Very best PC products?

[merlot143]

I am sending a care package to a friend in the States. I want to send things she can't get there. To me, that means PC products. Lots of PC products getting mixed reviews -- please let me know what is the best! She is a foodie, so I want to send something appropriate. Thanks!

[flashy_mcflash]

Those chocolate brownie cookies. They are the illest cookies, for real.

[icey]

LOVE the apple crisp. LOVE their Salsa Verde. LOVE their new special ripple chips in smokin' stampede. Those I believe are my 3 fav PC products, although I do like many many other products from PC as well. I'm pretty sure that they make it as well...but correct me if I am wrong; the white cheddar mac and cheese in a black box. I think it is far superior to Kraft (although I do like Kraft). I feel that the pc version taste much more of real cheese.

[urbnmns]

I am really digging the rosemary garlic calabrese croutons. They are AMAZING - I think even better than homemade (and lightweight to boot, if you're still adding to your care package...)

[Bobby Wham]

That apple crisp REALLY is awesome! It was hard for me to find a flaw. I guess Gaelen Weston won't be giving me my money back. The lemon tart is pretty amazing too.

[Olivia]

Lassy Mog cookies. They're soft, spicy, and have walnuts in them. 100% Canadian, and 100% delicious.

[pancake]

I like the peanut butter granola bars (the ones that closely mimic the nature valley ones). They are highly addictive!

Also, the chocolate flavoured granola cereal.

[CuriousCat]

I've enjoyed their frozen, chocolate-covered mini cheesecake bites. Obviously not very shippable though.

As for something delicious, shippable, and unique to Canada (unique to GTA for now, actually), how about some Gourmantra (http://www.gourmantra.com/)? It's made by a family based in Markham. Basically an Indian meal in a box, it comes with all the sauces/spices you need (you just add the protein). I've read very favourable reviews elsewhere, and my bf tried the Channa Masala recently and loved it. I can't wait to try it myself. He found it at Sobey's.

[cynalan]

This may be sacrilige, but I love the Chicken Wellington and Shepherd's Pie. Since we tried them, I've stopped making them at home. Much simpler to simply pop them in the oven for an hour.

[Alacrity59]

Not PC. . . but I've got some friends in the US that crave Arrow Bars. . . . I'm told they don't get them there . . . at least in PA.

[merlot143]

You mean, Aero chocolate bars?

[Wahooty]

I've never seen Aero bars in the States that I can think of, nor Coffee Crisp...one of my Canadian friends in grad school constantly pined for Smarties (he got by with M&Ms but wasn't very happy about it) and Tim Horton's coffee.

[Alacrity59]

well maybe there is a reason we call em chocolate bars and in the US they talk about candy bars. Then again give or take a few the machines in both countries are filled.

[Baggins]

The PC stuff in the states is not the same quality and is limited (I am basing this on my experience living in Chicago 4 years ago so it may have changed). The chocolate chip cookies are widely available. Things like frozen chicken breast (not something you'd be shipping!) are much lower quality. Only the super popular sauces are around such as Schezuan (sp?) peanut.

[pearlD]

I think the P.C. Sundae Toppings are fabulous...Dark Chocolate ...the Butterscotch one is my absolute favourite... I take both of them to Jamaica and give them as part of my 'Canadian' Christmas presents....
I n Toronto I always have them in the fridge...they keep for a very long time without any discernable loss of flavour or texture....

[merlot143]

Thanks for the recommends.
I'd like to send her something that she really can't get down there. Not sure if PC is doing anything unique anymore. I will send down the Blue Menu two-bite brownies since they're made with whole wheat which is different.

[LemonLauren]

blue menu black bean canned soup as i eat right now...so yummy

[zseckley]

I like nearly anything PC makes, but my current faves are the Smokin' Stampede Beer and Chipotle BBQ sauce, the all-butter pecan and chocolate chunk cookies, the cashew and raisin trail mix bars, and the organic chocolate soy beverage. Also, if you want to do the PC thing and still send "Shreddies", you could go for the organics woven wheat squares. Not quite the same, but a decent comprimise.

[currycue]

I'm crazy for the PC Thai Yellow Curry in the can. Add 1 lb. of stewing beef and simmer for 1-2 hours and serve with plain basmati rice. Very, very good stuff.

[TorontoJo]

And don't forget that some PC products are available at some grocery stores in the U.S. Jewel is one chain, not sure of what others there may be.

[merlot143]

Do they still sell the Sweet and Salty Cashew Granola Bars? Those were great. I didn't see them at the store today.
Actually I think they do frozen desserts really well like their pies and ice cream desserts. However these don't ship well.

[Juniper]

I LOVE (rather guiltily) their twist sticks, particularly the olive ones. Flaky, light, crisp, buttery, and savoury. A great all-around combination.

[Bigtigger]

The Schezuan Peanut Sauce - think it's called Memories of Schezuan.
The Blue crackers - healthy and tasty at once.
The Blueberry Cream Cheese cookies - not a bit healthy but tasty for sure !

[Danybear]

Don't forget the stringent import rules the US has on food items. You need a special permit for food to cross the border. Its time consuming and expensive to obtain.

[Otonabee]

I think that only appries to certain meats and produce (ie Citrus). I thought that usuallly packaged and processed food are OK.

[zseckley]

the last time I sent food to the states, provided it was sealed and not any kind of fresh meat or produce (it was a can of coffee from Timmies), all I had to do was fill out a form. Free, but full of hassle.

[Bigtigger]

I send friends in VT a case of Honey Shreddies every now and then...take it to Mailboxes Etc (now the UPS Store) and they take care of everything - no special forms or anything - and never any hassle at the receiver's end. The US Agriculture folks are only interested in fresh foods, not packaged goods.

[merlot143]

How expensive is shipping to the U.S.now? I sent something by Canada Post a few years ago, and it was surprisingly pricey.

[Bigtigger]

Not terribly bad - I think using UPS and the packaging services of Mailboxes it only cost me about $45-50 to send a large though not particularly heavy crate. Via Canada Post and doing self-packaging it probably would have been around $25 or so.

[grandgourmand]

Memories of Montego Bay

[Baggins]

For non-PC products, don't forget Shreddies and Coffee Crisp (among other chocolate bars)! These are not available in the states.

[toveggiegirl]

As well as ketchup chips.

[capiscum]

and dill pickle chips!

[KevinB]

Especially the new diamond shaped Shreddies...