When it comes to baking a pie, mastering the crust is key! While you can purchase pre-made pie crusts in the dairy & frozen section of our stores, making a pie crust from scratch will make your pie the star of the dessert table! Below are some tried & true tips to help get you started!
- Your butter & water must be cold; even frozen butter works as long as you cut it into cubes before freezing
- Measure ingredients carefully to prevent a tough, greasy or soggy crust
- Cut the fat into the flour just until the size of peas (use a fork or pastry blender)
- Handle pie dough as little as possible to ensure a flaky and tender crust
- Chill pie dough for several hours to tenderize the dough, and prevent shrinkage during baking
- Allow the dough to come to room temperature before rolling
- Roll dough from the center out to a 1/8̋ thickness or less
- To place the pie crust in the pie pan, carefully loosen it from the cutting board; fold it over the rolling pin. Unroll it into the pan and press down lightly
- Trim any excess dough, leaving approximately ½ ̋ for fluting the edge
- Flute the edge by pinching dough between the thumb and forefinger or seal the edge by pressing the dough with a fork against the rim of the pie pan
- When baking a crust without the filling, prick the dough with a fork and place dry beans or rice in the bottom to prevent shrinkage while baking. Bake in a preheated 450°F oven for 10 -12 minutes or until lightly browned.
- For the crust to be baked with a filling, do not prick the crust. For pies with juicy fillings, brush the bottom of the crust with egg white or melted butter to prevent a soggy crust.
- For pies that bake more than 30 minutes, place a rim of foil around the edge of the crust during the first half of baking to prevent over-browning
- 2 PICS eggs
- 1 cup PICS sugar
- ½ cup Price Chopper flour
- ½ cup PICS butter, melted
- 1 T. PICS vanilla
- 1 cup PICS pecans, chopped
- 6 oz. semi sweet chocolate morsels
- 1 pastry shell, unbaked
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!
Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, so there’s no better time than now to start planning your upcoming feast. While you may be more focused on prepping the food menu, make sure you don’t forget about the wine! Thankfully, with a traditional spread of appetizers, savory meats, mashed potatoes, yams, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pickled this and peppered that, all the way to pumpkin or pecan pie, there are dozens of wine pairing possibilities. Make the most of your Thanksgiving dinner with a few easy and classic wine selections sure to please any palate.
Founded by world-class sommelier Joseph Carr, Josh Cellars wine was created and named in honor of his Dad. With 6 varietals in the portfolio, Josh Cellars wines are bold yet approachable, affordable and perfect for your Thanksgiving celebration.
For those who prefer white wine, offering a crisp Chardonnay with ripe fruit flavors
is always a good idea. Josh Cellars Chardonnay is balanced with hints of citrus and subtle oak that can stand up to rich foods like corn pudding and green bean casserole. It also pairs particularly well with stuffing, especially if it’s made with apples.
Fruit forward and food-friendly, Pinot Noir is a classic favorite and common fixture at the Thanksgiving table. Josh Cellars Pinot Noir is bursting with flavors of cherry, strawberry and a hint of chocolate. Balanced with bright acidity, this medium bodied wine won’t overpower the delicate flavors of turkey or holiday ham.
Last but not least, try serving a more robust wine to round out your meal. Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is bursting with dark fruits and flavors of cinnamon, clove and toasted oak. It has firm tannins and a long finish that complement a flavorful holiday roast or rich chocolate dessert.
While there may be many competing flavors on the Thanksgiving table, selecting a versatile wine doesn’t have to be a challenge fit only for a sommelier. You can worry less and enjoy more this Thanksgiving by selecting affordable, quality wine like those from Josh Cellars. Cheers! Written By: Elizabeth Barbone
For someone on a gluten-free diet, the Thanksgiving table can look like one large buffet of “do not touch.” However, with a little work and cooperation from family and friends, the meal can be something you’re truly thankful for.
First, let’s start with the good news!
Here’s a list of foods that are usually gluten-free:
- Turkey (check with the producer to ensure that wheat-based gravy or stuffing hasn’t been added to the turkey.)
- Cranberries and cranberry sauce
- Sweet Potatoes
- White Potatoes
- Fresh, roasted, or steamed vegetables without sauce (sauces often contain wheat)
- Brown, white, and wild rice (be sure they contain no sauces or wheat-based seasonings)
- Chestnuts
Here are foods that usually contain gluten:
- Vegetable dips
- Salad dressing (many but not all pre-made salad dressings contain wheat)
- Stuffing/dressing, including cornbread stuffing.
- Gravy
- Green Bean Casserole
- Pie Crusts
- Any vegetable dish with a thickened sauce
- Any dish containing soy sauce.
Dos and Don’ts of a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving—for a gluten-free eater (if you’re hosting someone on the gluten-free diet for Thanksgiving, there’s a list below for you, too!)
- Do…call your host before Thanksgiving. Discuss your needs and how you plan on handling them.
- Do…serve yourself first. If you aren’t bringing your own food, be sure to serve yourself before everyone else does. I know this sounds rude and selfish. However, it’s the only way to prevent potential cross-contact with gluten-filled foods.
- Do…bring yourself something you love. If your host is unable to accommodate a part of the meal you love, such as rolls, bring them yourself.
