Supermarket 101

Who's shopping for Thanksgiving this weekend? Raise hands.

every day diane — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:38:21 GMT

Are you hosting Thanksgiving, or cooking part or all of it? I'm having guests -- nine grown-ups and two kids, I think, which is pretty reasonable size-wise. But even with people helping bring dishes, I still have to get in gear and pick up a cartload of groceries. And that's gotta happen this weekend! So, tomorrow I'm headed to the farmer's market with friends. We usually walk if the weather's nice: It's about a mile downhill going, and a mile uphill coming back -- yeah, ugh. So we'll need to figure out how to lug back all the heavy-but-yummy squash, sweet potatoes, onions, greens, apples, pears and more ... but that's tomorrow's problem. Then I started calculating the if-I-buy-a-frozen-turkey-when-does-it-thaw countdown, figuring I need to hit the supermarket on Sunday so I can have a bird that's ready to cook by Thursday. Plus at the store I need to get everything else, too. Here's where a list comes in handy, right? Tonight I'm going to make a list of recipes, then put my ingredients in the supermarket aisles (still loving that tip from the magazine), then head to the store.

Will keep you posted.

My First Turkey, Step by Step

every day cameron — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:50:59 GMT

This is the first year that my family and I will be hosting Thanksgiving, and I just realized that we're having 17 guests! Normally, we keep our Turkey Day small, but this year we're combining immediate family AND extended family. As some of you have read in my earlier posts, I'm more veggie-friendly than not and I've never cooked a turkey before, so I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Luckily, I produced our How to Prep a Butter-Basted Turkey and How to Cook a Butter-Basted Turkey step by step cooking videos, and while we were editing them down I must have watched them a million times so they made sense for you at home. Even after all that, though, I plan on watching them a few times before the big day, and I'm definitely going to watch How to Carve a Turkey before I even think of reaching for that carving knife.

How many of you are hosting? What are you making? And who's going to be watching right along with me?

Housewarming Party on the Cheap

every day cameron — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:04:58 GMT

Last night I threw a housewarming party for 60, and managed not to spend a fortune or be completely stressed. The trick? I cut out the middle man as much as I could. For instance, I went to a big-box store for frozen apps—at $.30 each instead of $.75 each, it was definitely cheaper than the supermarket. I couldn't find our Big Bite Taste Test: Frozen Appetizers winners, but I picked up pigs in a blanket and mini spinach pies, so there was a choice for carnivores AND veggies.

I also stopped by our town's pizza place since I knew they make pizza bites, which are great for a crowd, and bought other neighborhood nibbles like empanadas. I wanted to have some homemade food too, so a few days ahead of time I made Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies and Monkey Bread Minis, which kept nicely in the fridge till the party. Finally, I went to our local brewery and picked up beer by the growler. (every day diane had no idea what that was, so I'll explain: It's kind of a really, really big pitcher.) Everyone had a good time—now I just have to finish unpacking!

No Bees, No Groceries!

every day cameron — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:14:51 GMT

To me, bees mean stingers. But last night, at an event sponsored by Haagen-Dazs, I learned what bees mean to the food industry. First of all, I had no idea that about one-third of all the stuff on your supermarket's shelves are directly affected by bees and their pollenating—everything from fresh produce to sweetened packaged goods. But then I found out I that the honey bee population is decreasing dramatically, and no one can figure out why. Chef David Guas, who's a bee enthusiast and the star of the upcoming PBS documentary Chefs A' Field (check your local listings), really brought the whole thing home when he made dishes using ingredients that could be affected by this crisis, including cauliflowers, capers and my favorite fall food, squash. Plus, of course, ice cream, which is why Haagen-Dazs has been donating money to help figure out why this is happening.

I may still run screaming in the opposite direction when I see a bee, but I'll definitely be more grateful when I enjoy my desserts.

Where have all the local specialities gone?

every day cameron — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:04:43 GMT

I was so happy to read "One Nation, Under Food" (in Yum, November 2009, on newstands tomorrow!). Because is it just me, or are local food souvenirs going away with today's global table? In New Orleans, I always took home beignets—which, no matter how soggy they were by the time I unpacked them, were still delicious! In Seattle, I managed to find a spot in my suitcase for See's Candy. And if I could have bottled my own sweet tea from Chapel Hill, NC, I would have brought that back too. But these days it seems like I can get See's at many airports, and sweet tea at McDonald's around the corner. And while I have yet to find a beignet that can measure up to Cafe du Monde, I can definitely buy the mix online.

