Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Surprising Foods, Glorious Foods, Be Excited To Try Them
53
items I am no chef and a lazy cook but I have my favourite recipes and do a darn good job of feeding my family healthy, nutritious and tasty meals with a little bit of naughty thrown in! The bottom line is I LOVE food. I'm addicted to food! I can't get enough of eating food! Join me here to find products that every kitchen should own and why!
Sections
5
Food Staples In My Kitchen
Australian Foods I Can Buy In North America
Canadian Foods I've Come To Love
International Favourites In Our House
Drinks to sip or guzzle!
Food Staples In My Kitchen
Downstairs I have what we call, The Costco Cupboard. It's basically a pantry stocked with all the extra's our household needs as well as preserves from our summer garden. This list is mainly what I would expect to always have in the cupboard to keep ...
Organic sea salt with herbs and good stuff. I love herbamare on my eggs every morning, to give avocado a zip, in all my cooking instead of plain salt. It also comes in a spicy blend but I can never tell the difference. I buy either and nobody notices...
Organic Seasoning Salt Herbamare 8.80 Ounces
I should crush my own (always used to) but when you can buy garlic in bulk at Costco why would you?? I put a tablespoon minimum in everything. I wonder if garlic is the type of thing you need more and more of to get the same punch?! I can attest to it being healthy as I've never had a problem with vampires since over indulging on garlic. BTW, on a serious note. My son had allergies and packet seasonings upset his tummy. On taco night for the last 20 years I have been seasoning t...
Kirkland Signature, Minced California Garlic, 48 oz | Costco
Honey is expensive but also difficult for me to find in Canada as I like a darker eucalyptus honey like is common in Australia. The honey's in North America seem light and sweet like a clover honey. Costco is my go to for a reasonable price and flavo...
Honey - Costco Wholesale
I don't have a favourite brand but I do love almond butter. I also shop for a natural peanut butter without the sugar and oils. The natural oil separates which is annoying so I dump it out and give it a whirl in my mixmaster before putting it in the ...
Almond Butter
Mixed nuts are a staple for me. A small handful to snack on or with my coffee in the afternoon tempts me more than cake or cookies. My go to is Costco as their nuts are the cheapest and best quality I've found generally. They look fresh and aren't oi...
Nuts & Seeds - Costco Wholesale
I always keep Worcestershire sauce in the house. Sometimes I like to make a simple Welsh Rarebit as a snack or put it in casseroles or gravy.
Worcestershire Sauce
I always keep Apple Cider vinegar in my house. I put it on my salad with olive oil, and lemon juice and a grind of Himalayan rock salt. I love the Nona Pia brand and that I can support Canadian.
Nonna Pia's Apple Cider Vinegar
There is only one thing I like more than olive oil, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice on my salad and that's substituting in balsamic glaze for the vinegar. I bring lots of foods home FROM Australia but this is one product I take TO Australia!
Nonna Pia's Balsamic Glaze
Why malt vinegar specifically? It's great on frys instead of ketchup - a British and Australian thing probably - and has a richer flavour. I also grew up on what we affectionately called “floddies." Grate potato, dump in malt vinegar and a few eggs t...
Malt Vinegar
Australian Foods I Can Buy In North America
This Aussie is a long way from home. When someone in my family comes or goes from Australia there are certain items we stock up on. Some things we're lucky we can find here. Use this list for fun ideas to try or if you're going to Australia foods you...
I usually go to this website just to drool a little and reminisce a lot. I have honestly not ordered anything from them as it is expensive to ship foods from Australia and the bottom line is my household would bog down on it and it would all be gone ...
Australian Food Shop Canada - The Australian Food Shop
Of course it has to be at the top of the list! My pantry is full of vegemite from my last visit home over a year ago. You will hate it unless you're raised on the stuff from birth or are a freak of nature. Either way, use it sparingly. Even an Austra...
Vegemite
Arnott ‘biscuits' are the bomb! I have no idea why they haven't conquered the world. Just the delicious Tim Tam in limited varieties have made it to Canada and possibly other places. We can buy them at Walmart, Sobey's, the drugstores, Amazon and mos...
Arnott's Tim Tam Original 7oz (200g)
I'm a bit suspicious about this link as I don't recognize the label. Is it the same I wonder?? I bring home a couple of cans of liquid malt when I'm visiting Australia. It keeps in the fridge and my eldest son and I are the only ones who eat it on toast for a change. I grew up with it and love it! Hilariously, my son gave some to his girlfriend recently who tried desperately to get rid of it by drinking water and spitting in the kitchen sink but it's kind of sticky stuff and well… lets just say… hahahahahahaha!!
