Vacation Eating On A Budget

 Vacations CNA be fun - and expensive. Yet we have to have three meals a day plus snacks and goodies to make the week or two away enjoyable. what to do? Budget and save. Eating away from home should be no different than eating at home.

If you can book an Air BNB. It's usually cheaper than a hotel room  The same is true if you head to a seashore motel such as the ones in Wildwood, New Jersey, These are equipped with kitchenettes that make eating a bit cheaper and easier. Most cities and town have good and cheap supermarkets to shop in. Check Lidl and Aldi's sites to see if they have stores within driving distance of your location.If not then stock up before you go and pack everything that needs to be chilled into coolers. Should you buy local? Yes if it's from the grocery store, no from farmer's markets. Farmer's markets do cater to people form the area however their prices do go up during the tourist season.  You can splurge on homemade jams and jellies as well as on baked goods. The better prices are found in grocery stores. Also download their apps so you can cash in on any coupons or discounts. Should you cash in on the buy one ,get one free or half priced?  Yes, if you know you'll definitely use it. It doesn't;t pay to get twenty four eggs if there's just four of you on holiday, However get that deal on BOGO pasta, one for now, one when you go home.

What about eating out and how much.? It's always a thing with those who visit the Jersey shore to have at least one breakfast in a diner. They do serve a lot and you and especially the little ones can feel full until well paste lunchtime. However if no one is a big eater then stick to eating in. The kids may prefer a bowl for their favorite cereal as opposed to a platter heaped with French toast and bacon. (you could save that for a breakfast for dinner night,What about for lunch. If you;re not on a site seeing your , then also use the kitchen or kitchenette. A loaf of bread, cold cuts and a few sliced tomatoes plus mayo can go a long way. If you're near a boardwalk, take advantage of their bargains and get the family some hamburgers hot dogs and fries.Dinner really should be the only meal worth splurging on. Ask locals where they like to go for a bargain meal. People are very  open about places that offer great discounts. Look to their recommendations. There may be great eateries that offer some good prices on local seafood or a rack of ribs. Take advantage of all the advice along with checking Yelp reviews, Facebook groups and Instagram pictures. You can always find a really budget friendly restaurant on these platforms.

You can;t enjoy your vacation if you're constantly shelling out money for food. Be wise. Budget and save for a wallet friendly holiday , full of good local food and excellent bargains.

A Grand Party On A Budget

 May not only has flowers but also a ton of celebrations. From Mother's Day or grad parties and those showers and engagement parties., there will be planning and cooking for the entire month. The problem is the price of food. Even at at home party can be costly. The best bet is to budget wisely.

Of course the most important part of any party is the main course. What would be an elegant dish? Cornish hens with either an orange or lemon glaze. Keep in mind , due to their tininess one whole one is enough for a single person.  These can be bought as cheaply as $4.78  for one at Stop & Shop,If you're having a dinner for twenty them comes in at $95.60 which is much better than having a catered meal at $20 dollars a person. Another elegant crowd pleaser is shrimp. Again Acme has a ten ounce one for $5.99 .Buy five rings for just under thirty dollars at $29,95  You could also go to Acme again for their shrimp and crab legs platters which are a very good price at $24.99 each. The store will prepare it for you and include a centerpiece of lemon slices and cocktail sauce.  This is perfect for showers and small college graduation parties.A great hors' d'douevre is beef tips on toast. Look to Target to have them at $13.95  a pound. these are already seasoned with bourbon and black pepper so you don't have to worry about marinating them. Serve on buttered toast squares for an class bite.

