Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
August 22nd is World Plant Milk Day, and we are here to celebrate! There are many different types of plant milk that Price Chopper and Market 32 carry, including almond, cashew, oat, soy, and coconut milk. Additionally, we also carry non-dairy creamers, cheeses, yogurts, and ice creams that are sweet, creamy, and downright delicious! Let’s take a closer look at what is so special about plant-based milks.
You might question the choice of milk substitutes over traditional cow’s milk, but numerous factors contribute to the rise in popularity of plant-based milks. Individuals that have a vegan diet or those with a lactose intolerance find non-dairy alternatives essential. The best part is, there are many different options and flavors out there that will suit anyone’s needs and preferences.
Many people who do not experience a lactose intolerance may still choose plant-based milks for other reasons, including taste and environmental benefits. Plant-based milk could be favored over cow’s milk in preparations like smoothies and other recipes. Additionally, plant-based milk requires less land, less water, and produces fewer carbon emissions.
If you are interested in cooking or baking with a milk alternative, take a look below!
Instant Pot® Chocolate Soufflé Cakes with Strawberry Sauce: This is a delectable dessert that combines the rich and velvety flavors of chocolate with the airy and delicate texture of a soufflé, topped with strawberry sauce.
Stuffed French Toast Rolls: Nothing beats French toast, but stuffed French toast? Now this is a recipe you must try!
Fruit & Baby Kale Smoothie: This smoothie is a popular choice for those seeking a convenient and delicious way to incorporate more fruits and leafy greens into their diet.
Brownie Batter Dessert Hummus: A recipe so delicious, you’ll question if this is actually brownie batter!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
For this week’s #ChillinWithChopper theme, we are exploring the beauty of salad. Salads have truly evolved from simple side dishes to culinary delights. With a blend of fresh ingredients, imaginative combinations, and a dash of creativity, you can transform an ordinary salad to a wonderful, filling meal.
Oftentimes, we may think of salads as being boring, but in reality, there are so many ways we can create a balanced, nourishing dish. What are we waiting for? Let’s build a salad together!
Step 1: Choose your base.
At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have so many options for your leafy greens. Try laying down either romaine, spinach, kale, arugula, or shredded lettuce. Better yet, try combining two or more to see how you like that!
Step 2: Throw in some fruits or veggies.
The options are endless here. Some produce to consider adding in include carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, corn, avocado, olives, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, apples, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, and oranges.
Step 3: Decide on a protein.
To create a filling salad, we need to add in some protein. Options here include chicken, steak, ground turkey, deli meat, shrimp, salmon, hard boiled eggs, tofu, or tempeh.
Step 4: Add in the fun stuff!
Similar to produce, there are so many options for this step. Try adding in cheese, bacon, beans, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, quinoa, rice, pasta, chickpeas, tortilla strips, or croutons.
Step 5: Let’s dress the salad!
Price Chopper and Market 32 have so many salad dressings that you may have a difficult time picking one out! Some to consider include ranch, honey mustard, caesar, blue cheese, Italian, balsamic, raspberry vinaigrette, poppy seed, thousand island, and so much more. Additionally, we sell many varieties of low fat or fat free dressing.
Still need some inspiration? Check out a few salads below!
Rainbow Baby Greens Bowl: The name is fitting for this salad. With a variety of color and a ton of vegetables, this is the perfect summertime salad.
Chicken Tender & Baby Kale Salad: If you have a picky eater in the house, then look no further. With freshly baked chicken tenders, vegetables for color, and bacon ranch dressing, this dish will be a new favorite!
Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken Salad: Talk about a filling salad! This one has all the finest ingredients to help fuel you throughout your day.
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Week three of #ChillinWithChopper brings our focus to luscious, sweet fruits. Throughout history, fruits have played a crucial role in sustaining human life. Whether indulging in the sweetness of ripe berries or savoring the zesty kick of citrus fruits, the diverse flavors they provide are truly delightful. For those aiming to add more fruits to their diet, worry not, as we have you covered. Check out some of our tips below!
- Add fresh fruit slices to meals. It’s not as challenging as you might believe. If you like yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal, consider adding some berries to enhance the taste. For your lunchtime salad, try incorporating orange slices or watermelon chunks for a delightful twist. Moreover, there are numerous recipes that include fruits as ingredients, such as our Cranberry-Apple Stuffed Pork Chops.
