My first drip coffee from this trip, enjoyed at a picnic table in the sun
Welcome to Sunday Sobremesa, a twice-monthly thread to discuss food and culture while sipping on a coffee (or a Fanta naranja1 if that’s more your style!).
As you’ve probably noticed, this week’s sobremesa is a day late. I could blame it on travel, or the time difference, but I’m going to be 100% honest with you about why I didn’t post yesterday: apple pie.
Yesterday afternoon I took Kate McDermott’s virtual pie-making class for The Quintessential Apple Pie. I was pie-obsessed all afternoon, during the actual class of course, but also during the hours after that I spent hovering over the pie while it was baking and while it was cooling, taking pictures of it, and eating that first slice (it was incredible!). I’ll write more about it later this week—you can bet that it’s already number one on my Friday Favorites list—but I was incredibly impressed with how well the pie turned out considering that I’m a complete novice. Many thanks to Kate for being such an excellent teacher!
Now on to our discussion for the week: travel snacks. As I mentioned in Friday’s post, I’m back in the US visiting my family, which meant a long plane ride over the Atlantic. Plane food is hit-or-miss, particularly when you have to request special meals. I always plan ahead and bring a baguette and jamón ibérico to make a bocadillo (yes, I get lots of jealous glances from my less-prepared seatmates), but good snacks are also key.
Snacks are essential for any type of long travel. For plane rides I tend to lean toward healthier items, like a couple of different types of fruit and either a snack bar (like Kind or Rawbite) or a piece or two of dark chocolate. Road trips are for more “fun” snacks: Oreos are a must, and there’s a rotating selection of chips/salty nibbles that typically choose from (Lay’s Gourmet Original, Gublins, kikos from Mister Corn).
I’m curious to hear from you: what are your favorite travel snacks? Do you always go for the same foods, or do you switch it up? Excited to hear your picks in the comments!
Fanta naranja: Orange Fanta. They’re better in Spain for some reason (I’m assuming due to the type/amount of sugar used—the ones in the US are too sweet in my opinion) and I used to ask David to bring me cans every time he visited.
Ahh, how great you took Kate’s class! Her apple pie is my favorite to make (and to eat!) Welcome back! will you be in Chicago at all? We can meet for coffee! My favorite snacks on plane are cookies, preferably shortbread with tea!
Shortbread cookies and tea are a great plane combo! I like to bring my own tea bag and get hot water right before boarding so that I have a warm drink right away. I always freeze on airplanes!
I agree that eating Kate’s apple pie is at least half of the fun--it’s actually already gone 😂
I would LOVE to visit Chicago, but unfortunately it’s probably not happening this time around. I’ll potentially make another trip in the spring, and if I’m in Chicago I’ll let you know and we can set up a coffee date!
Thanks so much, Kate! The class was fantastic, and I loved the pacing. I honestly never would have thought I could have made a pie turn out so well on the first try--a true testament to how great of a teacher (and baker) you are!
Oh, I wish it was still Sunday, Kiki! Hope your flight went smoothl! I've been wanting to take one of Kate's classes but the timezone doesn't help :( I bet the end result was delicious!
Kate’s class was great; I highly recommend it. Like Kate mentions below, the class is recorded if you can’t make it, but I feel so lucky to have been able to attend live. It was nice to be able to ask questions (and hear what others asked--some great questions that I hadn’t thought even thought of!) and to participate real-time as if I were actually in Pie Cottage. With that said, since Kate records from the beginning, even if you watch it after, you have everything you need to make a fantastic pie!
Almonds and chocolate are both solid snack choices! Do you prefer chocolate bars/candy, or something more cake or pastry-like?
Planning ahead for my trip next week. There’s a gal out here who makes some great cookies with ginger and turmeric...not too sweet. I may get one of those, with nuts, and chocolate.
All classes are recorded and you have lifetime access to them so you have can watch it whenever you like, Sinù. 😉 I've had pie makers tune in from all over the world to bake with me in many different time zones and altitudes.
