History and Recipes of the Caesar Salad: 100 Year Anniversary
Jack Marquette
Marketing Intern
Origins
It’s unique that a dish can have a birthday on a special occasion or holiday. In this case, Caesar salad can join that short list. On a 4th of July night in 1924, the Caesar salad was created in Tijuana, Mexico. It is expected that a dish like this would be created in America or Italy. While those countries are still a massive reason for its existence, it will always be a dish that originated in Mexico. The city of Tijuana, Mexico is right on the border of the United States and Mexico and served as a hotspot for American citizens during probation.
July 4th, 1924
To celebrate the birth of their country, American citizens flocked to Tijuana to legally enjoy alcohol in another country. At Caesar’s Palace Hotel in Tijuana, Italian immigrant chef, Caesar Cardini was overwhelmed by the holiday partiers. To get food out quickly, he grabbed olive oil, parmesan, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and lettuce thrown together and tossed in a big wooden bowl. The Caesar salad was now invented and already a big hit. The picture to the right shows the current table side salad at Caesar’s Hotel today. They still take pride in what they have created and have kept it the same as it originated.
Evolution
The original restaurant on Avenida Revolución still stands and is open for business, but the original Caesar salad has been changed and altered to create alternative versions of the salad. There will always be the original, but many additions such as bacon, maple syrup, prosciutto, and even oyster mushrooms have been added by different chefs. Ultimately, Cardini stresses that even if the dish was created in Mexico, it is still an Italian dish. The more other chefs add, it is still an Italian dish and there will always be the original. Below are some Caesar salad recipes we want you to try.
Cherishing Cherries!
In our opinion, one of the more underrated fruits out there is the cherry. They are sweet, snackable, and perfect for the summer. They are great alone or an important ingredient in endless tasty recipes. That’s why this summer we plan on cherishing this awesome stone fruit.
To start, there are two different types of cherries: tart and sweet. Tart cherries are good for cooking and baking, while sweet cherries are the type you buy to eat as a snack. When purchasing these sweet snacks, look for the firm and plump ones that appear bright and glossy. Sweet cherries are mainly grown in California, Washington, and Oregon, while tart cherries can commonly be found in Michigan and Wisconsin. Some popular types of sweet cherries are Bing, Lambert, and Rainier. The most common type of tart cherry is the Montgomery, best when used in baking as they hold their shape better than their more snackable relatives.
At Price Chopper & Market 32, we love using cherries in our recipes. And not just the classic cherry pie. Check out some of these delectable recipes, perfect for the summer!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
As the leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the air becomes crisper, it’s a clear sign that fall has arrived. With the change in seasons comes a whole new world of flavors and spices that can transform your culinary experience. When we think of “spices,” we may just think of pumpkin and apple spices. However, there is a whole lot more out there. Let’s take a look at some useful spices this fall season, and a recipe to go along with each one!
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon comes from a tree known as Sri Lankan Cinnamon Tree. This is a very popular scent this time of year, and you can even find cinnamon-scented candles at Price Chopper and Market 32!
Pumpkin:
There is no doubt that pumpkin spice is a key scent of fall. Everywhere you look, there is pumpkin spice everything! Did you know that pumpkin spice is actually a mixture of different spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and clove? There is no pumpkin in pumpkin spice! Be sure to check out our pumpkin spice candles!
Recipe: Maple-Pumpkin Cold Brew
Apple:
Another fall favorite – apple! Apple spice boasts a warm, cozy, and aromatic flavor. It is characterized by a blend of sweet, earthy, and spiced elements. Of course we have an apple crisp candle, too!
Recipe: Apple-Cranberry Slab
Allspice:
Allspice is a unique and versatile spice that is derived from the dried unripe berries of the Pimenta dioica plant, which is native to the Caribbean and Central America. The name “allspice” is attributed to its complex flavor, which is a combination of various other spices, including cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, resulting in a well-rounded and distinct taste.
