This week we are reeling in some delicious shrimp meals for all our shrimp fans! Our first meal highlights the delicious taste of garlic and soy sauce, while our second recipe explores the tropical flavor of sweet pineapple. Before we jump in, let’s take a look at this week’s meal items.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp
1 lb. Market 32 Raw Shrimp
1 bag (32oz) PICS Original Enriched Long Grain White Rice
1 bag (10.5oz) PICS Frozen Cauliflowered Rice
1 Lemon
1 Garlic Glove
1 Container Nature Sweet Cherubs
Shop for Lemon Garlic Shrimp!
Shrimp Pineapple Stir Fry
1 lb. Market 32 Raw Shrimp
1 bag (32oz) PICS Original Enriched Long Grain White Rice
1 bottle (10oz) PICS Teriyaki Sauce
1 Whole Pineapple
1 bag (16oz) PICS Frozen Onions & Peppers
Shop for Pineapple Stir Fry!
Meal 1: Lemon and Garlic Butter Shrimp and Cauliflower Rice Casserole
This can be a planned or last-minute meal! If you can plan, defrost bag of shrimp overnight in the refrigerator. (Hack – place the bag in a glass container or on a dinner plate to catch any melting water from the package.) If not, you can quickly defrost shrimp under cool running water when you are ready to cook.
Wash and dry lemon. Slice in half, and slice 4 thin rounds for garnish. Zest the lemon halves, placing zest in a small bowl. Juice the lemon halves and set aside in a measuring cup or small bowl.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
Remove tails from raw shrimp, rinse and place them on a clean plate or bowl. (Flavor Full Hack – If you like, you could add herbs and spices to the raw shrimp, such as Italian Herb Blend or Sriracha sauce. Both will blend well with the lemon, garlic, and butter.)
Use a large saucepan and follow package directions to prepare 4 cups of whole grain brown or white rice. When rice is cooked, fluff with a fork, remove half and place into a bowl to cool. Return pot cover to keep warm.
While rice is cooking, pour about 2 TBSP oil in the skillet, and turn heat on to medium high. When oil begins to heat up, add garlic. Stir, allowing garlic to lightly brown and flavor the oil. Remove from oil and keep next to the stove in a small bowl.
Add cherry tomatoes, allowing them to soften and split, when they are tender, add the cauliflower rice and lemon zest. Stir to combine and heat the cauliflower rice through.
Remove veggies to a shallow casserole dish and add two cups of prepared rice to the casserole. Add the browned garlic. Mix gently, cover with foil, and place the casserole dish in the warm oven.
Return skillet to the burner and add 1 Tbsp PICS Olive Oil and the 2 TBSP of PICS Unsalted Butter. Heat at medium temperature until butter is melted, (don’t allow the butter to burn).
Add the shrimp and lemon juice to the skillet, and sauté quickly until shrimp are opaque and firm.
When done, remove the casserole dish with veggies and whole grain rice from the oven. Add the shrimp and all the liquid from the skillet, using the wooden spoon to scrape any bits. Divide into 4 servings, and garnish with the lemon slices. Enjoy!
Leftover love – if there is any! Make the leftovers a work lunch – drain and rinse a can of PICS white beans. Mix 1.2 cup into the shrimp and rice for a pop of plant-powered protein that plays well with the flavors in the casserole and powers you through your busy workday!
Meal 2: Teriyaki Pineapple Shrimp and Rice Stir-Fry
The fresh pineapple makes this stir-fry special! Using the leftover rice from the first prep day saves time and budget, along with the frozen onions and peppers – already prepped and can go from freezer to pan. Bonus – you enjoy 2 servings of seafood in one week, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans!
Defrost bag of shrimp overnight in the refrigerator. (Hack – place the bag in a glass container or on a dinner plate to catch any melting water from the package.) If not, you can quickly defrost shrimp under cool running water when you are ready to cook.
Place leftover prepared rice in the bowl with a ¼ cup of water. Cover and place in the microwave, but do not heat until you are ready to serve the Shrimp and Vegetables.
Remove frozen veggie bag from the freezer and open it, leaving it ready near the stove.
Wash hands and place pineapple on the cutting board. Cut off the bottom of the pineapple, then stand on end and slice the hard skin off, using the top to hold it steady. Slice the pineapple off into long spears, trimming the top end off, and set half aside. Chop the remaining half into bite sized pieces.