Yes, Kate, I truly appreciate the recordings and the lifetime access! So does my dad; I was at my mom’s house for the class yesterday but I sent my dad some pictures and he’s already requested that I make another pie for him 🤣
Once you're used to how soda tastes in Europe, trust me, except for apparently coke (which I don't drink) you'll not want to drink any of the US versions!
Also: snacks. For planes I always have a salted caramel almond kind bar (I also always have one in my bag and in the car door pocket to ward off being hangry!) and savoury rosemary almonds for healthy snacking.
For roadtrips we tend to pick up whatever candy we fancy in the first gas station, usually something with mixed fruits and nostalgic from childhood like Fruit Polos (https://thesweetboxshop.com/polo-fruits-37g-roll-1453-p.asp) and Wine Gums (https://thecandystoreonline.co.uk/products/soft-wine-gums: these have booze names on them but are non alcoholic and fruit flavoured!); J and I are the perfect pairing for this as I hate the lemon and lime ones (orange are okay but not a favourite) and he hates the red and purple ones!
Yes! I also think it helps that soda is usually served in glass bottles or cans in Europe instead of the fountain drinks in the US.
Love Kind bars! I also have to keep some type of fruit or nut bar with me in my bag because I get hungry quickly and when I’m hungry I need to eat right. then. or I turn into a not-very-nice person hahaha
I’ve never had Fruit Polos but they look kind of like Lifesavers in the US? That’s super impressive that you and J balance each other’s fruit candy preferences! I feel like most people hate lemon and lime (myself included). I’m always surprised when people say they don’t like the red flavor of any candy because it’s always my favorite!
The fountain drinks I think would have been dangerous when I was a teenager, but now they're just a novelty here in some fast food places like Five Guys! And they're the only place I can get Peach Fanta...
And this is me too when I'm suddenly hungry, don't worry!
Yes, the same though Fruit Polos are a spin off of Polos which are mints of the same shape that come in either peppermint or (god tier) spearmint. And I KNOW!!! The horror on his face when we were in my Dad's car, grabbed the pack and found they were all red and black because they sell just the red and black ones in packs and they're a family favourite!
I try to eat healthy when I travel on planes, especially for long haul flight since I'm sitting for so long! I tend to lean on bags of nuts and fresh fruit if possible - maybe an apple to curve that sweet tooth. Alternatively a good bag of trail mix with plenty of chocolate covered nuts or espresso beans 😅 are my guilty pleasure. I unfortunately eat the entire bag before the plane has taken off and feel a bit bad afterwards!
haha amazing! Gah don't do what I did...I was studying for an exam, ate too many of them - forgetting they had espresso beans in them, and was up all night!
I’m not sure why I lean toward healthy on planes, but it probably has to do with sitting for so long like you said!
Yum, espresso beans, I forgot about those... I’m mentally making a list of all the snacks I have to track down and eat these days 😆 My opinion is that the airport and airplane exist in an alternate dimension and you can’t feel guilty for any food choices made there 🤣
Welcome back! My go-to travel snacks are Twizzlers, pretzels, and soft chocolate chip cookies. That being said, my ex once made me a baggie full of freshly cooked bacon to take on a long flight and it was the best thing. Other passengers were quite jealous, haha.
Totally understandable! I used to love flying when I was younger but as I get older I like it less and less. I didn’t set foot on a plane until I was 18 years old, so I think for the first...15 years or so there was a novelty effect. Now I just wish for someone to invent teleportation haha
Now that you can make a pie, consider going smaller and making sweet or savory gallettes or crostata for something portable. From the book "Pie All the Time" by Taylor Harbin I just made some with kale, nuts and golden raisins.
Another possibility would be hand pies. I will soon be trying this recipe:
Helpful pie gadgets: Perfect-A-Crust Pie Crust Molds
Probably not being manufactured any more but look on EBay
(plastic circles for rolling out dough for 8", 9", and 10" pies)
Rollling pin measuring strips. Just bought a set from MoreCuisineEssentials.com (have not tried them yet!). The set has 1/4", 1/8" and 1/16" thicknesses.
Shop.kingarthurbaking.com is a great place for baking ingredients and supplies. Trained, experienced people will answer your baking questions if you need any help or ideas.
