Haleigh Eustis
Intern, Digital Marketing
Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you’re celebrating with a loved one, taking on Galentine’s Day in style, or enjoying a night on your own, there’s nothing better than a delicious (and easy) dinner to make your day perfect! Of course, no dinner is complete without a drink and dessert. We have compiled the perfect Valentine’s Day meal utilizing Market 32’s extensive list of delicious meals, drinks and desserts!
Bourbon-Cherry Smash. Start your dinner off with a festive drink! This Bourbon-Cherry Smash is the perfect combo of fruity and sweet plus a bit of spiciness from the bourbon. This drink turns a beautiful shade of red that is wonderfully on-theme for Valentine’s Day. Delicious and quick to make, a Cherry Smash is the perfect choice to start your festive meal off strong!
Sweet & Spicy Salmon with Grilled Pineapple and Poblano Salsa. A delicious main course to impress anyone with your spectacular cooking skills! This robust meal is full of savory salmon accompanied with the tangy and acidic sweetness from grilled pineapple and fresh tang of poblano salsa. If you’re not a salmon lover, feel free to swap salmon for chicken.
Herb-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. No main course is complete without a side dish. Fingerling potatoes are the perfect side for our Sweet and Spicy Salmon. Bursting with an array of dynamic herbs and savory garlic, fingerling potatoes will always be an easy and quick go-to dish for any occasion!
Red Velvet Brownies with Cookies & Cream Frosting. Finish your Valentine’s Day meal with a sugary treat, of course! Chewy brownies are a classic dessert for an obvious reason. Easy to make and delicious to eat, they are the perfect holiday choice. These brownies are wonderfully festive as they are a deep ruby red color, topped with decadent frosting making each bite sugary and marvelously rich.
Enjoy Valentine’s Day with an easy meal plan that is as festive as it is tasty! Shop all your Valentine’s Day groceries, flowers, cards and chocolates at Price Chopper/Market 32!
Haleigh Eustis
Intern, Digital Marketing
Happy New Year! Did you know that January 1st isn’t the only day that is referred to as “The New Year?” Around the world, there are various New Years that are celebrated on different days. That being said, what is a better gift for the new year than flowers! The New Year symbolizes new beginnings and is commonly associated with a flower or plant. Celebrate the New Year while learning the flowers that are associated with different New Year’s celebrations globally!
Nowruz, The Persian New Year (March 21st): Celebrated in the spring, Nowruz is a 13-day celebration that symbolizes the end of winter. Because this holiday symbolizes rebirth and renewal, the Hyacinth flower is normally associated with Nowruz. This flower refers to renewal as well, which is perfect for the New Year celebration!
Russian Old New Year (January 14th): Celebrated across the world (but mainly in Russia), the Old New Year was first documented on the Julian Calendar. The Russian Old New Year is a holiday filled with winter festivals that embody Russian culture. Food, activities and family are all a large component of the New Year. Though it’s not a flower, the fir tree is the plant associated with the holiday. It’s a symbol of life, rebirth and value which makes it the perfect plant for the Russian Old New Year!
Diwali, Hindu New Year (November 12th): This Hindu New Year is a celebration of lights as it is filled with lanterns, fireworks, prayer and sweets. The rangoli flower is a symbol for Diwali. Though it’s not a physical flower that can be planted, mum flowers are used when creating this beautiful floral symbol. The mum represents death and rebirth at the same time which is a wonderful flower for the New Year as one is saying goodbye to the past and hello to a new beginning!
Chinese New Year (February 10th): Chinese New Year is a celebration that involves offerings to ancestors, fireworks, good food and beautiful decorations. A flower commonly associated with Chinese New Year is the orchid. It’s a beautifully classic flower that symbolizes fertility and wealth. These flowers are usually sold during Chinese New Year as they are used to decorate.
Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Years (September 15th): Celebrated in two nights, Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year which is observed after someone has blown the shofar. Considered a high Holy Day, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with prayer, symbolic foods such as apples and honey and family. White lilies are usually associated with this New Year’s celebration as they represent peace and purity.
Though this list is small compared to the various New Year’s celebrations across the world, it’s a fun insight into the correlation that flowers have with holidays! While flowers are beautiful, they are much more than a decoration. Their symbolism runs deeper than many people would imagine! Shop all your floral needs at Price Chopper/Market 32 Floral Department!
