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!
home.grown. Hooray for Honey!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
We’re proud to partner with a variety of local honey farms and apiaries in our region, like Ole McDonald’s Honey Farm in Fonda NY, Kutik’s Honey Farm in Norwich, NY, The Beekeeper’s Daughter in Plains, PA and more. When it’s made or grown here, we get it here!
Ole McDonald’s Honey Farm: Fonda, NY
The Ole McDonald family is passionate and energetic. This family farm offers a wide variety of 100% natural products including lip balm, soap, candles, lotion, and of course, honey! Additionally, they offer bee removal from cars and buildings.
We are proud to partner with Ole McDonald’s Honey Farm!
Kutik’s Honey Farm: Norwich, NY
When Chuck Kutik received two bee hives as a Christmas present, his love and fascination for bees took off. The family business has been up and running since 1978, and extraction and bottling of honey began in 1979. In 2001, Kutik began pollination services for cantaloupes, watermelons, cucumbers and squash in South Carolina where he lived. Their mission is to honor the honey bee and everything they have to offer!
We are proud to partner with Kutik’s Honey Farm!
The Beekeeper’s Daughter: Plains, PA
William Perry Sr. started the family honey business in 1950. However, what started as a small family business developed into something much, much bigger.
Hannah, founder of The Beekeeper’s Daughter, began her business in 2010 when she noticed there was a high demand for local honey. Hannah started bottling honey to local farmers, but The Beekeeper’s Daughter eventually took off. Today, she sells honey throughout the United States and online.
We are proud to partner with The Beekeeper’s Daughter!
Fun Honey Facts!
- Honey can be traced back to 8,000 years ago in Ancient Stone Age paintings.
- Not all honey looks the same. The color of honey varies from all shades of yellow and amber.
- The flavor of honey is determined by the plant in which the nectar is extracted.
- The average American consumes one pound of honey per year, or 1 ⅓ cups.
- Honeycombs are commonly sold as a delicacy.
Whether you enjoy honey in tea, drizzled on your oatmeal, or baked in recipes, the sweetness of honey can be used for almost any meal. Check out some delicious recipes below!
Three Seed Honey Bars: These bars are the perfect on-the-go snack! With the kids back in school, they will love these Three Seed Honey Bars at lunchtime.
Smoked Baby Back Ribs with Honey-Orange BBQ Glaze: These ribs are not only delicious, but they are easy to make and only require six ingredients! Check it out!
Crispy Honey Nut Baked Salmon with Almond-Fennel Salad: Take your salmon dinner to the next level with this recipe!
Create the Perfect Charcuterie Board!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
What is better for snacking than a big, beautiful charcuterie board? Whether you are having a friend and family gathering, holiday party, or some sort of celebration, a charcuterie board is a great option. The best part is, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to create one, and you can theme the board to match the occasion.
What exactly is a charcuterie board? A charcuterie board typically contains some type of assortment of the following: Meats, cheeses, crackers, artisan toasted bread, fruits, veggies, olives, nuts, dips, desserts and whatever else you choose! Of course, you tailor your board to what you and your guests prefer. Additionally, with the holidays right around the corner, there are many fun desserts you can sprinkle onto your board.
Unsure of where to begin? We have you covered. The volume of items you need depend on how many guests you are providing for. Here are a few popular items for each category:
Meats: Prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, ham, smoked salmon
Cheeses: Goat cheese, Feta cheese, Swiss cheese, blue cheese, Brie Cheese
Crackers: PICS Oil & Herb Crackers, Wheat Thins, Ritz Crackers, pretzels
Artisan Bread: Ciabatta, sourdough, French, rye
Fruits: Grapes, blueberries, raspberries, apricots, figs
Veggies: Carrots, celery, snap peas, grape tomatoes, broccoli, pickles
Olives: Castelvetrano olives, Kalamata olives
Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans
Dips: Hummus, cream cheese, salsa, guacamole, honey, fig spread
Desserts (for holidays or any occasion): Chocolate covered strawberries, jellybeans, mints, candy corn, Hershey kisses, mini cookies, mini candy canes, peppermint bark, M&Ms
Charcuterie boards are a fun way to let your creative mind flow, as well as giving your guests something to admire. Enjoy!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Summer came and went in a blink of an eye. With schools back in session, you may find yourself running back and forth from sporting events, school concerts, parent-teacher conferences, and so on. When in the world can you even find time to grocery shop? Do not worry, that is what we are here for! Let us do the shopping for YOU at Price Chopper and Market 32! Not only will this alleviate some stress, but it will save you an abundance of time.