Place skillet on the stove. Add oil and turn on to medium heat. Add frozen veggies to skillet, allowing them to soften and for 2 – 3 minutes, or until defrosted and softened. Add the defrosted shrimp, moving quickly around the skillet. When shrimp is almost fully cooked, add ½ cup Teriyaki sauce, and stir to combine with the sauce and veggies.
Warm rice and water in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, fluffing with a fork once to heat evenly. Divide rice and plate, then top with stir-fried shrimp and vegetables. Enjoy!
Double Bonus! Caramelized Pineapple Dessert – Chop remaining fresh pineapple into bite-sized pieces. Heat a large skillet or griddle and melt 2 – 3 TBSP butter. When butter is melted, add ¼ cup of PICS Light Brown Sugar and a dash of salt. If you like, you can also add ½ tsp vanilla. Bring butter mixture to a simmer. Add the chopped pineapple, stir to coat the pieces, and raise heat to medium high, allowing it to reach a low boil. (If needed, you can add another TBSP butter.) Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 6 minutes, ensuring the sugar doesn’t burn. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly – serve as is, OR top with PICS Whipped Cream, OR over PICS Vanilla Ice Cream. Whatever you do, don’t leave the kitchen or it will be gone before you come back! Caramelized pineapple can also be stored in a covered, microwaveable dish in the refrigerator, and served cold or reheated within 3 days. YUM!
Seafood meals are smart moves for everyone, with a wonderful value story, too!
Seafood is a great, lean protein source, and recommended to be enjoyed at least twice per week by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association.
The Covelle items are frozen and individually cryo-vacced in their packages which makes it easy to plan and easy to keep on hand for busy days. Use 1, 2 or all 4 – great to have that level of quality and flexibility.
Quick-cooking – these frozen seafood filets can go from freezer to pan without defrosting – they cook up in a skillet or a sheet pan in 10 – 15 minutes, win-win for family meals!
Savory and satisfying – seafood is a culinary treasure, easy to season with your favorite spices, herbs and sauces. Stay traditional with lemon and garlic or explore the ocean’s treasures (and great variety of Cape Covelle items) and world flavors like chili-lime and barbeque rubs! Did you know, many seasoning blends are also lower or no sodium – you can get great flavor and manage sodium with blends by PICS, McCormick, Weber, Kinder and Badia.
Everyone can make these quick and savory favorites. Check out these ideas, tips, and hacks for delicious seafood meals! First, let’s take a closer look at our items needed for this week.
1 pack Cape Covelle Wild Caught Salmon (buy one get one FREE this week)
1 pack Cape Covelle Haddock (buy one get one FREE this week)
1 lb. Green Asparagus
1 bag Little Potato Company Gourmet Potatoes
1 pack Dole Chopped Salad Kit, Crunchy Taco
1 Avocado
1 pack PICS Tortillas
1 can (15 oz) PICS Black Bean Salsa
Planning ahead? Defrost filets in the bag in the refrigerator, up to 1 day ahead of when they will be cooked.
Sheet pan prep: Use Simply Done Aluminum Foil and a light spray of PICS Vegetable Oil to make cooking and clean up quick and easy. You can cook filets and fresh or on the same tray, with or without crimping the foil to create a barrier between different items on the same sheet pan.
Cooking from frozen? Tip – Some recipes call for rinsing the frozen filet, but that is not necessary. Use the 2-step directions below to keep your recipe and timeline on track. For seafood servings that are 6 Oz. or less.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Sheet Pan Hack: Place frozen filets (if skin is on, skin side down) on the lightly oiled sheet pan. Cover filets loosely with foil for the first 10-12 minutes. This allows the filet to steam/defrost and maintain moisture. The same can be done with frozen vegetables. After 12 minutes, remove the foil covers. Season with herbs and spices, or a sauce, and return to the oven to finish for 10- 12 more minutes, or when an instant read thermometer reads 145 degrees.
Freezer to Skillet Hack: Set skillet and a cover that can be placed over frozen seafood on the stove. Spray skillet with PICS Vegetable Spray. Turn burner on low, and place filet(s) on the skillet. Place cover over seafood and allow to steam/sauté for 5 – 10 minutes. Remove cover and flip filets. Season or sauce and cook over low/medium heat until done, 10 – 12 minutes, until an instant read thermometer reads 145 degrees.
This Sheet Pan Salmon meal is a winner!
Reel in the simplicity with this delicious, easy meal.
Wash and trim the ends on the asparagus.
