Local Legends: Halfmoon Cookies
We’re rockin’ the support for local growers and producers this summer! We’ll be touring our Northeast region, highlighting local products and crops, talking to farmers and artisans, and telling stories on local legends. Join us on our journey! Next up, Halfmoon Cookies made by Hemstrought’s Bakeries in Utica, New York.
In 1920, the very first Halfmoon Cookie recipe was created by Harry B. Hemstrought. He put it together right on Genesee St. in Utica, NY. Since then, the famous recipe has been passed down from baker to baker at Hemstrought’s. The cookies have won the hearts of many, with a fluffy, cake-like bottom, topped perfectly with one half chocolate fudge and the other buttercream frosting. Halfmoons are truly the pinnacle of dessert.
Fast forward to 2020 and Halfmoons have withstood the test of time. 100 years later and the recipe has not gone through a single modification. Everything about the cookies remain original and authentic. However, some have attempted to imitate the highly sought-after recipe, like with “black and whites,” commonly found in New York City. But if you ask the folks at Hemstrought’s, Halfmoons remain in a class of their own.
Halfmoon Cookies are truly one of the Northeast’s finest treasures. We love partnering with Hemstrought’s Bakeries and having their amazing treats right in our own neighborhood. If you haven’t had the pleasure, we recommend giving one of these cookies a try as soon as possible!
Local Legends: Marshmallow Fluff
We’re rockin’ the support for local growers and producers this summer! We’ll be touring our Northeast region, highlighting local products and crops, talking to farmers and artisans, and telling stories on local legends. Join us on our journey! Next up, Marshmallow Fluff made in Lynn, Massachusetts.
In 1920, H. Allen Durkee and Fred L. Mower, both veterans of the United States Infantry in World War I, had teamed up to create Marshmallow Fluff. They started out making candies together, but eventually jumped on the idea of Fluff. They started out cooking their product at night and selling it door to door during the day.
After a productive decade, in 1930, Durkee himself stated “Ten years ago we started out with one barrel of sugar, a few tin cans, two spoons, one secondhand Ford, and no customers, but plenty of prospects. Today we have thru the fine cooperation of the wholesale grocers, the largest distribution of marshmallow cream in New England, and no Ford.”
Since their humble beginnings, Durkee-Mower has turned Marshmallow Fluff into a Northeast region staple. But it doesn’t stop there. Fluff is available all across the world in Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Israel, South Africa, Belgium, and more. Of course, Fluff has made its way throughout the United States as well.
Marshmallow is a versatile treat and can be used in tons of recipes. If this blog made you hungry we suggest making the classic Fluffernutter. Commonly enjoyed on playgrounds, after school, and in college dorms alike, the dish is simply Marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter mixed between two slices of bread. It’s a timeless treat for all ages. Our PICS Peanut Butter is an all-star companion in this sandwich!
Marshmallow Fluff is a legend of our region and we’re proud to offer it in our stores. Visit your local store or shop with us online for Marshmallow Fluff. In the meantime, we’re off to make some Fluffernutters.
Mint Watermelon Salad
by Jodie Fitz
4 cups seedless watermelon seedless
1 tablespoon fresh mint
½ of a lime (yields approximately 1 tablespoon lime juice)
2 tablespoons water
I tablespoon PICS honey
1 teaspoon PICS vanilla extract
Slice the watermelon, remove it from the rind and dice the watermelon. Place the diced watermelon chunks into a bowl.
Chop the fresh mint. Use herb scissors or a (plastic) knife to cut the leaves on a cutting board. Cut enough to measure 1 tablespoon. Set the measured mint aside.
Extract the juice from the lime half into a liquid measuring cup. Use either a citrus squeezing tool or your hands.
Add the water, honey, fresh mint and vanilla extract into the lime juice. Using a fork or mini whisk, whisk the ingredients together well. Pour the mixture over the diced watermelon and gently stir the ingredients together so that the watermelon is fully coated.
Cover the watermelon salad with a cover to your bowl our plastic wrap, place it in the refrigerator to set for an hour or two. Stir again before serving.
This is refreshing and light. It’s a great afternoon snack and/or perfect for entertaining.
Watermelon: Approximately ¼ of a watermelon will yield 4 cups diced depending on the size of the watermelon.
Little hands: Younger children can easily cut the watermelon with a plastic knife.
Time-saver: Purchase the watermelon quarter or pre-sliced at your local Price Chopper/Market 32 Supermarkets.
Entertaining: When serving this you can obviously serve this in a large bowl and guests can help themselves. However, this simple salad is beautiful when served in individual portions such as mason jars, glass parfait dishes or plastic 9 oz. clear party cups that can be located in the paper product aisle at your Price Chopper/Market 32 Supermarkets.
