Kick-Off Frozen Food Month with Air Fryer Recipes
Did you know that March is Frozen Food Month? We’re excited to kick it off the right way with some awesome air fryer recipes. Frozen foods are valued for their easy, convenient preparation in a pinch, yet quality taste and flavors. Check out our lineup of go-to recipes.
Air Fyrer Herbed Root Vegetable Crisps: This recipe includes red beets, celery, carrots, and parsnip. Simply peel and slice and pop in the air fryer. They come out as a healthier alternative to potato chips with their crispiness. We love them!
Air Fryer Loaded-Pizza Baked Potatoes: Loaded baked potatoes are perfect for the air fryer. We love them so much we have a couple varieties, see Loaded-Taco Baked Potatoes below. This pizza version combines green bell pepper, mushrooms, marinara sauce, shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese for an awesome pizza-like experience.
Air Fryer Loaded-Taco Baked Potatoes: As promised, our recipe for Air Fryer Loaded-Taco Baked Potatoes. Featuring ground beef, taco seasoning, guac, red onion, fresh lime juice, shredded Mexican style blend cheese, sour cream, and salsa, it’s a take on tacos like never before.
Air Fryer Honey Sesame Cauliflower “Wings”: These Honey Sesame Cauliflower “Wings” are so tasty and easy to prepare. Cauliflower alternatives have been a hit recently, and these cauliflower wings are a fantastic take on the trend.
Frozen Food Month is officially here and it’s time to let the air fryer shine. Try out these creative air fryer recipes for yourself or stick to some of your own favorites. Either way, Price Chopper and Market 32 is your one stop shop for all things Frozen Food Month.
Happy Air Frying!
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Meal Planning: Week of President's Day (2/21 - 2/25)
As parents already know, Monday is President’s Day which means the kiddos are home from school. Meal planning for the week is hard enough, but when a wrench of a Monday holiday is thrown into the mix it can become even more stressful. That’s why we did the meal planning for you. Check out these meals to try for the week of 2/21 – 2/25!
Monday, 2/21 (President’s Day)
Mondays at work tend to be long and tiring. Coming home to hungry kids doesn’t make it any easier. Might be a good night for a rotisserie chicken to save the day.
Tuesday, 2/22
Feels like a good week for a Taco Tuesday. Let’s give it a go with these Chipotle Ground Beef Street Tacos.
Wednesday, 2/23
Wednesday could be a good pasta night. We recommend our recipe for Easy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta.
Thursday, 2/24
Thursday’s forecast looks a little chillier than the early part of next week. And when things get chilly, we adjust with a nice bowl of Pork & Navy Bean Soup.
Friday, 2/25
Friday is always a great night for pizza. Give our Pepperoni, Olive, & Feta Pan Pizza a try. Or if you’re taking it easy on your Friday evening, relax with one of our pizza meal solutions.
This is our plan going into this new week. Follow along with us all week or stop in when you’re stuck. We’re looking forward to enjoying these tasty recipes.
Chocolate & Dessert Recipes for Valentine's Day
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we are craving some soothing chocolates and chocolate desserts. It’s the perfect time of year to break out your favorite recipes or try new ones to add to your menu. In fact, we decided to break out some of our most coveted for Valentine’s Day 2022.
Chocolate Chocolate Cheesecake: You know what’s better than chocolate cheesecake? Chocolate Chocolate Cheesecake!
Irish Spiked Brownies: These Irish Spiked Brownies are an extra sweet treat. Featuring Guinness Draught Stout and Irish cream liqueur, the Irish elements blend beautifully into these brownies.
Mocha-Almond Meringue Cake: This Mocha-Almond Meringue Cake will knock your chocolate cravings out the park. Your taste buds will thank you for the ultimate satisfaction.
No-Bake Salted Caramel-Toffee Crunch Cheesecake: Our No-Bake Salted Caramel-Toffee Crunch Cheesecake will soothe your hunger away. Caramel, graham cracker crumbs, and chocolate toffee come together for one heavenly dessert.
Magic Brownie Bars: Combine coconut flakes, chocolate chips, and chopped walnuts to bring the magic to these Brownie Bars.
