Hot sauce junkies, heat connoisseurs and spiciness fanatics: We’re comin’ in hot with our next monthly feature!
Each month we’re bringing you fresh stories on a different sauce brand, sharing some flavor insights, stories behind the brands and more. Travel with us on an adventure consisting of varying degrees of heat each month!
October’s Feature: Culinary Tours Peri Peri Hot Sauce!
Peri Peri, or “pepper pepper” in Swahili, is a fiery kick of African-style heat. This blazing blend of red and Peri Peri peppers with spices and garlic delivers an intense flavor inferno, perfect for chicken, shrimp, or stir-fry. Peri Peri is a traditional African sauce, made from African Bird’s Eye Chili Peppers, which pack a punch of spice similar to that of a Habanero.
In short, our mission with Culinary Tours is to bring you the flavors of the world, without the costs and time commitment of world travel. Each Culinary Tours product is made to feel like an adventure to a different part of the world, all from the comfort of your own home. This is especially true in our salsas and spicy sauces, like Peri Peri Hot Sauce.
Turn up the heat with Culinary Tours this month, and tune in next month for our November Hot Sauce of the Month!
National Coffee Day
September 29th is National Coffee Day and we’re celebrating! Coffee has a surprisingly long history, and in honor of the holiday we’re looking to uncover all of the mysteries surrounding this beloved bean. We did some research and discovered some interesting information that you may not have known before.
It is said that coffee was first discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi. Kaldi noticed that his goats would become energetic and not sleep at night after they ate the berries from a certain tree. He was curious, and he brought his realization to the abbot of the local monastery. The abbot made himself a drink with these berries and found that it was helpful in keeping him alert during evening prayer. The abbot shared his discovery amongst the other monks, and word of these berries moved east to the Arabian Peninsula.
Coffee cultivation and trade began on the Arabian Peninsula, where coffee was regularly enjoyed in homes, and the first coffee houses were created. These early coffee houses became important places to catch up on conversation and current music and news. They began to appear all over cities in the Near East where they were called “qahveh khaneh.” They became an essential spot for the spread of information, and because of this they were known as “Schools of the Wise.”
Europeans who would travel to the Near East would return home with stories of this magical drink, and eventually coffee made its way to Europe. At first, coffee was met with backlash in these European countries being called the “bitter invention of Satan,” and becoming condemned by the local clergy. However, Pope Clement VIII intervened, tasting the drink himself and finding it so satisfying he lifted the ban. Eventually, these same coffee houses became a common theme throughout countries like England, Austria, France, Germany, and Holland. Coffee replaced the popular breakfast drinks at the time, beer and wine, and became a new European morning staple.
But how did coffee make its way to the Americas? Great question! In 1714, the Mayor of Amsterdam presented a coffee plant as a gift to King Louis XIV of France. The King had the young plant grown in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Paris. In 1723, a young naval officer, Gabriel de Clieu obtained a seedling from the plant. On a traitorous journey home, he faced horrendous weather, a saboteur who attempted to destroy the seedling, and even a pirate attack. Yet, he managed to plant the seed in Martinique. This seed began an explosion of coffee trees in the Americas, and it led to the abundance of coffee we have today.
Big coffee drinker? Us too. We’re celebrating with one of our favorite local coffee brands from here in the Northeast: Death Wish Coffee!
Sample Death Wish Coffee’s famous brews from 11am-4pm on Sunday 9/29 at any of these stores:
Brunswick Market 32
Hamilton Square Market 32
Glenville Market 32
Wilton Market 32
Glen St Price Chopper
Mechanicville Price Chopper
East Greenbush Price Chopper
Clifton Shopper’s World Market 32
Market Bistro
Amsterdam Price Chopper
Route 50 Price Chopper
Bethlehem Price Chopper
Plattsburgh Market 32
Altamont Ave Price Chopper
Hudson Valley Plaza Market 32
Johnstown Rd. Price Chopper
Malta Price Chopper
Shaker Road Price Chopper
Niskayuna Price Chopper
Glenmont Price Chopper
Newburgh Price Chopper
Hopkinton Price Chopper
Clifton Park Plaza Market 32
Citrus Celebration!
Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Feeling the blues about cooler weather? No worries, we can bring some sunshine into your day with fresh Citrus from Chile! Navel oranges, $10 for 10 this week, have a lot going for them – perky, packable, and a great way to earn AdvantEdge Rewards points! Easy to peel, slice or chop, these oranges will brighten up your plate and your attitude. A great source of Vitamin C, and a good source of Thiamin and Fiber, they are a sweet way to energize and appetize. Check out the recipes and serving suggestions below – we are sure we can warm you up to some delicious ideas!
Power up your morning with a Chocolaty-Orange Smoothie!
Crunch at lunch! Pomegranates are in, but you can also sub dried cherries or cranberries in this easy recipe for Spinach Pomegranate Orange Salad with Quick Pickled Red Onions.
Orange-Almond Parfait – Snack attack, or fresh dessert.
- Layer PICS Vanilla Greek Yogurt, and peeled, chopped oranges. Top with Market 32 Sliced Almonds, toasted for extra flavor.
Orange Chia Pudding – make one or 5, they will “chill out” for a few days when covered and refrigerated.
- Combine 2 TBSP Chia seeds, ½ cup of unsweetened almond milk, and ½ Tsp of PICS Honey (optional), mixing well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meantime, peel and chop one orange. After 30 minutes, add chopped orange and top with ½ Tsp of Shredded Coconut.
Want to taste some citrusy goodness in-store? Stop by any of these stores between 11am-4pm on Friday 9/27:
Wilton NY Market 32
Clifton Shoppers World NY Market 32
Amsterdam NY Market 32
Plattsburgh NY Market 32
New Hartford NY Price Chopper
Well that was fast – in the blink of an eye summer vacation has come and gone. School, work, sports, clubs, and all types of extracurricular activities have resumed and things are already hectic. In the midst of all this, finding time to do your grocery shopping can be challenging. We understand your struggle, and at Price Chopper/Market 32 we are continuously working to provide ways to a more convenient, less time consuming shopping experience.
Our curbside grocery pickup service is a prime example. Available on any device, you can submit an online or mobile order, and complete your whole grocery list with the click of a few buttons. Simply login to your online account, or quickly create a new account, and use your AdvantEdge card for points on every purchase. Select your favorite items and a convenient pickup time for your schedule and just like that your shopping is finished.
Worried about receiving the correct items? Don’t be. Our shoppers are trained to pick out the same quality items that you would choose yourself. In the meantime, you can leave specific instructions for your shopper or contact them throughout the shopping process to clear up any questions or concerns.
Once the order is complete and ready for pickup, park in one of our designated curbside pickup spaces and call the store to let them know you’ve arrived. We will bring your order directly to your car, so there’s no need to leave your vehicle. For more information on curbside pickup visit our website, https://www.pricechopper.com/services/pick-up/.
Try our pickup service today and enjoy your time better spent!
4 Easy Dinner Ideas for Busy School Nights
From dance classes and sports practices to clubs and lessons, kids’ schedules can become jam-packed during the school year. With numerous weeknight activities and events to juggle, it can be challenging for parents to get weeknight dinners on the table. When you’re pressed for time on those hectic weeknights, use these quick and easy ideas to whip up satisfying, stress-free family dinners.
Depend on the Pantry
The refrigerator and pantry are the first places you’ll turn to for dinner ideas after a long, busy day. No matter what ingredients you find, get creative with combining kitchen staples and use dressings and seasonings to elevate simple ingredients. If you have salad greens or vegetables, toss them with quick-cooking whole grains, whole-grain pasta or make a salad with fruits, vegetables and your favorite dressing. If canned beans, vegetables and tuna are stocked in your pantry, combine them to create a convenient, nutritious, affordable meal that requires little to no prep.
Rotisserie Chicken to the Rescue
Rotisserie chicken is recipe-ready and helps get protein-packed meals on the table in a flash. Use rotisserie chicken to top salads, pastas, whole grains, veggie noodles, and your favorite soups. You can also incorporate it into tacos, lettuce wraps, roll-ups and quesadillas for filling, flavorful meals. If you have time to plan ahead, try making these Asian Chicken-Jasmine Rice Bowls that feature rotisserie chicken as the main ingredient. Or, add it to this Power Boost Salad or simple Chicken & Mushroom Stir-Fry.
