National Garlic Day

National Garlic Day may be one of the most underrated food holidays of the year. With a rich history dating back to the hunting and gathering days, garlic has remained a mainstay in our diets. In fact, the average person eats approximately two pounds of garlic a year, over 300 cloves, whether that’s for the health benefits or fear of vampires.

It is said that garlic was first used 10,000 years ago, after the last Ice Age. Chinese writings contained the first documented notes of garlics health benefits. Over time as humans evolved from hunters and gatherers to farmers, garlic evolved as well becoming popular in cuisines around the world, including Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, Mesopotamia, and India.

Allium Sativum, or garlic, is not native to North America. However, Allium Canadense, or wild garlic, does grow in the Eastern part of the continent. Yet, wild garlic is more like an onion than garlic, and should not be confused with true garlic. True garlic first came to North America with Polish, German, and Italian settlers. There’s also evidence that the Spanish Conquistadors brought garlic to the southwestern part of the United States.

Today there are hundreds of different types of garlic in North America and over a thousand worldwide. All with different sizes, shapes, features, and taste. All these varieties are broken down into two subspecies: softnecks and hardnecks.

Hardnecks grow best in cold climates and are found in Central and North America. They produce large, easily peeled cloves with big flavors. The eight groups of hardnecks are Porcelain, Rocambole, Purple Stripe, Glazed Purple Stripe, Marble Purple Stripe, Creole, Asiatic, and Turban.

Softnecks are the most widely grown garlics in the world and what you find in most North American supermarkets. The two groups of softnecks are Artichoke and Silverskin.

Who knew those little cloves of garlic could be so interesting? Time to add them to some cooking!

Source: https://www.garlicclubb.com/the-garlic-story.html

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Different Methods to Dye Easter Eggs

Easter is coming up and that means it’s time to break out the egg dye! However, this year, we are getting more creative with our process. We’re experimenting with different food and natural ways to dye Easter eggs. Check out these 9 unique examples.

Whipped Cream: Lay out a bad of whipped cream and use food coloring to create a design. Roll your hard-boiled eggs over the bed of cream and watch the colors transfer to the eggs. Let the eggs dry then clean off any leftover cream.

Fruits or Veggies: Beets, blueberries, spinach, and more work great for this method. Simmer fruits or veggies in a cup of water with a drizzle of vinegar to create the colors. Soak eggs overnight in dye in the refrigerator for the most rich color. For lighter coloring results, soak for just a few minutes.

Baking Soda: Use baking soda for a fun, unique design on your dyed eggs. Food coloring, baking soda, and vinegar is all you need.

Rice: Start by dying plain rice with food coloring. Once the dye is evenly distributed stick a hard-boiled egg in the rice and shake. It’s best to use a cup or plastic bag. You’ll end up with a cool speckled dyed egg. You can even mix colors of dyed rice for a more fun result.  

Instant Pot: With an Intant Pot you don’t even need to hard boil the eggs beforehand, simply cook them in the dye. Use glass pint canning jars inside your Instant Pot to avoid stainning, fill each with dye, egg, and water. Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and at least 10 drops of food coloring to each jar. Top off the jars with enough water to cover the eggs. Put a rack on the bottom of your Instant Pot, place your jars on the rack and cook for 6 minutes. Dunk each egg in ice water to cool and let dry.

Ground Tumeric or Cumin: Ground tumeric or cumin are fun natural ingredients to use to dye your eggs. They create a bright yellow, very appropriate for the colors of spring and Easter.

Juice: Depending on the color you’re looking for, grape juice and other fruit juices can be used to dye eggs. Grape juice gives you a lovely dark blue.

Coffee: Brewed coffee is another natural ingredient that’s great for Easter eggs. Shades and colors vary depending on the type of coffee you use.

Get creative with your Easter eggs this year. There are so many fun ways to experiment with the whole family involved. Check out some of these great examples or use a fun idea of your own. Either way visit your local store for many natural dye options or visit us online.

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Cozy Cocktails & Beverages for the Holidays

Good drinks and beverages are key to a good celebration. As you continue to celebrate into the New Year, let’s get you set up with some fun drink recipes to keep the party going. Check out some of our favorite at-home drink recipes.

Cucumber Mint Mock-Jitos: This refreshing mock-jitos are perfect for sipping on during the holidays. Especially, if you’re not looking for an alcoholic beverage. These mock-jitos bring the same essence, alcohol free.

Slushy Punch: This slushy punch features frozen lemonade and orange juice mixed with vodka or gin, with red gelatin for festive coloring. (21+)

Citurs-Basil Spritzer: This Citrus-Basil Spritzer uses sparkling water for a bubbly, refreshing, easy-to-sip on concoction.

Spiced Pomegranate Mulled Cider with Cinnamon Ginger Stirring Spoons: This Spiced Mulled Cider is super tasty and very comforting. The Cinnamon Ginger Stirring Spoons are a fantastic touch.

Bourbon-Cherry Smash: Featuring bourbon, your favorite orange-flavored liqueur and some flavorful additions this Bourbon-Cherry drink will be a smash hit all holidays long! (21+)

Also, make sure to check out this wonderful Blackberry Gin Fizz (21+) recipe below…

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Coffee for the Holidays

Ah coffee, the beloved beverage we rely on for the morning wake up. And one of our favorites for warming up during the cold winter months. It’s always there when we need it. But are you using it to its fullest capability?

Coffee is a wonderful holiday ingredient. Not just to drink with cream and sugar, but to include in your dessert recipes, cozy cocktails, and more. This holiday season break out the coffee and take it to lengths you haven’t reached before. Here is our guide to coffee as a holiday ingredient!

