Back InThe Kitchen For Thanksgiving

 There are somethings that are inevitable. Cooking for Thanksgiving. Any home chef can;t escape it. As much as dining out is a temptation, sometimes that just cannot be done.

It will be this way with my kitchen this holiday. I thought it would be a day free of any cooking but unfortunately it won't be.Most restaurants and diners in my areas will be closed for Thanksgiving.I will be cooking. To be honest a vegan Thanksgiving will be easy if I make Gardein's turkey cutlets/ These are breaded plant based cutlets that come four to a package. Gravy comes with them and they're all an easy cook. I can air fry the cut lets  in a few minutes while cooking the gravy on the stovetop. I could also go the more elaborate route although it;s more work. Gardein and Tofurky also makes a stuffing filled loaf however it is elaborate to cook. It has to be tented and basically baked in a 425 degree Farenheit oven first for twenty minutes.The foil tent is removed and its' baked for another twenty minutes for a nice crusty finish.The end result is delicous and it also comes with it's own large packet of plant based gravy. Yet cleaning up afterwards cna be a pain, usually taking two days to thoroughly clean the pan.

Thankfully stuffing is the easiest.I love Lid's cornbread kind which is the closest in taste to scratch.This is an easy blend  of the mix stirred together with melted butter and water. It is perfect with any kind of gravy and I always get a jar of Lidl's turkey one. Again this also tastes like made from scratch gravy and it's good with the Gardein;s turkey cutlets giving them a richer flavor. Unlike other home chefs who go crazy over sides I may just serve one. Lidl is always my go to for sides. I lived their pureed squash which is an easy microwave cook. This is a pureed one,perfect with plant butter stirred in. I also like their Vendomo brand of Italian veggies that also have olive mixed in. This is a sauteed pan fried one that's also very delicious. As for desserts, it;s time to turn to Acme, which I was even going to do if the original plan went through. They have all sorts of freshly baked pies.I plan on getting one pumpkin and one pecan along with vegan whipped cream. Unfortunately all t hese create dirty and messy dishes that need to be cleaned and that means a holiday in front of the kitchen sink.

It's hard to escape Thanksgiving cooking and cleaning. There is a lot of work to create a great dinner. However it's worth it for a good, memorable meal.

The Hunt For Plant Based Meats

 Any vegan will tell you - the IMpossible burger is exquisite. A vegan will also tell you it's becoming harder and harder to find. It seems grocery stores are not carrying any of the plant based meats.anymore. They're becoming harder to find than a -  plant based unicorn.

It's a phenomena of sorts that I've been noticing for a while. It started  - for me - in my favorite Lidl. They were selling Impossible chicken nuggets and dino nuggets for a the longest time. It was great to pick up a package and have t for two meals during the week. However like some of their items (such as the Duc du Couer potato and vegetable gratins) Lidl stopped carrying them. The alternative was my local Acme. They're three times the size of Lidl and there was bound to be something there - nuggets burgers  - bacon. Nothing. The pickings were so slim. THey do have a vegan deli section but even that's limited to veggie hot dogs, and cold cuts. Luckily and thankfully Wal-Mart has come to the rescue. They sell all kinds of Impossible Plant based meats and fish . Gardein is also there offering such plant based main courses as sweet and sour chicken and nd battered cod fillets. I stocked up on IMpossible Burgers and Nuggets. and , Beyond Steak Tips. All are going to be used in various dishes for the next week or more.

The question is why have the other stores stopped selling these plant based meat?Why is Wal=Mart  close to being the only one? I did read that Wal-Mart  was catering to the younger and hipper vegetarian crowd, hence the wide variety of  products. They want to expand their customer base and this was one way of doing such.Is it working? Most likely. A shopper enters Wal-Mart with one product on his or her mind and walks out with several. It's also a great way of introducing first time visitors to take a look at the store's other products  like computers, appliances or clothes to name a few . Trader Joes' does carry some plant based meats and a few creations of their own.  Target and Shop Rite also has a selection but I don't think they're as extensive as they used to be. It could be the stores themselves. It's much more cost effective to carry the real thing  such as twelve dollar real  burgers  and whole chickens for fifteen dollars each. Stores will always cater to the carnivores. Yet they're losing out on catering to other important sectors , the vegans and vegetarians.

What's to be done of vegan and vegetarians can;t get their plant based meats. Switch to Wal-Mart? Write to the bigwigs at local groceries. Just get that vegan main course for those who need it.

Sweet Treats For Less

 May is the time for parties and get togethers. Yet these can be expensive ,especially desserts. WHat to do? The old fashioned thing - make and bake yourself. You can have fun with with all sorts of treats from cakes to candy.