Hack: Place Gourmet Baby Potatoes on a microwave safe dinner plate, and microwave for 2-3 minutes. Move them around the plate to promote even cooking and microwave for 1 more minute. This will speed cooking so the salmon, asparagus, and potatoes all finish roasting at the same time.
Preheat oven. If seafood and veggies are not frozen, 375 degrees is fine.
Place salmon on one end of the pan, potatoes in the middle, and asparagus on the other end of the pan. Spread veggies and potatoes so they all have a spot on the pan, and none are stacked on top of each other. Spray seafood, veggies, and potatoes lightly with PICS Vegetable Oil if desired. Season with herbs and spices. Roast on the top rack in the oven, turning the veggies and potatoes at the 10-minute mark to promote even cooking. If using a sauce on the salmon, brush it on after turning the vegetables. Return to the oven for 10-12 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer reads 145 degrees and all vegetables are cooked. Serve it up!
Shop Sheet Pan Salmon!
Haddock Tacos
Change up Taco Tuesday with these mouth-watering haddock tacos!
Follow the directions above for cooking the haddock by your preferred method, sheep pan or skillet.
While the haddock is cooking, prepare the Dole salad according to directions, reserving the corn chips.
Wash and slice the avocado in half, then into chunks.
Open PICS Salsa.
Place Pics Tortillas, 2 per plate, up to 4 plates or servings.
When haddock is cooked, allow it to rest for a minute, then divide each filet into two pieces and place on the center of the tortillas. You may want to cut those pieces into smaller chunks to distribute the length of the tortilla. Sprinkle with chili-lime or taco spices. Using the Dole Crunchy Taco Salad kit for most of the filling is a great hack that delivers a delicious meal – maxing veggie variety and flavor while also saving time and stretching your budget! . Using a slotted spoon, place 1-2 spoonfuls of PICS salsa on the salad, and add a few of the avocado chunks. Sprinkle tortilla chips from the salad on top of the other ingredients, roll up and serve. Sassy, savory and simple.
Shop Haddock Tacos!
Final Tip: Many like the texture of seafood that has been cooked in the skillet for fish tacos, but you can prepare it either way. Cooking the haddock by the sheet pan method while preparing a different dinner a day or two before you plan to serve it can put you way ahead on a busy night – just warm the cooked haddock in the microwave and serve up with the rest of the fresh ingredients!
Ground beef is a quintessential value meal maker – so many options, and not a lot of time required to make a great meal. The Market 32 Fresh 85% Lean Ground Beef Value Pack is 3 lbs., setting us up for 3 meals that come in under $3 per serving. Each meal offers up to 4 servings, with plenty of room for your personal favorite flavors and seasonings. Divide the value pack into 3 (approximately) 1 lb. sections. Per USDA food safety recommendations, store the remaining fresh burger in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or freeze.
This week’s meal items:
3 lbs. Market 32 85% Ground Beef
1 bag Market 32 Baby Gourmet Yellow Potatoes
1 lb. Bunch Celery
1 pack Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Buns
1 box (16oz) Barilla Pasta, any variety
1 can (10oz) Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilies
16 oz PICS Block Cheddar Cheese
1 bag Green Giant Fresh Cut Broccoli
1 can (29oz) PICS Diced Tomatoes
1 can (15oz) PICS Kidney Beans
1 bag (8oz) PICS Cheddar or Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese
1 bag On the Border Tortilla Chips
Meal 1: Burgers and Fresh Broccoli Dippers!
These burgers take on a delicious green twist that your family will love.
What you’ll need:
1 lb. Market 32 85% Ground Beef, shaped into 4 patties
1 bag Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Burger Buns
1 bag Market 32 Baby Gourmet Yellow Potatoes
1 bag Green Giant Fresh Cut Broccoli
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a large sheet pan with PICS Vegetable Oil. Place the contents of the Market 32 bag of Baby Gourmet Potatoes on the tray, separating to ensure they will roast evenly. Place potatoes in the oven.
Spray a large skillet with PICS Vegetable Oil Spray and set it on the stove top on low while you shape the Market 32 Ground Beef into 4 even patties. Season with salt and pepper, or your favorite spice blend.
Carefully place the patties into the hot skillet, allowing it to cook 4-5 minutes per side.
Divide the bag of cut Green Giant Broccoli on 4 plates, and your favorite dip! PICS Ranch is a delicious option here.
Potatoes should be done in 15 – 20 minutes, or when they are tender. Remove from oven and toss in a bowl with butter or a sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese.
