Written by Maureen Murphy & Sarah Palmer
Holiday Baking
Holiday baking is a wonderful way to share the joy of the season with those we treasure. Start a new tradition with your family this year and bake some special holiday memories! Keep reading for helpful baking tips & time-saving ideas to help get you started!
Baking Tips
Making time to bake is often fun and rewarding, and can be done with proper organization and a few helpful hints.
- Bake in quantity and freeze whenever possible – baked cookies will keep in the freezer for up to 3 or 4 weeks
- Prepare cookie dough when you are able to steal a little extra time – prepared dough will keep at least 3 days in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to 3 months
- Assemble all ingredients and equipment before beginning a recipe
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper to help cut down on clean up
- While cookies are baking, prepare other cookie sheets to go in the oven
- Save time when shopping and measuring:
- 1 lb. box confectioners’ sugar = 4 cups
- 1 lb. box brown sugar = 2 cups, packed
- 5 lb. bag granulated sugar = 10 cups
- 5 lb. bag all-purpose flour = 20 cups
- 1 cup cake flour = 7/8 cup sifted all-purpose
- 1 lb. box seedless raisins = 2 3/4 cups
- 6 extra-large eggs = 8 large eggs
- Allow butter and eggs to come to room temperature before using
- Measure ingredients carefully
- Do not over-mix cookie dough
- Chill dough well when instructed so the dough will be easier to work with
- Allow at least 2 inches of space between cookies on cookie sheets, and at least 2 inches around the sides of the oven for proper heat circulation
- Use bright, shiny aluminum cookie sheets rather than dark colored cookie sheets to prevent over browning
- Bake cookies on a rack in the middle of the oven; for best results use only one rack
- Do not over-bake – a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when a cookie is baked
- Allow cookie sheets to cool before baking more to prevent the edges of the cookie from spreading out and becoming too thin
- Cool cookies on a wire rack
For recipes & ideas, visit our baking Pinterest board!
Written by Tyler Blance, Marketing Program Coordinator
Capital District Holiday Homegrown Flavors: 12/3 10am-2pm
We’re rounding up the local crowd in New York’s Capital District!
Our Homegrown Flavors events feature tastes from local communities, meet ‘n greets with local growers and producers and an overall celebration of all things local here in the Northeast. On 12/3 we’ll be featuring a unique group of local producers in 5 stores for Homegrown Flavors: Wilton Market 32, Hudson Valley Market 32 in Troy, Hamilton Square Market 32 in Guilderland, Clifton Park Shoppers World Market 32 and Altamont Ave Price Chopper in Rotterdam.