Haleigh Eustis
Floral Intern
Happy December 12th! Did you know that today is National Poinsettia Day? These beautiful red flowers are a holiday staple, as their vibrant color and immense beauty bring life to any space you decide to place it! With the holiday season in full swing, shopping for endless amounts of friends, family, and even coworkers can tend to feel stressful and overwhelming. Poinsettia is a flower that stands for joy and celebration, which makes it the perfect gift for the loved ones in your life! Poinsettias are known for their staple red shades, but this Christmas flower comes in various colors including white, pink, burgundy, yellow, purple and more.
The poinsettia flower is native to the beautiful country of Mexico. These flowers have been cultivated for centuries and were used by the Aztecs for their natural red dye in clothing. As the years had passed, in 1827, botanist Joel Poinsett took a trip to Mexico where he had seen this beautiful flower. Upon his return to South Carolina, his home state, he brought a few Poinsettias to cultivate and very quickly this flower gained popularity within the states.
Though the Poinsettia is a largely popular holiday flower, you may be wondering how. The poinsettia flower stems from the Mexican legend of Pepita and her Christmas weeds. On Christmas Eve, a young girl named Pepita had no gift for her Christmas service. Encouraged by her cousin, she went to collect a bundle of weeds and placed them on a nativity set. Within seconds, the weeds were said to have bloomed into the beautiful Poinsettia flowers that we are familiar with today! Though these flowers are a seasonal plant in the states, they are the second most popular potted plant sold within a year.
Poinsettias are beautiful in all shapes, shades and sizes which is why Market 32 and Price Chopper have them readily available in our floral section during the holiday season. Shop in store for our beautifully arranged Poinsettias or use our online services, DoorDash and Instacart. Our online ordering allows customers to send personalized cardettes for any occasion which is sure to warm the hearts of whoever is receiving the potted plant!
Shop for the holiday season, stress free! Explore Price Chopper/Market 32 Floral Department for all your holiday gifts.
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
‘Tis the season to sip and savor! As the holidays approach, there’s no better time to elevate your festive gatherings with festive drink recipes. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family get-together, a spirited office party, or simply looking to add a touch of merriment to your evenings by the fire, Price Chopper and Market 32 have you covered! From hot chocolate to cocktails and everything in between, we have everything you need to craft the perfect drink. Cheers to making this holiday season the most spirited one yet!
Warm Drink Recipes (non-alcoholic):
Curl up by the fireplace with a delicious warm beverage in hand! Try one of these delicious drinks below.
Cold Drink Recipes (non-alcoholic):
Price Chopper and Market 32 offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages on our website! Be sure to check them out.
Spiced Pomegranate Mulled Cider with Cinnamon-Ginger Stirring Spoons
Cold Drink Recipes (alcoholic):
Enjoy all the holidays have to offer with these delicious alcholic drinks!
Getting the party started early? Check out these mimosa recipes!
Haleigh Eustis
Floral Intern
Chanukah is a holiday that lasts for eight days in which people celebrate with traditions, foods, games, and family. Even though flowers aren’t technically a staple to this holiday, they certainly could be! If you’re planning on having a family gathering after lighting the menorah, but you want decorations that are fitting for the time of year, I’ve got you covered. Let’s make a Chanukah themed bouquet! .
What you will need:
- One small vase (this will be your inner layer)
- One medium sized vase (This will be your outer layer. Make sure your outer layer is taller than your inner layer and that there is wiggle room when you place the small vase into the medium vase.)
- One bunch of baby’s breath
- One bunch of white roses
- One bunch of blue crazy daisies
- Greenery (optional)
- Chocolate coins or “gelts”
- Blue ribbon (optional)
How to make this bouquet:
Take your inner layer (which is a small vase) and assemble your bouquet. If you’ve never made an arrangement before, don’t fear, I can help!
- Every arrangement has specific flowers that you can utilize to create the most attractive bundle of flowers. The arrangement is going to focus on your focal flower(s) which is—typically—the most beautiful, or eye-catching flower. In this case, your focal flower will be the rose. Normally, we use between one to three focal flowers and build from there.
- After we have our focal flowers, we start utilizing our focal fillers (which in this case will be the blue daisies!)
- Once you’ve created an arrangement of focal and focal fillers, we can start adding regular fillers. For this arrangement I’ve chosen baby’s breath and greenery. Filler flowers are used to fill in odd or awkward gaps. It’s easy to get taken away by fillers, so use them sparingly!
- And voila! You’ve created a beautiful arrangement, and it wasn’t even hard, was it? Let’s continue!
- Once you’ve created your arrangement, place your inner layer into your outer layer. After you’ve assembled shell for your flowers, this is where the fun comes in!
- Take your chocolate coins and place them in the gap between the inner and outer layer (this is the importance of having wiggle room)! When you place the coins in the space, they will stand upright. Repeat this until all the space is filled and you’re going to end up with an eye-catching arrangement that is beautiful on its own or . . . you can adorn the arrangement with a ribbon!