Shop Burgers & Broccoli Dippers here!
Meal 2: Rotel Crowd-Pleaser Pasta*
This recipe makes enough for dinner and then some. You will think you might have leftovers, but….. maybe not! Yum! 😊 This versatile meal can be assembled and warmed in a slow cooker or cooked up on the stove top.
What you’ll need:
1 lb. Market 32 85% Lean Ground Beef, browned & drained
1 box (16 oz) Barilla Pasta – Choose your favorite cut! Follow package directions to cook & drain in a colander. Reserve up to 1 cup of pasta water.
1 can (10oz) Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilies
1 block (16oz) PICS Cheddar Cheese
Unwrap the PICS cheese block, cut into small squares to ensure easy melting.
Brown beef in a large skillet or pot, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. At the same time, cook pasta in a large pot with water according to package directions. When done, carefully reserve one cup of cooking water in a glass measuring cup. Drain excess fat from beef and drain pasta in a colander.
Stove Top Directions – Return pasta and reserved cooking water to the pasta pot. Turn the stove burner on low, and add the browned beef, cheese and can (or two!) of Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilies. Stir occasionally until cheese is melted and all ingredients are combined.
Slow Cooker Directions – Turn cooker on to low. Add browned beef, cooked pasta, cheese shreds or cubes, and the whole can of Rotel tomatoes and chilies. (You can use two cans if you like more vegetables!) Cook on low, stirring occasionally until the cheese is melted and all ingredients combined. Use the reserved cooking water if needed to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce. Call the kids and enjoy!
Shop Rotel Crowd-Pleaser Pasta here!
*Adapted from the MamaLovesCooking Recipe Blog, accessed 2/12/2024.
Meal #3: Ch-Ch-Ch-Chili!
Warm up to this favorite cold-weather meal! This Chili recipe is a one-pot wonder – make it your own with delicious additions, like PICS Tomatoes, PICS canned Kidney Beans and your favorite chili seasonings. McCormick makes some great seasoning packages that make it a no-brainer for those super busy, just-get-it-done days.
What you’ll need:
Remaining 1 lb. Market 32 85% ground beef
1 can (29oz) PICS Diced Tomatoes
1 can (15oz) PICS Kidney Beans
In a large pot, brown the remaining 1# of Market 32 Ground Beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat and return the pot to the stove top. Add 1 (29 Oz.) can PICS Diced Tomatoes, 1 15. Oz. can PICS Kidney Beans, chili seasoning packets, or your own spice blend. (Tip – add some whole grain PICS Canned Sweet Corn for color and crunch.) Simmer on low for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all ingredients are combined.
Top chili with PICS Shredded Cheese and serve with On The Border Tortilla Chips for a meal they will all say please and thanks for! This is also a good one to freeze for another day. Enjoy!
Shop Chili here!
Got a hungry crowd? These value meal ideas keep your budget and time under control while delivering hearty and delicious meals. Each meal should serve up to 4 people, all under $3 per person! Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients you will need.
1 lb. Market 32 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 box Prince Pasta
1 Jar Classico Alfredo Sauce
1 pack PICS Frozen Chopped Spinach
1 bag PICS Shredded Swiss 8oz
1 container Market 32 White Mushrooms
1 container Hormel Mashed Potatoes
1 container Pillsbury Grands Biscuits
1 bag Birdseye Steamfresh Brussels Sprouts
1 bag Birdseye Steamfresh Mixed Vegetables
1 can PICS Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
1 bag Full Circle Organic Baby Carrots
Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
First up is a Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake, with a hack to get ahead on kid-favorite Muffin Tin Pot Pies. What better way to create a meal your family will enjoy while also getting prepared for a different meal later in the week?
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a sheet pan with PICS Vegetable Oil Spray, and place all but two of the chicken breasts on the sheet pan. Roast for about 30 minutes.
While the chicken is roasting, cook 1 box of Prince Pasta, cook according to package directions. Drain when cooked, saving 1 cup of water from the pot. (Tip – pasta shells or spirals will soak up more sauce. Reserve another ½ cup of water for those varieties.)
Open 1 package of PICS Frozen Chopped or Leaf Spinach. Add to the warm pasta, mixing in to assist with defrosting.
