Sunday, 1 November 2009

Comfort Food for Thought

You know what I miss? Cheetoes. There, I said it. Let the judgments begin. Here's a story about my quest for that wonderful comfort snack, the milkshake.

Milkshake story: In my never ending quest to make myself feel more at home here, I set out today to find Moo Moo’s milkshakes, a milkshake place that was vouched for by an American friend. (I suppose this quest actually began my first week here, when I ordered an Oreo shake at a burger place. It was, in a word, abysmal, and since then, I’ve been determined to find a decent, if not perfect, milkshake).

I made my way into the covered market where the heralded milkshake makers resided. After wandering around for a bit, being slightly distracted by the overpowering smell of fish (I never did see a fish place), I found my way to Moo Moo’s. I scanned the board and found that they did indeed have chocolate shakes, and since I was playing it safe, I ordered a small. While waiting for my shake to be shook, I re-read the menu and I noticed that what I read as a “chocolate shake” was actually a “chocolate candy bar shake.” Oops. My shake was indeed a candy bar shake (I don’t think they do normal shakes). The concept of making a chocolate shake with chocolate bars is an interesting one, and one that theoretically should yield similar results to a shake made from chocolate syrup. But then one remembers that cold bars of chocolate do not blend very well and have that slightly waxy texture/taste to them. So too was my vanilla shake with chocolate bar bits: it was ill blended and pretty waxy. That said, it wasn’t bad. It was really more a kin to a drinkable blizzard, which is fine, if that’s what you’re looking for. However, I wasn’t looking for a drinkable blizzard, I was looking for a milkshake. A thick, creamy milkshake made with ice cream, chocolate syrup, milk, and sugar. It’s really not that hard, England.

Oh well. I’m slowly learning that there are just some things I’m going to have to live without for the next year, and I suppose that’s all part of the adventure!

2 comments:

  1. I would miss cheetoes too! But try to find Kettle chips with Rosemary. With a pint of Strongbow or Old Speckeled Hen,delicious!
    Thanks for making me smile!
    Jo

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  2. Mmmm Guinness + Walkers chips (the rip-off Lays chips). Sadly things in England will always be inferior.

    If you're in need of good greasy food, the Scots are great! Fried mars bar and/or chili anyone?

    The candy bar milkshakes are a no no. The british just don't understand that you shouldn't blend pieces of chocolate in. Chocolate sauce was invented for a reason (

    Try the oreo cookie one. It's more "American" and I still find it thick and creamy. Trust me, it's WAY better than any other UK milkshake (they're all watery and milky. Ick. If i wanted flavored milk, I'd just buy chocolate milk, thanks). The best way to enjoy one is to deprive yourself of milkshakes for months, and then have a Moo Moo's milkshake.

    Then you'll find it AMAZING.

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