Hot sauce junkies, heat connoisseurs and spiciness fanatics: We’re comin’ in hot with our next monthly feature!
Each month we’re bringing you fresh stories on a different sauce brand, sharing some flavor insights, stories behind the brands and more. Travel with us on an adventure consisting of varying degrees of heat each month!
October’s Feature: Culinary Tours Peri Peri Hot Sauce!
Peri Peri, or “pepper pepper” in Swahili, is a fiery kick of African-style heat. This blazing blend of red and Peri Peri peppers with spices and garlic delivers an intense flavor inferno, perfect for chicken, shrimp, or stir-fry. Peri Peri is a traditional African sauce, made from African Bird’s Eye Chili Peppers, which pack a punch of spice similar to that of a Habanero.
In short, our mission with Culinary Tours is to bring you the flavors of the world, without the costs and time commitment of world travel. Each Culinary Tours product is made to feel like an adventure to a different part of the world, all from the comfort of your own home. This is especially true in our salsas and spicy sauces, like Peri Peri Hot Sauce.
Turn up the heat with Culinary Tours this month, and tune in next month for our November Hot Sauce of the Month!
National Coffee Day
September 29th is National Coffee Day and we’re celebrating! Coffee has a surprisingly long history, and in honor of the holiday we’re looking to uncover all of the mysteries surrounding this beloved bean. We did some research and discovered some interesting information that you may not have known before.
It is said that coffee was first discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi. Kaldi noticed that his goats would become energetic and not sleep at night after they ate the berries from a certain tree. He was curious, and he brought his realization to the abbot of the local monastery. The abbot made himself a drink with these berries and found that it was helpful in keeping him alert during evening prayer. The abbot shared his discovery amongst the other monks, and word of these berries moved east to the Arabian Peninsula.
Coffee cultivation and trade began on the Arabian Peninsula, where coffee was regularly enjoyed in homes, and the first coffee houses were created. These early coffee houses became important places to catch up on conversation and current music and news. They began to appear all over cities in the Near East where they were called “qahveh khaneh.” They became an essential spot for the spread of information, and because of this they were known as “Schools of the Wise.”
Europeans who would travel to the Near East would return home with stories of this magical drink, and eventually coffee made its way to Europe. At first, coffee was met with backlash in these European countries being called the “bitter invention of Satan,” and becoming condemned by the local clergy. However, Pope Clement VIII intervened, tasting the drink himself and finding it so satisfying he lifted the ban. Eventually, these same coffee houses became a common theme throughout countries like England, Austria, France, Germany, and Holland. Coffee replaced the popular breakfast drinks at the time, beer and wine, and became a new European morning staple.
But how did coffee make its way to the Americas? Great question! In 1714, the Mayor of Amsterdam presented a coffee plant as a gift to King Louis XIV of France. The King had the young plant grown in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Paris. In 1723, a young naval officer, Gabriel de Clieu obtained a seedling from the plant. On a traitorous journey home, he faced horrendous weather, a saboteur who attempted to destroy the seedling, and even a pirate attack. Yet, he managed to plant the seed in Martinique. This seed began an explosion of coffee trees in the Americas, and it led to the abundance of coffee we have today.
Big coffee drinker? Us too. We’re celebrating with one of our favorite local coffee brands from here in the Northeast: Death Wish Coffee!
Sample Death Wish Coffee’s famous brews from 11am-4pm on Sunday 9/29 at any of these stores:
Brunswick Market 32
Hamilton Square Market 32
Glenville Market 32
Wilton Market 32
Glen St Price Chopper
Mechanicville Price Chopper
East Greenbush Price Chopper
Clifton Shopper’s World Market 32
Market Bistro
Amsterdam Price Chopper
Route 50 Price Chopper
Bethlehem Price Chopper
Plattsburgh Market 32
Altamont Ave Price Chopper
Hudson Valley Plaza Market 32
Johnstown Rd. Price Chopper
Malta Price Chopper
Shaker Road Price Chopper
Niskayuna Price Chopper
Glenmont Price Chopper
Newburgh Price Chopper
Hopkinton Price Chopper
Clifton Park Plaza Market 32
Well that was fast – in the blink of an eye summer vacation has come and gone. School, work, sports, clubs, and all types of extracurricular activities have resumed and things are already hectic. In the midst of all this, finding time to do your grocery shopping can be challenging. We understand your struggle, and at Price Chopper/Market 32 we are continuously working to provide ways to a more convenient, less time consuming shopping experience.