Grocery pickup has taken off in the past few years with the pandemic really proving how effective and efficient online grocery shopping is. You can save so much time during your busy day by allowing us to shop for you. We have trained, skilled, and compassionate team members who are very familiar with our stores. Our team members see different varieties of food all day long, so they are able to locate items in a timely fashion as well as choosing great replacement options. If an item you have requested cannot be located and must be replaced, our team members can message you directly through the app to see what your preference would be. Another great feature of online grocery shopping for pickup is that you can make as many changes to your order as needed until it is checked out.
When placing orders for pickup, our loyalty points system and e-coupons work exactly the same as if you were to shop in-store. You still accumulate AdvantEdge points for the items you buy and can now redeem your points in more ways than ever before. You are currently unable to redeem points for online orders, however. For e-coupons, as soon as you clip the ones you want and add the items to your cart, you will see the discounts in your cart in real time. Even if you forget to clip an e-coupon and add items to your cart, the cart will tell you whether any e-coupons apply. How convenient!
The whole point of grocery pickup is to save you time, so our teammates strive to keep your wait under five minutes upon arrival. It is important that you park in our designated pickup spots right in front of the store so our team members can find you as quickly as possible. Oh, and we cannot forget to mention that you do not even have to get out of the vehicle! We will load your groceries right in the car for you.
The next time you find yourself scrambling to find time to grocery shop, remember that you have Price Chopper and Market 32 to do the shopping for you!
How To Place a Grocery Pickup Order:
- Create an account on our website if you do not already have one.
- Choose your store of choice.
- Select items.
- Choose a day and time slot for pickup.
- Submit your order.
- Receive notification that a teammate has started your order, any replacements that need to be made, and that your order has been completed.
- Notify us via app or phone call when you arrive. Park in a designated parking spot in front of the store (There will be green signs indicating where to park).
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!
Sandwich Inspiration for Back-to-School
Well, Labor Day has passed and it’s time to head back to school. Of course, this means lunch and meal planning is back in full force. One of the best ways to do lunch is a tasty sandwich, and we’ve got some new ideas for this year that may not have been on your lunchbox menu in the past. Check them out and give them a try!
Grilled Chicken Pesto Wraps: You can throw these Grilled Chicken Pesto Wraps on the grill for the best results. Pesto, tomatoes, chicken, kale, and cheese fill up the grilled tortilla wraps for a wonderful lunch.
Egg Pesto Melt: Sticking with pesto, this Egg Pesto Melt recipe from Weelicious is awesome! The whole family will love them, but they are great for a lunchbox.
Grilled Chicken BLT: Try your classic BLT but add grilled chicken to the mix! It provides the extra brain power needed for the second half of the school day.
Chicken & Apple-Kale Slaw Wrap: These Chicken & Apple-Kale Slaw Wraps are full of flavor and easy to make! A perfectly light lunch wrap.
BLT Waffle Sandwiches: Add a fun twist to your BLT with waffles rather than bread. Whole-grain or multigrain waffles create a whole new BLT experience.
Open-Faced Turkey Melt: This Open-Faced Turkey Melt is another great choice for lunch. Turkey breast lunch meat and granny smith apples make a great combination. With other flavorful ingredients added to top it off.
Apple Pie Panini: This Apple Pie Panini is a fall favorite! Plus the kids will enjoy how its like dessert for lunch.
Pizza Sub: Back in the day Pizza Day was a big hit in the cafeteria. Well, make any day pizza day with this Pizza Sub recipe!
Have a great school year! And try out these new recipes to keep school lunch exciting!
Sources: https://weelicious.com/10-best-back-to-school-sandwich-recipes/
Take Your Morning Cup of Joe to the Next Level!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
When we think of coffee, we often think of the energizing drink we make in the morning. However, have you ever wondered what exactly coffee is and where it comes from? What about recipes that can be made with coffee? Coffee can be used for so much more than just your daily caffeine intake, and a few may even surprise you!
