When we lived in South Wales, I marveled at the different cuts of beef, the variety of pork, the inventive basics on the grocery shelves and the incredible selection of fresh vegetables. I grew to depend on many and stocked up on the non-perishables just before the movers came to pack our belongings and ship them back to the United States.

After settling down and immersing ourselves with all things American that we’d missed while being in the UK, I slowly grew to yearn for a few things we’d left behind – especially after I ran out of my stash.

Two of the items I had depended on were Baby Gem Lettuce and Knorr Stock Pots.

Baby Gems are tiny Romaine lettuce heads. I would slice them in half, sauté in butter and olive oil, or even lardons (small dices of pork fat.) I’d then drizzle them with olive oil, add shaved Parmesan cheese and serve as a vegetable. Can’t (or couldn’t) get them here and I was totally bummed.

Knorr Stock Pots are small containers of concentrated, gel-like broth that are used as a base for stock. They came in chicken, pork, vegetable and even fish configurations, and were wonderful when added to two cups of warm water. Flavorsome and rich with aroma, they added so much more to a dish than a cube of this or that.

Alas, I couldn’t find these two staples in the grocery stores of South Florida. Until…

I discovered a container of Baby Gems in Target!  Green Giant is packaging them and I am now in hog, or lettuce, heaven.  AND – Target is also carrying the Stock Pots! I only found chicken, but it’s a start!

I am now a happy girl!