Packing a Passport? Head to McDonald's

McDonald's purchased my first passport in 1998, when I traveled to Paris to work with the team supporting the World Cup credential office. France won the Cup and that trip launched my interest in travel, food, and cooking. During the past three decades of meandering around the world, I always stop at a McDonald's to sample unique menu options and to compare the replication of my favorite items. And, you should, too!

Last week, McDonald's introduced a promotion that customers could sample an international menu item. As an added incentive, payment could be made with any single piece of foreign currency. With a hand full of coins, I ordered the chicken sandwich shown below. It was a menu item from Australia, and I paid for it with a 10 cent Canadian coin. This photo nearly looks fake, but I assure you it was taken with my iPhone in my car. Authentic, gorgeous, and delicious.

As you plan your summer travels, consider some of these stops along your international trails.

The closest I have been to Australia was Bali, populated with more Australian tourists than Balinese locals. In Bali, you must order the McDonald's Mango Smoothie. Here is the menu link you will see it listed at the end: Mango Smoothie

If McDonald's plans to introduce International items to the USA, I will petition for adding Himalayan Tea Latte, which is offered hot or cold in Singapore. I have tried with some success to replicate with recipes online after paying $9 for cardamom pods. I am a desperate fan of this tea as seen in this photo topped with a lotus flower swirl. It is amazing and worth the trip as shown in this link and photo below:Himalayan Tea

McDonald's Hong Kong was my technology challenge as it was the first city to offer the now ubiquitous lobby on-screen ordering system. The food was great and the hip urban decor fit this local setting as you can see below.

You have likely seen in the movie Pulp Fiction, the name of the Quarter Pounder with Cheese transfers to something more luxurious in French. My menu choices below from a stop last fall near Nice, included a child's Happy Meal (seniors are the 2nd most frequent purchasers of McD HMs) that came with a tiny ice cream cone and a French story book that became a souvenir for my granddaughters. Their French fries a/k/a Pommes Frites are served with a traditional white mayo-based sauce shown below next to my American traditional ketchup.

Despite the occasional bad press McDonald's garners, the company is iconic in representing the USA around the world. McDonald's Corporation trains more workers than our military, and its introduction of the Ronald McDonald Houses serving families of sick and injured children make it a company we should be proud to call our own when we travel. A visit inside a foreign location will surprise you with some unique menu offerings as well as a familiar taste of home.

Bon Appetit!

Hot Himalayan Tea Latte in Singapore.

One day international menu my choice was this Australia Chicken Sandwich.

Hong Kong ordering kiosk 2016.

Hong Kong hip decor.

France Happy Meal includes tiny ice cream cone.

France Pommes Frites

Pommes-Frites Sauce on right.

Tricky: Rice Crispy Treats

Three ingredients, no bake, no gluten, no trouble? These crunchy, perfectly sweetened chunks of nostalgia are my go-to treats for family members avoiding gluten. Topped with a dash of rainbow sprinkles, my grandchildren look at me like the star-worthy chef that I wish I was. . .

Imagine then my disappointment when I found myself up-to-my-elbows in stickiness, as I was throwing together a quick batch last week.

Since I wanted to capture this familiar recipe for this blog, I attacked the recipe on the back of the generic box of cereal with the finesse of a seasoned inspector. The recipe cannot be easier, as listed below, and I've made hundreds of batches over the years. However, I am sharing the things NOT to do when making these All-American favorites.

Here are some useful tips:

• Never make these treats with children! The butter and melted marshmallows are extremely hot and could burn even adult cooks.
• Use a stainless steel, not too heavy, pot to melt the butter and assemble ingredients so you can lift the pot to scoop the mixture to the dish you plan to cool it in.
• Do not use a cup to move the combined ingredients to the cooling dish. See my disastrous attempt in the picture below.
• Always mix these sticky ingredients with a rubber spatula, not a wooden spoon, and use wax paper or parchment paper to protect your hands when pressing into cooling dish.
• Do not refrigerate bars when cooling at room temp for 15 minutes before cutting into bars. After they are cut bars can be refrigerated overnight as they have butter in them. 
• Always cut the bars using a serrated edge knife - a steak knife works perfectly.

Despite these warnings - these treats are loved by everyone!!

Read entire recipe and instructions first.

Rice Crispy Treats (makes 12 large bars)

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter
2 packages of miniature marshmallows (20 ounces total - a staple I purchase at the Dollar Tree store)
1 box 12 ounces of generic or name brand Rice Crispy cereal


Method:

In a large stainless steel pot melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows constantly stir until melted. Remove from heat and add the box of cereal. Quickly transfer the mixture to a 9 X 13 inch pan or serving dish sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Scoop the hot mixture with the spatula and use a piece of wax paper or parchment paper to press the hot mixture into the pan. At this point top with colored sprinkles if you want.

Cool at room temp 15 minutes or longer. Cut into bars as shown in photo.

Enjoy!

Do not scoop with coffee cup! Yep, showing off my Starbucks mug I purchased  in Cannes, France!

Cool in pan at room temp before cutting.

Cut into bars using a serrated knife - DELISH!