Sides can be just as elegant and celebratory. Egg prices are going down so it is possible to create several different types of quiches.Even the drugstore Walgreens has a dozen going for $4.99. An average sized quiche needs six eggs so you can buy two dozen and make four quiches, These can be filled with everything  from various cheeses which you can buy at Lidl for a good price to fresh veggies and deviled or julienned ham.Mini beef Welllingtons may be a bit expensive to make (beef tenderloin will set you back sixteen to twenty dollars just for one package.) however you can create them will the less expensive but equally flavorful portabello mushrooms. Sliced portabellas are going or $2.99 a package at Wal-Mart. Chop these for the filling along with walnuts for more protein along with onions and garlic for more flavor. The mushrooms should be seared first for a smokier taste.Another elegant side, perfect for smaller gatherings is roasted asparagus. It's at its' cheapest right now at $2.99 at Acme and $2.97 at Wal-Mart. Roast them and serve  with a buttery lemon sauce.

Any type of party can be put together with budget pricing. It;s just shopping smart and knowing what to buy. The result is a Spring gathering that's full of elegant classic  foods.

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.

Budget Easter

 This Easter may be a bit tough for some home chefs/ Prices are spiraling out of control. It's hard to get eggs. what to do. Budget wisely. You can have a bountiful table , full of delicious foods if you shop wisely first.

The main course for any Easter dinner is usually ham. Luckily Aldi and Wal-Mart have very good prices.Aldi starts at $12.75 for a boneless spiral one while Wal-Mart offers Kentucky Legend smoked ham. Lamb can also be served , with the ham or on it's own.Lidl has Butcher's Specialty boneless half lamb leg for $6.99 while Aldi offers ground lamb for $58.5 a pound. This can be turned into Greek kebabs, highlighted with lemon and a mix of ground cinnamon garlic and oregano. Another idea is getting smaller cuts of meat and letting the sides shine, Asparagus season is right now and many stores hare selling the stalks for under five dollars a bunch. These are versatile and can be made a variety of different ways. It's best Piedmontese style with melted butter and Parmesan cheese on top but you can also grill it after a bath in olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.Smashed potatoes are another light and affordable Easter meal side.Baby gold potatoes are being sold  at $2.97 at Wal-Mart and $3.99 at Target. These are perfect for the recipe and can be made in a few minutes.

Of course the other star of the Easter meal or more specifically brunch is quiche. It's primarily made up of those  elusive ingredients: eggs. The prices of these have dropped significantly so you can create an affordable pie.One quiche does require six eggs but that's because it's basically an egg pie, You can add everything from julienned or deviled ham to chopped asparagus, cheese and peppers. since this is a rich meal, think fruit salad for dessert or even a side. Melon is a good price right now Shop Rite is offering cantaloupe for $2.50  Three of these mixed with other fruits such as sliced bananas and oranges. A bag of fresh naval orange;s are $4.99 at Wal-mart. You can also use them to create miimosas  for a lovely brunch drink.Speaking of which a bottle of Asti Spumante is only $2.79 a bottle at Total Wine and More.Acme's Liquor store is selling Barefoot Bubbly Pink Moscato Champagne for $11.99. Don't worry about Easter chocolates. Lild has a wide array of chocolates at very good prices. The chocolate is German made and the taste is that of a much more expensive candy.

This is the year for a budget holiday. Yet it can still be a tasty feast if you shop smartly for it. Don't fret. You'll still  have the Easter dinner of your dreams.

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An Affordable Easter

 With Easter only two weeks away many home chefs are panicking over high costs and what this tariff war will bring. The bestign thing to do is calm down and plan. A holiday meal that's both delicious and budget friendly can be made.It just takes shopping smarts.

Ham is always the star f  any Easter dinner. Look or Aldi and Lidl for it instead of the more expensive grocery stores. Lidl has Dulano bone in ham for only seventy-nine cents a pound while Aldi is offering Appleton Farms smoked ham but for $15.75. As for the sides you can offer baked beans and a homemade potato salad. According to the National Potato Board a pound can go from fifty cents to a $1.50 a pound. Another low cost idea is paring down on sides. Instead of three or four just stick to two.Asparagus  is always an Easter dinner go to.THis on it;s own is a great side.it has a powerful flavors and is just elegant as on only side. You may want to either make baked beans to go with the ham or potato salad which is perfect with the leftover meat.Another idea is having a pot luck Eater dinner where you provide the main course and guests can bring a side. It could be baked mac or a Brussels sprouts salad. This could even be a pot luck brunch. You still can have ham but someone can make a quiche while another brings a French toast casserole or strata.

