Best of … imported foods online

Contributed by Tim Brugger, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

As a fan of all things food, like many I appreciate the efforts of the in-house chef.

Mom, Dad, Grandma; whoever, if they can cook, I can eat. To do it right; there are some foods that require ingredients from outside the borders of our own little paradise (that’d be America).

Now goodies from around the world are as close as your computer, and delivered right to your door; man am I loving the 21st Century. Now I’m starving, so let’s get to the Best of Imported Foods Online before my stomach starts growling.

Peppers

Hot Latin flavor

When I think Latin cuisine, jalapenos are always the first things that come to mind. If you’re going to make it, make it spicy. Latin Products has every pepper you can imagine, and maybe a few you can’t, and all are extremely affordable. These La Moreno pickled jalapenos will give your Latin dish a decent sized kick. If you’re more the steam coming out your ears and sweat dripping down your face type of Latin diner, try the Serrano’s on for size.

Caviar

The best from Russia

When we’re talking about imported foods online, it’s a necessity we include one for the caviar crowd (and you know who you are). Of course, any self-respecting caviar connoisseur will tell you there’s no caviar like Russian caviar. At least that’s what my research has told me; I only use fish eggs to try and catch more fish; but I digress. For the finest in caviar, foie gras, smoked fish and assorted other top drawer eats, the Gourmet Food Store is the place to go.

Turkish Delight

Authentic Mediterranean confections

Okay, this may be cheating just a little bit, but take a look at these fruit and nut candies for heaven’s sake. Sure, Aplets and Cotlets makes them, but at least the recipe is authentic and what a perfect topper to any and all Turkish, Greek and eastern Mediterranean cuisine. It’s not too difficult to imagine nibbling on one these tasty treats with a cup of coffee and a newspaper while sitting in the shade out back either.

Tea & sweets

British Jaffa cake

As might be expected from the English Tea Store, they carry a lot of treats from the UK. And since I’m still wiping drool from my chin thinking of those Apple Pommelines, I thought we may as well stay out back in the shade, but with a cup of tea this time around; and the appropriate imported snack food of course. Few things go better with a cup of authentic English Tea than a Jaffa Cake. If you haven’t partook of a Jaffa, here’s what you’re missing – a chocolate covered spongy cake (very light), with a hint of orange bits in the middle. Oh, yeah.

Hand-crafted beer

Belgian ale

While Val-Dieu Triple Ale isn’t technically classified as an imported food online, it is a hand-crafted beer from a monastery in Belgium, so it’s got that going for it. Not to mention it’s a perfect addition to an informal lunch with friends, or sipping out back at a BBQ as the sun sets and the temperature cools. Plus, ordering imported goodies from Monastery Greetings, where everything is made at Monasteries around the world, is bordering on civic responsibility. If it just so happens performing our civic duty entails sampling Belgian Ale, then I say we sacrifice for the greater good.