Now when I visit a new city, I still go to its grocery stores to scout out items that probably can't be found in the airport gift shop, but I read the label to see where it comes from: I don't want to end up with an olive oil from California that was actually bottled in New York.

At long last, the Australian Tim Tam can be mine...and yours too!

every day teri — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:23:28 GMT

About two years ago, I was on a shoot with a decidedly Australian crew (Aussie food stylist, Aussie photographer...you get the drift) and Darienne, the food stylist, had just returned from a visit to her native country. She told everyone she was carrying Tim Tams on her, which she'd be willing to share at lunch, and much talk ensued over the cult of the Tim Tam, which were only available in Australia. In order to get your hands on a package, you either needed relatives who loved you enough to mail you some or friends who were willing to part with a bag...if they didn't scarf them all down first. I just thought to myself "yum...COOKIES!!!" Little did I know that a Tim Tam was so much more than just a mere cookie.

Picture two light and airy chocolate wafers sandwiching a thin layer of dense chocolate creme. Now take that bit of heaven and coat it with chocolate fudge and you've got yourself a Tim Tam. But similar to how an M&M is unlike any other chocolate coated in a candy shell, a Tim Tam is unlike any other chocolate wafer cookie. It's like the lovechild of a Kit Kat and Pepperidge Farm Pirouette.

And the best part? The good people at Pepperidge Farm have brought them back to the U.S. after a successful limited run at Targets last winter. The Classic Dark flavor is available only at Targets nationwide, but supermarkets across the country are in on the fun this time and are offering the Chocolate Creme and Caramel flavors. They aren't here permanently, unfortunately, but they will remain in our country through March 2010, which is long enough time for you to hoard enough Tim Tams to tide you over until next October.

For more information, go to ilovetimtamcookies.com. ($3.39; available at Targets and supermarkets nationwide)

I'm up to my elbows in styrofoam peanuts!

every day leah — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:42:14 GMT

Part of the fun of being an EDWRR editor, is getting to preview new food products coming onto the market. This is hands-down one of the delights and privileges of the job. Each product sample is delivered with a thoughtful and enthusiastic pitch. But they come with something else that the PR companies are all but oblivious to: mountains of wasteful packaging that risk leaving a negative impression on the editor.

With a well-intentioned zeal to deliver samples in perfect condition, miles of bubble wrap, gallons of packing peanuts, plastic padded envelopes, corrugated boxes lined with Styrofoam coolers lined with frozen gel packs, and boxes within boxes within boxes, are all employed with abandon.

It’s a special bummer when the sender is pitching organic or so-called “eco-friendly” products. Last week, I nearly had to climb into a box (half the size of my desk!) brimming over with Styrofoam peanuts to retrieve a single bottle of organic ketchup and 3 bottles of organic salad dressing. Consumers pay a premium price for organics and want to assume the ancillary systems are sustainable too.

Every Day with Rachael Ray editors are passionate about getting the scoop on all the products you readers will soon be seeing on supermarket shelves--and letting you in on the secret! Can we just hold the bubble wrap, please?

Sometimes you need to skip the supermarket

every day cameron — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:50:51 GMT

I know I live in New York and it's expensive, but last week at the supermarket I paid $1.50 for a single Honey Crisp apple. A lot, right? So instead of overpaying for apples that come from about two hours north of here, I decided to head to the source. On Saturday I drove up to Fishkill Farms, in Hopewell Junction, NY, and found I could get as many apples from as many different types of trees as I wanted, and pay one flat price of $20 What a deal! I grabbed their largest mesh bag and started picking: Macoun, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Rome apples, all perfect for pies or eating out of hand. While walking through the trees I stopped and took a long, happy look around—you definitely can't get this view in your city grocery store. A great day, great bargain and a great reminder that, when you can, it's good to get outside the supermarket.

The Halloween-candy aisle

every day diane — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:44:01 GMT

When Halloween rolls around and the stores start putting out candy—or, more accurately, when Labor Day rolls around and the stores start putting out Halloween candy—I start thinking about buying some. How can you pass it up? That aisle is, like, twice its normal size now and it's really hard to resist. But so far I've been able to ... although it's still early yet. I mean, it's only October 2! I've got a few weeks to go.

While we're talking candy, did you see in our October issue that the top bestsellers across the country are most of the classics: Snickers in the northeast, candy corn in the southeast, Butterfinger and Hershey's minis in the midwest, Reese's peanut butter cups and Skittles in the west, like that. Which got me thinking: When does your store put out extra candy (or does it?)? How close to Halloween do you pick up treats? And, what kind do you like to get?