What about Easter desserts? Stick to Aldi,Lidl and wal-Mart for cake mixes. The last has both Betty Crocker and Pilsbury mixes for a dollar. If you;re hosting a crowd then make a sheet cake . The one splurge here are the eggs that give the cake body.  As for the frosting Shop=Rite has the best price on confectioner's sugar for only three dollars a pound.Lidl is having a sale on FUnfetti cake and matching icing.  You could just make a simple Bundt cake and just give ti a dusting of confectioner's sugar on top.Again for a lovely holiday dessert table have guests make a cake or sweet of their choosing and bring it. what about Easter candy? Do you skip t or cut back? Well, you can not forgo chocolate bunnies and eggs. Look to Lidl for a lot of fun candies to put in a basket or use as favors at the dinner table. They have cute chocolate bunnies and lady bugs along with fun Easter Pez dispensers and a wide array of Pez candy flavors. Try their marshmallow bunnies too for a fun after dinner treat. 

You can have a feast for very little. Plan and shop carefully. A godo meal with a delicious dessert can be had for a reasonable price,

Helping Each Other

 This is Martin Luther King Day, a day when we need to remember Dr King's words and actions. We will need this in the next four years and possibly beyond. Keep in mind people , family friends, neighbors will need our support.

Despite all the promises, food prices will not go down. Thankfully there are stores like Lidl and Aldi that offer good food at lower prices. Shop at them to save money. They, especially Lidl ,offer deep discounts on such expensive items as  eggs and milk. Wal.mart also has some good buys on various food stuffs and appliances too. Be judicious. Be smart. Another way is supporting small farms. These too will suffer in the upcoming years. Support them in the summer and fall when their harvests are ready to sell. Bring your family,friends and neighbors to shop and show them how they can save too if they haven't;t discovered these discount grocery stores.Another way to combat rising prices is start your own gardens. Start planning now for Spring planting. beginners should stick with easy veggies to grow. Think radishes and tomatoes along with carrots and peas. Fruit trees take a few years to mature and produce harvests. You can grow these if you;re patient enough. Remember to donate some fo your harvest to those who need it , whether family friends or neighbors. 

IN that same vein, some programs will most undoubtedly be cut.Veterans and the disabled will be needing help too. Again do what you can to donate to food pantries. If you own a restaurant, donate any overage to soup kitchen s .Another idea is do what rocker Jon Bon Jovi as done, His Soul Kitchens allow people to pay what they can or help out in the restaurants. This gives those struggling a chance for a night out which for some is a luxury.Also consider hiring these people too. They'll appreciate the job as well as whatever food they can bring home with them. Mentoring will also be important too. Any shop in the food industry or restaurant can do this, helping those who are struggling to get started with their own careers.Smaller shops like bakeries and meat markets can perhaps offer discounts on day old products and also offer discounts to students and veterans.These shops should also promote and sell small time artesans, those who make their own honey or baked goods along with kitchen items like towels and ceramics.

Today we honor Martin Luthr King. We should honor his principles and generosity too.It will make the next four years bearable. 

A German Classic in No Time

 This is the weather for spaetzle and gravy. There's nothing as comforting as this German classic main or side dish. Unfortunately it is labor intensive to make them.Luckily Aldi has instant ones complete with a yummy mushroom gravy.

Aldi (like Lidl) is a German company) so they're bound to have good German products like spaetzle and chocolates along with cans of red cabbage and sauerkraut.I found their mushroom flavored spaetxle from Deutssche Kuche.I bought two packets right away bcause I knew it would be delicious anf go fast.

It's an easy make. Just boild two and aquartr cups of water and add the packet,a mix of spaeztle and powdered gravy. 

It kind of looked soupy at first but then thickened up.