Pretzel Turtle Bars: If you ask us, it doesn’t get much better than pretzels and chocolate. These Pretzel Turtle Bars use that combination to perfection.
Vanilla-Raspberry Ice Cream Tart with Brownie Crust & Mocha Drizzle: This Vanilla-Raspberry Ice Cream Tart is the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert. Delicious ice cream, brownie, and smooth mocha drizzle. What more could you ask for?
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Checking Out Cheddar!
Say cheese! It’s National Cheddar Day and we are shredding with excitement. Cheddar is the most popular type of cheese in America for its reliability and versatility. There’s no limit to what you can do with cheddar. So, in order to give it its proper recognition, let’s learn more about this cheesy favorite.
Cheddar gets its name from the Cheddar Village in Somerset, England where it was first crafted. A smooth texture identifies a young cheddar, while an aged cheddar can be crumbly. According to Anne Saxelby, of Saxelby Cheesemakers, it’s the cheesemaking process that defines cheddar, rather than the cheese itself. She says, people don’t realize that cheddar is actually a verb. During the process itself, the curds are cheddared, creating the cheddar cheese.
Around the 19th century, more countries adopted cheddar and began selling it in their grocery stores. Cheddar’s ability to made anywhere in the world helped it become one of the most popular cheeses. Although the process around the world is similar, and the cheddar is made from cow’s milk, different styles exist due to differing aging processes and rinds.
Saxelby explains in detail how cheddar can be enjoyed throughout the aging process. Young, mild cheese aged 1-3 months is creamy, slightly sweet, and yellow. Semi-sharp cheddar is aged 3-6 months, where the cheese begins to develop a tang. Matured cheddar aged 6-12 months is sharp, drier, crumbly, robust, with a strong flavor. Finally, vintage cheddar, aged 12-24 months, is savory with a salty crunch.
There’s wide variety of cheddar rinds and styles around the world, which makes it very versatile and popular. Check out some our must-try Cheddar recipes. Including, Irish Cheddar Mac & Cheese, White Cheddar & Bacon Kraut Reubens, and plenty more.
Don’t forget to visit your local store or shop our online aisles for your favorite cheddar products!
Dips for the Big Game!
Football fans rejoice! It’s once again time for the ultimate big game. However, this celebration isn’t only for sports diehards. It’s for foodies too! The big game provides an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen, and one of the staples of the sports-watching menu is a good dip. This year we’ve got you covered with our favorites. Check out our list for the most spirited, delicious celebration yet.
Philly Cheesesteak Dip: When it comes to gameday food, there isn’t much better than a good Philly Cheesesteak. Lucky for us, it works beautifully in the form of a dip.
Herbed Tahini Dip: Looking for something new and refreshing? Look no further. Your tastebuds will do a touchdown dance for this Herbed Tahini Dip.
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Dip: If you’re hoping to impress your guests this year, pair this Garlic Parm Dip with your favorite kettle chips.
Barbeque Chicken Pizza Dip: Yet another fantastic gameday dish turned into a dip. We don’t have to say much to get you excited about this recipe.
Zesty Layered Hummus Dip: This Zesty Layered Hummus Dip is super tasty. Plus, it’s great for those healthier snackers who prefer dipping carrots and vegetables over chips.
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip: This Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip is a big hitter. So full of flavor, it might be the star player on our big game roster.
Slow Cooker Shrimp-Jalapeño Popper Dip: Epic flavors collide to create a super team in this Slow Cooker Shrimp-Jalapeño Popper Dip. A team strong enough to make it to the big game!
Check out the video below for 3-Ingredient Dip 3-Ways!
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Celebrate Shopping Local with Northeast Made Products!
At Price Chopper & Market 32, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with fresh, close to home ingredients. To ensure that when you’re shopping our aisles, you’re choosing from the highest quality selection of locally made products. It’s what’s best for you and your family!