3. Pizza Party
Ordering a pizza always sounds like a perfect solution at the end of a hectic day. Instead of takeout, stock the freezer with your favorite frozen pizza varieties and dress them up with fresh ingredients you have on-hand. Whether it’s peppers and mushrooms, tomatoes and spinach or even a fried egg, there are ways to add homemade touches to this fast family favorite. If you have pepperoni, olives, feta cheese and Italian seasoning in your kitchen, give this Pepperoni, Olive & Feta Pan Pizza recipe a try.
Slow Cookers Save the Day
The slow cooker is an efficient cooking tool that helps transform simple ingredients into delicious, flavor-infused meals. A night or two before, decide on a meal you want to slow cook. Add the ingredients to the slow cooker before you leave in the morning, and let the magic happen! With minimal effort, you’ll have a mouthwatering meal ready for you when you get home. What’s more? Slow cookers are easy to cleanup; consider picking up some slow cooker liners to make the cleanup even more efficient. For a fun, fall-inspired meal, try our Slow Cooker Carne Asada Cubed Steak Chili recipe.
No matter what the schedule looks like for the week ahead, keep these valuable tips in mind to create weeknight dinners that are quick, effortless and satisfy the whole family.
Family Meals – Fresh and Fast
Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
September is a time the majority of us hit the reset button, pull out the calendar and get back to school and work routines. No doubt, many of us find we are already overcommitted before we even get started! Catching up around the dinner table is a great way to reconnect after these busy days, but getting that organized can be one more thing on that already long list. Don’t worry, we have your back with #TimeBetterSpent solutions to kick off National #FamilyMealsMonth, an annual celebration of all of the benefits every occasion you can eat together with family and friends can bring.
Sunday – Get ahead and power up Monday breakfast with a delicious, easy overnight oats and berries recipe (see below). September is also #WholeGrainsMonth! Give everyone the protein and #wholegrains they need for brain power, and know some morning time eating together will get the week off to a great start!
Monday – Go Can Crazy with a quick family and budget friendly chili recipe. Crunch some #wholegrain chips or fresh baked corn bread from the bakery and get all the news of the day at dinner.
Tuesday – First night for sports, Scouts, homework – way too many things to think about cooking too! Rustle up a fresh Rotisserie Chicken, bagged Fresh Express salad, and the leftover corn bread. Fresh and fast!
Wednesday – Mac and Cheese please (see below)! Comfort food that connects the dots – time and kid-friendly, make it with #wholegrain PICS whole wheat rotini so they get what they want, and you get what you want – healthy, happy kids!
Thursday – Dinner is in the bag! Seal and Cook fresh seafood meals made daily in stores include cut fresh vegetables, 4 different seafood choices, and are made with or without garlic butter. They can be steamed in the store, microwaved or baked at home. Seafood is brain food, smart families are enjoying more with this no muss, no fuss solution!
Friday – Rotisserie Turkey (Bonus AdvantEdge points!) or chicken and bagged Fresh Express salad close the week with a fresh family favorite.
#TimeBetterSpent on #FamilyMeals pays off with a lifetime of benefits for your whole family. Learn more about #FamilyMealsMonth at https://www.pricechopper.com/time-better-spent/. You bring the kids, and we’ll bring you the meal solutions!
Overnight Oatmeal and Berries by Jodie Fitz
2 1/2 cups PICS Greek plain or vanilla yogurt
2 cups PICS old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ cup PICS honey
1 teaspoon Full Circle cinnamon
1 cup PICS frozen blueberries or strawberries
In a large bowl, stir the yogurt, oats, honey and cinnamon together. Divide the mixture among 4 airtight containers*. Add the frozen berries on top. Seal the containers and let sit overnight in the refrigerator. Grab and go in the morning for a quick and easy breakfast!
*Small canning jars work great!
Macaroni and Cheese
8 oz. PICS whole wheat rotini
4 T. PICS unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
4 T. PICS all-purpose flour
2 cups PICS milk
Salt and pepper to season
Pinch Full Circle organic nutmeg
2 cups PICS shredded macaroni and cheese blend
1 cup crushed PICS snack crackers
2 T. PICS melted butter
2 tsp. smoked paprika
Cook pasta until tender, drain and rinse.