LIke yesterday with savory main courses and sides, a sumptuous dessert table is easy to create at home. This is  fun to do, especially to decorate. Customized sheet cakes are  very expensive at $28. at Acme while Wal-Mart sells one at a startling $24.96. A fully frosted and decorated vegan cake can go up to a jaw dropping $80. at the Vegan pastry Lab in Englewood, New Jersey(their cakes are phenomenal but stick to the occasional cupcake from them)THis is a time for bake your own.Before you bakes anything make sure you have the right pans. For a party think a throw away cake pans that makes for an easy cleanup. Also have a good cake carrier .Wal-Mart has the Mainstays cake and cupcakes carrier which makes it easy for you to transport dessert to any event. Also make sure your decorating Both Wal-Mart and Amazon has good prices on these and the icing bags. Home bakers can buy a fifteen piece cake decorating set for only $4.30. This a really complete set with cake scrapers to make wavy lines  and ruffles on the cakes sides like bakeries do.

As for the actual ingredients, it pays to shop around for the best prices for sugar and mixes. Again look to Wal-MArt for good prices and a good variety. The store seems to have almost every flavor of Duncan Hine's Dolly Parton's cakes and icing.They're is selling the mixes for $1.97 right now. These can be great for parties ,Create a chocolate covered strawberry treat by baking her strawberry cake and then frosting it with her chocolate frosting. You can create your own scratch cakes ,cupcakes and cookies.Target, Wal-mart and Acme have the cheapest prices on all purpose flour with Wal-Mart being the cheapest at $1.99  for a two pound bag. Target  has the  Good and Gathered unbleached variety at $2.59 for five pounds. What about confectioner's sugar.It's all important for creating perfect glazes and frostings. Acme has it in sale now for $2.49 a pound. ( heads up confectioner;s sugar or any sugar doesn't;t go bad,it will get lumpy and lose it;'s taste with age) As for frosting gels to write messages and names, Wal-Mart has the best bet at $1,56 a tube.As for other candy decorations, you can get creative with cheap bags of M&M,s Sour Patch kids and other small bite sized pieces.

Desserts can be made at a cost for any big shower or party. Best of all they';re fun to make and decorate. Save money by baking a fun slice or cupcake.

Budget Barbecues

 it;s getting warmer all around the country and that means one thing : barbecues!!! Yet can anyone afford them with all these high prices? The answer is yes - if you budget wisely.

Luckily charcoal briquettes are quite affordable. Lowe's is selling A ten  pound bag for Royal Oak  for only $4.98. Buy three or four bags and store up for the season ahead.Acme has their Signature long burning brand for $6.99 . Buy a few of these for those barbecues that last well into the night. Can you save extra money by just using twigs from your yard?Yes!  Try to find either cherry or apple wood for imparting a fruity flavor or hickory.Before adding the twigs, light  twists of paper around the barbecue basin and then add the wood.Many home chefs may want to get a new barbecue yet are worried about the price. They shouldn'r fret. Walmart, Lowe's and even Kohls have small but sturdy grills for under thirty dollars. Walmart has  a seventeen inch one for  $19.87, Lowe;s has the good brand name Master Forge with a twenty four inches grilled for $24.72 while Kohl's' has a portable Cuinart  fourteen inch out door grill for $24.99. These can last you a good two seasons if you are careful and caring with them.

Every barbecue needs to have burgers and hot dogs. It's best to get the house brands before thinking about the national ones. Acme has their own parries for only $6.24 for four. WalMart has the best buy one hundred(!!!!) burgers for 4.98 from their Specollect brand. This is perfect if you;re throwing a graduation party or an informal bridal or baby shower.If you;re still watching your pennies, then think turkey burgers instead of beef. Again look to Wal-Mart for the best price on these. They have Shady Brook Farms turkey patties  for $5.94 for four. As for extras, always check Lidl and Aldi fro good bargains on ketchup and mustard. Lidl' 's brand of ketchup is richer than Heintz and more tomato-y tasting. With salads, macaroni is a cheap ingredient that can be dressed a number of ways. Try elbow macaroni with slices of pepperoni  along with sliced bell peppers and cherry tomatoes drenched in a homemade Italian dressing. You can make bowls of this to last well into the week for leftover eating. Potato salad is another cheap side that has dozens of fun varieties.

You can have a tasty and filling barbecue  for less. Budget wisely. Shop wisely. You;ll have a great meal for less.

Hunt and Gather On A Budget

It isbecoming harder and harder to go grocery shopping these days. Despite all the campaign promises we still have sky high prices for everything. Forget eggs. Thanks to the avian flu and pricing , these are about as affordable as diamonds. What to do? As always  - shope wisely.