We’ve lined up an exciting group of local producers for each store on 12/3, including Perreca’s Bakery at our Altamont Ave Price Chopper and Mapleland Farms at our Wilton Market 32. Each store will have a local brewery in-house to chat with guests and offer tastes of their New York brews!
Tune in to WGNA on event day: they’ll be broadcasting the event live on site at Hamilton Square Market 32 from 10-noon.
Check out the event roster below to see who’ll be in the house at your store:
Altamont Avenue Price Chopper
Flavor of Schenectady Schenectady NY
Horseshoe Hot Sauce Rhinebeck NY
Perreca’s Bakery Schenectady NY
Davidson Bros Brewing Glens Falls NY
Ole McDonald’s Honey Farm Fultonville NY
Barkeater Chocolates North Creek NY
Blue Hill Farm Morrisville NY
Harney & Sons Tea Hudson NY
Wilton Market 32
Saratoga Peanut Butter Saratoga Springs NY
Nettle Meadow Farm Warrensburg NY
Saratoga Brewing Saratoga Springs NY
Dellavale Farm Pattersonville NY
Mapleland Farms Salem NY
Shoppers World Market 32
Old World Provisions Albany NY
Death Wish Coffee Round Lake NY
Schmaltz Brewing Co Clifton Park NY
Vermont Hydroponic Florence VT
Pixie’s Preserves Waterford NY
Russo’s Grill Amsterdam NY
Hudson Valley Plaza Market 32
Snacks101 Bethpage NY
Brown’s Brewing Troy NY
Larry’s Sauces Slingerlands NY
Dominick’s Gourmet Sauce Guilderland NY
R & G Cheese Troy NY
Hamilton Square Market 32
Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn NY
Valente’s Restaurant Watervliet NY
The Peanut Principle Albany NY
Vital Eats Saratoga Springs NY
Our Daily Eats Albany NY
WGNA (radio onsite!) Albany NY
Happy Thanksgiving! From Our Family to Yours!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to get together with your family, friends and loved ones. As you gather to celebrate what makes you truly thankful, Price Chopper & Market 32 want to make it easier for you to prepare and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner!
Let us help you with tips, recipes and party planning options so you can focus on what makes you thankful (and not stressed!).
THANKSGIVING DINNER PLANNING
The Weekend Before:
- You’ll need to decide what you’re preparing, and let others know if you’d like them to bring a dish!
- Assigning dishes ahead of time allows for family members to know what they are expected to bring. And if you don’t need them to bring anything, you can suggest something like delicious PICS Sparkling Juice. For the kids, it makes them feel like an adult, and for the adults…well, it also makes for a great mixer!
- Develop your shopping list. You can do this right on pricechopper.com!
- Shop for items that can be purchased ahead of time.
- Stock your pantry with canned goods and non-perishable items.
- Extra napkins, cups or even silverware is a good idea, just in case!
- Prepare and freeze anything that can be made in advance.
- Grab any type of party game for a fun family activity (board games, Jenga, or cards)!
The Days leading up to Thanksgiving:
- Now is the time to purchase any of your fresh items!
- Make sure you leave enough time to thaw your turkey, if you’re buying a frozen one. More tips on that here!
- Set your table and serving areas
- You can set your table, including your utensils ahead of time
- Set up your beverage area
- Measure out any non-perishable ingredients for recipes, cover and set aside in order to make the next day of cooking easier!
The BIG Day: THANKSGIVING
- Click here to view our We Know Turkey Guide
- This handy brochure has information about appropriate roasting times for the size of your turkey. Be sure to include 30-45 minutes rest time when calculating.
Early in The Day
- Make up a “menu” and set it in a place where everyone who is helping to cook can see. That way, no food gets left off the table and you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything!
- Remove the turkey from refrigerator, unwrap and remove the giblets. If you are using the giblets for anything, make sure you set them aside.
- Wash turkey and place in roasting pan. Refrigerate until ready to roast.
- Pick up any prepared food
4-6 hours before Serving
- Peel and cut potatoes. Cover with cold water until ready to cook.
- Prepare stuffing
2 hours before Serving
- Cook giblets if using
- Plate condiments such as cranberry sauce, olives, carrots, celery and pickles
- Add any finishing touches to make-ahead recipes
1 hour before Serving
- Remove turkey from oven and allow to rest
- Place stuffing in oven to bake (unless stuffed in turkey)
- Drain potatoes, add salt and fresh water. Cook, drain and mash. Place in ovenproof casserole dish and keep warm in oven
- Make gravy
15 minutes before Serving
- Carve turkey
- Bake rolls (according to instructions)
- Pour beverages
- Place condiments on table
- Add any finishing touches to side dishes
- Light candles
ENJOY YOUR MEAL! Written by Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Great home cooks and chefs alike know that exceptional meals begin with exceptional ingredients, and we have a wonderful assortment of authentic Italian products featured this month. Powering up your pantry with these simple and savory items can help you make a quick meal into a delicious event.
Quick is key with Bella Terra Rapido No Boil Pasta – combine that with Botticelli or Rao’s Pasta Sauces for a fast, fun and flavorful meal. You can also get everything you need to make your own pasta sauce (slow cooker power!) – Mutti, Cento and Botticelli tomato products can be mixed and matched in your family recipes. Deepen the flavor of those sauces with Urbani Truffle Sauces, Amore garlic paste, and Racconto Sundried Tomatoes or Pesto.
Price Chopper Sicilian and Toscano olive oils bring the Mediterranean to your table with their regional flavor notes – great to use for cooking or salads. Bella Italia Regional Pasta and Sauces transport you virtually to the towns, villages and families that have perfected their flavors and focus into unique items.
Fabulous Italian cheeses, so special they earn an internationally recognized seal of authenticity, can start or finish your meal. Grana Padano, Parmigiana and Gorgonzola can elevate your cheese display or recipes beautifully. Think Parmigiano is just for pasta? Check out the potato recipe below, which will complement almost any meal. Finish with a Perla pastry, or a Divino Gelato Novelty, both special endings for special meals.
Delizioso!
Parmigiano Reggiano Potato Wedges
- 3 large potatoes, washed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2.5 tablespoons chopped rosemary
- 5 tablespoons grated Parmigiano Reggiano PDO
- Black pepper
Preheat oven to 392 degrees F. Slice potatoes into wedges and toss in oil. Mix together rosemary, Parmigiano Reggiano, a good pinch of black pepper and add to the potatoes, mixing to give a good coating. Roast in the oven for 40-50 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown. Serve sprinkled with more Parmigiano Reggiano and rosemary.
Written by Sarah Palmer
The bold, rich flavors of authentic Italian food are back! Join us as we celebrate this exciting event with in-store product sampling, weekly special savings, delicious recipes, plus a customer sweepstakes!