When the chicken is cooked, (internal temperature 165 degrees) remove from the pan and divide the roasted breasts into two equal portions (2-3 breasts each). Cover and refrigerate the second portion of chicken for the pot pies. Cut the remaining chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken pieces to the pasta and spinach in the pot, then the contents of the jar of Classico Alfredo Sauce, and the reserved pasta water. Heat on low and stir occasionally to combine until sauce is simmering, adding more water as needed to coat the pasta and chicken. Luscious!
Sheet Pan Mushroom Swiss Chicken
This simple one-pan meal will make everyone happy! You can’t forget the convenience of sheet pan meals. Having everything in one area and not having to clean up multiple dishes is a win-win.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a large sheet pan with PICS Vegetable Oil, (or place Simply Done Aluminum Foil on the sheet pan before spraying oil to cut down on clean up time! #Hack) coating the entire pan surface. Place chicken breasts on the pan at one end. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss Brussels Sprouts and mushrooms with 1- 2 TB PICS Olive Oil, and add to the sheet pan, spreading out so all veggies have room to roast.
Bake for 25 minutes, turning vegetables once to roast evenly, for about 25 minutes. Veggies may be done slightly ahead of the chicken – check the sprouts with a fork, they should be slightly browned and tender.
Hormel Mashed Potatoes are up next – follow package directions to heat the potatoes up in the microwave. Keeping time in mind, get them set up in the microwave, ready to start.
Remove tray from oven. Turn oven up to broil. Remove vegetables from the tray with a spatula, placing them in a bowl for serving. Place shredded Swiss on each chicken breast and return to the lower rack of the oven. Set the microwave according to potato package instructions, which takes about 5 minutes. Broil until cheese is melted and slightly browned.
Check the internal temperature of the chicken – it is done when the thermometer reads 165 degrees. Serve and savor!
Muffin Tin Pot Pies* – Easy to assemble, bake and freeze for a quick meal on a busy day!
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spray 1 muffin tin with PICS Vegetable Oil.
Follow directions and microwave 1 (10 Oz) bag of Birdseye Steamfresh Mixed Vegetables, or 1 (10 oz.) bag of PICS Steambag Frozen vegetables of your choice.
Cut remaining roasted chicken breasts into bite-size pieces. Add cooked vegetables to the cut chicken breast. Add PICS soup to the chicken and vegetables and mix well.
Open 1 Grands Biscuit containers. Separate biscuits and use the palm of your hand or the end of a clean jar to flatten to about 5-inch diameter. Place each biscuit into a muffin cup, leaving the edges open. Fill each biscuit cup with about 1/3rd (3 TB) of chicken and vegetables mixture. Crimp biscuit edges over the mixture – they will resemble small hand-pies.
Place the sheet pan with the baby carrots on the top rack, and the muffin tins on the lower rack of the oven. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Serve 2 mini pot pies with the side of roasted carrots, or cool and freeze for a busy day!
*Recipe adapted from Pillsbury, accessed 2/7/2024.
Welcome back to another exciting week of wallet-stretching meal options! As we dive into week four, we’re thrilled to continue our culinary journey, exploring delicious recipes, time-saving tips, and creative meal ideas. This week we are bringing two simple, yet flavorful meal options to your table. They were designed to feed four people at under $3.50 per person. The key to these meals is getting a few ingredients ready and then finishing with quick cooking– and we can help!
This week’s items:
2 packs Certified Angus Beef Steak (Buy one get one free)
1 box Ka Me Noodle Rice Sticks
1 bag PICS Frozen Broccoli (16 oz)
1 bag PICS Frozen Onions & Peppers (16 oz)
1 pack PICS Fajita Tortillas (10 oz)
1 bag PICS Shredded Cheese (8 oz)
1 pack McCormick Fajita Seasoning
1 jar Fage Sour Cream
1 pack Kikkoman Broccoli Beef Seasoning
Optional for a fun meal addition:
1 jar PICS Pizza Sauce
3 packs Thomas’ English Muffins (buy one get TWO free)
Smart set up:
Bowl for marinating or velveting meat
Large skillet or wok
Sharp knife/cutting board for slicing meat
Measuring spoons
Wooden spatula for stir-frying
Prep tips and hacks:
Cook rice or noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Hack: Freeze steak for 10-15 minutes. Remove from packaging to cutting board, and slice thinly across the grain. Slicing across the grain is part of ensuring it is tender and cooks quickly.
Meal #1: Steak Fajitas!