Milk: Our PICS milk is bottled in New York with the help of over 500 Northeast dairy farmers: When you take home a jug of our milk, you’re taking home the product of hard-working local farmers (and cows) from our region. Located in Hudson Falls, NY, Ideal Dairy Farms is a great local dairy farm. These folks are just a few miles down the road from our Fort Edward store. Ideal Dairy first began selling milk to local residents around 1908. These days they produce over 16,000 gallons of milk per day! Despite operating for over 100 years, the vision of Ideal Dairy has remained unchanged: they’re committed to the production of quality milk for their community.
Granola: Every batch of PICS granola is hand made in Schenectady, New York. Made with the finest ingredients using artisanal baking techniques, this granola will soon be your go-to granola. Snack on it plain, add milk, top your ice cream with it – no matter how you use it, you will enjoy every bite!
Maple Syrup: We live in one of the only regions in the world with the ideal climate for maple agriculture, and we’re proud to partner with a wide variety of local maple farmers and producers here in the Northeast, who are currently preparing for this year’s maple sugaring season.
These are just a few of the wide variety of local products available in our stores. You can find many more homegrown PICS items on our shelves. Featured in our ad this week are PICS cottage cheese and eggs, two of our go-to locally made items.
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Get Cozy With Our Favorite Winter Comfort Recipes!
The weather outside may be frightful, but some good winter comfort recipes are so delightful. We’re talking soups, stews, chili, you get the idea. Check out this list of our favorites to help you and your family overcome the cold.
Irish Stout Beef Stew: This hearty stew flaunts boneless chuck roast alongside carrots, cabbage, and other Irish staples.
Beef & Butternut Squash Stew: We are huge butternut squash lovers, so it’s no surprise that this delicious Beef & Butternut Squash Stew is a wintertime go-to!
Vegetable Beef Stew: Featuring carrots, celery, Idaho potatoes and more this Vegetable Beef Stew is guaranteed to fill your belly and warm your heart.
White Cheddar & Ale Soup: This White Cheddar & Ale Soup is awesome. Sharp white cheddar cheese combined with pale ale is a perfect match, even as a soup.
Slow Cooker Split Pea & Ham Soup: Diced green split peas, chopped ham, and Idaho potatoes make this soup happen. With a ham bone broth complimented by many delicious ingredients we bet you’ll be back for more.
Instant Pot® Tortellini & Vegetable Soup: Break out the Instant Pot for an easy way to make a tasty wintertime meal.
Chicken, Spinach & Quinoa Soup: What’s not to like in this dish? Spinach, quinoa, chicken breast come together for a great take on soup.
Harvest Chili: This Harvest Chili combines all the chili necessities with twists of sweet potato and pumpkin for a Harvest feel.
Super Chili: It’s called super for a reason. Extravagant, bold flavors make for one hearty bowl of fantastic chili.
Carrot Tomato Bisque with Parsnip Crisps: This Carrot Tomato Bisque is so tasty. Complimented beautifully by parsnip crisps. We can’t get enough of this recipe.
Try these recipes out for yourself as the cold weather continues. We think you will love them. Don’t forget to stop by your local Price Chopper & Market 32 for all things comfort food. If you can’t get to the store take advantage of our online pickup & delivery options.
Stay Warm!
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Citrus to the Max!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN Manager, Lifestyles and Wellness
Winter brings fresh citrus to the store and to your table – during the cold and sometimes gloomy days of winter, the bright smell of lemon or orange can add energy to your day and your recipes! As we also keep an eye on budgets and value, taking advantage of the seasonal abundance of oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes, tangerines, clementines, mandarins and more, check out these culinary and climate-smart hacks and tips to take your citrus to the max!
Get a smart start – take advantage of seasonal citrus sales, then store them well. Most citrus is fine on the cool kitchen counter for about 5 days, but you risk losing what isn’t used up as it dries out and loses quality much beyond that. Some tips to make the most of what is fresh and fabulous:
- Wash citrus before prepping or storing. Store in the refrigerator for best shelf life.
- Use a zester or micro plane to capture the flavor and fiber benefits of fruit zest. There are so many ways to use it:
- Add a teaspoon or two of zest to a small jar of salt or sugar – sprinkle on anything you are looking for a little burst of flavor – liven up leftovers and zip up sweet treats.