Our curbside grocery pickup service is a prime example. Available on any device, you can submit an online or mobile order, and complete your whole grocery list with the click of a few buttons. Simply login to your online account, or quickly create a new account, and use your AdvantEdge card for points on every purchase. Select your favorite items and a convenient pickup time for your schedule and just like that your shopping is finished.
Worried about receiving the correct items? Don’t be. Our shoppers are trained to pick out the same quality items that you would choose yourself. In the meantime, you can leave specific instructions for your shopper or contact them throughout the shopping process to clear up any questions or concerns.
Once the order is complete and ready for pickup, park in one of our designated curbside pickup spaces and call the store to let them know you’ve arrived. We will bring your order directly to your car, so there’s no need to leave your vehicle. For more information on curbside pickup visit our website, https://www.pricechopper.com/services/pick-up/.
Try our pickup service today and enjoy your time better spent!
Our September home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Magic Hat Brewing Company!
We love all things local, and one of our favorite sectors of local food is local beer. There are so many different brews, flavors, and styles, and so many stories to tell! That’s why we’re embarking on a new home.grown. adventure: to bring you fresh craft beer stories each month from our Northeast region; the best region in the United States if you ask us!
Up next: Magic Hat Brewing Company!
Stirring up some mysterious concoctions in the heart of South Burlington, Vermont, Magic Hat is a well-known local brewer. They refer to their brews as elixirs, and their most popular potion is #9. It’s not quite a pale ale, but it runs across your tongue with notes of fruit and floral hop bitterness, bringing an unusual and curious palate. As they say at Magic Hat, #9 asks more questions than it answers. You’ll just have to see for yourself.
Another mischievous feature in the Magic Hat lineup is Circus Boy. A unique and refreshing American-style Hefeweizen. Due to his nocturnal behavior, only appearing under the darkness of a cloudy night sky, Circus Boy is something of an anomaly. Curious for more? Perhaps a closer encounter with this suspicious brew is necessary.
If you’re not sure which Magic Hat brew to choose you can always go with a variety pack, like the special edition IPA Playlist Variety Pak. A 12-beer variety featuring some of the companies best creations, led by TFG (Taken for Granite) Rock Solid IPA. TFG is a crisp IPA with a smooth malt backing, balanced with orange and grapefruit notes guaranteed to rock your taste buds.
Interested in trying some Magic Hat brews?
Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Magic Hat craft beef, take home some brewery swag and more.
Saturday 9/7, 11am – 2pm at our Shelburne Rd Market 32
Saturday 9/14, 11am – 2pm at our Clifton Shoppers World Market 32
Saturday 9/21, 11am – 2pm at our Bethlehem Price Chopper
Saturday 9/28, 11am – 2pm at our Wilton Market 32
Interested in visiting the brewery?
Make the most of everything Magic Hat Brewing Company has to offer! Visit https://www.magichat.net/ for taproom hours and menu, get info on brewery tours and more.
Brewery House Address: 5 Bartlett Bay Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403
Hot sauce junkies, heat connoisseurs and spiciness fanatics: We’re comin’ in hot with our next monthly feature!
Each month we’re bringing you fresh stories on a different sauce brand, sharing some flavor insights, stories behind the brands and more. Travel with us on an adventure consisting of varying degrees of heat each month!
September’s Feature: PICS Hot Sauce!
Sometimes it’s nice to celebrate yourself. That’s why this month’s feature is our very own PICS Hot Sauce. Made with red cayenne peppers, it packs just the right punch and compliments a wide variety of foods. Try it folded into your scrambled eggs, spice up your pulled pork, or add a kick to any of your personal favorite hot sauce incorporated meals.
Our PICS brand was created to meet the highest standards in quality and value. We know quality matters to you and your family, especially when it comes to food, and these various handpicked options are guaranteed to meet those standards. We appreciate our loyal customers, and it’s very rewarding to provide them with an affordable line they can trust. Plus, we are happy knowing we are putting delicious and nutritious options on your table.
Turn up the heat with PICS this month, and tune in next month for our October Hot Sauce of the Month!
Happy National Lasagna Day!
Today is National Lasagna Day and we are cheesin’ with excitement! In honor of such a special day, we decided to take a deeper look into the origin story of this delicious day. How did lasagna come about and where was it first created? Well, you’ve come to the right place to find out!
Like many of mankind’s finest creations, the origins of Lasagna can be traced back to Ancient Greece. The name lasagna, is derived from the Greek word laganon, the first known form of pasta. Laganon was nowhere near a traditional lasagna, but its name comes from its layers of pasta and sauce, similar to how lasagna is prepared today.
