Season's Greetings -- Now with Marmite

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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Happy Holidays

Season’s Greetings

Happy Hanukkah

Merry Christmas

And even…

Merry X-mas for the Byzantine crowd

In short, today as with all other days I wish each and every one of you the best this short blip of a life can offer, only today is just a little different.

As my wife and I finished our shopping for foodstuffs and a couple of odd gifts, I found myself browsing the import section of our local Meijers. I do this often looking for the occasional curry to feed my addiction to coconut milk, chili peppers and peanut butter. Also because the cans of Heinz Spotted Dick makes me laugh. There, on the fourth shelf from the top, I found something I have previously only heard about - Marmite.

Although my current workload and studies have reverted me to more of a lurker than a regular poster I couldn’t help but be taken back to the posts of yesteryear and various discussions of Marmite, Vegemite and other delicacies from across the rock. How could I help myself, how could I resist, how could I not try this #2 of yeast extract products, this small jar of Vegemite’s British little brother?

So after choosing a nice wheatie cracker we proceeded to the checkout. I could hardly wait. Actually I couldn’t wait, as soon as we got in the car I cracked that bad boy open and took a whiff. Hmm… interesting smell, much like beef bouillon as described in previous threads. Because I’ve been paying attention to the likes of Lobsang, Mangetout, chowder and others both in Great Brittan and Down Under I was well familiar with the traditional way of enjoying this substance - spread lightly on something crunchy, possibly toast or a wheatie biscuit, and enjoy.

Of course being a certified Red-Necked, Corn-Fed, Hoosier Hick from the Sticks (credentials available upon request) I chose to ignore this advise and simply jammed my finger into the muck and crammed a big wad of the stuff in my pie hole.

Oh my.

Wow.

Holy Jumpin’ Jesus on stilts that stuff is salty. My breath was taken away and, for a moment, I felt my heart pause anxiously awaiting the incessant burn that surely must accompany something this strongly salty and overwhelmingly savory.

Oddly enough that never happened. I’ve gotten heartburn from a good and salty bag of potato chips but this stuff was pretty easy on the system. At least a little easier on the system than it was on the tongue.

So I relinquished to common sense and spread a bit on a cracker. Much better I must say. Nicely salty with a moist and beefy flavor. Interesting texture though, much like black strap molasses only a little thicker and a little slicker.

In conclusion, I will enjoy the Marmite and enjoy the season and wish each and every one of you the same. Perhaps as the New Year approaches I’ll try some Mushy Peas, I picked up a can of Bachelor’s while I was out.

Best wishes,
N8

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I like Meijer’s International Foods aisle. All kinds of interesting stuff there.

And I like marmite as well.

Merry Christmas.

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Mmmmmm - my only Christmas gift was four jars of Marmite brought over from the US to this Marmite-free-zone - the Dominican Republic - perfect in practically every other way.

Last time the same friend attempted this feat he had them in his hand luggage, so they got confiscated by airport security. I wonder what they made of it. :smiley:

Yuletide cheer to all Marmite lovers!

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Toast! Go make toast, spread with a little butter, and then smear Marmite over the top!

And enjoy your Christmas in the knowledge you are a Marmite virgin no longer.

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Interesting. I did not know that Meijer had imported foods like that (it’s been about a decade since I’ve been in one); is this something I’d find at any Indianapolis-area Meijer, or would I need to go to specific locations?

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Haiku:

I like my marmite
Beefy salty silky yum
The brown is not gross

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3am. Fallout 3 has crashed and it’s too late to reload. So it’s time for some marmite on toast and a large glass of milk. Then bed (or at least continue reading ‘Making Money’ for the second time until I fall asleep)

Fresh unsliced bread. Toasted evenly (pop the toaster up at intervals and rotate the broast*), generous spreading of real butter (quickly, before the toast cools, so that the butter melts) then a light coating of Marmite.

Mushy peas go best with a piece of cod battered in heart attack. edit: And ‘chips’ deep fried in heart attack.

[sub]*No longer Bread. Not yet Toast.[/sub]

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I know they all differ a little and I went to the one in Greenwood, on 135. I’ve never seen it there before though so it may well be at other locations.

I may cheat a little on the battered fish and get frozen but rest assured the chips will be hand cut, meaty, crispy, salty and nuclear hot.

Note to Student Driver - This is the first time I’ve found the marrowfat peas as well, I wish they had the “Chip Shop” flavor but I can always add my own curry if needed.