Recipe: Butternut Squash Bisque
Cumin:
Cumin is a very popular spice used in soups and stews, and derives from the plant Cuminum cyminum. This spice is widely used in India, Latin America, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Recipe: Jalapeño, Chicken & Pumpkin Soup
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
The aroma of freshly baked bread is enough to make anyone stop and smile. At Price Chopper and Market 32, our bread is made fresh daily right in our bakery! We specifically want to highlight our Italian bread today. There are so many different ways to pair Italian bread with your meal, as well as ways to enhance the bread itself. Looking for ways to change up your next meal? Well, look below!
What meals pair well with Italian bread?
- Spaghetti & meatballs, pork, or sausage
- Soup
- Salad
- Eggs & bacon
Ideas to enhance Italian bread:
- Butter – We carry a variety of butter including salted, unsalted, whipped, garlic, olive oil & sea salt, and plant-based options.
- Bruschetta – Includes garlic, salt, olive oil, chopped tomatoes, chopped onions and anything else you choose!
- Olive Oil
- Garlic/Garlic Salt
Chicken & Roasted Beet Harvest Salad: This meal has the perfect balance of meat, vegetables, and cheese. What is missing? Italian bread, of course! Add some PICS salted butter on top of the bread to complete this meal!
Tomato Bisque With Grilled Cheese Heart Croutons: Here we have a classic favorite. All bowls of soup need a side of bread, of course. Dip your Italian bread in the tomato soup and your heart will be smiling!
Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Italian Sausage: No spaghetti meal is complete without the side salad or bread. Try this meal with Italian garlic bread at your next family dinner!
Open-Faced Breakfast Sandwich: Any bread can work for this sandwich, but try using Italian bread with some PICS Sweet Cream Salted Whipped Butter. You will not be disappointed!
Check out this video of a Caprese-Prosciutto Grilled Cheese sandwich that will leave your mouth watering!
8 Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken
At Price Chopper & Market 32 we are rotisserie chicken fanatics! This week we are featuring them and all the awesome dishes you can create using them. If you love rotisserie chicken as much as us, check out this list of recipes to implement your next rotisserie chicken into. You might find a new go-to!
Chicken Cobb Salad Naan Flatbread: This flatbread includes all the great things about cobb salad – bacon, gorgonzola, tomato, hard cooked eggs, add some rosemary-style rotisserie chicken meat and you’re set.
Oven Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders: Nashville Hot Chicken always hits the spot. Try these oven baked sliders using shredded Market 32 rotisserie chicken meat. Yum!
Buffalo-Ranch Chicken Wonton Bites: These tasty wonton bites make for a great appetizer. Celery, blue cheese, buffalo wing sauce and rotisserie chicken meat make them a great choice for football gamedays!
Spicy BBQ Chicken Sandwich: Kick up the flavor with this Spicy BBQ Chicken Sandwich. Featuring BBQ rotisserie chicken meat, this recipe will have you coming back for more.
Fall Chicken Pot Pie: Fall weather is around the corner and chicken pot pie is one of our favorite cooler weather comfort foods. Try it with rotisserie chicken for a new perspective on pot pie!
Open-Faced Chicken Melt: Try this refreshing Open-Faced Chicken Melt with apple, cheese, chopped rotisserie chicken and more on Charcoal Boule. Makes for a delicious lunch.
Chicken Banh Mi Bowl: Rotisserie chicken in a Banh Mi? Yes, please. Try it out for yourself.
BBQ Chicken, Dried Cherry and Brie Tartlets: Diced BBQ rotisserie chicken makes a great addition to these Dried Cherry and Brie Tartlets. A yummy treat for anytime of the day.
Rotisserie chicken is extremely versatile and can be used in ways you may not have considered. If you are looking to become more creative with your rotisserie chicken, we recommend starting with one of these awesome recipes. Check out our ad this week for whole rotisserie chicken for $6.99.
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
How can one resist a delicious, crunchy bowl of cereal with freshly chilled milk? Cereal is so wonderful that it has been given its own day – March 7th! Although, everyday could be National Cereal Day in the United States, considering we are listed fourth in the world with cereal consumption! An average of 160 bowls of cereal are consumed per person in the United States each year, and 50% of Americans will start their day off with a bowl of cereal. I guess it is safe to say that cereal is a household favorite!