Doing all of one's shopping at one store may not be viable anymore. Home chefs may have to visit two or even three stores .The best ones with the best prices are Lidl, Aldi and Wal-Mart. Lidl' is probably your best bet. Not only do you receive decent prices , you also get really delicious food in the bargain. Some of their prices ave raised. Their olive oil has gone up by two dollars and their cookies have also gone up in price. Still they're the best buy.  Another plus about Lidl is ts that their wines and beers are also at a good budget friendly price. Aldi also has good prices . Frozen pizza is around five dollars. A bag of their chicken fries - always a fun meal is only $4.95, Roma tomatoes are nineteen cents a pound. A three pack  of green peppers is $3.85 . As for meat, again Lidl can't be beat. You can buy London Broil for $7.39 while Acme sells relatively the same cut for close to sixteen dollars. Lidl' also has Gulf shrimp for $7.99  This is a true bargain compared to Stop & Shop's version at $24.95

If course there is also Wal-Mart. One interesting aspect about their food section is that they sometimes acquire hard to get products like Dolly Parton;'s cake mixes and frostings when other stores didn't carry them. They also have a good array of holiday cake and cookie mixes  along with decorations.Another plus is that they have family sized boxes.. You can get good buys on everything from instant oatmeal to bread. This pays if you have a big family. Keep in mind that Wal-Mart probably has the best prices on kitchen appliances and gadgets too. Apps come in very handy too when you;re shopping on a budget. Keep track of all your digital coupons and use them when you can. Lidl' offers rewards when you spend over one hundred dollars and a special reward when you spend three indeed dollars. Be on the look out for BOGO sales, buy one get one either free or fifty per cent off. Most groceries like Acme have designated Tuesday as their senior discount day. People over the age of sixty receive ten per cent off their entire order. Shop on  these days for discounts.  Also Stop & Sop offers what;s known as reward gas points. They come in handy when you want to save at the pump.

For now it's hard to shop. Yet you can do it and save wisely, It just takes  shopping savvy to get discounted food.

Barbecue On A Budget

 Happiness is a barbecue yet it can get expensive? What to do ? You can cut corners and still have a tasty spread. It's just knowing how to budget and create flavorful dishes.

A barbecue and garden produce go hand in hand. You can easily take those early ripened beefsteaks and use those to top burgers. They also are great for all sorts of salad too.One of my favorites, panzanella requires just sliced tomatoes - any kind, fresh basil chiffonaded and olive oil. Garlic from the garden can flavor the salad and any salad for that matter.If you;re luckily enough to have corn in your garden take advantage of it. Grilled corn is a great side but it can also be used in corn salads for a different take on barbecue dishes. Add onions tomatoes and cucumber for a tasty colorful dish. A simple vinaigrette is perfect here so it can let all the different flavors shine.Shiny, purple eggplant are gracing garden patches right now and it's time to enjoy their creamy textured and earthy flavor. These are a great meat sub for any barbecue and they can be barbecued in a variety of ways.Brush slices with an herbal oil and grill both sides for a few minutes. A homemade bruschetta is also a great topping for eggplant along with Parmesan cheese too.

Of course there are great stores like Lidl that can help you with a budget barbecue. Try their onion burgers which taste like the burgers your mom and Gran made. These have bits of sweet onion in them. Lidl' also has pure beef and turkey patties too , ranging anywhere from $11.99 to $7.99 Walmart also has a good price on the meat patties being a dollar more than Lidl (although I think Lidl has the more flavorful patties)Bubba 's Burgers which can be bought almost everywhere are also a  good deal. Acme me has a twelve pack of the turkey kind for $9.99 . Keep in mind you can also sub in veggie and bean burgers too.Are homemade bean burgers just as moist and tasty as the store bought ones? Yes and much cheaper too. It's a mix of black beans (which are usually sixty cents a can), bread crumbs and a egg. These last are for binding. You can add chopped onions as you would with regular burgers. Spices such as ground ancho peppers and chipotle also give some zing and zest. 

You can have a good barbecue on a budget.It's just takes planning and ingenuity. Try it for some delicious flavors at low cost.

Heat Wave Cuisine

 What do you do when the temps goes past 100 degrees Farenheit and you can basically cook anything on your driveway? Go for heatwave cuisine. This is simple cooking at it's best. You can still have some kind of protein and a side but's its easily and simply made.

The temps here in northern New jersey is around 100 degrees. I did want to make something filling but easy for dinner. Luckily I found daring Lemon and herb flavored chicken bits in my local Acme.The company has many other flavors like Cajun, teriyaki and breaded.