Liquid Malt Extract
I would come home from school and eat a box of these things and lick out the crumbs! BBQ shapes are addictively delicious and come in various flavours in Australia such as pizza shapes or chicken crimpy. I would stock up on them when they were on sal...
Arnott's BBQ Shapes 175g
Golden syrup is tasty on pikelets. They resemble mini pancakes and do taste similar, but they are different. Pikelets are denser than pancakes, pancakes are fluffier in texture. My mum and then me, would make pikelets for afternoon tea for our kids o...
Lyle's Golden Syrup, Original, 325g
My kids bring this back from Australia and savour it on their hamburgers. Nothing quite like it here!
Masterfoods BBQ Sauce 500ml
Cherry and coconut covered in dark chocolate. Delicious and more-ish. Australia has so many wonderful ‘candy’ bars. It feels like everything here has peanut butter in it which is personally not my thing!
Cherry Ripe Candy Bar
These were always a favourite of mine since childhood. They're kind of like a crunchie bar but, ironically, crunchier and shatter in your mouth.
Violet Crumble Bars (6 Pack) | Made in Australia -
Nutri Grain is marketed as “Iron Man Food.” It has always been a favourite cereal for my kids and, of course, many Australians. There is no substitute here so you'll just have to try it yourself!
Amazon.com: Nutri Grain
Cadbury chocolate is synonymous with being Australian. There may be better chocolate in the world… or then again, maybe not!
Amazon.com: Chocolate Cadbury
Canadian Foods I've Come To Love
Moving to a new country is challenging. Everything is different and it takes some getting used to new brands of food and even new foods themselves! Some of these foods may also be in US but I don't know. I live here, not there! Maybe we should call these North American foods I love?!
When I asked my husband what was a food essential he said “Shreddies.” Isn't that Canadian?" I asked, knowing we don't have them in Australia. “I dunno," he responded wandering away. I dunno either but Canadian's do eat a lot of them. Not me personal...
Post Shreddies Original Cereal, 1.24 kg - Costco Wholesale
Growing up my mum would buy a small glass bottle of maple syrup for an ice cream treat. In Canada it's a staple in the fridge for pancake breakfasts. The fake stuff doesn't cut it and despite the extra cost we only have the real stuff in our house. I...
Maple Syrup
I think Crown corn syrup is from the US but Canadians love it in my experience. I had never eaten corn syrup in this form in Australia. My husband loves it on fresh bread or hot biscuits.
Crown Golden Corn Syrup, 2ct, 500mL
A classic sauce for BBQ steak. I would like to eat a good steak more often. When I get to, I love a side of Bullseye!
Bullseye Sauce
I hate everything about red liquorice. I don't like the smell or the plastic texture of chewing on it. Just gross. Having said this, my family inhales it when it comes into our house. I eat vegemite and my husband likes red liquorice but if that's al...
Licorice Twizzlers
Another uniquely North American breakfast cereal. Maybe you can let me know in the comments if this is in the US as well as Canada?
Honeycomb Cereal
It feels like every Canadian mother has a container of Cheerios in their diaper bag! lol.
Cheerios
My son loves this muesli which we discovered when my mother-in-law brought it when she came to visit. It's got no added sugar so a great muesli if you don't like sweet! We buy it at Sobey supermarket!
Alpen Original Muesli - Weetabix Cereals
I was just gifted three jars of jam: blackberry, mango (oh my!) and lemon jelly. I've only ever had lemon curd before so I can't wait to try this but the jams are DELICIOUS. My (grown) kids were right into it so I need to hurry up to get my share! Th...
Hand Made Jam! Court's Crates Ltd.
International Favourites In Our House
We have been privileged to travel to many countries, mainly in our youthful backpacking days but it developed our love of many cuisines or ingredients that we create some type of fusion food with. At one stage in life we had a dinner club and took turns researching and cooking different food...
Sesame oil is a staple in our kitchen for stir fry. We are currently using Asia Family brand but I'm not sure what is considered the best. It's great of enhancing the Asian flavour of dishes.
Family Pure Sesame Oil, 12 Ounce
Since visiting Japan and becoming interested in Japanese cuisine we have always kept Sweet rice seasoning in the pantry. This brand is produced for Kikkoman and a product of Japan which was our deciding factor in choosing it.
Kikkoman Manjo Aji Mirin, 60-Ounce
My husband made the BEST sushi recently. With the right ingredients it's easy! You'll need sushi vinegar.
Sushi Vinegar
There is rice and rice! Sushi rice is a sticky rice that holds it form. If you're going to put the time in to making sushi you MUST start with the correct rice.