I just had to stir ti a few times during the course fo about twenty minutes(the packet  says it'll cook up  in twelve to fifteen minutes but it does take longer)

                               The entire pot was steaming and frgrant with cooked mushrooms.This was going to be a tasty and satisfying treat for lunch.

This was really delicious and I plan on buying it again.It makes for a perfect winter lunch or weekend supper.It was even good reheated later in the microwave for dinnr. I just added a tablespoon of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and it was just as tasty as when it was first cooked. You could easily serve this along side pork chops or pork roast as a filling and warming side.

Try Deutsche Kuche's spaetzle for a tasty main course or side dish. They're  perfect , hearty and filling on a winter's day. These delicious noodles will warm you through and through.

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.

Your Party Your Way

Sometimes you just want to be alone despite eit being New Year's Eve. That's OK.  You can have your own party for one. It's a good time to just to treat yourself.

Most go for takeout. Chinese is bif and you cna easily get a small meal. Go for somethign that's idulgent like shrimp in lobster sauce or fried pork or chicken dumplings. These are good also as leftovers on New Year's day.If you're just having one or two friends over. Some pizzerias can make a pie for one.If not treat yourself to some garlic knots and a good scratch made stratichella soup. You could also eat out too. There are restuarants who can squeeze a solo diner . if that's the case, treat yourself to an indulgent meal. Try a French restaurant where you can indulge in a rich bouef bourgignon or even a French onion soup. If you don't want to deal with a crowd , ordrr ahead and just take out. You still get restaurant quality food and enjoy it in the privacy of your home. Of course if you're craving a burger than stop at your local Wendy's or McDonalds. Go all out for a bacon cheeseburger and fries. Order a shake if you want too.

Home cooking can also work for a party of one. Stores such as Aldi,Lidl and Acme have exclllent choices for appetizers and hors douevres. Aldi has an excllet array of frozen snacks like corn dogs and creamy mini quiches. Serve upa plate of their Mac and cheese bites.Try Lidl;s veggie egg rols that can be easily air fried toa crispy, golden brown. They even come with their own little packets of duck sauce. They also have the richly indulgence escargot or snail puffs from France,They also offer vegetables au gratin,. small cups that are filled with carrots, zucchini and eggplants. Treat yourself to their chicken fries or chicken wings that can be air fried or oven baked. Acme along with many other grocery stores offer good cold cuts and cheeses. Arrange a mini charcuterie plate fro yourself with yoru favorite cold cuts like prosciutto cotto or salame along with Brie and Edam. Slice up a small Portuguese roll instead of buying a whole French ro Italian bread .Add olives and artichoke hearts if you like them. Since it's only you also buy a good bottle of champagne to drink as well. Save some for the next day for indulgent mimosas at your New Year's Day breakfast.

There's nothing wrong with celebrating on your own. Indulge yourself. Enjoy a dinner out or a dinner in. I'ts your party.

The Vegan Side Of Aldi

 Aldi has been known for good prices on meats , butter and cheeses. Yet it also has a vegan side . You can buy good meat and dairy free rpoducts at a fraction of a cost that grocery stores offer.,

I found that they have really good chicken nuggets.These are around $3.99 three  dollars.less than what you pay at grocery stores. 

They cooked up like any plant based nugget and came out crispy and golden.

I liked these, They were perfect with a size of sauteed zucchini coins and Aldi's version of Tater Tots (lao much less in price)

Their vegan ice cream which I tried on both strawberry and mango coconut were also very good.

These were also very tasty and inexpensive at $1.99  for a small carton.

Both have a mousse like mouth feel that was both fruity and flavorful. These are perfect end of the summer desserts. A plus is that the  flavors are very fresh as if they were homemade.

Vegans and vegetarians should rejoice about Aldi's new meat and dair y free food choices. They ar e perfect for those wanting a healthier lifestyle. Try them today.

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.

Relying On Tradition

 The holidays teach us one thing - to rely on tradition.It's what guides us through celebrations and holy days. This also includes time homored recipes used in many an Easter or Passover meal.