What is coffee? People recognize coffee as a bean or ground, and that bean we see comes from the seed of the fruit known as the coffee cherry. The coffee cherry grows on the coffee plant that can live up to 100 years! Yes, there is a coffee plant! How cool is that? These plants are the most productive between the ages of 7 to 20 and can grow to be as tall as 10 meters.
Coffee Uses:
Drinks and Desserts: There are an abundance of drinks and desserts that can be made from coffee. Even if coffee is not your go-to drink, the recipes below may just give your taste buds something to smile about!
Paint: Did you know that you can paint using coffee? Combine coffee grounds and room-temperature water to give you your newest paint color!
Meat Tenderizer: As you will see in the recipes below, coffee can be used to tenderize meats. Due to the enzymes found in coffee, the meat will become more tender when marinated in coffee. Marinate your meat of choice for up to 24 hours for an incredible flavor.
Make chocolate-covered coffee beans: This is super easy to make. Just melt PICS dark chocolate chips over low heat, stir in espresso beans, and let cool on parchment paper.
Décor: Coffee beans can be used as a very elegant décor in your home. Simply put coffee beans in a jar or vase with a candle or fake flowers on top.
Interested in taking coffee to the next level? Try out some of our fantastic recipes below!
Coffee-Rubbed Beef Brisket: Have you ever tried beef rubbed with coffee? Be sure to check out this easy yet delicious recipe for your next beef dinner!
Coffee Caramelized Onions: When you try out the Coffee-Rubbed Beef Brisket recipe, be sure to add on these coffee caramelized onions that coffee fans will love!
Super Chili: The next time you want to make chili, consider spicing it up with this Super Chili recipe! While the coffee taste is not overwhelming, there is enough in the recipe to make this chili more exciting.
Iced Caramel Vanilla Latte: Feeling low on energy? Try this scrumptious latte with PICS whipped cream!
Vanilla-Raspberry Ice Cream Tart With Brownie Crust and Mocha Drizzle: The name says it all! This dessert is perfect for your next family get together!
Mocha-Almond Meringue Cake: This cake is divine! There is the perfect balance of mocha and almond for a dessert that will take your break away!
Shop Coffee!
Back-to-School Allergy Planning - What You Need to Know
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN
Food allergies are a very stressful issue for children and families. Given how diverse our food supply is, and the potential for foods to be ingredients or potential exposure to allergens in kitchens and prep areas means every mouthful is meaningful.
There are nine food allergens identified as having significant prevalence that must be clearly labeled by law. The Food Allergen Labeling and Protection Act [1]was rolled out in 2004 and has been an important tool for those navigating these issues. The original eight allergens are: milk, soy, peanut, fish, shellfish, wheat, (tree) nuts, and eggs, and sesame was added to the federal list in the Spring of 2021.
One of the most common and most concerning is peanut allergy. Sensitivity can range from slight to life-threatening, and the issue may not be on the radar until a frightening health episode. For many with peanut and other severe allergies, it is critical to maintain and carry an epinephrine auto-injector in case of accidental exposure. Family, childcare providers, friends, school nurses and teachers should all be trained to read food labels to avoid allergenic foods, understand signs of exposure and have an emergency response plan. To ease this process, Food Allergy Research and Education, a non-profit supporting those with allergies, has an emergency plan resource document.
The Price Chopper/Market 32 Pharmacy Team is conducting an awareness campaign about epinephrine auto-injector management, ask your pharmacist to assist with keeping these vital devices ready if they are needed. Work with your healthcare provider to ensure an emergency plan is in place.
There is some good news – strong research[2] has shown it is possible to avoid developing a peanut allergy. Infants that show early signs of possible allergy issues, including family history, eczema and egg allergy may be on the road to a peanut allergy as well. If identified early, and coordinated/supervised by an allergist, pediatrician and registered dietitian-nutritionist, it has been shown that peanut allergy development can be mitigated/reduced with very controlled micro-doses (6-7 grams) of peanuts over time, and timing of that intervention is key. Ideally, the process should start when the baby is just starting on foods, at about the 6-month mark. It should NOT be attempted without coordination and supervision of experienced healthcare providers. It is a recent development in allergy prevention and care, discussion of any concerns should occur at one of the first pediatrician visits, so risks can be assessed as soon as possible. Early and medically supervised intervention could offer significant health and quality of life benefits if peanut allergy can be avoided.