Place your individual servings of Mint Watermelon Salad on a tray at your buffet and voila, you take simplicity to fabulous.
Lessons for the Kiddos: If you are making this recipe with children, here are some skills to focus on…
- Dicing
- Cutting
- Knife safety
- Measuring ingredients
- Following directions
- Shopping for ingredients
Explore Our Region!
Our region is home to a wide variety of local craft beer, dairy products, produce and more, but it’s also home to some of the best mountains, lakes and hiking trails in the world. So, as part of our home.grown. tour we wanted to take a moment to shine the spotlight on the local outdoors of our Northeast region! In this Explore Our Region blog, we asked some of our teammates for their favorite spots for adventure and fun. Check it out!
Dylan G. – Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, Schroon Lake NY
“When I moved to upstate NY 5 years ago, I was blown away at the abundance of locations for outdoor adventures. I couldn’t wait to put my boots on and chase every hike/backpacking trip I could find on the map. One of my favorite spots I discovered and continue to frequently visit is the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. My first excursion out to this area was with my little brother. We set out to backpack the 35 mile route around the entire wilderness area in 4 days, and we were able to take in all the natural beauty it possessed. We discovered that Pharaoh Lake has everything you could ask for in one spot, whether you want a multi-day backpacking trip, short hike, mountain to climb, or a secluded lake/pond to camp out at and swim… this area has it! I would highly recommend this spot to anyone who hasn’t visited it, you won’t be disappointed!”
Phil G. – Chapel Pond Slab, Keene NY
“Chapel Pond Slab is a fantastic multipitch climb above Chapel Pond on route 73, heading towards Lake Placid. It’s a must do yearly climb that takes about half a day to get up and back. Beautiful views of the pond below and Giant Mountain across the street. A classic climb in the Adirondacks.”
Danielle T. – Mount Marcy, Keene NY
“One of my favorite trails I’ve done was Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks. It has a great combination of terrain. You can run the bottom portion of the mountain and it’s a nice scramble to get to the top. Plus you can’t beat the views on top.”
Antoni F. – Tongue Mountain Range, Bolton Landing NY
“One of my favorite and most frequented locations to trail run and hike is the Tongue Mountain Range using the Northwest Bay Trail on Lake George. It’s a longer 14.8 mile trail and loop with moderate elevation. The lower portion of the trail weaves in and out from the water’s edge which provides numerous areas to stop and swim in the lake. The furthest point on the trail, Montcalm Point, looks out over all of Lake George. However some of the best views are along the trail itself with multiple peaks and out looks.”
Tyler B. – Kane Mountain, Canada Lake NY
“I’ve been hiking Kane Mountain in New York’s Adirondack region my whole life. The hike is great: not too steep and not too long, and ends with a fire tower climb that reveals an incredible view of multiple Adirondack lakes below. It’s a great adventure for beginners and seasoned experts alike!”
Beyond the beautiful Adirondack region of our home state of New York, the Northeast is also home to the Green Mountains of Vermont, White Mountains of New Hampshire and The Berkshires of Massachusetts, in addition to lots of other hiking spots, lakes and more. If you’re looking for new outdoor adventures in the Northeast, definitely check out these great spots. You might discover a new favorite getaway!
Follow our home.grown. tour action
Setting Up Your Fridge with PICS
Welcome to the neighborhood! One of the very first steps of moving is finding the right grocery store for you and your family. You may have heard of Price Chopper and Market 32, but there’s so much to learn, unpack and explore with our stores. Firstly, we offer our very own PICS brand featuring a wide variety of quality items. The convenience of one name offering so many essential products makes filling the fridge easy. Here are some ideas to start you on your way to your best fridge yet!
Essentials:
PICS Eggs: Eggs are a vital part of the refrigerator, often having their own drawer. Our PICS line features a ton of eggcellent choices.
PICS Cheese: Say cheese! PICS is there for any cheesy meal or snack your heart desires. That’s certain to make you smile.
PICS Condiments: Condiments are a key factor in setting up the fridge. Luckily, PICS has it covered.
Beverages:
PICS Water: PICS Water comes in a number of different flavors and enhanced varieties like sparkling water. No matter how you enjoy it, water is a necessity in the fridge.
PICS Milk: Regular or chocolate. Dairy or almond. Our PICS line carries all types of milk.
PICS Juice: PICS also includes all of our favorite juices. We prefer orange juice to get the day started on the right foot.
Fruits and Vegetables:
PICS Vegetables: Make mom proud. Eat your PICS Vegetables.