Modern day lasagna dates back to the Middle Ages, where it was first made in Naples, Italy. The original recipe was layered with sausage, meatballs, hard-boiled eggs, ricotta and mozzarella cheese, and sauced with Neapolitan Ragu, a meat sauce born in the city. The first recorded recipe could be found in one of the world’s oldest medieval cookbooks, the 14th-century “The Book of Cookery,” showcasing a fermented dough flattened into a thin sheet, boiled, and sprinkled with cheese and spices, and eaten with a small-pointed stick.
Other variations of lasagna were created around Italy, and the varying concepts were brought to America by Italian Immigrants. For example, Lasagna el forno is credited to the region of Emilia-Romagna, layered with a thicker ragu, made from carrots, onions, finely ground pork and beef, butter, and tomatoes. The recipe also features Bechamel, also known as white sauce, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. It’s the first lasagna dish to be traditionally green, due to the mixing of spinach and other vegetables in its dough.
Traditionally, lasagna is a dish of much variety. But no matter how you prepare it you can’t go wrong with this Italian classic. Stop by your local Price Chopper and Market 32 for all of your lasagna essentials today, and enjoy a tasty family meal for dinner tonight!
Sources: https://www.pagliacci.com/blog/news/post/a-brief-history-of-lasagna https://viaverdimiami.com/the-history-of-lasagna/
Our February home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Paradox Brewery!
We love all things local, and one of our favorite sectors of local food is local beer. There are so many different brews, flavors, and styles, and so many stories to tell! That’s why we’re embarking on a new home.grown. adventure: to bring you fresh craft beer stories each month from our Northeast region; the best region in the United States if you ask us!
Up next: Paradox Brewery!
This February, or should we say “Febrewary,” we’re highlighting Paradox Brewery. Located on Route 9 in Schroon Lake, Paradox is the home of Pure Adirondack Craft Beer. The brewery was founded in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains and they pride themselves on creating pure, authentic brews with all the tastes and feelings of the area. If you ask the team over at Paradox, they’ll tell you their foundation is the water they use; it can only be found 600 feet below the Adirondack Park. Water so pure it needs no filtering or treatment before being brewed!
The beginnings of Paradox date back 30 years to when President and Founder Paul Mrocka fell in love with brewing while stationed in Germany as an Army Pilot. Mrocka began brewing for family and friends around Paradox Lake, and those lucky enough to know where to go on the lake could go share a beer with him. Mrocka became fairly well-known for his beer and in 2013 eventually received enough encouragement to open the brewery in Schroon Lake.
When following the Paradox Brewery Beer Trail you will find a wide variety of unique, and tasty Adirondack Beers. Check out their core beer selection including Paradox Pilsner, a crisp and highly-drinkable cross between a Czech and German style lager. Also, definitely don’t forget their Off Trail Series, where Paradox enjoys trying new ingredients and different ideas. Off Trail brews include American Wheat, a beer full of wheat, with esters from their house yeast blend, white wine, and a hint of lemon character. American Wheat brings lots of hop flavors and aromatics. Paradox also offers a menu full of seasonal brews and bottle releases.
Interested in trying some Paradox Brewery brews?
Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Paradox Brewery’s craft beer, take home some brewery swag and more.
Saturday 2/3, 11am – 2pm at our Lake Placid Price Chopper
Saturday 2/9, 11am – 2pm at our Malta Price Chopper
Saturday 2/16, 11am – 2pm at our Wilton Market 32
Saturday 2/23, 11am – 2pm at our Amsterdam Market 32
Interested in visiting the brewery?
Make the most of everything Paradox Brewery has to offer! Visit paradoxbrewery.com for taproom hours and menu, get info on brewery tours and more.
Brewery & Taproom Address: 154 Route 9 Schroon Lake, NY 12870
We love all things local, and one of our favorite sectors of local food is local beer. There are so many different brews, flavors, and styles, and so many stories to tell! That’s why we’re embarking on a new home.grown. adventure: to bring you fresh craft beer stories each month from our Northeast region; the best region in the United States if you ask us!
Up next: Brewery Ommegang!
Looking for tasty Belgian-Style brewing in the beautiful Northeast? Look no further than Brewery Ommegang, located in Cooperstown, NY. Ommegang began creating these Belgian brews back in 1997, in a building that was built to replicate a Belgian farmhouse. The brewery has grown rapidly since its early days: In 2005 they were struggling to meet demand, so they added 40% more to their production capacity over the next year. These days, the brewery distributes its beer to 46 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, plus the District of Columbia. They also export to Canada, Mexico, the US Virgin Islands, and recently France!