[1] https://www.fda.gov/food/food-allergensgluten-free-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/food-allergen-labeling-and-consumer-protection-act-2004-falcpa
[2] Togias A, Cooper SF, Acebal ML, et al. Addendum Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy in the United States: Summary of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-Sponsored Expert Panel. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017;117(5):788-793.
https://farrp.unl.edu/for-consumers
Leftover Strategies - Do Not Let Your Food Go to Waste!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Do you ever find yourself throwing out food because you made too much? Maybe you are unsure of how to properly store leftovers, so the easy option is to just toss the food. While it may seem convenient at the time, this can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. Even more alarming is that each year, approximately 108 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States! What can you do to avoid this? We came up with how to save your leftovers and ways to make a meal out of a meal! With the kids going back to school, this will save you an abundance of time in your busy schedule.
First, let’s discuss your freezer. Before we can start freezing our leftovers, it is a wise idea to clean out what is already inside the freezer and check to see if older items are freezer burned. Foods that are freezer burned will appear grainy in texture, may lose its flavor, and have a grayish-brown hue. Once the freezer has been gutted, now it is time to store your leftovers. You may be surprised at how much you buy can be frozen!
Meats and Seafood:
Meats can be stored raw or frozen. Keep in mind, it could take up to 24 hours to defrost meat, so be sure to plan ahead. Seafood on the other hand can also be frozen. However, if you plan on freezing your seafood, it may be a smart idea to buy the fish frozen because it will last up to six months in the freezer. Seafood that is purchased already thawed will lose its quality after being refrozen. Both meats and seafood should be stored in an airtight freezer bag.
Bread and Baked Goods:
Breads and baked goods can be frozen, and this is especially important around the holidays when you will most likely have a ton of leftovers. Cookies and cakes are best frozen without any icing, as it can get sticky. However, just because there is icing on your baked goods does not mean that they must be thrown out. Additionally, if the kids are home on a holiday break and not as much bread for sandwiches is being consumed, it would be ideal to freeze that bread for the following week.
Dairy and Eggs:
Dairy items including butter and cheese are best frozen between six and nine months. These items should be stored in an airtight freezer bag or container. Higher fat cheese like cheddar will freeze better than soft cheese with less fat, like goat cheese. Whether you are cooking with butter or using cheese on your child’s school lunch, freezing dairy is very cost effective.
When freezing eggs, it is best to first crack the eggs in a bowl and scramble them. From here, add ⅛ teaspoon of salt OR sugar per egg. This will ensure that the yolk does not thicken while in the freezer. Pour the liquid eggs into a muffin tin or ice cube tray and freeze for 4-6 hours. Once frozen, they can be transferred to a container or freezer bag. The eggs will last up to one year frozen. If you want to save yourself time in the morning and make a meal out of the eggs, try adding in some veggies of your choice to make mini omelets before freezing!
Beans:
Beans can be frozen once drained from the can and rinsed. Beans should be placed in a Ziploc bag or container and then filled with water. Once completed, beans are ready to go in the freezer! What a great way to save time and money in the future if you are making a soup, chili, dip, or salad!
Fruits and Vegetables:
Almost all fruits and vegetables can be frozen. Fruits can become soggy once thawed, so it would be best to make a smoothie out of your leftover frozen fruit. Vegetables can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag. Be wary of potatoes and lettuce as they do not freeze well.
While freezing food is a fantastic way to save, leftovers can also be used for your lunch or dinner the following day. Another option is making a meal like soup out of your leftovers and then freeze the soup! Check out a few recipes below that are quick and easy to make with your leftovers.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Ham Soup: Whether you made ham for your family’s dinner or have a ton left over from a holiday gathering, try making this Split Pea Ham Soup with veggies of your choice.
Spinach, Black Bean, & Corn Salad With Chipotle-Cocoa Vinaigrette: Add in some leftover meat of your choice if you choose, and there you have a very quick and easy lunch!
White Chicken Chili: This easy meal is the perfect fall lunch or dinner made with your leftovers!
Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups: Have some leftover zucchini from the garden? Try these delicious roll ups!
Happy Saving!