Food stories

These are the top 10 most frequently forgotten groceries for Christmas

vrouw verschrikt albert heijn boodschappen

Christmas music has been blasting from the speakers for months, your tree has by now become part of the furniture and, most importantly, you figured out ages ago what you’re going to make for Christmas dinner. Nothing can happen to you anymore. Or can it? With your mind already somewhere at the North Pole, you walk through the supermarket and, lo and behold… Once you get home, you’ve forgotten the most important ingredient. Once you return, it turns out to be sold out too. Nightmare!

Foto van culinair journalist Jeske van Steen

Fortunately, you can prevent yourself from sitting at the Christmas table like the Grinch for the rest of Christmas. Albert Heijn has compiled a list of the top 10 most frequently forgotten groceries. And yes, when you see the list, you’ll undoubtedly recognize a few of those sneaky items that always somehow slip your mind. Be prepared and commit this list to memory.

Top 10 most frequently forgotten groceries

1. Vanilla sugar

Are you the dessert chef this year? Put vanilla sugar at the top of your shopping list. There’s a good chance you’ll need it. Believe me: this is truly one of those products you think you still have, but which ultimately turns out to be a packet of baking powder.

2. Vegetable stock cubes

Maybe you have time to make your own vegetable stock, maybe you don’t. In the latter case, it’s still nice to know for sure that you have enough stock cubes at home. Keep in mind that a great many people make soup and stews during Christmas, with the vegetable stock cube often providing the flavor.

3. Baking paper

Baking paper is really one of those things that suddenly runs out in the blink of an eye. You still think you have a few sheets left on the roll, but then you end up disappointed. (And, by the way, reusing baking paper is not a good idea.) Be smart and stock up generously.

4. Puff pastry

You rarely need an entire package of puff pastry. That’s why there are always a few sheets of dough left over, which then turn out not to be enough for the next baking session after all. Well, and if you forget such a package at the supermarket… There’s always a rush on this product around the holidays; make sure you’re at the front of the starting line.

5. Whipping cream

You can set your clock by it: fresh whipping cream is sold out around Christmas. It’s something you don’t buy too far in advance because it has a short shelf life. So the entire town will be buying fresh whipping cream in the five days before Christmas. Forget it? Then you might as well think of a different dessert… Albert Heijn, thanks for the reminder!

6. Ground cinnamon

It’s understandable that you can no longer see the forest for the trees among all the jars of herbs and spices. That spice drawer is impossible to tackle anyway. But never simply assume that you still have a stray jar of cinnamon in there. Because if you can’t find it, either at home or in the supermarket, you’re really in trouble.

7. Crème fraîche

This falls more or less into the same category as fresh whipping cream. Tie a knot in your handkerchief; this needs to go in your basket later.

8. Toasted pine nuts

Your wallet won’t mind if you forget them, because, wow, pine nuts are expensive. For Christmas dinner, though, it’s not very convenient. Especially not if you had planned to make homemade pesto.

9. Extra virgin olive oil

Do you have lots of courses planned? Maybe you’ll be the household chef for two, three or even four days? Then assume you’ll need a lot of olive oil. And you really won’t manage with that last little bit, believe us. Note to self: extra virgin olive oil in the shopping cart.

10. Lemon

Grated, squeezed or sliced; it doesn’t matter how, but lemon is the flavor booster in countless dishes. It adds a fresh touch that is often indispensable in a recipe. Extra annoying if you forget it—especially because it’s also an incredibly handy cleaning product for your exploded kitchen afterward.

Also read:

Source: Albert Heijn

Geen foodnews Missen?
Ontvang een update in je inbox