Spiced Apple Coffee Cake with Pecan Oat Streusel: Apple, pecan, and coffee flavor makes for the perfect holiday dessert to us!

No-Bake Salted Caramel-Toffee Crunch Cheesecake: This fulfilling Salted Caramel-Toffee Crunch Cheesecake might become a new holiday tradition for your and your family!

Chocolate Chocolate Cheesecake: Why have chocolate cheesecake when you could have Chocolate Chocolate Cheesecake?

Mocha-Almond Meringue Cake: Mocha-Almond Meringue Cake is an excellent cozy dessert for the holidays. Nutty mocha-almond flavor combined with Meringue makes for a fantastic duo.

For a cozy holiday cocktail recipe, check out this video for Adult Mocha Milkshakes. Dessert in a glass and jolly for the holidays! 21+ only, we I.D.

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Holiday Dinner Ideas - Roasts

Looking for a delicious holiday dinner plan? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We recommend a festive roast this holiday season. Roasts are perfect for holiday celebrations. Meats, poultry, whichever you prefer, they will keep the whole family merry and full. Plus, they are excellent with the holiday cocktail of your choice.

Check out some our favorite roasts below:

Holiday Beef Roast with Mushroom-Thyme Jus: The holidays are the perfect time for this wonderful Beef Roast topped with a mouthwatering Mushroom-Thyme Jus.  

Herb-Crumbled Beef Rib Roast with Red Wine Gravy: Red Wine Gravy makes this Herb-Crumbled Beef Rib Roast another wonderful option for the holidays.

Brown Sugar Mustard Pork Roast with Sauerkraut: If you prefer a pork roast, we love this Brown Sugar Mustard Pork Roast with Sauerkraut. Packed with flavor and holiday cheer.

Honey-Glazed Roasted Turkey with Lemon-Sage Gravy: Poultry is also a great option and this this Honey-Glazed Roasted Turkey with Lemon-Sage Gravy is a go-to for us. The Lemon-Sage Gravy compliments the roasted turkey beautifully for a lovely holiday dinner.

Take advantage of our ad this week for great prices on roasts. Including Bone-In Strip Roast for $5.99 per lb. and Bone-In Rib Roast for $6.99 per lb.

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Check out the video below for more tips & tricks on creating the perfect holiday roast!

Happy Roasting!

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Pineapple for the Holidays

Did you know that pineapples are a showing of hospitality? It’s true! Back in history, pineapples were so rare that they would be used as centerpieces of parties. Though not to be eaten, but simply admired. They became a sign of hospitality and sparing no expense for those you care about.

In the 19th century, the pineapple became a holiday centerpiece. A seasonal display like the ones we decorate with today, featuring items like apples, pinecones, holly, and fir leaves surrounded the star pineapple in the center of the display. At this time the pineapple was more readily available, allowing it to also be used in baked goods, candied, or to add sweetness to the punch.

These traditions carry on today. They may not be the first thing comes to mind, but pineapples make for great decorations and are an excellent ingredient in holiday recipes. In fact, check them out for $1.99 in our ad this week, as your holiday preparation kicks into high gear.

Check out some of our favorite pineapple recipes this year:

Hawaiian Ham: This Hawaiian Ham is a good meal for any holiday celebration.

Slow Cooker Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pineapple Tacos: Super tasty and full of flavor!

Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders: These sliders are great for celebrating.

Fresh Fruit Kabobs with Key Lime Coconut Dip: Fresh fruit and delicious key lime coconut dip makes an awesome combination.

and this delicious recipe for Pineapple Fried Rice…

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Holiday Cookies How-To

One of our favorite parts of the holiday season are the tradition and coziness of holiday cookies! Whether you’re enjoying dessert with family and friends or leaving a tasty treat for Santa, cookies play an important role in holiday celebrations. They’ve become a staple of the season!

Did you know that the tradition of leaving cookies out for Santa began during the Great Depression? It was a lesson in giving and doubled as a sign of appreciation from young children for the gifts they received, even in economic hardship. This tradition continues today as children thank Santa for his hard work during the holidays. And cookies continue to be a vital part of celebrating.

At Price Chopper & Market 32, our PICS line offers a delicious variety of cookies. From your favorites like Chocolate Chip, to hidden gems like Dutch Cocoa there is something for everyone. Plus, there is no better combination than cookies and milk, and our lineup of PICS milk makes for the perfect sidekick.

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If you’re looking to be more extravagant with your cookies this year, check out some of these awesome recipes.

Double Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Sandwiches: PICS Cookies go great with PICS Vanilla Ice Cream and this delicious recipe highlights that pairing. Try it with strawberry ice cream for some Neapolitan flair!

Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal & Dried Cherry Cookies: These delicious Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal & Dried Cherry Cookies combine all the best things about cookies into one. Soft, warm, and delicous these will be a hit with the whole family.

Hot Chocolate Cookies: Chocolate cookies featuring marshmallows and peppermint candies, just a warm cup of hot chocolate in a cookie. These cookies were made for the holidays!

Classic Sugar Cookies: Sugar cookies are a must-have in your holiday collection. This classic recipe does it right.

Paradise Fruit Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: Fruit is another excellent element to holiday cookies. These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are fruity and tasty, adding a fun element to your lineup.

Check out the video recipe below for Pineapple and Cranberry-Orange Thumbprint Cookies. Yummy and perfect for the holidays!

We hope you have a wonderful time baking and enjoying holiday cookies this season! Stop by your local Price Chopper & Market 32 or visit us online for everything you need to get the job done right.

Wishing you a happy holiday season!

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