                                            It's a quick cook in the skillet.I added a few teaspoons of Lidl's olive oil and then fried them until they were crisp.

it usually takes about ten minutes to get both sides well cooked and deliciously crispy.

what to serve with it? My summer go to  - broccoli salad made with Acme;s Signature brand broccoli.Again any salad is an easy make during a heat wave. Mix olive oil, any kind of vinegar, and garlic powder, toss with the veggies and serve.

This was a really delicious, fast and easy dinner.It checked all the boxes. I loved the chicken and plan on buying it again. I have a feeling that  we;ll have more hellish days here in North Jersey and I'll need simple dishes to create for dinner.

Don't sweat it when the temps get high. Go for a simple easy to cook main and a salad. Be creative. It could be a plant based meat  or a simple turkey burger. Throw in a veggie salad and you're good to go.

Picnics For Pennies

 This is picnic season.Yet with the price of food it's hard to have a good time , enjoying the park or the beach. What to do ? Shop wisely.

Most would head to their local hero shop to get a sandwich for an outdoor feast. The problem is this can be costly . Despite their combo meals Jersey Mike's can be expensive, especially if you have a group to feed. Even a simple ham and cheese or roast beef sub can run high. Add in a bag of chips and a soda or water and you have fifteen dollars gone Times that for a family of five and its's a good seventy five dollars gone, more if the kids want extras like cookies. You could go to your grocery store. Both Acme and Shop Rite make very good heroes for a lot less and give a lot more sandwich. The grocery stores also allow you to buy bigger bags of chips and soda twelve packs  too. Smaller shops may be cheaper than the sub sandwich chains but not by much. It doesn't pay to bring fast food  hamburgers along . You can easily pack a cooler with patties and buns and make your own of you really want to cook. Keep in mind that some beaches do not have any braziers and frown upon visitors bringing their own.

A better choice is making your own picn. That way everyone gets to have their favorite sandwiches, drinks and snacks. You can also slip in fruit and vegetables for a healthy bite.Stores such like Ldl have delicious freshly baked rolls for  as low as seventy-nine cents. These are perfect with any kind of filling. Think ham and Swiss with a dab of mustard or a turkey one with an avocado slice and tarragon mayo. It's always not advised to bring store bought egg or tuna salad  on an outing yet it's fine to make it at home and then bring it. You know it's freshly made and its hans't been left out too long. Make it right before you leave. wrap it tightly in Saran wrap and place in a cooler. You could also vary this and make a chicken or ham salad to bring too. Bags of potato chips are always welcomed but you can also try the healthier Sun Chips or everyone;s favorite Pepperidge Farm goldfish. Kds love nibbles and with a self packed picnic you can toss in some grape tomatoes along with baby carrots. Carry small containers of dip for dipping. Bright fruit too. Peaches are a great take a long and they're in season Also also bring small bags of strawberries and blueberries.

You can have a lavish picnic  for a lot less. It's just creating your own sandwiches and bringing a long snacks that are good for your budget and family.It's easy to picnic for less.

An Easy Monday Supper

 Monday is aways a hectic day.  This means aquick meal that 's also has to be satisfying and hot.That's where a meatball sandwich comes in.

What I olove about this is that it's a snap to make and tasty to eat.I used Lidl's Vemondo's vegan meatballs

It was just three minute s in the microwave. (fora crisper bite use your air fryer  - about 350 Farenheit for two minutes) 

Of course a good meatball sandwich needs a good sauce. Instead of the typical one I tried pizza sauce from Acme's organic line. It's a different flavor, tangier and tarter than the usual sauce.

It worked out perfectly with dipping the dry sandwich into the sauce. Two or three mini meatballs is the perfect filling on a good sized slice of Italian bread

The sandiwch  was really a great dinner .It was a snap to whip up and incredably flavorful. THis is the way to have a meatball sandwich, with out the sauce sogging up the bread and meatballs. Vegan cheese could be added for more flavor. It was kind of like a spicy. hamburger . Ir would even make a tasty hot snack if you're craving an evening nosh. 

A hot meatball sandwich is the way to go for a hectic Monday. Try it and enjoy the blend of flavors.It makes for a quick hot meal , perfect after a crazy work or school day.

Shopping RIght

 Many home chefs don't know how to take advantage of their grocery stores. They may not know how to shop in a discount store or take advantage of a more expensive grocery and what it has to offer. It's time to shop right.

