Wheres all the good food?

I have had some trouble in the past finding certain ingredients or products here in London. Even from the biggest grocery store.

For instance, I asked Nick if he likes perogies.

He didnt know what they were. Considering they are an eastern European and there are lots of Ukrainians in London, you would think they would be here instead of in Canada....where I grew up eating perogies.

I tried to find rice paper the other day to make Thai Salad Rolls . No point in checking in the local grocery store coz not only do they not stock it, they dont know what it is. I did find them in China Town in central London eventually.

I also had a recipe that asked for Lemongrass stalks. Never mind. The grocer didnt even know what it was used for. Kaffir Lime Leaves? Not a chance!

So yesterday, I wanted to make Mums Brocolli Tofu Stir Fry (pg 12) which I never made before mostly coz Nick doesnt like tofu. So I went to the local grocery store Sainsburys and couldnt see it so I asked. I got the blankest expression about what Tofu was. I even had to describe what it was. Went to the other grocery store Morrissons and the man took me to profita rolls (a dessert), I even went to the Polish shop and he looked at me kinda funny.

Noone has even heard of Tofu. I had to buy chicken instead from the butchers and said to her, 'Out of curiosity, have you heard of Tofu?' Shes like, 'umm, I...think so....what is it exactly?'

Never mind.

After this, I was obviously craving tofu but of course, couldnt find any, to no avail.

I guess I am amidst in a meat and potato kind of country with the occassional curry and cheap (not only in price) pizza's. They just dont seem to specialize in South East Asia food even though its, as far as Im concerned, the best!

Maybe this is why Ive taken up cooking as a hobby. It seems the only way to stimulate my palate without spending a fortune.

Sigh.