I often stop in at Starbucks for coffee and pastry, so then I started trying to come up with things I could make and that are portable!
At one time I would pack sliced salami and pita bread for a quick meal. There was no danger of leaking mess, and took up little space in my bag.
Thanks for all of this great info, Cristina! I love the idea of hand pies. My great aunt used to make apple hand pies and they were always a favorite at our family reunions!
Sliced salami and pita bread sounds like a great travel snack. I actually haven’t eaten pita bread in a while (it’s hard to find good pita bread in Madrid, or at least in the usual stores) and now I want some!
Ahh, how great you took Kate’s class! Her apple pie is my favorite to make (and to eat!) Welcome back! will you be in Chicago at all? We can meet for coffee! My favorite snacks on plane are cookies, preferably shortbread with tea!
Shortbread cookies and tea are a great plane combo! I like to bring my own tea bag and get hot water right before boarding so that I have a warm drink right away. I always freeze on airplanes!
I agree that eating Kate’s apple pie is at least half of the fun--it’s actually already gone 😂
I would LOVE to visit Chicago, but unfortunately it’s probably not happening this time around. I’ll potentially make another trip in the spring, and if I’m in Chicago I’ll let you know and we can set up a coffee date!
I bring my own tea bags too, Kiki! ✈️ My favorite is Barry’s Irish Tea. How fun that would be if you got to Chicago in the Spring! 😃
It was great to have you in the apple pie class yesterday and I'm very happy that you liked both the class and your pie!
Thanks so much, Kate! The class was fantastic, and I loved the pacing. I honestly never would have thought I could have made a pie turn out so well on the first try--a true testament to how great of a teacher (and baker) you are!
Oh, I wish it was still Sunday, Kiki! Hope your flight went smoothl! I've been wanting to take one of Kate's classes but the timezone doesn't help :( I bet the end result was delicious!
My go to snack: toasted almonds
My naughty snack: something chocolatey!
Haha I wish it were still Sunday, too!
Kate’s class was great; I highly recommend it. Like Kate mentions below, the class is recorded if you can’t make it, but I feel so lucky to have been able to attend live. It was nice to be able to ask questions (and hear what others asked--some great questions that I hadn’t thought even thought of!) and to participate real-time as if I were actually in Pie Cottage. With that said, since Kate records from the beginning, even if you watch it after, you have everything you need to make a fantastic pie!
Almonds and chocolate are both solid snack choices! Do you prefer chocolate bars/candy, or something more cake or pastry-like?
Planning ahead for my trip next week. There’s a gal out here who makes some great cookies with ginger and turmeric...not too sweet. I may get one of those, with nuts, and chocolate.
Those cookies sound delicious! I love sweets with ginger...gingerbread, ginger snaps, etc. Even just ginger candy!
All classes are recorded and you have lifetime access to them so you have can watch it whenever you like, Sinù. 😉 I've had pie makers tune in from all over the world to bake with me in many different time zones and altitudes.
Yes, Kate, I truly appreciate the recordings and the lifetime access! So does my dad; I was at my mom’s house for the class yesterday but I sent my dad some pictures and he’s already requested that I make another pie for him 🤣
And altitudes! 😆 That's good to know Kate, thank you so much for the info!
Once you're used to how soda tastes in Europe, trust me, except for apparently coke (which I don't drink) you'll not want to drink any of the US versions!
Also: snacks. For planes I always have a salted caramel almond kind bar (I also always have one in my bag and in the car door pocket to ward off being hangry!) and savoury rosemary almonds for healthy snacking.
For roadtrips we tend to pick up whatever candy we fancy in the first gas station, usually something with mixed fruits and nostalgic from childhood like Fruit Polos (https://thesweetboxshop.com/polo-fruits-37g-roll-1453-p.asp) and Wine Gums (https://thecandystoreonline.co.uk/products/soft-wine-gums: these have booze names on them but are non alcoholic and fruit flavoured!); J and I are the perfect pairing for this as I hate the lemon and lime ones (orange are okay but not a favourite) and he hates the red and purple ones!
Yes! I also think it helps that soda is usually served in glass bottles or cans in Europe instead of the fountain drinks in the US.