I found this out recently when a friend complaind about Lidl. She said the food was not good quality. That surprised me because I've had nothing but hits from the store. Her mistake was buying their fresh meat, namely chicken. She should have bought from either a chicken farm or a store known for its' meats. For any kind of meat, whether its' steak or chicken she should have headed to stores like Acme, Stop and Shop or Shop Rite simply because they have butchers there. Whatever you buy will always be fresh and better tasting. Lidl is excellent for freshly baked goods like their breads, pretzels and focaccios along with their frozen foods. Thir pizzas are from Italy and taste better than Blaze's or local pizzerias. Other Lidl must buys are their frozen veggies and dinners like their frozen risottos. These re extremely flavorful and easy to store and cook. Another Lidl plus is their good variety of fruits and vegetables. Their seedless purple grapes are wonderful, sweet and delicious. The same can be said to their competition Aldi, They have good and well priced veggies and fruits along with very inexpensive instant dinners like packaged flavored spaetzles and risotto. Their soda, like Lidl's is not only delicious and better tasting than Coke but also much less in price.

What happens if you want to still shop at the bigger supermarkets? You can. Yes, will get better quality meats and fish along with fresh deli food like salads and rotisserie chicken but a bit more in price. You'll also have a wide range of baked goods like Acme 's and Stop and Shop's where their array of freshly baked goods are better than local, privately owned bakeries. However they can be expensive regarding many items. The best bet is to bargain hunt. I'm a huge fan of their lunch meat ends which are always price below two dollars. These are usually hidden in a corner of their hero section.. The turkey one is especially delicious and cheap  $1.45 for a half pound of cubed ends. Buy their jar of in house Signature gravy for $2.45 for a quick hot lunch or supper I've also bought their lunch meat ends ham which is perfect for salads. As with any large grocery store, take advantage of their coupons, and their apps. Acme gives you points toward major discounts and you can save as much as $20 on an order. Another tip is always buy the inhouse brands. They'e just as good as the national and usually taste much better too.This also applies to their toothpaste, mouthwash and some beauty products too as far as with cost.

It does take some savvy and hunting but you can do well both in the better and more cost effecient supermarkets. Use these tips to get the most for your dollar. You'll  do well and also have tasty food and drink.

Questionable Meat Lunch Meat Leftovers.

 There's always a bargain at Acme. There was one that was eye catching - and questioinable. Was it worth buying.

I saw this in my local Acme.It looked intriguing and approrpriately scary given the season.

it was lunch meat ends with fifty per cent off. I wasn;t going to buy ti at first yet I was too intrigued  ,I also couldnt resist a bargan either (this was around $1.50). It;s just chunks fo turkey meat 

There are several different recipes you can make with this. I instantly thought of a turkey Caesar salad but also placing the chunks iin already made jarred gravy. This can be served over toast for a tasty hot meal.

I just sprinkled tarragon on the chunks and  the leftover potatoes from Sunday's dinner for a hot quick dinner. This is good too.  Using tarragon gave me another recipe idea.Again I can also shred the turkey , add mayo and tarragon  to make a yummy salad. This is perfect on a sliced croissant or brioche.

This container of tuekey chunks mick look a trick  but it's really a treat.They can be used for a number of different recipes hot and cold. Get this for making great dishes.Acme , lunch meat, turkey, 

Budgeting 101

 Many kids are going to be settling into their first apartments for the first time. They may be leaving the dorms nd living off campus or finally getting that place with the first job. That means shopping - and that could be a big shock.It's time for budgeting basics.

Kids usually imitate their parents and pick up their habits. If you're a thrifty shopper , the your kids most surely will be too. Take homor her on comparison shopping. Some farmers markets will be cheaper than grocery stores , especially when it comes to produce. Another good idea is taking them to various grocery stores and showing them the difference in prices. Aldi has the best prices for veggies and fruit along with for ice cream and boxes of rice and pasta. If there's no Also, then head to Wal-Mart. Thousands every day rely on it's lower prices and they do have good deals on various meat cuts along with veggies and breads. They also offer specials on non food items likes paper towels and dish soap too. while they're there they should also look into buying kitchen basics like microwave, towels, dishes , and air fryers. You can also pick up good deals on kitchen inplements such as spatulas and whisks too along with utensils and knife sets. Local groceries such as Acme also have some of the most expensive deals around too. They're usually to or three dollar cheaper than the other groceries.

Another must have is the grocery story app. All of them have this and you can save a lot on them. They offer rewards towards massive discounts and free food.The app tracks what you buy the most and gives you discounts on those items. Also scour the store for bargains. Most days stores will have a buy one get one  free or the second one half price. Look for these. The extras can be frozen and eaten on another day. Never discount the day old items too. You can still eat those leftover breads and muffins along with fruits and veggies. Also always go for the generic brands. Their flavor is actually much better because they have to compete with the national brands. They also have flavors that the national brands may not have. Acme has garlic butter pretzel twists that brands like Bachmann's don't. Diet changes can also mean lower grocery bills. Meat and seafood can be cut out or cut down to maybe two or three times a month. Think of veggie dinners like ratatouille or bean burritos to stretch the dollar.