- Zest and juice fruits and freeze them together in ice cube trays. Once frozen, you can add the juice and zest cubes to water, soups, teas and cocktails anytime.
- Freeze whole fruits for zesting and juicing later – store in a freezer bag with as much air as possible removed.
- Keep citrus peels from snacks/recipes and let them dry out on a counter or windowsill – they make great fresheners for the sink disposal – last thing you do before you finish cleaning the kitchen!
- Slice and dehydrate citrus in an air fryer (check appliance directions) or your regular oven – lay uniform thin slices 1 inch apart on a foil-lined sheet pan, lightly sprayed with oil. Oven temperature should be about 200 °F, time will be 2 – 6 hours, depending on size of fruit. Check out more how-to’s and ideas at The National Center for Home Food Preservation.
- Beyond the plate – dried citrus fruit and zest is also great to use for decorating, such as festive dried fruit garlands and potpourri.
- How about a homemade citrus cleaner? Check out this easy-make method from US Citrus.
- Preserved or pickled, easy freezer jams, jellies and spreads -add a dash of the Mediterranean to seafood or poultry recipes with preserved lemons with thyme or oregano, or explore a rosy, luscious Cara Cara orange curd for a special cake, or a beautiful tart decorated with ruby-kissed dried orange slices.
- Treat yourself – one of my favorite recipes – overnight oats with fresh or frozen fruit, chia seeds, PICS Greek yogurt and lemon curd.
So many ways to enjoy the winter bounty of citrus our Produce Team has worked to source and bring to your local store – enjoy!
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Checking Out - Joseph's Bakery
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN
The Joseph’s Bakery story is iconic – Syrian immigrant Joseph Boghos arrived in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1952. Missing familiar food from home, he began making pita bread in his apartment, intriguing friends and neighbors with the delicious “pocket” bread. Fast forward to today, and three generations have transformed that family recipe into a local company employing 300 + people, making delicious, versatile pita, lavash and more!
Joseph’s Bakery Pita, Wraps and Lavash are an innovative combination of a traditional recipe adapted to include better-for-you ingredients that add up to a win-win for you and your family. Whole wheat, ALA omega 3’s from fiber-rich, nutty flaxseed, lighter in calories/carbs than many bread items – there is a lot to like! Those unique features mean several Joseph’s Bakery items meet the Know Your Colors nutrition guidelines for CarbSmart, Protein Smart and Whole Grains. Joseph’s Bakery signature savory flavor and heady, wholesome fresh bread aroma make a tasty and tender foundation for any recipe. The pita is perfectly sized, easy to split open and fill with your favorites – Market 32 Turkey, fresh romaine or tender baby spinach, or sliced Market 32 Fresh Mozzarella, sliced fresh tomatoes, arugula and a splash of PICS Balsamic Vinegar! Versatile Joseph’s Pita and Wraps are great for picnics, tailgating, or traveling. Get personal with pita pizzas kids can build themselves at your Friday night pizza buffet or get plant-powered with marinated white bean salad, hummus and veggies, or Mediterranean falafel salad fillings. Yum!
The Lavash is a wonderful base for a cheesy flatbread, thin-crust fruit or veggie pizza, or fun pinwheel appetizer or lunchbox fun favorite. Turn leftovers into new family favorites, like leftover Market 32 rotisserie chicken and cole slaw lavash roll ups – grate some fresh apple or pear into the slaw for a flavor-forward surprise that everyone will love. Joseph’s Bakery items are great pantry and/or freezer items to keep on hand for a quick meal or snack. The perfect “secret ingredient”, they’re just waiting in our Deli display for your inspiration!
BBQ Chicken and Pear Pizza
INGREDIENTS
- 1 package of Joseph’s Flax Lavash
- 1/3 cup of low fat ricotta
- 1/2 clove of minced garlic
- Olive oil
- Sea salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup of yellow onion chopped
- 1/4 cup of thinly sliced pears
- 1/2 cup of shredded chicken
- BBQ sauce as desired
- Arugula as desired
- Ranch dressing as desired
DIRECTIONS
- Pre heat the oven to 450°F.