Meanwhile, melt 4 T. butter in a sauce pan and add the flour to make a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the milk and whisk until smooth. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded cheeses.
Toss the pasta and sauce together to coat well. Spoon into a lightly greased casserole dish or 4 individual ramekins.
Combine the crackers, 2 T. melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over macaroni and cheese, and place in a preheated 375° oven and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Serves 4.
Come Pay Your Due Against The Flu!
Did you know that the single best way to avoid getting the flu is to get a yearly flu shot? During the 2017-2018 flu season, the flu vaccine prevented 7.1 million cases of the flu, 109,000 hospitalizations, and 8000 deaths.1 That’s with only about 42% of adults getting a flu shot! Flu season typically begins around October and can extend well into May but these are just the most common months. You can get the flu any time of year so it is always recommended to get your flu shot early!
For a healthy adult the flu may not seem to be that big of a deal but, the flu can greatly increase the chance of heart attack or stroke. Adults over 35 with a confirmed case of the flu are 6-10 times more likely to suffer their first heart attack and are about 8 times more likely to suffer their first stroke.2,3 Those of high risk stand to benefit from flu vaccines as well. People with type II diabetes who also receive yearly flu vaccines are 30% less likely to have a stroke, 22% less likely to suffer from heart failure, and 19% less likely to have a heart attack.4
Getting a flu vaccine not only helps the recipient but everyone around the recipient. This is especially important for infants under 6 months and those with conditions preventing them from getting a flu shot. Those unable to be vaccinated depend on the rest of us for protection from the flu. The more flu shots that are received, the less flu will spread, and the safer we’ll all be. So head over to your local Price Chopper or Market 32 pharmacy and get your shot!
FAQs:
- Can the flu shot give me the flu?
- No! Flu vaccines are made using dead viruses or pieces of the virus’s genetic code that don’t have the capability to cause illness. It takes 1-2 weeks for your body to develop immunity after receiving the flu shot, another good reason to get your shot early this season!
- Why do I need to get a flu shot every year?
- Each year the flu virus changes, undergoing mutations that can make the previous vaccinations ineffective. Getting a flu shot yearly ensures you have immunity from the latest strain of the flu.
- Is getting a flu shot the only thing I can do to prevent catching the flu?
- While the flu vaccine is the single best way to avoid the flu, there are many things you can do to protect yourself. Frequent hand washing and avoiding those with the flu can go a long way to prevent it from spreading. If you do fall ill it is important to stay home, cover all coughs/sneezes, and limit contact with those around you.
Written by Eugene Kupiec Pharmacy Intern
Sources:
- “2017-2018 Estimated Influenza Illnesses, Medical Visits, and Hospitalizations Averted by Vaccination in the United States | CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed August 14, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/averted-estimates.htm.
- Warren-Gash C, Blackburn R, Whitaker H, McMenamin J, Hayward AC. Laboratory-confirmed respiratory infections as triggers for acute myocardial infarction and stroke: a self-controlled case series analysis of national linked datasets from Scotland. Eur Respir J. 2018;51. doi:10.1183/13993003.01794-2017
- Kwong JC, Schwartz KL, Campitelli MA, et al. Acute myocardial infarction after laboratory-confirmed influenza infection. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:345-353.
- Vamos EP, Pape UJ, Curcin V, et al. Effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in preventing admission to hospital and death in people with type 2 diabetes. CMAJ. 2016;188:E342-E351.
Our September home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Magic Hat Brewing Company!
We love all things local, and one of our favorite sectors of local food is local beer. There are so many different brews, flavors, and styles, and so many stories to tell! That’s why we’re embarking on a new home.grown. adventure: to bring you fresh craft beer stories each month from our Northeast region; the best region in the United States if you ask us!
Up next: Magic Hat Brewing Company!
Stirring up some mysterious concoctions in the heart of South Burlington, Vermont, Magic Hat is a well-known local brewer. They refer to their brews as elixirs, and their most popular potion is #9. It’s not quite a pale ale, but it runs across your tongue with notes of fruit and floral hop bitterness, bringing an unusual and curious palate. As they say at Magic Hat, #9 asks more questions than it answers. You’ll just have to see for yourself.