This was on my mind as I bought spaetzle and risotto at Aldi's today. It's a Swabian German custom to have noodles and eggs on Good Friday, one of the holiest and most somber days of the Christian calendar. I'm taking a family tradition and updating it by subbing in the spaeztle for egg noodles. (although I suspect the original dish used them.) It's served with a side of sliced peaches as all German dishes have some kind of fruit incorporated in the dish.As for Easter it's a new tradition of risotto and fresh asparagus This replaces the old one of again the Swabian influenced ham served with beans and potato salad. I've made this every year for the past few years. Yes, I'll bake the Easter lamb cake  , following in my Mom's step. I'll mix in the Dream Whip  as she did for a denser, richer cake, but add my own spins. There willbe Just Egg instead of real eggs, almond milk instead of cow's. The icing will have vegetable shortening like hers in it to give it the perfect texture for the crumb coat and rosettes.I may give it a dash of either lemon or grapefruit juice just to zing it up.

Others are also relying on family recipes. Many will be observing Passover starting April 5th. There will be variations on moms' and grandmothers' brisket recipes.  Home chefs may add cayenne pepper for some spike and heat.Others will try a brown sugar rub that gives the surface a crackly crust.. Tzimmes, the carrot and stewed prune side dish is always served  but the family recipe will get some new ingredients.It could be lemon or lime juice to cut all that sweetness or maybe star anise .Kugel that Passover staple may be savory on a few tables this year.It's suually a sweet dish but there are several savory ones that feature spinach and mushrooms. Easter is usually ham or lamb. A few home chefs are eager to try Eric Kim's pineapple ham featured in Wednesday's New York Times Food section. This is like a retro dish from the Fifties, complete with golden pineapple rings. The glaze is made with Dijon mustard ,brown sugar and fresh juice from both pineapples and lemons. Some may use their granny's recipe and add a ginger ale based glaze on it. as for th elamb, it's usually baked with rosemary sprigs.and fresh lemon juice. There will be updating with an olive oil rub or the addition of red wine vinegar.

Tradition guides us.it guides our cooking.It gives the template for traditionak dishes that can be given new spins and updates.

Easter Savings

 Many home chefs are dreading the holiday.It's not the cooking or creating the perfect meal.It's the price of the ingredients plus the main course that has them freaking out. There are ways to have a less expensive holiday.

One way to combat the high price is varying where you shop. You may find a bargain for your ham or lamb at one store while another may have better buys on veggies.Another idea is heading to more dollar friendly stores like Aldi and Lidl. Right now Aldi has spiral cut ham for only ninety-five cents a pound!! Their lamb leg roast is just $7.49 a pound.Lidl has a whole young chicken for $2.69 a pound.Both stores have excellent pricing on their veggies too. A cheaper alternative to meat is portabella mushrooms which can be prepared a number of ways. Air fried caps are delicious with a sprinkle of salt, pepper and oregano. You can also  grill them if you're planning an outdoor holiday meal. Pasta is another low cost alternative. Think of having a pasta primavera , chock full of veggies,You could also make a carbonera with a bacon laced sauce. This you can have a little splurge with since the eggs and bacon are costly. A veggie lasagna is a great way to go for a crowd. This and a salad can make for a filling holiday meal. As for dessert a home baked cake works well or just cupcakes topped with homemade buttercream icing.

Another idea is having a pot luck dinner. You can provide the main course which means you can spend a little more on getting a bigger cut of meat . Ham would be the best bet. It can feed a lot. As for dishes , you can have people make their signature dishes.  Suppose two guest have the same signature dish?Make a list of who is bringing what otherwise you'll wind up with duplicates. If there are double recipes then persuade the second person to make their second favorite dish.Keep in mind there shouldn't be any dishes left out. Check to see if everything is going to be on the menu, from salads to desserts. Also let the vegetarians and vegan create their dishes while the non vegans bring theirs. That way  everyone is happy with the meal.Also e mail a list of everyone's allergies too to prevent any problems. Suppose it's just a dinner of only three or four people. Condense. A small ham or just a chicken will do  along with  a side of asparagus. Serve the asparagus with butter and cheese for a tasty dish. Also a simple salad is a nice touch. As for dessert you can get a simple small cake at Acme or Stop and Shop. A homemade pound cake also works too.