Budgeting is important when you're just starting out. Be smart. Be savvy to create good meals with very little.

A Low Budget Barbecue

 It's grilling season and that means barbecue and outdoors parties. There is a problemwith them. The rising cost of food. Can you have a decent and satisfying time outdoors.? With the right budgeting , yes.

Befire any barbecue you have to ask are there items that you can do without? Steak is one of them, with it coming in at $16  cut. Buy four of these and that's eighty dollars gone.even that money saver Costco, is selling a pack ofr four for a whopping $55, It's ridiculous.  Forget Wal-mart . Their ribeyes comes in at $23. Your only bet is sticking with hamburgers Acme is selling a pound of ground beef for $14.97  while wal-mart s brands are a few dollars cheaper. You can jazz up ground beef too  by adding butter or ground onions for a more flavorful bite. Are the already made burgers worth buying? Yes, if you don't have the time to make your. The best proice are the inhouse brands. Look to Acme's Signature which also has tasty turkey burgers and Stop and Shop's organic Nature's Promise one. Another idea is to go plant based. These are relatively cheaper than the real thing and they do taste like beef. Think about getting Beyond Meat's package of patties.

Keep in mind that turkey is also the way to go too.It's usually half the price of  red meat and is better for you healthwise. You could even served it on an opened faced bun with jarred gravy if you want to make them special.Is chicken a good buy for your barbecue?Most of the time chicken wings are the same price as red meat. Target does have the occassional sale with a pack of their Good & Gather wings selling for only $3.99. They're perfect if you are having a lot of people over or just love wings. What about chicken breasts? They're just as expensive as red meat.Acme is selling a pack for $17.45 for a three pound pack. Reserve these for a special occasion. If you really want togo cheap, then think of veggies. You can do a lot more with them than meat. Another plus about using veggies? Taking them from your garden for a fresh off the vine taste.Also leftover grilled ones can be put into salads the next day.You could even make them into a roasted version of ratatouille too.

You can have a bountiful barbecue without spending too much. Shop wisely. You'll wind up with an ourdoor meal that's both filling and tasty.

Is Gorp Good For You

 All moms say if you want a healthy snack, eat gorp,It's chock full of good ingredients, right. or is it. What actually in it and is it as healthy as it's made out to be.

Gorp has been around for a long time.The name could come from an acronym for Good Old Peanuts and Raisins or to gorp - eat greedily. The mix was first made in Denmark by students as early as 1833. Then it was called studenterhavre,  a blend of oats with raisins and almonds. Even back then they added bits of chocolate but only for the holidays. It evolved into trail mix in the late Sixties or early Seventies.Yet is it healthy.In its' purest form, yes.However some like what I bought at Acme has some extra goodies

It has a wide variety of healthy ingredients.. Mixed nuts and raisins

Those  white pieces are caramel pieces wrapped in white chocolate. it would be better if they were dipped in dark chocolate which is chock full of antioxidants. It's not really healthy.even the raisins, dried fruit are filled with sugar yet it is better than  a handful of just candy.This is a fun snack if you're going hiking or on a picnic.

Is gorp good for you? If you avoid the candy and dried fruit, yes,. Try to get a mix that's full of grains and nuts. Keep the sweet stuff ot a minimum for a tasty, healthier snack.

Holy Saturday Traditions Breaking

 Usually Holy Saturday is the day I frost my lamb cakes. This year I am taking a break.

I have a lot coming up and that includes cooking tomorrow's Easter dinner. I relied on the excellent bakers at my local Acme to provide ne with a Easter dessert  - mixed chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with gobs of brightly colored icing on top along with plastic symbols and toys ( a rabbit ring!) on top.

Have a blessed and joyous Easter full fo treats , and sweets. Count your blessings for family and a good life.

Shopping In This New Reality

 Food shopping used to be easy. You just bought the basics if you wanted to cut back. Yet suppose the basics are just as expensive as the frill foods? What do you do? Be thoughtful and open to alternatives.