PICS Fruits: PICS offers easy ways to get your fruit fix. Check out our selection.
Dessert:
PICS Ice Cream: Yes, ice cream belongs in the freezer. But we couldn’t leave you without a sweet treat. Try out PICS Ice Cream for a yummy dessert.
We have a lot to offer at Price Chopper and Market 32, and one of the things we’re most proud of is our PICS brand. We hope you try out the options above and that they help you feel welcomed in our stores. Our PICS brand includes something for everyone so enjoy exploring all of its variety for you and your family!
I love homemade freeze pops! They are easy, creative and delicious to make. July is one of my favorite times to pull out my Creamy Blueberry Freeze Pops, whip them up and keep a fresh batch in the freezer to snack on in the hot weather.
These freeze pops have a triple layer of flavor to savor while enjoying them for a summer cool down. They are packed with fresh blueberries and made with a base of Greek yogurt.
Making freeze pops is a great way to spend time with the kiddos in the kitchen and make memories as you complete a recipe together. It’s a also a great recipe to make without turning on the oven.
Creamy Blueberry Freeze Pops by Jodie Fitz
12 oz. Greek vanilla yogurt
1 1/2 cups of fresh blueberries
1/2 of a lime
2 tablespoons honey
4 – 5 oz. paper cups
4 wooden craft sticks
Makes 4 pops
Rinse the blueberries. Divide the blueberries by measuring and placing 3/4 cup of blueberries into a bowl and the remaining 3/4-cup of blueberries into a mini chopper, food processor or blender. Chop the 3/4-cup of blueberries until they are finely chopped.
Divide the yogurt into two bowls, 6 oz. in each.
Extract the juice from the lime using either citrus squeezer or your hands. It will yield approximately 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Divide the lime juice, approximately 1 1/2 teaspoons, into each bowl of yogurt.
Add 1 tablespoon of honey into each bowl of yogurt.
Add the chopped blueberries into one of the bowls of yogurt. Fold the ingredients together in each bowl using separate spatulas or spoons. Keep the two yogurt mixtures separate.
Line up your paper coated cups.
Layer One: Evenly distribute the vanilla mixture into the cups.
Layer Two: Evenly distribute the whole blueberries into each of the cups.
Layer Three: Evenly distribute the blueberry yogurt mixture into each of the cups.
Add a wooden craft stick into the center of each cup. Place the cups into the freezer and freeze overnight.
More on making these Creamy Blueberry Freeze Pops
Greek Yogurt: Use your favorite. Mine is currently the Cabot Vanilla Bean located in the dairy aisle of your local Price Chopper/Market 32 stores.
Removing the Cup: Remove the cup from the freeze pop by simply snipping the edge of the cup and peeling it from the cup. DO NOT wet the outside to remove it, the yogurt will melt quicker.
Wooden Craft Sticks: These can typically be found at your local Price Chopper/Market 32 Supermarkets in the school supply aisle or a craft store.
Can you use freeze pop molds? YES! It may make more or less pops depending on the mold and size.
Saving the extras: If you have extra pops, simply keep them in the freezer in a snap and seal style freezer storage bag. Keep them in the cups until you are ready to use them.
Lessons with making Creamy Blueberry Freeze Pops for Kids:
- Measuring
- Folding
- Chopping
- Extracting lime juice
- Following directions
- Making freeze pops
Camping Essentials
In this summer of social distancing it’s challenging to find ways to enjoy the season while remaining safe at the same time. Camping is an excellent way to get outdoors while taking the necessary precautions. If you’re planning a camping trip for the first time, we’ve put together a list of some of our essentials to make your trip a success!
Simply Done Household Products: Our Simply Done brand has everything you need to make your trip easy. From cutlery to trash bags, all the necessary household products are included on our website so you can rest assured that you did not forget anything. You will be all set for the entirety of your trip!
Sunscreen: When it comes to spending time in the great outdoors the sun is one of nature’s biggest threats. It’s important to stay protected with sunscreen while having fun in the sun. Luckily, we offer a number of brands for you to choose from.
PICS Snacks: Our PICS brand offers an awesome variety of snacks, including our new and improved PICS chips line which features four new flavors. PICS offers plenty of items, keeping you stocked up and satisfied all trip long!
Beer (21+): Beer always makes a nice addition to a getaway. Stop by your local store where we offer a wide range of local brews for your convenience. There’s something for everyone to enjoy the trip.
Things may be different this year but we are still finding ways to get out and enjoy the nice weather. A camping trip is a quiet, fun time with the family. Perfect for this particular summer. We recommend checking out all of these options to make your trip the ultimate success!