- Do…ask for brands and ingredients that will be used to prepare the Thanksgiving meal. Remind your host about “hidden gluten”–such as soy sauce or flouring cake pans or gluten in prepared foods.
- Do…plan for the best but expect the worst. Even with the best planning things sometimes go wrong. Remember to ask questions before the meal. Thanksgiving is a hectic day and sometimes things can change at the last minute.
- Do….familiarize yourself with dishes that might contain gluten so you’ll know to avoid them.
- Don’t….serve yourself a dish with a “shared” serving spoon. If people are scooping wheat-based stuffing and then using that same scoop to serve Brussels sprouts, the vegetables are no longer gluten-free. Take care to avoid any food that has come in contact with wheat/gluten.
- Don’t…forget about small amounts of gluten. If the gravy was thickened with “just a little” flour or the vegetables contain “just a little soy sauce” or the dessert contains “just a little” non-gluten-free oats, avoid them. Remember, gluten can be obvious and not-so-obvious. When in doubt, ask questions or skip the dish.
- Don’t…cheat. It might be tempting to cheat but don’t. Your good health is worth staying on the gluten-free diet. By doing a little pre-planning, you can avoid gluten and enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Dos and Don’ts of a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving—for a non-gluten-free host
- Do…talk to your guest about what you’re making. Talk about ingredients and brands that are safe, and not safe, for someone who eats gluten-free.
- Do…understand that even a small amount of gluten can make someone sick. Your gluten-free guest isn’t trying to be picky. They are trying to stay healthy.
- Do…prepare gluten-free foods first. After that prep is done, prepare foods made with wheat. Doing this limits the chances of cross contact with wheat occurring.
- Do…keep gluten-free and gluten-filled food on separate ends of the table or buffet. If possible, use note cards to mark which foods are gluten-free and which are not.
- Do…change things up a little. Perhaps prepare a naturally gluten-free rice stuffing or swap your pie crust for one that’s gluten-free. Lots of little changes make a big difference.
- Don’t…assume a food/ingredient is gluten-free. Gluten can be found in unlikely places, like in prepared chicken broth. In the days before Thanksgiving, go over your shopping list and contact manufacturers with any questions about the gluten-free status of an ingredient.
To help with your meal, here are some gluten-free recipes for classic Thanksgiving dishes.
Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole
15 Recipes for a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving
We’ve got your dessert table covered!
On Thanksgiving Day, some people look forward to the turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing the most. But for the family members that are just counting down until the dessert table is set, we have all the sweetest sweets!
Filling your dessert table with a delightful selection is easy as pie. Along with cakes, cupcakes, and an array of other treats, our bakery has delicious gourmet pie and cream pie offerings..Let our pies be the star of your dessert table this year!
Gourmet Pies
- Apple
- Apple Caramel Walnut
- Raspberry
- Very Berry
- Chocolate
- Banana
- Coconut
And don’t forget the lemon lovers in the crowd! Our decadent lemon supreme pie starts with a classic, flaky crust. Then it’s filled with a layer of cheesecake and a layer of lemon filling and topped with real whipped cream. Stop into Market Bistro or your local Price Chopper Bakery Department today and discover the very best pies for your dessert table!
If you are looking for gourmet quality with a bake at home feel, stop by the in store bakery department where you can pick up any of our gourmet pies to bake at home. Your guests will be WOW’d when you pull these from your oven. Don’t worry, it can be our little secret 😉 
Written by: Kevin Schulke, Senior Category Manager Beer & Wine
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first time or the twentieth time, or if you are a guest looking for a great wine to bring to your holiday festivities, we have three wines that will please someone in every crowd and pair wonderfully with traditional Thanksgiving foods. It is no wonder they are among the most popular wines during this holiday.
Red wine enthusiasts will love Mark West Pinot Noir. With aromas of spice, dark fruit and 
smoky oak it pairs wonderfully with the abundance of herb-infused dishes Thanksgiving offers. The black cherry, cola, strawberry and plum flavors will go great with dark turkey meat, ham and stuffing. Mark West is the #1 Pinot Noir in America and a great value for the money!
If you want to impress your guests with a new-age red wine, Beaujolais Nouveau is for you. Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaulolais region of France. While most red wines improve as they age, Beaujolais’ allure is all about freshness. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Under French law, this wine may be released at 12:01 on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine’s grapes have been harvested. Producers race to deliver this wine to retailers throughout France and the world where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed within a year of being made and is best served slightly cooled. We recommend enjoying this wine chilled to bring out the strawberry, raspberry and cherry flavors.
When hosting any event, you should always have a white wine as well as red. Chateau St. Michelle Riesling is a blend of Riesling from throughout Washington’s Columbia Valley. If you’re looking for a refreshing, flavorful, medium-dry Riesling, this is the one for you! The wine offers crisp apple aromas and flavors with subtle mineral notes. This “everyday Riesling” is a pleasure to drink and easy to match with your Thanksgiving dinner. The Riesling’s innate flavors of apple and its clarifying acidity give it a significant pairing edge with the likes of sweet potatoes, turkey meat and spice-laden or herb-filled stuffing. Rieslings are typically sweeter than most white wines so it may be a good idea to have a drier white wine as well, such as a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Cheers!
Kevin
*Please note Price Chopper only carries wine in Vermont, New Hampshire and the following Massachusetts stores: Pittsfield, Shrewsbury, Lenox.