as hell are secure on these here shores. Anyhow,
who wants Swiss chocolate?


modom

modom wrote:
> On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 22:04:45 +0100, Nathalie Chiva
> > wrote:
>
> >On 9 Jan 2006 09:30:13 -0800, "sueb" > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>An assortment of dried chili peppers would be nice, but you need to
> >>check if you can get them through customs and in what form.
> >
> >I don't know about getting them out of the US, but getting them into
> >France shouldn't be a problem. Now getting food *into* the US, that's
> >another story...
> >
> >Nathalie in Switzerland (can't even send boxes of chocolate anymore)
>
> Yeah, but we sure as hell are secure on these here shores. Anyhow,
> who wants Swiss chocolate?
>

I'm not sure about the chocolate, but some of the regulations are to
prevent introduction of noxious pests that could invade our patriotic
foodstuffs. Imagine if our entire okra harvest was wiped out!

I did manage to sneak in a half pound of spices from Urumqi to be used
when I barbecue lamb. They're still in the freezer.

Susan B. (wondering if Kevin will look up from his ****ing contest to
notice that people gave him actual suggestions)

On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 22:04:45 +0100, Nathalie Chiva
> wrote:

>On 9 Jan 2006 09:30:13 -0800, "sueb" > wrote:
>
>
>>An assortment of dried chili peppers would be nice, but you need to
>>check if you can get them through customs and in what form.
>
>I don't know about getting them out of the US, but getting them into
>France shouldn't be a problem. Now getting food *into* the US, that's
>another story...
>
>Nathalie in Switzerland (can't even send boxes of chocolate anymore)

Well, I checked and the total food ban that was in effect (at least
that's the info I got then) about a year ago seems to have been lifted
(but I *distinctly* remember a couple of articles in the newspapers
here saying that when travelling to the US there was a total food ban,
and not to bring *anything*).

Nathalie in Switzerland

Nathalie Chiva wrote:

> On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 22:04:45 +0100, Nathalie Chiva
> > wrote:
>
> >On 9 Jan 2006 09:30:13 -0800, "sueb" > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>An assortment of dried chili peppers would be nice, but you need to
> >>check if you can get them through customs and in what form.
> >
> >I don't know about getting them out of the US, but getting them into
> >France shouldn't be a problem. Now getting food *into* the US, that's
> >another story...
> >
> >Nathalie in Switzerland (can't even send boxes of chocolate anymore)
>
> Well, I checked and the total food ban that was in effect (at least
> that's the info I got then) about a year ago seems to have been lifted
> (but I *distinctly* remember a couple of articles in the newspapers
> here saying that when travelling to the US there was a total food ban,
> and not to bring *anything*).


No such rules do exist or ever existed:


http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cg...restricted.xml

[...]

Food Products (Prepared)

You may bring bakery items and certain cheeses into the United States. The
APHIS web site [ http://www.aphis.usda.gov/index.shtml ] features a
Travelers Tips section and Game and Hunting Trophies section that offers
extensive information about bringing food and other products into the
country. Many prepared foods are admissible. However, almost anything
containing meat products, such as bouillon, soup mixes, etc., is not
admissible. As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices,
honey, coffee and tea are admissible. Because rice can often harbor insects,
it is best to avoid bringing it into the United States


Fruits and Vegetables

Bringing fruits and vegetables can be complicated. For instance, consider
the apple you bought in the foreign airport just before boarding and then
did not eat? Whether or not CBP will allow the apple into the United States
depends on where you got it and where you are going after you arrive in the
United States. The same would be true for those magnificent Mediterranean
tomatoes. Fresh fruits and vegetables can carry plant pests or diseases into
the United States.

One good example of problems imported fruits and vegetables can cause is the
Mediterranean fruit fly outbreak during the 1980s, The outbreak cost the
state of California and the Federal Government approximately $100 million to
get rid of this pest. The cause of the outbreak was one traveler who brought
home one contaminated piece of fruit. It is best not to bring fresh fruits
or vegetables into the United States. However, if you plan to, contact
either CBP or check the Travelers Information section on the USDA-APHIS web
site for a general approved list on items that need a permit.


Meats, Livestock, and Poultry

The regulations governing meat and meat products are very strict. You may
not import fresh, dried, or canned meats or meat products from most foreign
countries into the United States. Also, you may not import food products
that have been prepared with meat.

The regulations on importing meat and meat products change frequently
because they are based on disease outbreaks in different areas of the world.
APHIS, which regulates meats and meat products as well as fruits and
vegetables, invites you to contact them for more information on importing
meats. You may write to USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services National Center for
Import/Export (NCIE), 4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; or
call 301.734.7830.

[...]

"Nathalie Chiva" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 22:04:45 +0100, Nathalie Chiva
> > wrote:
>
>>On 9 Jan 2006 09:30:13 -0800, "sueb" > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>An assortment of dried chili peppers would be nice, but you need to
>>>check if you can get them through customs and in what form.
>>
>>I don't know about getting them out of the US, but getting them into
>>France shouldn't be a problem. Now getting food *into* the US, that's
>>another story...
>>
>>Nathalie in Switzerland (can't even send boxes of chocolate anymore)
>
> Well, I checked and the total food ban that was in effect (at least
> that's the info I got then) about a year ago seems to have been lifted
> (but I *distinctly* remember a couple of articles in the newspapers
> here saying that when travelling to the US there was a total food ban,
> and not to bring *anything*).
>
> Nathalie in Switzerland

It has always been my 'impression' that food stuffs could not be brought
into the U.S. or other countries; the exception being the 'stuff' at the
duty-free stations.
But evidently that is not so?
Dee Dee

wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> This group has been very helpful to me in the past I'm wondering if you
> have any ideas on this one. I'm going to visit a friend in France and
> would like to bring her some gifts (if I ask her what to bring she'll
> tell me nothing) she loves cooking and food. I'm from California and
> thought maybe I'd bring some local stuff like pistachio nuts, dates (if
> I'm allowed?) and maybe some macadamia nuts (even though they're
> Hawaiian they're inexpensive here) She likes Mexican food but I'm not a
> cook and have no clue what sort of Mexican products one couldn't get in
> France...She doesn't drink at all and anyway its a pain in the neck to
> drag bottles of wine around (in my limited experience) I haven't even
> been to France for 20 years so I'm even more clueless than usual.
> Any thoughts or ideas you have would be greatly greatly appreciated...
>

Liquitd SMoke probably isn't available there, the same goes for chipotle
and epazote.

>
> Liquitd SMoke probably isn't available there, the same goes for chipotle
> and epazote.

And adobo (sp?)

wrote:
> I'm going to visit a friend in France and
> would like to bring her some gifts (if I ask her what to bring she'll
> tell me nothing) she loves cooking and food.

Maybe bring her a few cans of Hatch chiles -- also, last time I was
across the pond, I couldn't get chocolate chips -- maybe you could
bring some along with a recipe for chocolate chip cookies? Also,
enchilada sauces, tortilla chips, dried chile peppers... maybe find a
few Mexican recipes (assuming she speaks English) and the accompanying
'hard-to-find' ingredients (like chiles)? Also, some Mexican chocolate
(like Popular) for making that wonderful, cinnamon-y hot chocolate...

Just a few thoughts. Have fun, and eat a croissant for me!

Karen MacInerney
Kitchen experimenter, family chauffeur, and culinary mystery author
www.karenmacinerney.com