Our
weekly flyer highlights over 50 products imported directly from Italy. Assemble an Italian cheeseboard after you visit our specialty cheese department. We’re proud to offer fresh-cut Parmigiano Reggiano, Locatelli Romano and new Robiola! Fresh Perla pastries are available in our bakery department, light sweet & delizioso! Our grocery department is beaming with the finest Italy has to offer. From authentic olive oils and balsamic vinegars, to unique cuts of pasta and canned sauce, you’ll find it all at a great value now thru October 22nd. Simply look for the special Authentic Italian shelf tags in-store!
Plus, be sure to enter our customer sweepstakes! Have you always wanted to visit Italy?
Click here to enter and vote for the historic Italian landmark you would most like to visit. It’s that simple!
We look forward to seeing you in-store for this exciting event!
Written by our friends at Cabot Creamery
Cabot Creamery Co-operative, owned by 1,100 dairy farm families throughout New England and upstate New York, invite you to visit a farm on Sunday, October 9
th!
As a co-operative, our farm families own the business and all profits are returned to the farmers, which means that when you purchase Cabot products you are directly supporting farmers in your local communities.
That spirit of supporting your community is what

we love about Price Chopper’s
Homegrown Flavors program. Cabot is proud to be a part of this program that connects people to local food producers, and for that reason our farm family owners are opening their gates to show appreciation for their neighbor’s support. Every participating farm features different activities, such as farm tours, hayrides, scavenger hunts and games for families. It is a chance to meet neighbors, farm critters and the farmers responsible for the “World’s Best Cheddar”.
Open Farm Sunday events on Sunday, October 9
th will run from 11am – 2pm. Visit our
Open Farm Sunday event page for more details and find a participating farm near you!
Written By: Sara Lilkas
We’ve got Mega Meat savings this week and in addition to all the great
weekly specials we are featuring our Mega Meat Packs. There are
five mega meat deals available to choose from ranging from 20lbs-37lbs (we did say mega!) These mega meat boxes feature a wide variety of your favorite cuts of meat from Certified Angus Beef boneless bottom round sirloin steak to Price Chopper all natural chicken wings! The Mega Meat Packs are perfect for prepping for a barbecue or just getting the best value possible. When you purchase a Mega Meat Pack you’ll have enough cuts of meat to make 12-20 meals and that’s not counting any delicious left-overs you may have from the night before!
The Mega Meat packs are available every day at the meat counter at your local Price