- Try having fruit with each snack. Many peanut butter lovers will put peanut butter on their bananas or apples. Enjoying fruits with peanut butter not only enhances the taste but also balances the snack to keep you full and satisfied.
- Make a fruit smoothie. There are so many delicious ways you can make smoothies. Common fruits people add in are bananas, raspberries, kiwis, strawberries, and blueberries.
Need more inspiration? Take a look at some of our recipes!
Strawberry, Arugula, and Quinoa Salad with Asparagus & Feta: The perfect summertime salad is right here! Nothing beats fresh strawberries paired with feta cheese.
Curried-Mango Fish: If you enjoy tilapia, then you must try this recipe!
Chocolaty-Orange Smoothie: This smoothie is a delightful and indulgent treat that combines the rich flavors of chocolate with the zesty tang of oranges!
Roasted Grape & Goat Cheese Bruschetta: This is a delightful and sophisticated appetizer that combines the sweet and savory flavors of roasted grapes and creamy goat cheese on a crispy baguette!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Welcome to week two of our #ChillinWithChopper journey! Each week has a set theme, so be sure to follow our Facebook page to be in the know!
This week we are highlighting some of our delicious frozen items and recipes, such as ice cream, frozen fruit, smoothies, and more. Frozen desserts offer a wide array of flavors and textures, making them a delightful treat for people of all ages. They can be store-bought or homemade, and many variations and creative recipes can be found to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite delicious recipes!
Frozen Tropical Bark: Get a tropical taste of paradise with these easy and delicious treats! They will be a hit at your next event.
Banana Split Milkshake: Take a look at this video for banana split heaven!
Watermelon Blueberry Pops: A four-ingredient simple recipe that will have the kids beyond excited!
Hawaiian Smoothie Bowl: Make your own smoothie bowl with this incredible recipe!
Shop Frozen Desserts!
Be sure to check out our websites for more frozen dessert inspiration!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Have you heard of #ChillinWithChopper? This is week one of a five-week long event. Each week has a set theme, so be sure to follow our Facebook page to be in the know!
To start off our journey, we will begin by highlighting some of our favorite summertime drinks. As the temperatures rise, there’s nothing better than quenching your thirst with a cool, refreshing beverage. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a backyard BBQ, or simply relaxing on the porch, we’ve got you covered at Price Chopper and Market 32. Cheers to a season filled with sun-soaked days and delicious sips!
Peach Paradise: This cool, refreshing day certainly beats the heat! If you are a fan of peach-flavored drinks, you must try this!
Sangria Mocktail: This non-alcoholic drink is perfect for any summertime occasion! With four different fruits mixed in this drink, you will be so thankful you tried this!
Slushy Punch: Who doesn’t love a good slushy? Nothing says summer like a nice brain freeze! Try this recipe ASAP!
We hope you enjoy our recipes! Be sure to check out the following sites for more:
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
While National Ice Cream Day is celebrated today, July 16th, we think every day is Ice Cream Day! Whether it is hot and humid or a stormy blizzard, there is never a bad time to eat ice cream. Speaking of all things ice cream, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day is celebrated on August 2nd, so we made sure to provide you with our fantastic recipe below. Now for the fun part – We want to give you the scoop on this creamy, indulgent dessert!
Favorites:
Vanilla is ranked the most popular ice cream flavor, followed by chocolate. Of course, ice cream toppings are a must! Hot fudge is the most popular ice cream topping, which is only fitting for your traditional ice cream sundae.
Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, rated number seven for most favored flavors, was introduced by the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Burlington, Vermont. Oh, and we should mention that our Price Chopper and Market 32 locations sell a variety of Ben & Jerry’s!
Ice Cream in the United States:
As of 2022, the United States ranked second after New Zealand for the most ice cream consumption worldwide. This makes sense considering about 90% of United States households have ice cream in their freezer.
Can you guess the state that produces the most ice cream? The answer is California. In total, the United States produces 1.38 billion gallons of ice cream each year! I guess you can say that is a LOT of ice cream!
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich: Homemade cookies with PICS Ice Cream is a must-have this summer! This recipe is unforgettable.