Don't worry about money this holiday. You can create a low cost yet delicious meal  for very little. It's a memorable feast for a lot less.

A Hearty Vegan Colcannon

Colcannon is a great weekend meal, using up leftovers from the week. They're transformed into a tasty Saturday night dish, hearty and  perfect for a chilly night.

Butter is always used to "fry" the mash. For a vegan version I used my new favorite half a stick of Melt plant based butter.

It takes just a bowl of leftover mashed potatoes along with spinach to form the base. Usually cabbage is used along with leeks and onions for more flavor. I wanted to keep my version mild so I used baby spinach from Aldi. Two cups did it.

Typical colcannon has some kind of bacon or ham. Since this is vegan I used Lightlife' 's Smart deli ham.

I julienned four slices which was the right amount. You could use vegan bacon bits if you want just a whisper of a taste or more slices if you want a heartier mix.

                                                         Garlic also gives it flavor.

 One fat clove should do it but you can add two for more taste. Mince it into the potatoes. Big hunks may not be to everyone's liking

It was then constant stirring until the spinach was completely cooked, usually about ten minutes over a medium heat. You can add extra butter if you want along with salt and pepper.

                                                      It was a flavorful delicious scoop.

 it was a bit soupy but that could be from the water from the just washed spinach leaves. Add more potatoes if that's the case. It was a good meal on it's own but you could also serve it with a ham if you're not a vegan. You can also used leftover homemade mashed potatoes too.

Vegan colcannon is a great Saturday or Sunday night supper. It's flavorful and hearty.It's the perfect meal on a frosty February night.

A Scary Supermarket Trip

 Going to the market these days is like sitting through the latest Scream movie. every corner holds some kind of horror, whether shortages or exceptionally high prices. how can home chefs navigate through these tough times.

I wondered this as I shopped at my local Stop & Shop today. There were certain shortages, not as bad as what's in other stores but still sobering.Many groceries  such as those in Pennsylvania have reported empty shelves in the cat food section, frozen food and drinks and meat department. People may gave to wait a long time to get such basic staples as orange juice an ground beef. Luckily store CEOs predict that these shortages will be taken care of by early February -  a little over two weeks from now. These current problems are caused by losing workers to the Omiron variant  along with weather snarls. Heavy snows have screwed up truck routes from vital ports to stores across the country.It's not as bad as last year's where even Lunchables and Ben and Jerry's ice cream were at short order. The other bad part are the prices. Stop & Shop is selling a large twenty-four pack of Bounty Paper towels for a whopping $21. It's good if you can stretch them out for two to three months however these last much less in messy households. In this sense it pays to shop around for them if you have the time. It's worse in the cities where lamb chops can go for almost as high as fifty dollars and tea for ten dollars a box.

What to do? Plan and plot.It's actually not too early to plan out your veggie and berry garden. There may be shortages this summer thanks to the unpredictability of both the Covid virus and the supply chain.You won't have to worry if you have most of  your ingredients in the backyard. start researching what works best in your area of the county and also what kind of soil is in your yard. If it's sandy then think about growing asparagus, strawberries and lettuce. A hardier soil can yield potatoes and turnips along with melons, kohlrabi and turnips. Fruit trees are a bit trickier because the harvest comes a few years after planting. You could forage , especially for wild apples, plums peaches and blackberries. What about meats? Go for the cheapest but also look into where you can get bargains. Aldi and its' sister store Lidl where even the pricey grass fed beef is a few dollars less than what other grocery stores offer. Even their seafood is  not above twenty dollars. Also think about going meatless, using beans  or pasta to sub for meat based dinners.

It is a scary time to shop. However smart planning can help ease the horror of grocery shopping right now. It's just knowing how to get the best deals and shopping around until you get them.