1 pack Certified Angus Beef
1 pack PICS Frozen Onions & Pepper (16 oz)
PICS Fajita Tortillas (10 oz)
PICS Shredded Cheese
Fage Sour Cream
McCormick Fajita Seasoning
Prepare fajita marinade in a bowl large enough for liquid and sliced steak. Reserve 2 tablespoons of marinade. Cut lime into wedges. Prepare flour tortillas to be warmed in the oven or microwave.
Tip – Cooking frozen veggies first allows for water to evaporate and veggies to brown. Skip this step if you want to cook together.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in skillet or wok. When heated, carefully add frozen veggies to the pan, stir frying quickly to heat through and crisp. Remove from skillet when done, place in a bowl, add reserved marinade, and keep warm.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the skillet. Place marinated steak and marinade in the pan and stir fry on high heat until done. Discard any remaining marinade.
Return cooked vegetables to the pan, toss with cooked steak and heat through. Squeeze lime wedges over meat and vegetables and serve!
Meal #2: Beef and Broccoli
1 pack Certified Angus Beef Steak
1 box Ka Me Noddle Rice Sticks
1 bag PICS Frozen Broccoli
1 pack Kikkoman Broccoli Beef Seasoning Mix
Hack: Freeze steak for 10-15 minutes. Remove from packaging to cutting board, and slice thinly across the grain. Slicing across the grain is part of ensuring it is tender and cooks quickly.
Place sliced steak in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 ½ tsp baking soda per 8 oz. Return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow meat to “velvet”, which tenderizes the meat. After 30 minutes, rinse meat slices and pat dry before seasoning or adding marinade for Beef and Broccoli.
Heat oil in large skillet or wok, and add frozen broccoli carefully, watching for splatter. Use wooden spoon or spatula to quickly toss and allow water to evaporate and broccoli to begin cooking. Add meat and marinade and continue stir frying until meat is brown and cooked, and all meat and vegetables are cooked and seasoned.
Leftover love – Make fried rice with leftover meat and/or scrambled eggs, rice and PICS frozen peas and carrots!
Stir fry frozen vegetables in a large skillet or wok. Scramble two eggs in a coffee cup and cook in the microwave. Add chopped leftover meat and rice to the vegetables, and the scrambled eggs. Season with two tablespoons of lower sodium soy sauce – done!
English Muffin Magic – A fun addition to this week’s meal ideas!
1 pack Thomas English Muffins (Be sure to purchase three to get buy one get two FREE)
1 bag PICS Shredded Cheese
1 jar PICS Pizza Sauce
Breakfast, lunch or snack attack – English muffins are a versatile, fun, and easy way to enjoy a quick bite. Try the Whole Grain or Lite versions to amp up the benefits, and the sky is the limit. Quick and convenient whenever you want to eat it! Toasted with nut butter and banana, or avocado and everything seasoning! Kid-friendly – Grab some PICS Pizza sauce and PICS Shredded Mozzarella and make mini English Muffin pizzas! Guaranteed fun for little and big kids 😊
Can you believe we are already half way through January? As the new year unfolds, January brings with it a sense of renewal and the opportunity for a fresh start. You may be watching what you eat and watching what you spend. We understand, and we are here to help! At Price Chopper and Market 32, we are excited to propose week three of our wallet-stretching meal options. The line up we have created was with the intention of feeding four people for under $3.50 per person! Let’s dive into this week’s guide.
For a quicker look at the items we chose, check them out below:
1 Market 32 Fresh Whole Chicken
1 Bag Market 32 Baby Carrots
1 Bag Market 32 Russet Potatoes
1 Bag Organic Celery Hearts
1 Bag PICS Frozen Brussels Sprouts
1 Bag PICS Frozen Veggies
2 Loose Onions
1 Bag Pepperidge Farm Buns
1 Bottle Kraft BBQ Sauce
Option 1: Chicken, Potatoes, & Brussels Sprouts
1 Market 32 Fresh Whole Chicken
1 Bag Market 32 Baby Carrots
1 Bag Market 32 Russet Potatoes
1 Bag Organic Celery Hearts
1 Bag PICS Frozen Brussels Sprouts
1 Bag PICS Frozen Veggies
2 Loose Onions
This meal is simple, yet delicious. Bake the chicken by following the steps below. With an abundance of vegetables at your disposal, let your creativity shine! Take the potatoes as an example – you can opt for mashing, baking, roasting, or slicing them to create oven-baked or air-fried French fries. For a more straightforward approach, consider tossing the potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and Brussels sprouts directly into the pan with the chicken. The possibilities are endless with this combo!
