Winner, Winner, Market 32 Free From Chicken DInner
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN
Chicken is definitely a winner when it comes to making a delicious dinner! Or lunch, or snack – versatile and available in so many easy-to-cook cuts, you can make tried and true family favorites, explore global cuisines, or just stick to quick and easy when Market 32 FREE FROM Chicken is on your list.
Market 32 FREE FROM Chicken has all of the flavor and quality shoppers are looking for – carefully sourced by the Market 32 FREE FROM Team from the first family farming operation in the world to earn the American Humane Certified ™ verification, they live in open houses, allowing them the ability to live a stress free life without the threat of predators, exposure to diseases from migratory birds or harm from the elements which would all impact flock health. They are fed a high quality diet of pesticide-free, American-grown, Non-GMO grains, specifically planned by vets and animal nutritionists, with an unlimited supply of clean water and fresh feed along with plenty of fresh air and room to roam. The farm has been raising chickens for over 50 years – they have learned that ensuring a good environment for the chickens, including water and soil testing, delivers a good quality of life and results in a safe, delicious product. They take even more care with their employees, which they call their best asset, ensuring they have company-provided PPE, regular screenings, work area safety standards, and more. Price Chopper/Market 32 customers can be confident they are bringing a great choice home to their families and friends.
Fresh Market 32 FREE FROM Chicken is an excellent source of protein and is also a lean choice when choosing skinless chicken tenders, thin-sliced cutlets or skinless chicken breasts. Market 32 FREE FROM Chicken is available in a range of cuts and package sizes, and lends itself to any number of recipes and serving ideas. Casseroles, soups, salads, sheet pan and skillet meals are all on the menu.
There has been a lot more cooking going on at home over the last six months or so, and we are hearing from customers that they are looking for some inspiration to get past cooking fatigue. We can help! Combine Market 32 FREE FROM Chicken with a delicious Culinary Tours item like Szechuan Style Peanut Sauce, or season with PICS Everything Spice Blend for a quick and easy meal. Check out the recipes below from our website and YouTube channels – you are sure to find some new favorites, and more than one way to win the dinner dilemma!
Honey Garlic Skillet Chicken | White Chicken Chili | Buffalo Chicken Salad | Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos
Kodiak Cakes - Energize a Protein and Whole Grain Habit!
Ellie Wilson
MS RDN Manager, Health and Wellness
New Year’s resolutions to embrace healthier habits inspire shoppers to look for new products and ideas. So many are working and managing school from home these days, I love finding solutions that connect the dots including easy-to-make, kid-friendly, travel-friendly, versatile and nutritious. The Kodiak Cakes products are delicious solutions with unique benefits to explore.
Power Cakes
The signature flapjack and waffle mixes, in Buttermilk and Honey or Dark Chocolate flavors, are a great starting place. Just add water, and these mixes will kick the day off with over 5 grams of protein per serving, (up to 14 gms in the Dark Chocolate mix!), 100% whole grains, and a good source of fiber to stay full and focused on the morning to-do list. Make extra and freeze them – they make a great lunch, snack or “breakfast-for-dinner” treat. These mixes can also be used for muffins, even batter for chicken nuggets or veggies (did someone say air fryer?). Bonus – both mixes earn the Know Your Colors nutrition guide tags for Protein Smart and Whole Grain!
Frozen Waffles and Flapjacks
The same whole grain goodness and even more convenience when you add these to the basket! Flavors adults and children love, and something older children/teens can make themselves, so super for beyond breakfast snack attacks! All three flavors – Buttermilk Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, and Blueberry Chia make the grade for Know Your Colors Whole Grain and Protein Smart.
Baking Mixes
You know you have a hit when your 17-year-old decides to make the protein-packed cornbread into muffins he can take to school! With 10 gms of protein per prepared serving, as well as 3 gms fiber and less than 10 grams of sugar, this item hits the mark and aligns with several of the healthier eating recommendations reinforced last week with the release of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans – increase whole grain intake, increase fiber intake, and limit added sugars. Check out the whole line – the brownie and blueberry mixes are also made with whole grains, check the labels for more nutrition information and some great recipe variations on the side of the box.
Oatmeal Cups
Another hit with all age groups – these power 100% whole grain breakfast cups are easy and delicious, with flavors like Maple Brown Sugar – just add water (or milk, for a little extra nutrient boost) and cook in the microwave while coffee is brewing, they are also great for tweens and teens starting to cook, (placed strategically at the front of the pantry to inspire better after-school snacking on a cold day), and are a smart item to keep handy in a desk drawer at work for a power lunch. Bonus – they earn the Know Your Colors Protein Smart guide!