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day the right way, and browse our ice cream selection. Be sure to check out our PICS new pint ice cream!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
There is so much to celebrate throughout the month of July. Not only is the weather warm and there is so much to do, but it is also National Smoothie Month! If you are a smoothie lover, then this blog is for you. Nowadays, there are many places to order smoothies on the go. However, what about making your own smoothie at home? You can save time by not having to drive anywhere, and you can also save money by adding in your own ingredients. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a ton of smoothie add-ins for you to try, as well as recipes. While there are no right or wrong ingredients to add in your smoothie, we have some delicious ideas for you below. Without further ado, let’s get blending!
Fruit:
Blueberries (National Blueberry Day is July 11th!)
Strawberries
Bananas
Oranges
Veggies:
Kale
Spinach
Avocado
Milk:
Skim, 2%, or Whole Milk
Almond Milk
Soy Milk
Cashew Milk
Yogurt:
Plain Greek Yogurt
Flavored Greek Yogurt
Nut Butter:
Peanut Butter
Almond Butter
Cashew Butter
Powdered Peanut Butter (PB2)
Other Add-Ins:
Protein Powder
Cocoa Powder
Honey
Flax Seeds / Chia Seeds
Interested in some recipes? Check them out below!
Kicked Up Green Smoothie: A delicious blend of fruits, veggies, and yogurt to power you through your day!
Chocolaty-Orange Smoothie: This smoothie is so refreshing for a warm summer’s day!
Winter Kiwi, Clementine & Blackberry Smoothie: Fresh produce, coconut water, and sweet honey? Yes, please!
Haleigh Eustis
Floral Intern
Summertime is approaching faster than ever and what better way to beat the heat than with an ice-cold glass of lemonade? Nothing! Even though lemonade is a wonderful drink, it can taste a bit boring at times. Practically everyone knows the signature flavor of lemonade, as it’s a classic summer staple, so why not mix it up a bit!
Simple syrup is an easy and exciting way to create a different taste to any drink. The possibilities are endless when creating this quick simple syrup. Add virtually anything to create a fun and unique take on a drink that we all love! Add fruits, herbs, spices, and flowers to simple syrup.
That’s right, flowers can be used to flavor simple syrups! Their floral and decadent scent can easily be mimicked into any drink. Though not every flower can be used in simple syrup, lavender is a popular flower that is commonly used in lemonades, coffees, teas and so much more!
If you would like to try a fun simple syrup that adds some excitement to your summer, then follow this recipe that breaks down how to create the perfect staple syrup for your summer!
What You Need:
- 2 or 3 Teaspoons of Edible Lavender (Dried or Fresh)
- ¾ Cup of Granulated Sugar (You Can Use Honey as Well)
- 1 Cup of Water
Instructions:
- Pour your cup of water into a pot and bring to a boil.
- Once your water is boiling, pour your cup of sugar in the pot along with 2 or 3 teaspoons of lavender.
- Bring your mixture to a simmer. (You don’t want the sugar to burn as your lavender steeps!)
- Stir the sugar until it’s completely dissolved and let the liquid simmer even more.
- Wait 10-15 minutes to acquire the perfect lavender taste, best suited for you! (Feel free to taste test and play around with flavor intensity in this step.)
- Strain your simple syrup with a mesh strainer (double strain to ensure no buds!)
- Once your syrup has cooled fully, place the syrup in a bottle and store in the fridge. (Your simple syrup will last for two weeks!)
- Add desired amount of syrup to any beverage.
There you have it! An easy and carefree simple syrup that takes minimal time and adds an exciting, new flavor to any drink. Replace lavender with fruits and other (edible) flowers to create a variety of syrups all summer long! Shop all your simple syrup making needs at Price Chopper and Market 32.
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Happy National Coconut Day! Yes, coconuts actually have their own day – June 26th. This tropical fruit may have you dreaming of being on an island, piña colada in hand, and not a care in the world. Whether you are reading this in your office building, by a pool, or a tropical beach if you are lucky, we have everything coconut-facts and tropical fruit recipes!
A question that many may wonder is whether a coconut is a fruit, nut, or seed. While the word “nut” is in “coconut,” that can be misleading. Coconuts are considered a fruit that have a hard shell enclosing the coconut seed.