- Prepare your ingredients: Mix the ricotta and garlic together in a small bowl. Chop onions and caramelize them in a pan, then set aside. Slice up your pear to make a 1/4 cup. Prepare your shredded chicken and set aside.
- Add your toppings: Lay your lavash on a non stick pan, drizzle on olive oil and sprinkle sea salt. Dollop on your ricotta mixture on to your lavash and spread out with a spatula, leaving a little bit of room around the edges. Layer on the caramelized onions and shredded chicken.
- Bake your creation in the oven for 4-6 minutes. Let your pizza cool for 1-2 minutes out of the oven.
- Drizzle on your favorite BBQ sauce, then add arugula to the top and drizzle on ranch dressing as desired. Cut into slices and enjoy!
California Pita Pocket
INGREDIENTS
- 1 Joseph’s Pita Bread (Flax or White or Wheat)
- 1/2 Avocado sliced thinly
- Your favorite deli meat (turkey, chicken or plant based)
- 1/2 Tomato sliced thin
- A few pieces of romaine lettuce
- Desired condiments (mustard, mayo, etc.)
DIRECTIONS
- Cut the pita in half through the center of the circle to create two pockets for your sandwich. Warm the pita in the microwave for a few seconds or in the oven if desired.
- Add your lettuce, avocado slices, tomato slices, and deli meat. Add in any condiments for extra flavor.
- Transfer to plate and enjoy!
10 New Recipes for the New Year
It’s that time again, New Year’s is approaching! Time to get rid of the old and bring in the new. That’s exactly what we are doing with our at-home menus this year. We’re game planning some awesome new recipes for the brand new year. After all, there is nothing better than fresh flavors and more delicious dishes. Check out some of our must-tries in 2022.
Bouillabaisse: This year we have seafood at the top of our minds, and this Bouillabaisse recipe is a party for seafood-lovers. Lobster, clams, scallops and more seafood favorites all together in a delicious sauce, your tastebuds will be swimming in flavor.
Popcorn Steak Bites with Buttermilk-BBQ Dip: These Popcorn Steak Bites are delicious and creative. Try them with our amazing Buttermilk-BBQ Dip recipe. Be prepared to have to pass on the recipes to friends.
Squash-Quinoa Cakes with Herb-Yogurt Sauce: We’re big squash fans and love to try to use the versatile vegetable in as many recipes as possible. This recipe for Squash-Quinoa Cakes with Herb-Yogurt Sauce is refreshing and perfect for squash-lovers like us.
Tuna Empanadas: Empanadas are a great dish. And in this one, tuna is an excellent change of pace. Perhaps not what you expect to fill an empanada, but this recipe will make you think differently.
Roasted Grape & Goat Cheese Bruschetta: This Bruschetta is the perfect snack or appetizer. A recipe we will be using a lot in 2022. The combination of roasted grapes and goat cheese is mouthwateringly perfect.
Zucchini-Veggie Rolls: Try these Zucchini-Veggie Rolls for a healthy start to the new year. Veggies combined with spreadable garlic & herbs cheese is amazing. We could eat these all day long.
Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs: Add a twist to your meatballs with some PICS barbecue sauce. Throw some on your meatballs and open up a new world of flavor possibilities.
Grilled Swordfish Kabobs with Peanut-Chili Sambal: These Swordfish Kabobs are fantastic. Plus, the Peanut-Chili Sambal is absolutely filled with flavor. This is an elite combination in our book.
Zesty Layered Hummus Dip: If you’re a fan of hummus, we recommend elevating your game with this Zesty Layered Hummus Dip. Olives, cheese, pepperoncini, and much more team up to make this layered dip everything you’ve dreamed of.
Spicy Caribbean Peel & Eat Shrimp: We’ve heated up our Argentinean Shell-On Shrimp with jalapeno seasoning, cayenne, red chile pepper, and spiced rum for more flavor. These little shrimps are bold, awesome, and excellent for the new year.
With 2022 fast approaching we recommend giving all of these recipes a try in the new year. Either way, Price Chopper & Market 32 is your one stop shop for all your New Year’s essentials. Visit your local store or check out our online pickup & delivery options.
Happy New Year!