Chopper or Market 32 store. Whether you opt for the 20lb pack perfect for a fall barbecue or the 37lb mega pack for three weeks’ worth of meals, when you buy big, you’ll save big!
The question that comes to mind for most Mega Meat pack purchasers, is what am to do with all this meat? Well we have hundreds of recipes on our
website and
Pinterest boards so you’ll never have the same meal twice!
So what are you waiting for? Each box is made to order in minutes and is loaded with value! So which pack will you choose?
Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN
Family time is precious and rare in our busy lives these days, but there is a big opportunity ensure your family is stronger and your children have the skills they need to navigate in our distracted, over-scheduled world – it is the simple, old-fashioned family meal that can nurture and protect them in very significant ways.
We have been highlighting some easy power bowl meals all month to help you with the

time/budget/#everyonelikesit part – now we have some fun tips on the table talk part.
The simple act of chatting around a meal gives your children better social skills, and builds communication connections. Given how busy we all are, it is sometimes hard not to use that time to discuss chores, or grades, or sports. Those conversations are important, but maybe we can inspire you to finish with them rather than start. Help build your children’s confidence and emotional intelligence with some simple questions and conversation starters. Tip – have everyone put whatever phone/device they use on silent, and leave them in a basket in a different room until your mealtime clean-up is done. Play games when they are little, and get different topics going as they get older. Check out these ideas from our
Pinterest board!
Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN
Tailgating is a time-honored tradition – in fact, there is real history behind the practice, according to the American Tailgaters Association, starting with spectators “attending” the 1861 Battle of Bull Run in Virginia with food and wine, cheering on their Civil War “teams”. Chuck wagons, those traveling kitchens of the prairie, are also part of lore. The first football game, between Princeton and Rutgers, (145 years ago!), though it pre-dated cars and parking lots, saw the first fans wear team colors and bring picnics, and the modern-day tailgate party tradition began.
Now, it may be a professional sport event, or your son’s football games. It can be a

music event, or your daughter’s soccer league – tailgating is a great way to enjoy meals and snacks with friends and family. For a delicious gathering that scores big taste, check out these tips and recipes!
- Keep perishables cold – even though the weather is cooler, meats and other perishable items should be kept in a cooler with ice packs.
- Canned plus fresh makes it easy – hot or cold fried chicken with canned three bean salad or sliced cooked kielbasa with horseradish sour cream dip and canned German potato salad are two easy ways to make it fun and fast.
- Don’t forget the can opener, napkins, and canned beverages – most venues do not allow glass.
Make your own playbook with these ideas and more recipes on our
Pinterest board. Go Team! #FamilyMealtimesMatter
September is National Family Meals™ month, and we are celebrating with our annual Family Mealtimes Matter campaign! With our community partners, the Times Union and Cornell Cooperative Extension, we will be sharing recipes, blogs, videos, articles, Facebook posts, tweets and other resources about family meals.
We are all so busy, for many, meals together have been moved out of family schedules. They should be a time to enjoy and connect! Commit to one more meal together as a family each week – the National Family Meals month goal to bring families together with food. You will enjoy family-building benefits that make this investment a lifetime win for parents and children.
Meals don’t have to be perfectly nutritious, or only happen at dinnertime, or even be served on a plate – just being together and sharing food offers everyone big benefits. Children and teens that have frequent family meals:
- Eat more healthfully
- Have a healthier weight, and are less apt to develop eating issues
- Have better social skills
- Have positive peer relationships
- Have lower levels of tension and stress
- Get better grades
- Are likelier to say they can confide in their parents
- Are at half the risk for substance abuse compared to teens who dine infrequently with families
Join us, and the National Family Meal month movement to Raise Your Mitt and Commit to one more meal per week with your family!

Check out our favorite mealtime resources below!
- https://www.pricechopper.com/health_and_wellness/family-meals-matter
- http://albany.cce.cornell.edu/eat-smart-new-york/family-mealtimes-matter
- https://www.pricechopper.com/fresh_ideas/kids-cooking-club
- http://www.fmi.org/family-meals-month