Here at Price Chopper and Market 32, we love cereal just as much as our customers! Did you know that we have a whole line of PICS brand cereals? That is right – we have a large variety of delicious PICS cereal as well as PICS milk and dairy-free milk that you must try! Click on the green button at the end of this blog to view all of our PICS cereal.
Cereal can be used for so much more than just your morning breakfast. Cereal has become a very popular snack on its own or mixed in with yogurt. Additionally, there are many recipes that call for cereal as an ingredient. Check out the recipes below that are not only fun and easy to make, but delicious, too!
Crispy Honey Baked Salmon with Almond-Fennel Salad: PICS Honey Nut Toasted Oats cereal as crumbs? Bet you have never thought of that before! This salmon recipe is irresistibly mouth-watering and flavorful, with a little bit of crunch of course!
Lucky Charms Frozen Yogurt Pie: Creamy vanilla frozen yogurt with cereal as the base. Now that is a fun dessert idea! The best part is, this recipe only calls for five items!
Savory Rosemary Snack Mix: This is a must for your next gathering! Be cautious though, this recipe is so good that you may not have any leftovers for yourself!
Mocktails - Fruity, Flavorful, and Alcohol Free!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
National Mocktail week in January? That is correct! Mocktails are so delicious that they have their own week. While the weather has been dull and rainy, a mocktail will surely brighten up your day! Just about any regular cocktail can be made without alcohol and still taste just as great. The drink will still look the same, and you will still taste all the amazing, fruity flavors. We have a few fantastic recipes you can make for your next gathering, or just for yourself. See what we have in store for you!
Cucumber-Mint-Mock-jitos: The fresh taste of summer! Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. We still have a few months until the warm weather sets in, but for now, we can pretend we are drinking this on a beach!
Cos-Mocktails: With only six ingredients, this mocktail is beyond refreshing. Give it a try today!
Happy National Mocktail Week!
Happy Octoberfest!
In 1810, Munich, Germany held its very first Oktoberfest festival. Originally a celebration of the marriage between King Louis I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, the annual party has made its way across the world. Now, in the United States, each year we highlight seasonal beers, foods, and activities all in the spirit of Oktoberfest. Here are some of our favorites!
Pretzels: Soft pretzels are a prized possession at Oktoberfest. In 610 A.D., as the story goes, Italian monks made the first pretzels from leftover bread-dough scraps. The twisted knot shape was meant to symbolize arms folded in prayer, and in Europe they became considered a holy food with healing powers. This explains its presence at such a large European gathering. Eventually pretzels made their way to America and we fell in love with them, especially with a Dark Lager, IPA, Brown Ale, or even German Märzen beer! Check out the video below for our Bavarian Soft Pretzels recipe.
German Märzen / Oktoberfest Beer: Speaking of German Märzen, what exactly is it? It’s essentially the beer of Oktoberfest and the style that breweries in the United States refer to as Octoberfest. For a great-tasting take try Samuel Adams Octoberfest. For a tasty, authentic food pairing outside of soft pretzels try Beer Mustard Crusted Pork Loin, Pork Schnitzel, or German Potato Soup!
Würstl or Sausages: Whether it’s Bratwurst, Weisswurst, or any of the many other varieties, sausage is a major player in German and Oktoberfest cuisine. Of course, most often served with a generous amount of mustard and sauerkraut. If you’re looking for the perfect beer to pair with your sausage, a good tip is mildly spiced sausages work well with sweet malt flavors and light hops, compared to the spicier varieties which pair with darker and heavier brews.
Desserts: No festival is complete without dessert. At a typical Oktoberfest celebration, Strudels and Kuchen, the German word for cake, are appropriate. In America, seasonal pies are also fitting for the occasion. All excellent while paired with a nice Märzen!
Pumpkin Beer: Although it’s more American than German Oktoberfest, everything is pumpkin in the fall, including the beer. It’s a signature seasonal flavor that truly brings the essence of October to your tastebuds. We carry a number of different options in our beer aisle. Looking to enjoy pumpkin beer with a meal? We recommend slow-cooked meats, chicken and waffles, or chili. Maybe some pecan or apple pie for dessert. YUM!