- And there you have it, a beautiful and easy Chanukah arrangement that is sure to impress with its beauty and uniqueness!
Shop all of your Chanukah and Holiday needs at Price Chopper/Market 32!
Haleigh Eustis
Floral Intern
The holidays are right around the corner, which means flashy lights, colorful ornaments, shiny tinsel and blow ups of Frosty the Snowman will be in every direction that you turn! Though the flashiness of the decorations can be beautiful, sometimes you may want to go back and just enjoy the simplicity of a natural green wreath.
Wreaths are a beautiful and classic decoration that can be adorned on windows, doors, fireplaces and practically anywhere you can think of. That being said, as beautiful as wreaths are, they can tend to look a bit plain if you’re not a fan of the all-natural look.
But, what if you still want a natural looking wreath with decorations that aren’t flashy? We can help! Decorating a holiday wreath doesn’t have to be boring. Use items from around your house to create a beautifully unique wreath that will catch the eyes of anyone.
We’re going to make two different types of garland to wrap around your beautiful wreath with supplies that you can find in your house, or yard!
Garland One: a classic garland strand that is easy and delicious to make! All you need is popcorn (preferably not buttered) and cranberries. This is a classic staple to any holiday time décor . . . and it’s easy to make as well. Pop your popcorn and have thread and a sewing needle at the ready. Once you have acquired your ingredients, lace your popcorn and cranberries in any pattern that you like. The great part about garland is that it’s all up to you! Design and create the perfect strand of garland that will look great on your wreath.
Garland Two: this is a strand of garland that is a bit more difficult to create, but still equally as beautiful. All you need are dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, small pinecones and twine. You may be asking; how do I make dried oranges? Don’t worry, it’s simple:
Take an orange (preferably naval, or blood orange) and cut it into various wheels. Pat your citrus dry with a paper towel and arrange on a baking sheet. Now this is the boring part . . . place the sheet in the oven at 170 degrees for six to seven hours! Rotate the baking sheet every two to three hours to prevent burning. This is a tedious step, but it will ensure completely dried oranges and a wonderful smelling home!
Now, take your dried oranges and weave twine in and out its dried flesh (be careful not to tear anything).
Now that we have dried oranges, it’s time to put everything together! Use your twine and–to your liking–combine your cinnamon sticks, pinecones and oranges.
Making decorations for the winter season is easy. There are plenty of ingredients and supplies to make exciting and eye-catching wreaths for the whole winter season!
Buy all your wreath needs at Price Chopper/Market 32!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Happy Pi Day from Price Chopper and Market 32! Pi Day is a celebration of the irrational number pi (π). This Greek letter is used to represent the ratio of the circumference of any given circle to its diameter. Why is this holiday specifically today? The first 3 numbers of pi are 3.14, hence the date of March 14th. Ironically, today also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday!
Pi Day was founded in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw and has been celebrated ever since. Many math classes will celebrate Pi Day with pie of course, but also with cake, cookies, and more. What a great way to make math fun!
What kind of pie will you buy today? At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a variety of pies in our bakery section, including apple pie, blueberry pie, pumpkin pie, and more! We also have all the best ingredients if you would like to make your own pie today. Check out some berry-good pie recipes below.
Bumbleberry Pie: What even is a “bumbleberry?” Bumbleberries are not actually a berry, rather, a variety of berries. For this pie we used a mix of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, making for a sweet & flavorful pie.
Skillet Pear Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream: Have you ever seen a recipe for pear pie? Well, now you have! Be sure to pear this pie with PICS vanilla ice cream & PICS whipped cream!
Caramel Apple Pie: Like a caramel apple, this caramel apple pie is a dream you will be sure to love!
Chocolate Now, Dinner Later!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Everywhere we look, we are surrounded by chocolate, chocolate, and once again…chocolate! It is the best time of the year to be creative and festive. Speaking of creativity, have you ever wondered how to make your own chocolate? We found a fun and easy chocolate recipe that would be a great activity for the family, or for you to try on your own!
Five main ingredients are needed to make your own chocolate:
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened Cacao Powder or Cocoa Powder
- 1/8 cup Dry Milk Powder
- 2 ¾ tablespoons Cacao Butter
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt
- Chocolate mold
- Sweetener (optional)
- Candy Pieces (optional)
Step 1: Add 1-2 inches of water to a medium saucepan. Next, insert a heat-proof bowl on top of the saucepan. Bring water to a simmer (not boil) and add tiny, proportional pieces of cacao butter into the heatproof bowl. The cacao butter should not be touching the water. Whisk the cacao butter frequently.