A Quick Word About Edamame Pasta

 If you want a quick and tasty summer meal look no further than Aldi.This is their Simply Nature brand edamame spaghetti. It's a quick cook nnd really good tasting.

The texture is like regular wheat based kinds with a slightly beany flavor. I had it aglio olio,with olive oil and garlic. You can try it with a quick salsa crudo too

Here is the salsa crudo recipe

2 to 3 cut plum tomatoes

1/4 cup olive oil

2-3 leaves shredded basil leaves

1 crushed garlic clove

cooked pasta

MIx the first five ingredients about an hour before cooking pasta.Let sit Boild edamame pasta , Drain and toss with sauce.The pasta will heat up the sauce.

Enjoy with crusty Italian bread!

Lobster Balls Finally

The lobster balls I had planned to make for Christmas Eve finally got cooked today.

They had been in the freezer for six weeks (they came a week before the holiday). I had to steam defrost them in the microwave for six minutes before cooking them in the air fryer.

It was adding water to them and then putting a paper towel over them to steam them.

Afterwards it was then creating a sauce to match the Priano  garlic flavored risotto I bought at Aldi's

These were a quick cook of about fifteen minutes.

The lobster balls were a bit more elaborate. I flavored them in a bath of olive oil, and this trio

,garlic salt, onion powder and dried oregano.

The hard part comes next.  Setting a time and temp on the air crisper. The recipes for tofu balls really didn't help. There were literally none for lobster tofu balls. I set it for 350 degrees.

Setting at 400 might have been too much.  As for the time. first it was eight minutes, checking it 

then another ten minutes.

This was the final product.

I thought the balls would be crispy and brown. They did have a crispy exterior but a soft lobster like interior. The flavorings I added were subtle and the balls worked with the risotto. It would have been the perfect Christmas Eve, or New Year's Eve dinner.  The lobster and the rice were the perfect pairing. There are a lot of leftover lobster balls (and risotto) but I'm chilling these and turning them into a tasty cold salad for tomorrow's dinner.

I may decide to make the lobster and rice for a non traditional Easter dinner. They're really an elegant duo and balance each other. I will be buying the lobster balls again from Vegan Essentials for other dishes too.

My Big Fat Tofu Thanksgving

At almost the midnight hour I found out that I'm cooking this year's Thanksgiving luncheon/dinner. Of course it's all going to be vegan with vegan sides. It was a last minute thing but I had the menu in place.  Sort of.

The main course was going to be Gardein's turkey cutlets with gravy but they were nowhere to be found. Luckily this came on my radar.

It's suited more to Christmas but beggars can't be choosers. It's already marinaded in vegan amber ale and supposedly  has a smoky flavor like the real thing. After a 24 hour thaw it's in the oven for an hour at 325 degrees F. I may sheet pan it with some yams.

                                                 The sides will be simple. I bought Aldi's Loaded Mashed potatoes which is flavored with fake bacon (hopefully vegan ) sour cream and cheddar.

This is an instant cook that just requires milk. Then as I researched a dementia diet, I came across a string bean almandine recipe that peaked my interest.

It'll be steamed green beans with almonds sauteed in lemon butter sauce scattered on top. That sounds too good to pass up.

As for dessert, a pie for just two people is just too much. Yet we still want that pumpkin pie flavor. I found a vegan pumpkin mousse on the blog Feasting On Fruit. It seems easy enough, combining pumpkin puree and coconut yogurt mixed with pumpkin pie spice and maple syrup.

I'm excited about this the most. It sounds exciting and if it works out well, then it will be a fall standard in my house. The website has other vegan recipes that look intriguing and you may see my version of them in the weeks to come.(especially for X-mas cookies).

This is what awaits me on Wednesday - for the mousse and Thanksgiving for the vegan ham and sides. As with any meal I just hope all goes well. As the pros say if you can ace Thanksgiving you can ace any meal.I hope I can.