Love Kind bars! I also have to keep some type of fruit or nut bar with me in my bag because I get hungry quickly and when I’m hungry I need to eat right. then. or I turn into a not-very-nice person hahaha
I’ve never had Fruit Polos but they look kind of like Lifesavers in the US? That’s super impressive that you and J balance each other’s fruit candy preferences! I feel like most people hate lemon and lime (myself included). I’m always surprised when people say they don’t like the red flavor of any candy because it’s always my favorite!
The fountain drinks I think would have been dangerous when I was a teenager, but now they're just a novelty here in some fast food places like Five Guys! And they're the only place I can get Peach Fanta...
And this is me too when I'm suddenly hungry, don't worry!
Yes, the same though Fruit Polos are a spin off of Polos which are mints of the same shape that come in either peppermint or (god tier) spearmint. And I KNOW!!! The horror on his face when we were in my Dad's car, grabbed the pack and found they were all red and black because they sell just the red and black ones in packs and they're a family favourite!
I try to eat healthy when I travel on planes, especially for long haul flight since I'm sitting for so long! I tend to lean on bags of nuts and fresh fruit if possible - maybe an apple to curve that sweet tooth. Alternatively a good bag of trail mix with plenty of chocolate covered nuts or espresso beans 😅 are my guilty pleasure. I unfortunately eat the entire bag before the plane has taken off and feel a bit bad afterwards!
Natalie, I’m looping back to this comment to tell you that I bought chocolate covered espresso beans yesterday and thought of you! 🤣🙃
haha amazing! Gah don't do what I did...I was studying for an exam, ate too many of them - forgetting they had espresso beans in them, and was up all night!
I’m not sure why I lean toward healthy on planes, but it probably has to do with sitting for so long like you said!
Yum, espresso beans, I forgot about those... I’m mentally making a list of all the snacks I have to track down and eat these days 😆 My opinion is that the airport and airplane exist in an alternate dimension and you can’t feel guilty for any food choices made there 🤣
Welcome back! My go-to travel snacks are Twizzlers, pretzels, and soft chocolate chip cookies. That being said, my ex once made me a baggie full of freshly cooked bacon to take on a long flight and it was the best thing. Other passengers were quite jealous, haha.
Bacon!? That’s genius! Now I have an idea of what to pack as my snack on the flight back hahaha
Enjoy!! 😂
An adult beverage to calm the nerves. I hate flying.
Totally understandable! I used to love flying when I was younger but as I get older I like it less and less. I didn’t set foot on a plane until I was 18 years old, so I think for the first...15 years or so there was a novelty effect. Now I just wish for someone to invent teleportation haha
Same. The problem is I love traveling. Built-in conflict.
Now that you can make a pie, consider going smaller and making sweet or savory gallettes or crostata for something portable. From the book "Pie All the Time" by Taylor Harbin I just made some with kale, nuts and golden raisins.
Another possibility would be hand pies. I will soon be trying this recipe:
https://www.browneyedbaker.com/apple-hand-pies/
Helpful pie gadgets: Perfect-A-Crust Pie Crust Molds
Probably not being manufactured any more but look on EBay
(plastic circles for rolling out dough for 8", 9", and 10" pies)
Rollling pin measuring strips. Just bought a set from MoreCuisineEssentials.com (have not tried them yet!). The set has 1/4", 1/8" and 1/16" thicknesses.
Shop.kingarthurbaking.com is a great place for baking ingredients and supplies. Trained, experienced people will answer your baking questions if you need any help or ideas.
I often stop in at Starbucks for coffee and pastry, so then I started trying to come up with things I could make and that are portable!
At one time I would pack sliced salami and pita bread for a quick meal. There was no danger of leaking mess, and took up little space in my bag.
Thanks for all of this great info, Cristina! I love the idea of hand pies. My great aunt used to make apple hand pies and they were always a favorite at our family reunions!
Sliced salami and pita bread sounds like a great travel snack. I actually haven’t eaten pita bread in a while (it’s hard to find good pita bread in Madrid, or at least in the usual stores) and now I want some!