Sushi Rice
A little bit of wasabi paste in some soy sauce is the best dipping sauce for your sushi!
Japanese Wasabi Paste
If you want an Asian flavour in your own home you can't go wrong with oyster sauce! I put a splash in all my stir fry, especially with noodles. I have no clue how authentic it is but it tastes darn good!
Oyster Sauce Blue Label - Kikkoman Home Cooks
It's only recently I've started keeping Teriyaki in the house. I love it for marinating chicken. This was really nice in our sushi, rice paper rolls, in stir fry or even on pizza!
Teriyaki Sauce - Teriyaki Sauce / Asian Sauces: …
Rice papers make the most delicious and fun food. Google Vietnamese rice paper rolls if you need inspiration and then let your creativity go wild! It's a fun and interactive meal at our house and the kids still love it!
Rice Paper Sheets
I keep these in the pantry all the time. They have other uses but for us it's all about Vietnamese rice paper rolls!
Vermicelli Noodles
I know this is a Japanese mayonnaise but I mainly use it on chicken burgers. My tip: Fresh bun, chicken patty, Japanese mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, brie cheese and lettuce. Extra yum!
Amazon.com: Kewpie Mayo
Kikkoman soy sauce is available everywhere and there is a reason! We once took a Japanese friend to a local Chinese restaurant where there were Kikkoman bottles on every table. Our friend put the sauce on his meal and then looking surprised announced...
Amazon.com: Soy Sauce Kikkoman
Sometimes I can even buy Glico curry locally but mostly I need to find it online or in the city at an Asian supermarket. IIt comes in mild, medium and hot and I use half medium and half hot. It's not spicey and even my young kids liked it that way. G...
Glico Green Curry Sauce-Medium, 220 Gram.ca
Chilliz is THE BEST curry pastes. We stock up when we buy them, usually getting two or three of every flavour. I ignore the suggestions of ‘seafood’ and use chicken or pork depending on what I have on hand. Beef or lamb is good in the meat curry. I add vegetables if I'm inspired to and after frying up the meat or cooking it in the slow cooker (depending on th...
Chilliz Chicken Curry Paste 200g
If you're going to the trouble of making an Indian dish you may as well take the effort to choose basmati rice and this delicious mango chutney on the side. We also like naan bread or parathas. I often cut up bananas and mix them with sour cream and ...
Sweet Mango Chutney - Pataks USA
There are so many wonderful Indian curries. I buy various varieties which never match the real thing but it's the best option for an uneducated home cook! My kids favourite has always been butter chicken so, although it's not my personal favourite, w...
Amazon.com: Indian Butter Chicken
Drinks to sip or guzzle!
Hot or cold, there are favourite beverages in our house. These are the ones we love!
You have just stumbled across something wonderful. John and Sue live in a little town in Alberta that is so small it doesn't even have a general store. What is does have is a thriving theatre and acting school where my daughter studies and plays dinn...
Coffee Roaster | Rose Cottage Coffee Company | Rosebud
Milo is a chocolate-flavored malted barley powder that's mixed with milk or water to make a beverage. It's not strictly Australian I don't think and available in other countries. It is nice hot or cold (if made on milk instead of water) and not as rich as hot chocolate. It makes a nice evening drink when I don't feel like tea or coffee. Some people sprinkle the powder on ice cream although I ...
Nestle Milo
Bundaberg Ginger Beer is a household name and on rare occasions we find it here. My son had friends find some for him in the states and so there's a bottle in the fridge. It's all his so all the rest of us can do it dream about it when we open the do...
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
I love that Kicking Horse Coffee is readily available to me in most supermarkets in Canada. It's a great go to and despite the many options it is always a good coffee. I like a light or medium coffee.
Kicking Horse Coffee
I love San Pellegrino as a substitute for other pops. Who knows if it's healthier, but it feels classier and tastes better! Costco is the best deal for buying a variety pack of this delicious drink.
San Pellegrino Italian Sparkling Drink, Variety Pack ... - Costco …
Hot chocolate on a snowy day in Canada is wonderful, but Cadbury is very Australian.
Cadbury Hot Cocoa in Beverages - Walmart.com
The best Australian tea? Gotta be Madura!
Madura Tea Premium 100 Bags - Australian
Everybody's jiggling! Did the US have the same jiggle as Australia? I always keep green tea, chamomile and Earl Grey in the house - as well as English Breakfast of course!
Amazon.com: Tea Lipton
When it comes to English Breakfast tea I always keep Twinings in the house in both regular and caffeine free. It's delicious and consistent.
Twinings English Breakfast Tea