is this readily available in general supermarkets? I cant find it when I look on the online AH shops?

I'm due to move over in a couple of months and was just wandering if I need to buy some before I go?

I've got a stash of Marmite, HP Sauce, Branston, Frylite and a couple of other bits and bobs I may as well add some pasta if it's difficult to get hold of.

Thanks

Pasta is one thing that you won't have any problems finding here. They have a good selection of dried in all supermarkets, and decent fresh pasta is available in the bigger ones.

If you're on a budget, you should check in a store called Xenos. They have a wide selection of dried pasta available, and it's much cheaper than the normal 'supermarkets'.

For the fresh pasta, check the verse maaltijden section on the AH website, and it lists several types there. They do have lots of different brands of dried pasta too, as well as lots of sauces that you will probably be familiar with (Bertolli, Dolmio, Heinz, etc).

But do bring Branston! That's one thing they don't sell (and I miss it so bad ). They do sell HP sauce, the brown sauce! and I'm sure I've seen Frylite too somewhere. I've never checked for marmite, being one of the 'haters'

If all else fails, there are some small stores which cater for the expats culinary needs.

I'm pretty sure I saw Branston in Xenos on the Nieuwendijk the one time I was in there.

If not, Lynne at the British General Stores is a definite to Bring On The Branston!

my partner is Italian and he is always complaining that we cant get good pasta in the supermarkets here, if you see the range in an Italian supermarket however you will know why he says this In general its okay here, the 'fresh' pasta might not be as fresh as you are used it (depending where you are from), what I used to get in the NZ supermarkets was much fresher, here its kinda semi-dry fresh... I know that sounds strange but its the only way I can describe it. However, I know the italians themselves are perfectly happy with dried pasta if you can get a good quality one, so you shouldnt have a problem finding something quite edible.

If youre like me, you will want to stock up on extra marmite (do you mean the yummy aussie/kiwi variety?), you can get it here in 'special' shops but it costs an arm and a leg, and its horrible to run out! If you mean the runny strange english stuff, they sell that here in the supermarkets...

Its getting better here than it was 5 years ago, there is a lot more available in the supermarkets now than in the past, they even sell Colmans mustard now

Thanks for the all the info. The Marmite I talk of is the yummy English stuff lol I've never had the pleasure of tasteing NZ Marmite? I', also glad to hear that good old mustard is readily available.

I cook most things from scratch so I'm not too fussed about pasta sauces etc it was the condiments I really didn't want to be without! My partner is already in NL and he went off with a jar of Branston and a bottle of HP. He's pretty busy working and hasn't had the oppotunity to check out the supermarkets. I'm over next week for a visit so will go and check them out again.

You're right Clickit. Even the Colman mustard POWDER is now readily available. That's what I always use. It's a little bit more expensive to buy but a lot cheaper in use AND (big advantage!) one can adapt the strength to one's own taste! My gf is delighted!

I found a decent mustard in my AH actually. Its made by marne and is Dijon mosterd, but sherp. It's as hot if not hotter than colmans
I have to have me condiments LOL. I have 3 jars of branston pickle and hubby is a horseradish sauce addict.

Mierikswortal (horseradish), thin sliced fresh beef and rocket sandwiches, heaven. Sliced smoked chicken, guacamole, sun dried tomatoes and chives equally as good Mustard, I love the Maille corse grain with vin blanc, but you can't beat that yellow hit from Norwich with some roast pork... Okay, food time now.

When anyone visits from the UK I make sure they fill their boots with Branston Small Chunk™ and Yorkshire Tea... and sqeezy cheesy pees of course.

Any Lea&Perrins addicts as well? I sprinkle it generously on what the Dutch call "filet américain" and other in my view un-edible things...

God...I like "Saucisson pur Porc". Each time it's the same song. I start cutting a few slices which I religiously ingest and then I continue ...until finally there is nothing left to cut into slices anymore Oh Douce France, I adore your cheeses and your Saucissons!

I agree that the 'fresh' pasta is semi-dry, but for the most part I think it's better than the dried. I like the tagliatelle - goes well with a carbonara sauce, some extra bacon or Parma ham, and fresh oregano. My partner and I think the ravioli is quite disgusting, though, so I think it's a case of try it and see for yourself.
My favourite dried is the AH 'Excellent' spaghetti, which is available at the bigger stores. Try serving it al dente with a fresh tomato sauce and shaved parmesan. It's addictive