America- Week at Lidl

One of the three grocery stores we have within walking distance is Lidl, a discount supermarket chain. You'll always find the basics, but if you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary, such as Mexican ingredients, a certain spice, or better-quality diapers, you need to go elsewhere. Along with food, they'll have other household items or clothing, but it changes every week and you never know what you'll find. One week there are men's dress shoes, electric mixers and Barbie DVDs, the next there is scuba gear, vacuum cleaners and paint sets.

This week is Amerika-Woche. I couldn't wait to see what foods they would have for America-Week. Would there be items I haven't been able to find, like Fresca, Raisin Nut Bran, Cream of Chicken soup for casserole/crockpot recipes, decent salsa and Taste of Lime tortilla chips, or at least a close equivalent?

In the end, I was not displeased by the selection. Everything was from the red, white and blue Lidl "American" brand -- McEnnedy. There were things I have never seen at this store, such as microwave popcorn, marshmallows, cranberry juice, chocolate chip cookies and bagels. There were pasta and cheese packets, which I think were supposed to be like mac-n-cheese, but were not particularly tasty. We fared better with the red beans and rice packets. There were American-style hotdogs in a jar, apple and raisin cookies and beef chili potato chips, among other things.

If only they would have Campbell's Soup, Kraft, Chik-Fil-A and Frito-Lay week!