Granola Bars, Protein Balls and More
Kodiak Cakes is a company on a mission to bring whole grains, protein and flavor together in ways that really work for today’s health-seeking shoppers and families – check out their products throughout the store, for more solutions that will energize your whole grain and protein habits!
Cooking Up Well-Being in the New Year
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN
Can the challenging times of the last year help us approach the benefits of food and medicine differently in the new year? The answer is a resounding YES! The New Year is time for a fresh start when it comes to health, so let’s look at some ways we can move towards that goal from wherever you are starting from.
The Recipe
The Price Chopper/Market 32 website can help you find resources, food items and information – the ‘ingredients” you need to create a more healthful lifestyle. Cuddled up on the couch on a cold January day? One of those couch sessions is a great time to take a digital tour and activate wellness efforts with personalized food shopping and medication management.
On the website, the toolbar at the top offers shortcuts to functions that can help you shop quickly and confidently. The first link is to the Shops Online dashboard, where you can create shopping lists, order online and make choices using the Know Your Colors nutrition guides. These color-coded guides include lifestyle choices such as Gluten Free, Organic, and more. You can learn all about the Know Your Colors program on the Pharmacy Health and Wellness page. The criteria that define the nutrition guides are all based on federal and recognized non-profit Health Association standards that support general nutrition lifestyle goals. The color-coded guides are visible on shelf tags that make in-store shopping quick and easy.
More resources at Price Chopper/Market 32 include the cutting-edge programs, easy-to-use pharmacy app, blood pressure kiosk and more you can find at the Price Chopper/Market 32 Pharmacy. Our Pharmacy teams work hard to ensure patients have the medication they need to stay well. The pharmacy app has many features, including a list for re-ordering, and reminder alerts to ensure meds are not missed. You can also sign up for text notifications to stay connected with pharmacy alerts. Food and medicine together can be a dynamic duo when managing chronic health issues – making it easier to do both is part of our commitment to you.
Make a Great Plate
The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released last week. No surprise, fruits and vegetables lead the recommendations. Including good sources for protein, nutritious dairy, and reducing sugars are all part of the guidance. The Know Your Colors nutrition guides, also based on those guidelines, can help you activate those recommendations as you make food choices throughout the store. Start off with easy changes, such as doubling up favorite veggie servings, enjoying milk with meals, and choosing Low Sodium versions of the foods you usually buy. Each of the Know Your Colors guides can help you explore products that may support your personal health goals throughout the store.
Get Active
There are so many benefits from all kinds of movement. Check out this Think Lifestyle, Not Resolution blog from professional trainer Antoni Favata for some ideas that will help you frame how to think about reaching for your wellness targets in the New Year.
Happy, Healthy New Year from all of us at Price Chopper/Market 32!
Think Lifestyle, Not Resolution
Antoni Favata
NASM-CPT, CES, CF-L1, FMS, SGX-OS
You hear about it year after year. Creating resolutions to begin a new year with a new you on Jan. 1. For a lot of people these resolutions focus around health and fitness.
However, most people with good intentions who set these realistic goals tend to lose steam and momentum come February.
So, what can we do to ensure our success with these not so lofty goals?
Here are a few tips to keep you on track and on target so you hit your mark and maintain your achievements for years to come.
- Think Lifestyle, Not Resolution
We often think of these resolutions in terms of extremes. Instead, we should think of these choices as a way of life and incorporate small changes every day. Change your mindset from “all or nothing” to “one day at a time.”
- Smaller, Manageable Habits
Small habits are not only more attainable, but easier to manage and maintain. Start with easier changes and build on them as they become regular practice. Smaller habits help you stay more motivated, too! Development and success of these smaller habits creates a growing sense of achievement as you get closer to a larger goal.
- Variety
It’s true, most of us struggle with having a short attention span. And for a lot of people that short attention span affects our fitness routine, which can derail progress. Even the word routine can be daunting for some. Fortunately, these days the Fitness Industry is not short on options. Keep exercise and movement fun by mixing up your routine. Subscribe to something new and exciting. Variety will help keep you on track by providing a new challenge to help keep your mind and body stimulated.
Instead of New Year’s resolutions set intentions instead, focusing on manageable lifestyle changes that will set you on a path to success.