Coconuts need high humidity and frequent irrigation to grow and survive which is why they flourish in tropical regions. Today, the Philippines are the largest producers of coconuts, with Indonesia and India closely behind. In the United States, coconuts grow in Hawaii and Florida. While the origin of coconuts is still up for debate, there have been fossil records of coconuts found in New Zealand dating back to 15 million years ago!
Another surprising fact about coconuts is that there are different varieties of them. A few of many are listed below!
- Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconuts: These coconuts were first found in the Malaysian area between 1800 and 1900. When they are still immature, these fruits will appear a pale green but eventually turn a pale yellow to brown color.
- Fiji Dwarf Coconut: Popular in Florida, the Fiji Dwarf Coconut tree is known to grow copious amounts of coconuts while being remarkably short in size.
- VHC1 Coconut: This coconut tree is incredibly large and produces the fruit once every four years!
- Macapuno Coconut: The meat of this coconut is jelly-like due to natural mutations and are primarily grown throughout Asia. Interestingly enough, the Macapuno Coconut is considered a delicacy where they are grown in Asia and are much higher in price compared to other coconuts.
Coconut is widely used in baking and cooking, and coconut water has some great health benefits. Coconut flour is a great alternative for those that are gluten free and coconut milk works for those who are lactose intolerant. Additionally, many yogurts, creamers, and whipped cream are now made with coconut milk. When it comes to cooking, many people use coconut oil for cooking and frying, and there are even varieties of coconut spray to coat the bottom of your frying pan for a lower calorie option.
While coconut meat is relatively high in calories and fat and should be eaten in moderation, coconut water is great for the body. Many athletes drink coconut water for rehydration after an intense workout, but there is no evidence that supports the fact that coconut water is more hydrating than plain water. Also, coconut water has between 45 to 80 calories per eight ounces. Unsweetened and unflavored coconut water tends to have less calories than its counterparts.
Today, many beauty products are made from coconuts to moisturize the skin and hair. Who knew that these little fruits could have so many benefits other than just being delicious!
Interested in incorporating coconut in your cooking and baking? Check out some fun recipes below!
Coconut-Ginger Key Lime Bars: These cool, refreshing bars are the perfect way to celebrate National Coconut Week!
Tropical Daiquiri: Nothing screams “National Coconut Week” like this Tropical Daiquiri! Be sure to pick up PICS coconut milk. Honey, and ice at your local Price Chopper or Market 32.
Magic Brownie Bars: Name a better combo than coconut and chocolate. Well?
Instant Pot® Coconut-Curry Lentils with Tofu & Vegetables: This is the best time of the year for fresh produce! Mix your veggies in with tofu, coconut milk, lentils, and more for this hearty lunch or dinner.
Happy National Coconut Day!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Quality you can see and taste! PICS Peanut Butter is made in the Northeast from U.S. grown peanuts. Whether a savory or sweet dish our natural Peanut Butter is the star. Only at Price Chopper & Market 32.
Peanut butter is a staple in many households. It is a delicious, filling, and easy spread that has been used in the classic pb&j for years. The great thing about peanut butter is that it is so versatile. Nowadays, you can find thousands of recipes with peanut butter, ranging from peanut butter smoothies, to thai peanut sauce, to peanut butter s’mores (check it out below)!
When people think of recipes with peanut butter, they may think of something sweet like peanut butter cookies for example. However, there are actually many savory recipes that can be made with peanut butter, like chicken with peanut sauce! We are here to change your peanut butter game. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a wide variety of PICS Peanut Butter and peanut butter recipes on our website. Take a look below for some inspiration!
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps: This recipe is an easy & refreshing summertime recipe. If you have liked lettuce wraps in the past, then you must try this one!
Thai Shrimp Zoodle Bowl: Not only does this recipe contain PICS Peanut Butter, but it also calls for PICS Peanuts as well. Calling all peanut-lovers!
Grilled Chicken Saté with Peanut Dipping Sauce: No more boring grilled chicken – Spice it up this summer with this delicious recipe. You will not be disappointed!
Now for the moment you have been waiting for – PB & J S’mores! If there is any recipe that is a must-try this summer, it is this one!