Ommegang provides a unique variety of thirst-quenching ales, including their Game of Thrones series of beers, paying homage to the Emmy Award-Winning Show. The latest in this series is Bend the Knee, a golden ale with a frothy head. It mixes maltiness and citrus flavor, and finishes strong with a firm bitterness from hops. They also offer a range of other ales from dry-hopped pale ales to refreshing wheat ales and everything in between!
Interested in trying some Ommegang brews?
Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Brewery Ommegang’s craft beer, take home some brewery swag and more.
Saturday 1/5, 11am – 2pm at our Cooperstown Price Chopper
Saturday 1/12, 11am – 2pm at our Wilton Market 32
Saturday 1/19, 11am – 2pm at our Johnstown Price Chopper
Saturday 1/26, 11am – 2pm at our Clifton Shoppers World Market 32
Tune in next month for our February Brewer of the Month!
Our December home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Stony Creek Brewery!
We love all things local, and one of our favorite sectors of local food is local beer. There are so many different brews, flavors, and styles, and so many stories to tell! That’s why we’re embarking on a new home.grown. adventure: to bring you fresh craft beer stories each month from our Northeast region; the best region in the United State if you ask us!
Next up to the plate: Stony Creek Brewery!
The pride of Branford, CT, Stony Creek Brewery was rebranded by co-founder Ed
Crowley in 2015. Prior to the rebranding, Stony Creek was a small-scale contract-produced craft brand, mainly known for their IPAs named after Connecticut’s two area codes, 203 and 860. Stony Creek became much bigger after their rebrand, which launched in February 2015, and they opened up their first brewery right along the Branford River.
The brewery’s 30,000 square foot size makes it the second largest brewing facility and taproom in the state of Connecticut. One of its unique features is a 2,500 square foot tasting room with 23-ounce glass mugs hanging on the wall behind the bar as part of the brewery’s Mug Club. The “Mug Club” is a way of giving back to devoted customers by giving them “their own little piece of the creek,” according to Ed Crowley Jr!
We’re proud to team up with the great people over at Stony Creek and we look forward to showcasing their crafty creations, today and in the future
Interested in trying some Stony Creek brews?
Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Stony Creek’s craft beer, take home some brewery swag and more.
Saturday 12/1, 12pm – 3pm at our Bethlehem Price Chopper
Friday 12/7, 5pm – 8pm at our Wilton Market 32
Friday 12/21, 5pm – 8pm at our Clifton Shopper’s World Market 32
Saturday 12/22, 12pm – 3pm at our Malta Price Chopper
Saturday 12/29, 12 pm – 3pm at our Market Bistro (Latham)
Interested in visiting the brewery?
Make the most of everything Stony Creek Brewery has to offer! Visit stonycreekbeer.com for taproom hours and menu, get info on brewery tours and more.
Brewery & Taproom Address: 5 Indian Neck Avenue, Branford, CT 06405
5 Easy Care Tips for Cast Iron
Maureen Murphy, Manager Consumer Trends, Nutrition and Lifestyles
I fondly remember my grandmother’s well-seasoned cast iron pan, and the wonderful foods prepared in it. For many years I wanted one, but up until several years ago I was under the mistaken impression that cast iron still required a lot of care. An incredibly useful tool in the kitchen, cast iron is ideal for searing meats, retaining heat, and can go from stovetop to oven so you can even bake in it!
Once upon a time, cast iron skillets had to be seasoned before using for the first time, whereas today they are pre-seasoned in the factory making them ready for use after a quick rinse and thorough dry.
Thanks to these tips from Lodge, maker of cast iron cookware, it’s easy to keep cast iron looking and performing well.
- Cast iron can be washed – wash by hand using a nylon bristle brush, and if needed, use a pan scraper for any stubborn cooked-on bits.
- Do not: soak in water, use a dishwasher or metal scouring pads
- A mild detergent may be used, but isn’t necessary after each washing
- For particularly sticky food, simmer a little water for 1 minute, then use a pan
scraper after skillet has cooled. - Dry immediately and thoroughly
- Rub with a little food-safe cooking oil/shortening (vegetable or canola oil recommended), preferably while skillet is still warm
- Use it frequently as the more often you use it the better it gets as the seasoning (oil) builds up on the pan creating a nonstick layer
- Scrub with a metal scouring pan
- Wash
- Dry
- Oil interior and exterior
- Place upside down with piece of foil or sheet pan underneath
- Bake in a 350° oven for 1 hour; allow to cool completely in oven