New Items: wanu water
“95% of American adults are deficient in fiber, so we created wanu water as an easy + delicious way to get 24% of your daily fiber intake in every bottle. With 7g of plant based prebiotic fiber + 9 other essential nutrients, wanu supports a healthy immune system + digestive system, as well as naturally boosts your energy + metabolism while you hydrate!” – Todd O’Gara, Founder
wanu water is now available at your local Price Chopper in (4) refreshing flavors: Blueberry Lemonade, Peach Passion, Watermelon Raspberry, and Kiwi Cucumber.
Natural fruit flavors, paired with the perfect balance of a monk fruit/stevia blend, form wanu’s unique + delicious recipe. With no sugar, artificial sweeteners, or sugar alcohols, wanu makes it easy to stay healthy + hydrated when you want more than just plain water.
With 100% B12, you can enjoy wanu before a workout or as an afternoon pick-me-up for a natural energy boost. It’s also the perfect non-dairy alternative for smoothies, healthier mixer for cocktails, and base for homemade popsicles!
wanu Immune Boosting Citrus Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- juice of 1 lemon
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- ¾ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 small red beet, chopped
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- 1 orange, peeled
- ½ cup Watermelon Raspberry wanu
- Chia seeds for topping (optional)
Directions:
- In a blender, combine the mango, lemon juice, turmeric, cayenne, ginger, and orange juice. Blend until completely smooth. Pour into a tall glass.
- Rinse the blender out. Combine the beets, raspberries, orange, and wanu water. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more wanu water if needed to reach your desired consistency. Pour over the mango mixture and stir gently to swirl. Top with chia seeds, if desired.
Find wanu in the enhanced water/functional beverage aisle!
Celebrate with Cheese Pairings!
For many, cheese is a staple when it comes to celebrating, especially during the holidays. Luckily, our in-store delis provide a plethora of tasty cheeses, perfect for pairing with a relaxing drink. We’ve created a list of some of our favorites, each with their ideal beverage pairings. Try these options below and find your new favorite combination!
Vermont Creamery Honey Goat Log: Vermont Creamery Clover Blossom Honey Goat Cheese takes Vermont’s classic, mild fresh goat cheese and blends it with sweet clover honey. The honey pairs perfectly with the tart creaminess of fresh goat cheese. Try it with Barbera wine, Founders All Day IPA or a Belgian Tripel Beer like Ommegang’s Three Philosophers.
Fleur de Franco Brie: A beautiful wheel of French double cream Brie, Fleur de Franco is pleasantly mild and approachable, yet fully flavored with a buttery interior and soft, fluffy rind. Pair it with a sparkling wine, Chardonnay, or a German pilsner like Saranac Adirondack Lager.
Grafton 2 Year Old Cheddar: Fits the classic profile of a New England Cheddar: buttery notes with a bold, sharp tang and a long, nutty finish. The aroma is lactic and bright, with flavors of sweet cream, freshly mown hay, and tangy, cultured milk. Completed by a moderate acidity. Pair it with balanced, full-bodied wines such as Merlot or White Burgundy, or brews such as Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Brown Ale, Brooklyn Brewing Bel-Air Sour Beer, or even Angry Orchard Hard Cider.
Market 32 American Grana by BelGioioso: Made from freshly gathered local raw milk, this premium American Grana Parmesan cheese is allowed to mature a minimum of 18 months on wooden shelves in special caves. During this process, each wheel is hand-turned to ensure proper aging and development of its deep, nutty flavor and granular texture. Try it with bold Cabernet Sauvignon or a bock beer like Shiner Bock.
BelGioioso Creamy Gorgonzola: Handcrafted and aged 90 days in special caves, master cheesemakers hand-rub each wheel with salt and pierce small holes into the rind of the cheese, allowing air to penetrate and facilitate the growth of beneficial mold. This care and craft creates an exceptionally earthy flavor and creamy texture. Cut right through the thin rind and spread on a baguette. Great when paired with a Harpoon Rec League or other light IPA’s.
Any of these ideas pique your interest? Visit us online or at your local store to find all of these pairing items!
KCC Hot Cocoa Cones by Jodie Fitz
Supplies Needed:
Price Chopper or Market 32 Paper Grocery Bag (or craft paper)
Double sided tape
Regular tape
Holiday wrapping paper
Cellophane
Ribbon
PICS Instant Hot Chocolate Packets
PICS Mini Marshmallows
PICS Snap and seal sandwich size bag
Tools Needed:
Scissors
Pencil
Bowl
Directions:
- Create a template on the paper bag or craft paper by flipping a bowl upside down and tracing it with a pencil. The bowl should be a medium sized bowl, approximately 8 “ in diameter. It does not have to be exact.