Oktoberfest has taken off since the original festival in Munich. It’s inspired many across America and given us a number of awesome seasonal flavors. We love celebrating this annual tradition and hope you join us by trying one of these delicious food and beer pairings. For everything you need to enjoy your own Octoberfest visit your local store, or shop with us online!
Shifting Into Soup Season!
Fall is here and soup season is upon is, and this year we want to take full advantage of it. We’ve put together a list of our favorite soup recipes that will keep your tastebuds excited all season long. Soups, bisques, stews, it’s all in on the fun!
Cheeseburger Soup: Nothing hits the spot like a good cheeseburger, let’s make the soup version. Ground chuck, American cheese, onions, and all the extras make this hearty soup delicious and filling.
Pork & Navy Bean Soup: This Pork & Navy Bean soup is everything that makes soup great. Creamy tomato with basil soup complimented beautifully by pork and beans.
Jalapeño, Chicken & Pumpkin Soup: This recipe is packed with flavor. If you’ve never considered jalapeño and pumpkin in the same dish, this recipe will open your eyes.
White Cheddar & Ale Soup: This White Cheddar & Ale Soup is fantastic. Flavors of white cheddar and your favorite pale ale combine into a blissful meal.
Creamy Sausage & Mushroom Soup: Sausage and mushroom work in perfect harmony in this recipe, and the creaminess of the dish elevates it to a whole different level.
Sweet Corn, Crab & Vegetable Chowder with Spicy Shrimp: This chowder is packed with taste. Sweet corn, crab, vegetables, and spicy shrimp all in one mouthwatering bowl.
Carrot-Tomato Bisque with Parsnip Crisps: We love the addition of carrot in this tomato bisque. Top with parsnip crisps for the perfect crunch.
Chicken, Spinach & Quinoa Soup: Chicken, spinach, and quinoa make a great trio in this recipe. Guaranteed to fill you up and to become a dish you rely on.
Crushed Red Lentil Soup: This is one of our favorite takes on lentil soup. Full of flavorful ingredients that will keep you coming back for more.
Beef & Butternut Squash Stew: Finally, we can’t forget about a good stew. This recipe celebrates the return of butternut squash to our table as it makes a beautiful entrance in this beef stew.
For more soup recipes and everything you need to make delicious soup at home, visit our website.
Happy Soup Season!
Game-Winning Food Plays for Sunday's
We’re pumped to have football back! One because we love watching the games and two because of the epic gameday recipes and platters that go along with them. Join our huddle and figure out the best gameday eats to put into action this year. We think we’ve got a great gameplan!
Ole Philly Cheesesteak Sliders: Tough to beat an old-school Philly Cheesesteak while watching the game. These sliders are a major crowd-pleaser.
Chipotle Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Pulled pork is another great gameday option. This tasty recipe adds a chipotle twist for more flavor and more fun.
Popcorn Steak Bites with Buttermilk-BBQ Dip: These Popcorn Steak Bites are a standout in the appetizer game. Paired with Buttermilk-BBQ Dip they are SO good and might just become a favorite of yours this season.
Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Onions: Classic sausage, pepper, and onions on an Italian roll. Oldie but a goodie for gameday.
Jalapeño Popper Pizza: Pizza is a perfect football food. This recipe heat things up with the addition of jalapeño.
Tortilla Chip Sheet Pan Nachos: Our list wouldn’t be right without a good nacho recipe. We love these Tortilla Chip Sheet Pan Nachos while watching the game.
Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs: How about some BBQ Meatballs from the slow cooker? Yes, please. Great gameday eats.
Grilled-Cola Chicken Wings: Chicken wings are another must-have during football season. Try these Grilled-Cola Wings for a fun play.
Fresh Cherry Salsa: Every football season deserves a nice salsa recipe, this Fresh Cherry Salsa recipe is refreshing, and one of our go-to’s this year.
Slow Cooker Carne Asada Cubed Steak Chili: It may not be quite chili season yet but keep this recipe in your back pocket for the colder weather games. It hits like a game-winning field goal at the buzzer.
Also, we are writing this on National Eat A Hoagie Day. Hoagies are another great option for gameday success. And we have plenty of them. Check out our catering & platters service to provide your watch parties with all the food you need to keep family and friends happy!
Enjoy the games this year and we wish your team the best of luck!