To cook chicken and vegetables:
1 whole chicken, neck and giblets removed.
1 large roasting pan –
Hack: consider lining with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
Wash baby carrots and 3-5 stalks of celery per chicken. Chop celery into 2-3 inch pieces. Chop onions into chunks. Spray roasting pan or foil with oil, and scatter vegetables in the bottom.
Place chicken on top of the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper, herb blends to taste.
Roast until the food thermometer registers 165 degrees F.
Let chicken rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Option 2: Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Veggies
1 Market 32 Fresh Whole Chicken
1 Bag PICS Frozen Veggies
1 Bag Pepperidge Farm Buns
1 Bottle Kraft BBQ Sauce
Let’s take a twist on the classic pulled pork sandwich and use pulled chicken instead! Shred the leftover chicken from the first option and mix it with Kraft BBQ sauce (see instructions below). Microwave your PICS Frozen Veggies of choice, and get creative with your leftover potatoes by making fries or chips on the side. Simple, right? Two quick, easy, and cost-effective meals for this week right at your fingertips.
To shred:
While the chicken is still warm, remove skin and remove meat from bones by hand. Place in a bowl and use a hand mixer to shred; alternately, you can shred using two large, sturdy forks.
Hack – Roast 2 chickens at once – save money and time with this roasted chicken hack – cook once, enjoy multiple meals! No change in cooking time when there are 2 chickens in the oven.
Hack – save the chicken bones, celery tops and onion skin and make broth or chicken soup!
Leap Day: An Extra Day of Dinner
Every four years our calendar adds Leap Day, a 29th day in the month of February. The purpose of Leap Day is to keep our daily calendar aligned with the solar calendar. It takes the Earth approximately 365.25 days to complete its orbit around the sun, therefore every four years we need a 366th day to keep things in order. For us, thinking as a grocery store, this means every four years we have to prepare an extra day of dinner.
365 days of dinner plans can be complicated enough, let alone a 366th! But have no fear, we’re here to help. We look at February 29th as an opportunity to be adventurous and try something new. Check out our list below for some of our more unique recipes that you may not have made before. If there’s something on the list below you’re unfamiliar with, give it a try!
Here are 5 Leap Day recipes to check out:
General Tso’s Shrimp Tacos: General Tso’s chicken is a hit, but have you tried General Tso’s Shrimp? These tacos are an easy route to a blast of flavor. You’ll appreciate General Tso’s sauce even more.
Chorizo & Egg Chilaquiles: This recipe for Chorizo & Egg Chilaquiles is delicious at any time of the day. It’s great for breakfast, dinner or anywhere in between. A creative use of chorizo, eggs and tortilla chips leads to deliciousness. Plus, it features some of our favorite PICS products!
Grilled Stuffed Anaheim Peppers: Stuffed peppers are awesome when in need of some filling comfort food. These Grilled Stuffed Anaheim Peppers feature a team of mouthwatering ingredients that come together to make this dish a winner.
Grilled Swordfish Kabobs with Peanut-Chili Sambal: Sambal is an Indonesian chili sauce made from a mix of peppers and other ingredients. It also makes a great enhancer for your swordfish kabobs! If you’re a fan of big flavor you’ll love this recipe.
Roast Beef & Gorgonzola White Pizza: Pizza is a dinnertime staple, and this Roast Beef & Gorgonzola White Pizza definitely makes for an adventurous slice. We love pretty much anything on a pizza, but this is one of our favorites!
Don’t stress over an extra day of dinner preparation in 2020. Give one of these tasty recipes a try, or check out a wide variety of others on our recipes page. After all, nothing says “step out of your normal comfort zone” more than a 366 day year!
In 3 easy steps you can whip up a delicious meal!
Step 1: Pick an entrée from our menu
Step 2: Select the ingredients
Step 3: Follow our simple cooking instructions & serve!
Chefs’ Menu offers a wide variety of protein options and flavors. Choose from chicken, beef, pork or seafood entrees. Pick-up a brochure and select one of the recipes inside, or mix & match sauces and sides to make a custom meal of your choice! Each entree serves 3-4. Click here to learn more about Chefs’ Menu and view recipes! Happy Thanksgiving! From Our Family to Yours! Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to get together with your family, friends and loved ones. As you gather to celebrate what makes you truly thankful, Price Chopper & Market 32 want to make it easier for you to prepare and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner! Let us help you with tips, recipes and party planning options so you can focus on what makes you thankful (and not stressed!).