- Using scissors, cut out the paper circle. Note: You need a paper bag circle for every cone you create; it provides the stability to the cone.
- Lay the paper bag circle on top of wrapping paper, trace a circle and cut it out. Attach the two circles together with double sided tape.
- Draw a pencil circle in the center of each circle.
- Cut out a pie shaped triangular piece like in the video. It will look almost like a Pac-Man character.
- Roll the circle by overlapping the cut pieces until it forms a cone shape. Keep it in position by placing a double-sided piece of tape where the overlap pieces come together.
- Roll the hot chocolate packet and insert it into the cone.
- Fill the snap and seal bag about a third of the way full with mini marshmallows. Release the air before sealing it. Roll the empty end and tuck it into the cone. Tape it into place.
- Cut a square piece of clear cellophane. Place the pointed end of the cone in the center, bring the cellophane up around the cone and tie the top off with a ribbon.
Optional: Add a personal note and share with friends!
Where to Find Everything?
Paper Bags: Reuse a brown paper grocery bag. Or, you can purchase a roll of brown craft paper.
Double sided tape, regular tape, pencils & scissors: You can find these in the school supply aisle.
Holiday wrapping paper, cellophane and ribbon: You can find these items in the seasonal aisle, and also the greeting card section at Price Chopper/Market 32.
Hot Cocoa Packets: This is typically located in the coffee and tea aisle.
Mini Marshmallows: Typically found in the baking aisle.
New Items: King Arthur Spices
Espresso Powder: A baker’s secret ingredient for rich chocolate flavor
Now available in the Spice aisle, you can find King Arthur Baking Company’s most coveted test kitchen ingredients for better baked good: Espresso Powder, Vietnamese Cinnamon, Cheese Powder, Everything Bagel Topping, Pizza Seasoning, and Malted Milk Powder.
Imagine a secret ingredient that could make chocolate taste more like chocolate. Too good to be true, you’re thinking, but such a miracle exists: espresso powder.
A pinch of espresso powder greatly enhances and intensifies the chocolate flavor in brownies, cakes, and more — without transitioning your treat to mocha-flavored. Think of it as a supporting actor that helps the star ingredient shine, much like a pinch of salt takes the flavor of cookies from flat to robust, without adding any savory flavor.
Espresso powder is not the same as instant coffee. Espresso powder is made from darkly roasted coffee beans that have been ground, brewed, dried, and then ground to a very fine powder. It’s much more concentrated than instant coffee, which means you only need a teaspoon or so in your chocolate recipe to do the trick.
Don’t let the name fool you; in small amounts, espresso powder doesn’t add any coffee flavor to your baked goods. It merely makes chocolate tastes more intense and rich.
Try baking your favorite brownie recipe, any one you like, without espresso powder and with it. You’ll notice a subtle difference. The batch made with espresso powder will have a more complex, deep chocolate flavor. This is a particularly useful baker’s trick for enhancing less fancy chocolate: If you don’t want to spring for expensive cocoa powder or chocolate, adding espresso powder can help “dress up” the chocolate flavor.
Here are some favorite recipes:
New Items: Cathedral City Cheddar Cheese
Cathedral City® Cheddar Cheese, the UK’s favourite cheddar cheese now available in the United States!
Great Britain is famous for many things… Kings and Queens, medieval castles, Shakespeare…but most importantly, it’s the birthplace of cheddar cheese. And when it comes to cheddar, the UK’s favourite by far is Cathedral City® Cheddar Cheese. And it’s easy to see why the Brits love it so much. Expertly made for over 50 years, Cathedral City® Cheddar Cheese consistently delivers on superior taste and the highest quality.
It’s made at a multi-award-winning creamery in the county of Cornwall in the South West of England using 100% British milk from dedicated local farms. The location provides the ideal climate for cows to graze; producing the rich, creamy milk that’s at the heart of their cheddar. And the way their cheese matures ensures the unique and much-loved taste for all to enjoy. Cathedral City® even supplies Cheddar Cheese to Her Majesty The Queen, for which they hold a Royal Warrant.
Their chunk range consists of three classic English cheddars. Whether it be the smoothness of Mature, the richness of Extra Mature, or the crunchy bite of Vintage, each Cathedral City® Cheddar Cheese will bring a distinctive British touch, turning your cheeseboard into something a little more special. And there are no flavourings, colourings, or anything else added!
Cathedral City® Cheddar Cheese’s packaging is different from many other cheddars, which are typically shrink-wrapped. That’s because they believe a special cheese should have a special wrapper.