Another mischievous feature in the Magic Hat lineup is Circus Boy. A unique and refreshing American-style Hefeweizen. Due to his nocturnal behavior, only appearing under the darkness of a cloudy night sky, Circus Boy is something of an anomaly. Curious for more? Perhaps a closer encounter with this suspicious brew is necessary.
If you’re not sure which Magic Hat brew to choose you can always go with a variety pack, like the special edition IPA Playlist Variety Pak. A 12-beer variety featuring some of the companies best creations, led by TFG (Taken for Granite) Rock Solid IPA. TFG is a crisp IPA with a smooth malt backing, balanced with orange and grapefruit notes guaranteed to rock your taste buds.
Interested in trying some Magic Hat brews?
Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Magic Hat craft beef, take home some brewery swag and more.
Saturday 9/7, 11am – 2pm at our Shelburne Rd Market 32
Saturday 9/14, 11am – 2pm at our Clifton Shoppers World Market 32
Saturday 9/21, 11am – 2pm at our Bethlehem Price Chopper
Saturday 9/28, 11am – 2pm at our Wilton Market 32
Interested in visiting the brewery?
Make the most of everything Magic Hat Brewing Company has to offer! Visit https://www.magichat.net/ for taproom hours and menu, get info on brewery tours and more.
Brewery House Address: 5 Bartlett Bay Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403
Hot sauce junkies, heat connoisseurs and spiciness fanatics: We’re comin’ in hot with our next monthly feature!
Each month we’re bringing you fresh stories on a different sauce brand, sharing some flavor insights, stories behind the brands and more. Travel with us on an adventure consisting of varying degrees of heat each month!
September’s Feature: PICS Hot Sauce!
Sometimes it’s nice to celebrate yourself. That’s why this month’s feature is our very own PICS Hot Sauce. Made with red cayenne peppers, it packs just the right punch and compliments a wide variety of foods. Try it folded into your scrambled eggs, spice up your pulled pork, or add a kick to any of your personal favorite hot sauce incorporated meals.
Our PICS brand was created to meet the highest standards in quality and value. We know quality matters to you and your family, especially when it comes to food, and these various handpicked options are guaranteed to meet those standards. We appreciate our loyal customers, and it’s very rewarding to provide them with an affordable line they can trust. Plus, we are happy knowing we are putting delicious and nutritious options on your table.
Turn up the heat with PICS this month, and tune in next month for our October Hot Sauce of the Month!
Happy National Lasagna Day!
Today is National Lasagna Day and we are cheesin’ with excitement! In honor of such a special day, we decided to take a deeper look into the origin story of this delicious day. How did lasagna come about and where was it first created? Well, you’ve come to the right place to find out!
Like many of mankind’s finest creations, the origins of Lasagna can be traced back to Ancient Greece. The name lasagna, is derived from the Greek word laganon, the first known form of pasta. Laganon was nowhere near a traditional lasagna, but its name comes from its layers of pasta and sauce, similar to how lasagna is prepared today.
Modern day lasagna dates back to the Middle Ages, where it was first made in Naples, Italy. The original recipe was layered with sausage, meatballs, hard-boiled eggs, ricotta and mozzarella cheese, and sauced with Neapolitan Ragu, a meat sauce born in the city. The first recorded recipe could be found in one of the world’s oldest medieval cookbooks, the 14th-century “The Book of Cookery,” showcasing a fermented dough flattened into a thin sheet, boiled, and sprinkled with cheese and spices, and eaten with a small-pointed stick.
Other variations of lasagna were created around Italy, and the varying concepts were brought to America by Italian Immigrants. For example, Lasagna el forno is credited to the region of Emilia-Romagna, layered with a thicker ragu, made from carrots, onions, finely ground pork and beef, butter, and tomatoes. The recipe also features Bechamel, also known as white sauce, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. It’s the first lasagna dish to be traditionally green, due to the mixing of spinach and other vegetables in its dough.
Traditionally, lasagna is a dish of much variety. But no matter how you prepare it you can’t go wrong with this Italian classic. Stop by your local Price Chopper and Market 32 for all of your lasagna essentials today, and enjoy a tasty family meal for dinner tonight!
Sources: https://www.pagliacci.com/blog/news/post/a-brief-history-of-lasagna https://viaverdimiami.com/the-history-of-lasagna/