THANKSGIVING DINNER PLANNING
The Weekend Before:
- You’ll need to decide what you’re preparing, and let others know if you’d like them to bring a dish!
- Assigning dishes ahead of time allows for family members to know what they are expected to bring. And if you don’t need them to bring anything, you can suggest something like delicious PICS Sparkling Juice. For the kids, it makes them feel like an adult, and for the adults…well, it also makes for a great mixer!
- Develop your shopping list. You can do this right on pricechopper.com!
- Shop for items that can be purchased ahead of time.
- Stock your pantry with canned goods and non-perishable items.
- Extra napkins, cups or even silverware is a good idea, just in case!
- Prepare and freeze anything that can be made in advance.
- Grab any type of party game for a fun family activity (board games, Jenga, or cards)!
- Now is the time to purchase any of your fresh items!
- Make sure you leave enough time to thaw your turkey, if you’re buying a frozen one. More tips on that here!
- Set your table and serving areas
- You can set your table, including your utensils ahead of time
- Set up your beverage area
- Measure out any non-perishable ingredients for recipes, cover and set aside in order to make the next day of cooking easier!
- Click here to view our We Know Turkey Guide
- This handy brochure has information about appropriate roasting times for the size of your turkey. Be sure to include 30-45 minutes rest time when calculating.
- Make up a “menu” and set it in a place where everyone who is helping to cook can see. That way, no food gets left off the table and you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything!
- Remove the turkey from refrigerator, unwrap and remove the giblets. If you are using the giblets for anything, make sure you set them aside.
- Wash turkey and place in roasting pan. Refrigerate until ready to roast.
- Pick up any prepared food
- Peel and cut potatoes. Cover with cold water until ready to cook.
- Prepare stuffing
- Cook giblets if using
- Plate condiments such as cranberry sauce, olives, carrots, celery and pickles
- Add any finishing touches to make-ahead recipes
- Remove turkey from oven and allow to rest
- Place stuffing in oven to bake (unless stuffed in turkey)
- Drain potatoes, add salt and fresh water. Cook, drain and mash. Place in ovenproof casserole dish and keep warm in oven
- Make gravy
- Carve turkey
- Bake rolls (according to instructions)
- Pour beverages
- Place condiments on table
- Add any finishing touches to side dishes
- Light candles
If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, it is essential to sit down and plan out the tasks that need to be completed ahead of time and create your plan of attack. At this point you have to think about what kind of planning works for you. I like making lists where I can check things off as I do them. (For some reason the physical act of checking something off makes me feel like I’m actually accomplishing something and makes the whole task seem more bearable.) I find it especially helpful when I am presented with tasks that seem overwhelming or difficult. As with almost everything in this world what works for me might not work for you, so it might be beneficial to host a smaller gathering (maybe with a few friends) as a test run to see how you like to plan or organize these kind of events.
Now that you know how you want to organize your Thanksgiving dinner, it’s time to actually plan it. Starting to prep around two weeks in advance is the ideal time frame. This is when recipes should be gathered and narrowed down to the final menu. When planning the menu think about what time you are planning to serve dinner as well as what kitchen tools will be needed for each dish and how long everything takes to prep and prepare. As part of the planning process you will want to make sure you have everything required to complete those recipes.
Timing is another thing to consider. Since it’s safe to assume most people only have one oven, planning out the space and
time every dish needs to be fully cooked is essential. At this point go back through your planned menu and see what can be prepped and prepared ahead of time. Items such as pie crust dough and cranberry sauce can be made a few days ahead a time. Many vegetables can also be chopped and prepped ahead of time. Take a look at the menu and decide which items can be prepped early to save you some time on Thanksgiving Day.
Now let’s get talking about that turkey. The weight of your turkey determines how long it takes to defrost if you have purchased a frozen turkey. It could take DAYS!( Please refer to our We Know Turkey guide for more information about defrosting and cooking turkeys!)Make sure you plan accordingly, no one wants a frozen turkey on Thanksgiving Day! Also make sure you have a safe environment to thaw your turkey out in. Plan out how you are going to cook your turkey and if you are worried about how it will turn out, it’s not a bad idea to practice on a smaller turkey or a whole chicken in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Pricechopper has plenty of different turkey recipes to try out and who knows maybe one will become your new holiday favorite!
I hope these tips help to make your holiday season less stressful and more enjoyable! Make sure to share your Thanksgiving table pictures with #PriceChopper and #Market32 on Twitter and Instagram!