A Listening Kind Of Party

Last week the New York Times Food section ran an article by Ben Ratliff, about Japanese listening bars.This is where patrons go to hear jazz ,carefully curated by the bartender as they sip drinks or in some cases coffees and lattes. An idea came to me. What about a listening party? What would you serve for food and drink? It 's an open book.

I like this idea for both classical and jazz music. Listening bars are not meant for conversation. They're meant for savoring the notes and tunes. Add a layer of food and it can be a pleasurable experience. Parties , especially now, can be fraught with too many polarizing politics. These do nothing for the gathering, except cause all sorts of fighting and sniping. Forget eating.Guests are either too riled or too dyspeptic to enjoy any kind of hors d'ouevres. Yet a group solely listening to various jazz artists or Beethoven could turn a social occasion into a Zen happening. You do need a good audio system and vinyl albums or CDs. Which is better?Some prefer vinyl records because they have a warmer,fuller sound. You get to hear the music as the band intended it to be. Of course CDS also work as does a tablet playlist. The best bet for a listening party is pick one artist.Have his or her work on rotation for the duration of the gathering. Seating arrangements can be one table with the food and drink,. Scatter  chairs and small tables for setting down the refreshments and food.

As for the food, keep it to savory hors d'ouevres and dessert bites.For jazz listening, think a New Orleans themed listening party with spicy miniature po' boys. Add oysters for a more decadent bite. Create baked rice cups in a muffin or mini muffin pan and fill with gumbo and/or jambalaya. A variety of pastes and pates  served on slices of cocktail bread (which can be found at any major supermarket's deli counter).The pastes and pates can easily be made from deviled ham, chicken and beef, Add anything from a drop of champagne to scallions to make the pastes truly unique. This can also work for a classical music listening party. Have people take plates of raw veggies and dips to their seats. You can set up a dip bar with such varying dips as a simple vinaigrette to homemade French and ranch dressings.Cheese and crackers will never go amiss.Think a cheese board with Brie Edam, and Gouda for a start .Aldi has an excellent cracker box , with an array of crackers, ranging from butter to sesame and poppyseed. Dessert can be cookie cups filled with fruit and cream.If you're listening to classical, then think both classy and classical. Go with homemade petit fours and macarons (the last can be bought) Start the evening off with wine or champagne. End with demitasse and different teas.

A listening party is a great summer party. Guests can enjoy good food and good music. That's it. No debates. No opinions save for liking or not liking the music choice.In short, the perfect get together.

Strange Fruit

Are we getting a bit too creative with how we grow our fruits and vegetables? Lately the old standards, especially grapes and tomatoes are not what they've been for millennia. It seems their genes have been tinkered with - to create - monster fruit?

I've noticed this with a new kind of grape the tear drop.

They 're supposed to be tear drop shaped but look like dark purple ancho chilis. In fact they were first branded as chili pepper grapes but that confused consumers. Buyers thought they would be spicy and sweet   which was wrong. The name was quickly changed to finger grapes. Again,people didn't

 like the idea of naming them after body parts.. Unlike other grapes, they can be split open to be filled with salty cheese. Tear drop grapes can also be grilled with lemon juice and oil. They are also good gracing poultry , duck and pork along with any kind of nut. Pop them in vanilla yogurt for a different kind of dessert or snack.They first came into being in 2002.

Another strange fruit is 

these multicolored grape tomatoes that look more like grapes than actual grapes. They a mix of cocktail, cherry and grape. They're greenhouse grown in Mexico and have a variety of flavors, from  very strong tomato-y to mild , sweet fruity flavor. They're a fun low calorie snack that only need a dusting of sea salt. These are for those who are already bored with the ripe , rich taste of regular grape and cherry toms. They can be used in salads, but I've put them in Aldi's pasta Alfredo, to give it some acidity. You could halve them and put them in omelets, or pair them with 

stale Italian or French bread, minced garlic, , olive oil for a spin on Neopolitan bread salad. They also can be used in any kind of kabob for color and taste.

These are strange fruits indeed. Yet they 're fun to eat and experiment with in old and new recipes. Try them for something different.