This is the biggest complaint with eggs nowadays. New York City groceries are offering a dozen for a whopping eleven dollars . You can get a cheaper version across the Hudson River in New Jersey. Some stores like Target are pricng eggs at four dollars for twelve.Still it will be like this for a while thanks to the avian flu  which is rampant amongst wild and domestic birds. As far as having scrambled eggs and omelets  there are substitutes. Just Egg is one..This deep yellow egg substitute is only $3.95 for twelve fluid ounces. You can get two omelets or scrambles out of it. Two bottles is cheaper than a dozen of eggs in some areas. As for baking. you can use aquafaba or chickpea water or brine.This is a great vegan sub in for egg whites , especially if you want to make meringues.remember that three tablespoons of it equals one large egg. Apple sauce and bananas also work as well. With eggs comes bacon and in some areas of the US it has reached $11 a package!!!! You could go for the in house brands which are much less expensive and frankly taste the same. Another option is buying  the meatless varieties like Morningstar Farms which is selling for five dollars a package.

There are other  options you can go with to cut costs.The easiest way is buying all inhouse brands. Acme and Stop and Shop sell a twelve can pack of soda for four dollars , five dollars less than what the national brands like Coke and Pepsi. You won;t have the many variations of Coke but it's still not bad. These packs are great for a party too. As for th e flavor they bascially taste the same as the national brands.The same goes for cereals. You;re better off with buying your favorite store's inhouse brands. Another idea is coupons. now you can download all these different apps to help you shop. Also take advantage of those two for one sales, especially if its' frozen foods where you can store them for months.Those frozen veggies can be versatile too. They're good hot with butter and cheese added on top or turned in cold salads. Take advantage of the sales on them. Should you cut back on the stuff you like? The answer is don't go wild. The fancier foodstuffs like roasts and seafood can be reserved for special occasions only. You can add more veggies in your menu. Ratatouille is an easy and meatless blend of eggplant, tomaotes and onions. Pasta and rice are also cheap simple to make too and make for less expensive meals than one featuring meats.

This is a tough time for food shopping. Yet you can navigate those high prices by smart and thoughtful shopping.It can result in still having filling meals that are nutritious and tasty.

Party On A Budget

 In another couple of weeks it will be party season. Theres only one problem with it this year - sky high costs. How do you celebrate when pinching pennies?It will take a lot of planning.

Many home chefs do live to have some kind of holiday get together. It could be a tree trimming party or a cookie exhcnage .it could just be cocktails  and fancy nibbles with friends Yet all these cost money and this year some products and incrediets are almost fifty to seventy per cent higher in price. What to do?Budget. Look at cheaper alternatives and ways to stretchh those party dollars. One good idea is having a pot luck holiday party. Have friends bring over their favorite dishes instead of you making all of them. ask people to cook or bake dishes that can feed a crowd. Lasagna is one and it cna be made cheaply if using in store brands along with going vegan. Sub in veggies for ground beef or look to sales and Beyond Meat for an alternative. The same goes for mac and cheese. You can splurge on the cheese a little while saving on the pasta.As far as cakes and cookies, ask guests to look for whatever is on sale and use those to create party desserts.There should be some kind of drinking. Limit it to alcoholic and non alcoholic punches which can be diluted with plenty of seltzer and juice.

Another idea is to shop for bargains. You'll have to rely on  Target,Wal-Mart Acme , Stop & Shop  Shop Rite and Aldi for this. Wal-Mart is usually much cheaper than the  other groceries.  You could easily get chicken breasts and shrimp to turn into fancy kebobs. They also have great cookie trays and cheesecake platters. Aldi is another store with plenty of bargains. Buy their summer sausage along with a panino deli tray wich is three kinds of cold cuts  like salami wrapped around small mozzarella sticks. Think Acme, Stop & Shop and Shop Rite if you want to buy shrimp trays for a decent price along with their wide range of affordable desserts. Target has always had excellent pricings (plus five percent off if you hav etheir Red Card) on their appetizers and hors d'ouevres.  You may have to store hop to get the best bargains but it will be worth it to have a table full of good food. Check out Wine Warehouse along with any discount liquor stores in your area. There's sure to be some good bulk pricing not only on wine but on the less expensive champagnes too. Another idea is limit your menu. Don't have shrimp and sushi . Have one or the other. Have veggies and dip but don;t pair it with a large charcuterie board. One or the other will get neglected. have a sampler board with just a few meats cheeses and crackers. Cut down on desserts too. One trifle and three or four different kinds of cookies should be the perfect ending.

You can party on a budget. It just takes thoughtful planning and smart shopping. This ensures a gathering thats still festive and fun.

A Good Thanksgiving And Stuffing Too

 For all my readers whether in the US or around the world Happiest of Thanksgivings. May it have been as nectic and delicious as my own vegan one.

This is the day's masterpiece - a vegan French bread stuffing with fresh thyme, made with Acme's Signature brand veggie broth and Just Eggs as the softener and binder. It was pretty good - even better reheated.

Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? Let me know. It could be just as good as my stuffing.

Are You Thanksgiving Ready?

 It's that question that's asked every year. Are you Thanksgiving ready? Have you been stockpiling? Testing all the appliances? Checking pots and pans? It's time to look over what will be the busiest room in the house.

One thing home chefs can do is look over their larger appliances. Is the oven working correctly? What about the microwave and air fryer? These are sub major players in the whole meal game but if can be dire if they break. Microwaves are used for melting butter and cheese along with quick vegetable steaming . Air fryers come in handy for crisping up rolls along with  air frying potato and sweet potato wedges. Make sure they up to par and their wires are still sturdy. Other smaller items to check on - mixers and blenders. MIxers are usied for everyhting from kneading bread dough to even easily mashing potatoes. Blenders are used for batters and blending ingredients for salad dressings. Check to make sure the machines are running smoothly and the blender body is not cracked. Food processors and choppers should also be examined. These too are integral in creating the perfect dishes too. Look over you knives as well. Do they need to be sharpened? Now is the time to do it - in that calm period before all the cooking frenzy.

Once the appliances are thoroughly checked  then start looking at your ingredients. Have you bought your turkey yet? Buy it now because you never know if your store may run out or may run out fo the size you want.Vegan and vegetarians should also have their tofurkey already bought. Some places may only carry two or one tofurkey kits (these include a glaze and stuffing). You may have to drive around and look in two r three stores before finding one. The same applies to Gardein's turkey cutlets and gravy. This is my Thanksgiving go too and I noticed stores like Target and Acme didn't really stock it as they did in the past. I had to  buy it two weeks ago and it was the last one in my local Acme. Another item to stock up on now is pre made stuffing. Many home chefs don't like the idea of making the dish from scratch , although they'll never have to run out of bread. Get a box of the family's faovrite stuffing now. Green beans are going to be popular too , thanks to everyone planning on making casseroles.Of you can;t fidn them sub in another veggie like lima beans or corn. Also make sure you have enough flour , sugar and spices for baking along with eggs. They may seem like a small things  but also check to see if you have enough napkins and containers for leftovers too.

Thanksgiving is less than a week away. Be ready now for it. It does pay to be prepared,

High End Versus Low End Baking

 Home chefs are starting to think of the heavy baking season ahead. There' are pies and breads to make for Thanksgiving  followed by the intense cookie race for Christmas.One of the big questions is do they go for the more expensive ingredients and implements or save money with buying cheape ingredients.

It's a hard dilemma. Purists will want to use the best quality yet for some it's hard to do thanks to inflation. A simple compromise is using both high and low end in the same recipe.If you;re going high end then think King Arthur. This is one of the oldest flour companies in the country  first starting in Boston in the 1790's by Hnery Wood. Over two centuries later home bakers rave about its finely milled flours and pure extracts.Yes it is expensive.You can buy a pound fo flour for $4.95 online or at your local grocery. Acme sells their organic flour  for $7.19 , Their almind flour there is around nine dollars. Their cake mix is close to nine dollars for a box. You could easily go to your local Stop & Shop and buy a box of Duncan Hines cake mix for only $1.25 on sale right now. Again it's up to you. If you want to indulge yoru family then go for the more expensive. Their doughnut and muffins pans are high quality with prices as high as almost thirty dollars.Are they worth the money? You can probably get twenty years out of them so the answer is yes. King Arthur also sells extracts  and cocoa powder too. They are expensive with a tin costing $12,95. You can get ti for a lot less again at any store.

What about cookies? Many home bakers make tins of all different kinds for family and friend gifts along with for the office or class party. Family and friends can get the best.You can use the the better flour and Kerrygold butter along with the top grade vanilla extract. You can decorate them with the Wilton cookie decorating kit. This has the nozzles and bags to create sweetly stars and angels. you will have to supply the icing yourself. A better deal is Wal-Mart's cookie kits. Their own brand Great Value is offering some cool and inexpensive kits like their gingerbread one for only $4.97. It comes with the mix, cutter, two tubes of icing  and candy decorations. You can;t beat that! Another good Wal-Mart deal is their  BUild Your Own Brownie Tree kit which has the brownie mix , an icing pouch, cutters and candy decorations. These are perfect for the kids to make  but also fun on any holiday dessert table.  Another idea is cutting back on the amount you're planning to bake. Instead of two pr three pies for Thanksgiving choose one and stick with it. As for cookies opt for three or four as opposed to five or six. 

It's a dilemma about choosing high or low end baking. Base your choice on what works for you financially. Welcome  holiday baking. DOn;'t be fianancially drained by  it.