Step 2: Once the cacao butter is melted, add cacao or cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, dry milk powder, and any other add-ins to the heat-proof bowl. Stir these remaining ingredients until completely blended.
Step 3: Pour the chocolate mixture into the molding of your choice. Transfer to the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
Step 4: Try not to eat all the chocolate at once!
Not feeling up to making your own chocolate. We understand! At Price Chopper and Market 32, not only do we have fantastic chocolate dessert recipes, but we also have a wonderful Bakery Department that strives to go above and beyond for our customers. We have so many options to make your holiday season extra special!
Other digital sites where you can locate our chocolate-filled recipes:
Some holiday must-tries!
Chocolate Cinnamon Scones: Chocolatey, cinnamony, and festive! You cannot go wrong with these Chocolate Cinnamon Scones. Try pairing with your favorite PICS coffee blend or PICS hot chocolate.
Double-Chocolate Peppermint Bark: With only four key ingredients, these are easy to make and do not have to look any specific way. No pressure when making this delicious dessert!
Minty Hot Chocolate: Exactly how it sounds – This mint hot chocolate is everything and more! Be sure to give it a try.
Homemade Chocolate Source:
How to Build Your Own Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards present a thoughtful selection of meats, cheeses and accompaniments that make for low maintenance, snack-style meals. They’re perfect for entertaining and encourage mixing and matching of ingredients that create unique, flavorful bites. The art of composing a charcuterie board can be as simple or as sophisticated as you’d like. Use these quick tips to create your ultimate charcuterie board.
Meats
The heroes of the board, charcuterie meats range in taste from mild to spicy and come in varying textures from delicate to thick and chewy. Rich, cured charcuterie meats are excellent in small doses, so choosing two to three meats to feature is sufficient. Try melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto, smoky salami, spicy chorizo or zesty pepperoni.
Cheeses
When selecting cheeses, consider texture, flavor, type and style. Draw inspiration from your meats – mellow out rich meats with soft cheeses like mozzarella, Brie or goat cheese. Pair milder varieties, like prosciutto, with complex cheeses that have eclectic profiles such as pungent blue cheese or sharp Manchego.
Fruits & Preserves
Seasonal eating applies to boards too! Sliced fresh fruit and berries are perfect for summer boards while winter boards give citrus, grapes and dried fruits a place to shine. No matter the season, our home.grown. produce offers the freshest, locally sourced, in-season fruits year-round. For a spreadable, fruity component, give our Pear Mostarda recipe a try!
Bread & Nuts
Slices of toasted bread or assorted crackers can balance the tastes of your board’s strongly flavored ingredients. Nuts can also intensify the crunch factor. Use shelled and salted varieties such as pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios and almonds.
The best charcuterie platters have a little bit of everything – so don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different components. For more charcuterie inspiration, see page 30 of our Ready magazine!
Shop Charcuterie Essentials
Green Beer on St. Patrick’s Day: What’s the Story?
Two of the most popular associations with St. Patrick’s Day are beer and the color green. People love to enjoy their favorite brews while celebrating in festive green attire. It’s all well-known tradition. However, what’s perhaps lesser known is the combination of the two that is becoming a St. Patrick’s Day hit!
Green beer is a fun option for some St. Patrick’s Day creativity and Americans have latched on to the idea. It’s super easy to make, and anyone can do it at home. Simply crack open a light-colored beer and add a drop of green food coloring. It doesn’t change the flavor or any of the beer’s characteristics, only its color.
Surprisingly, the idea of colored beer originated a while back. It is said that in 1914, coroner’s physician and eye surgeon Dr. Thomas Curtain first colored beer for a St. Patrick’s Day party at the Schnerer Club of Morrisania in the Bronx in 1914.
Today, the idea lives on, even beyond St. Patrick’s Day. Green Beer Day began at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Participants dye their beer green and commonly begin festivities as early as 5 AM. It’s celebrated annually on the Thursday before Spring Break.
When it comes to choosing the right beer, light-colored brews are best for getting the strongest green coloring. However, if you play around with a darker beer you will see an interesting effect. Stouts and dark beers are too dark to show off much of a green hue, but the head will take on the green coloring and turn the foam green: although it may not last long it’s cool to try.
If you haven’t jumped on the green beer wagon yet, give it a try this year. Not only is it creative and fun, it’s an easy way to find more holiday spirit. Don’t forget to stop by your local store for all things St. Patrick’s Day: we have food coloring and beer, plus lots more festive foods like scratch-made Irish Soda Bread!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
21+. Please drink responsibly.