The innovative “pillow pack” is specially designed to be less tightly wrapped around the cheese but is still completely sealed and airtight. Years of experience have taught them that this, together with the high barrier film and the seal integrity, help maintain the high quality of their cheddar. The pack also has a “press to close” feature at the top, allowing easier reclosing of the wrapper and better conservation of the cheese (and there’s no need to use another plastic bag). The opening is designed to enable the cheese to be easily taken out of and put back into the pack.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels with Caramel and Peanut Butter
Jodie Fitz
PICS Pretzel rods
PICS Mini chocolate morsels, dark, milk or semi-sweet
Caramel apple wraps
PICS Peanut butter (optional)
Colored sprinkles
PICS Nonstick cooking spray
Coat a pizza cutter with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the caramel wraps, one at a time, on a cutting board with a piece of parchment paper between the caramel wrap and your cutting board. Note: The caramel comes with parchment paper dividers that you can use; this prevents the caramel from sticking to the cutting board.
Using the pizza cutter, cut the caramel wraps into one inch strips.
Starting at least two inches from one end of the pretzel, carefully wrap the caramel strips around the rest of the pretzel. Set the caramel wrapped pretzels onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet and set aside.
Pour chocolate morsels into a tall drinking glass, Microwave the chocolates in the glass on high for one minute. The chocolate will not look fully melted, stir the morsels together until they fully melt after removing the glass from the microwave.
Dip the caramel covered pretzel into the chocolate leaving the unwrapped end exposed.
Set the pretzel back onto the waxed paper and coat with a thin layer of colored sprinkles.
Let the pretzels set until the chocolate has hardened.
Keep the pretzels in cool storage.
The Caramel Wraps? You can typically locate these in the produce area of your Price Chopper and Market 32 Supermarkets near the apples.
Add Peanut Butter! Simply spread a light layer of peanut butter onto the pretzel before wrapping it with caramel. Follow the rest of the directions as is.
Nut allergies? Replace the peanut butter powder with WowButter®. It’s a delicious nut free, tree nut free, gluten free peanut butter alternative. It can be found in the allergy friendly aisle at your Price Chopper and Market 32 Supermarkets.
So Much Fun with Kids! There’s lessons in every recipe making experience for the kids in your life. Here are a few activities to concentrate on when making this no bake pretzel fun;
- Cutting safety
- Wrapping
- Dipping
- Melting chocolate
- Spreading
- Sprinkling
- Following directions
Chocolate Caramel Filled Shortbread Cookies
Jodie Fitz
½ cup PICS butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon PICS vanilla extract
1 PICS egg, large
½ cup PICS confectioner’s sugar
1 ½ cups PICS all-purpose flour
¾ cup PICS mini chocolate chips
Filling
2 tablespoons PICS butter
3 tablespoon PICS milk
5 oz. Caramel candies, unwrapped
¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Using an electric mixer, whip together the room temperature butter with the vanilla extract, egg and confectioner’s sugar. Slowly add in the flour continuing to mix with the electric mixer until all ingredients are mixed well.
Using a spatula, fold in the mini chocolate chips.
Form the dough into small cookie dough balls and slightly flatten them and place them onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Using a tablespoon sized measuring spoon, dip the base of the measuring spoon into confectioner’s sugar and press it into each cookie to create an indent.
Bake the cookies for 10 – 12 minutes.
Recipe makes approximately 18 cookies.
While the cookies are baking and cooling, prep the filling by first melting 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat in a saucepan. Once melted, over low heat, add in the 3 tablespoons of milk, 5 oz. unwrapped caramel candies and stir until the candies have melted and the three ingredients are mixed together well. Turn off the heat and add in ¼ cup of mini chocolate chips. Continue to stir until they are fully melted and mixed in.
Add the filling into a piping bag once it’s slightly cooled and can be handled. If you don’t have a piping bag, add the filling to a quart sized freezer bag and clip one corner.
Pipe the filling into the cookie indent. Let the cookies set until the center hardens, approximately 30 minutes.
Optional: Add sprinkles on top before the center hardens.
Storing: If you are layering the cookies when storing in an airtight container, keep a of layer parchment paper between the layers to prevent the cookie centers from sticking to other cookies.
So Much Fun with Kids! There’s lessons in every recipe making experience for the kids in your life. Here are a few activities to concentrate on when making these cookies:
- Measuring ingredients
- Mixing
- Electric mixer safety
- Melting
- Stovetop safety
- Piping
- Following directions