Innovative in the Kitchen with Rotisserie Chicken
Save time in the kitchen with our Market 32 rotisserie chicken! Our new rotisserie chicken is 15% bigger, with tender white meat that’s antibiotic free. Enjoy this convenient kitchen staple in mouthwatering flavors, including Original, Zesty Lemon Pepper, Savory Rosemary Garlic, All-Natural and Authentic BBQ. Plus, we’ve added a new flavor for a limited time only: Sweet Thai Chili. Now, there’s even more reason to taste this delicious and versatile family favorite.
Rotisserie chicken is great on its own and adds an abundance of protein and flavor to countless recipes. Try these clever ideas for using rotisserie chicken in your menu repertoire.
Apps & Snacks
Ready-to-use rotisserie chicken adds ease to prepping quick snacks and appetizers. Incorporate it into any dip in need of a hearty protein boost or use it in loaded homemade sweet potato fries topped with rotisserie chicken, chopped bell peppers and feta. Lettuce wraps filled with a combination of our Authentic BBQ rotisserie chicken, BBQ sauce, pineapple, coleslaw and red onion are sure to satisfy a small group before the big meal. Go bite-size with trendy Oven-Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders or Buffalo Ranch Chicken Wonton Bites that both offer a tangy kick of spice.
Winner, Winner Chicken Dinners
There are infinite dinner possibilities involving rotisserie chicken! Use it in an Open-Faced Chicken Melt featuring a healthy take on chicken salad topped with apples and melted cheddar. It’s also ideal for dishes such as fajita bowls, noodle bowls or this Chicken Banh Mi Bowl. You can also use rotisserie chicken to create the classic “chicken parmesan” flavor profile and use it as a filling for inventive Grilled Chicken Parmesan Zucchini Boats. Making Chicken Pot Pie is typically an intensive process, but with rotisserie chicken, this beloved comforting meal becomes as simple as pie. Or revive pizza night and add rotisserie chicken to flatbreads like this Chicken Cobb Salad Naan Flatbread recipe, for another savory pie sensation.
When you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken allows you to create extraordinary entrées with minimal effort. For more ways to creatively use our rotisserie chicken, click here!
Checking Out - Almond Breeze Yogurt Alternatives
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Creamy, crunchy, packable and snackable! The world of plant-based dairy alternatives continues to evolve, with new yogurt alternatives closely following the introduction of alt-dairy coffee creamers and frozen desserts. Blue Diamond, an agricultural cooperative of over 3000 family-owned almond farms, is ramping up innovation with new single serve flip-cup flavors and two 24-ounce offerings of original (almond) and vanilla-flavored almondmilk yogurt alternatives.
Blue Diamond is over 100 years old, started in 1910 by 230 almond growers. A pantry staple that has pushed boundaries of product development and almond education, it now has an international presence, distributing almonds in over 80 countries. It is also a leader in food safety and sustainability.
The flip cups will appeal to those exploring plant-based foods, vegetarian and vegan items. Fun combinations of honey-roasted and toasted almonds, dark chocolate chips, and crunchy oat clusters are some of the flip cup toppings that are ready to add to the 5.3 ounce individual servings of vanilla–flavored almond milk yogurt alternative. I am very partial to adding flavor, texture and benefit with nuts, berries and granola to yogurts. These flavor combos will delight whether seeking non-dairy items for health concerns or exploring plant-based options and new food adventures.
Most of the flip cups are a good source of fiber and calcium, and an excellent source of Vitamin E, a naturally occurring nutrient found in almonds. The flip cups range from 180-210 calories, the original and vanilla flavors around 110-150 calories per serving. They also contain 5 live and active cultures, and have a creamy, silky texture very similar to traditional yogurt. They have a higher water content that will create a great base for chia pudding and overnight oats recipes – great way to explore using the 24-ounce vanilla and original flavor items. Get inspired by some of their recipes. Find them all in the Dairy case at Price Chopper and Market 32. Enjoy!
Cancer hasn’t stopped. So neither have we.
Round up your change and donate at the register and support the American Cancer Society.
Price Chopper/Market 32 will match all donations, up to $5,000!
- • There will be 1,806,590 newly diagnosed cancer cases in 2020.
- • There will be 606,520 cancer deaths in 2020.
- • Because of COVID-19:
• Cancer patients and survivors are facing threats on multiple fronts right now, including the struggle to get and afford health care.
- • 1 in 4 report a delay in care or treatment.
- • One-third of all patients say they’re worried about the impact COVID-19 will have on their ability to get care, a concern that is especially prevalent among patients in active treatment.
- •80% of our call volume is related to COVID-19.
To learn more, visit www.cancer.org/coronavirus
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