Shampoo At Your Doorstep

every day rachel d — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:39:20 GMT

As we've written about dozens of times, we're always looking for new ways to save some money at the grocery store. Who's not, right? Clip coupons, don't clip coupons; drive to different stores for a bargain, don't drive around; shop online, or don't ... ay ay ay! Everyone has their own ways to save their pennies.

But I just found out about a new site called Alice.com, where you can do all your shopping for household staples online. It's kind of like the FreshDirect, but for laundry detergent and toilet paper instead of groceries.

It's pretty easy--you just sign up (it's free to register), tell them what your family uses most, then start shopping.

I haven't dug around deep enough to know if the prices are much cheaper than I can get at my local CVS or Target, but if it saves me a trip or two (my contact solution at my front door every month? Yes, please!), then it's worth it to me.

Try it out! Every Day with Rachael Ray readers get $10 off once they spend $50 if you follow this link: alice.com/partners/rachaelray. Cool, huh?

What do you think? Would you shop for your shampoo online to save a trip or two to Target, or would you rather price compare in person? Sound off below!

The Simplest Way to Save Money on Groceries?

everyday_nicole — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:41:22 GMT

A few months ago, I was in the grocery store talking to the cashier and I mentioned that I'm always looking for new grocery savings tips for our Supermarket 101 column. She immediately offered her two cents: "Limit the amount of fresh food you buy—especially produce since it only lasts about a week before getting moldy and slimy." It sounds obvious, but it's easier said than done! As I looked down into my own basket, I realized I had enough produce to feed a family of six for a week—and I was just shopping for myself and my fiance! Whoops...guess I don't need that pound of peaches or three bags of salad mix.

Well, I did a little research and found out that my cashier's friends and I aren't alone: the average family of four trashes roughly $590 worth of perishables each year! Though we all buy lots of fresh fruit and veggies with the best of intentions, dinner plans come along or that bag of spinach just doesn't look as appealing as the box of mac and cheese or chips—so it's easy to see how we end up with a rotting excess. I know when it comes to shopping healthier than I eat, I'm guilty as charged. Especially at the end of summer when all the fruits and veggies look so dang juicy and vibrant in the store. Not to mention all the sales!

I'm curious to hear from everyone out there: Do you find yourself throwing away lots of spoiled perishables? Any tips for figuring out how much to buy? Or sticking to your plan once you're in the store?

Scary-Sounding Ingredients Not So!

everyday_nicole — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:53:30 GMT

After working on the Supermarket 101 story for our October issue (on newsstands September 15th), I learned a ton about how to check the nutritional panel of packaged products for serving sizes, carbs, fats and more. Just today, Every Day Teri and I were talking about how we read labels differently now (you will too, once you pick up the article!). Like I find myself scanning for scanning for sodium to make sure it doesn’t go about 20 % DV—I would have never looked at that before!

But it was learning about scientific-sounding ingredients that surprised me the most. If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it, right? Turns out that isn't always the case. Here are three common ones that shouldn't make you worry.

Xanthan gum: An all-natural thickening agent made from corn, it’s used in products like low-fat dairy substitutes and salad dressings.

Ascorbic acid: Sure, it sounds like something you’d use to scrub your toilet bowl, but it’s actually the chemical name for vitamin C. It’s naturally occurring in plants and prevents mold.

Mono- and diglycerides: Made of plant or animal fat, this additive is found in baked goods. It keeps foods like shortening and margarine from separating.

Outside of Your Supermarket

every day margot — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:22:10 GMT

I'm sure all of you are lucky enough to know the location of your local farmer's market. No? Well, you certainly should find out!

It's hard living in the city where there is more square footage of concrete than fields. Thankfully we are lucky to have local farmers bring their goods to sell at various markets throughout the city on different days of the week.

Last Wednesday I ventured down to the farmer's market in Union Square. I was overwhelmed with the variety of produce in front of me. It's a good thing I only had $20 on me or else I could have easily purchased one of everything. That being said, I did spend all the cash I had. I bought fresh arugula, garlic chives, porcini mushrooms, maitake mushrooms, ears of sweet corn, pink lady apples, radishes, two huge bunches of basil, fresh bread, goat cheese, and eggs.

Every last bit of it was amazing. I made some delicious pesto with basil this weekend that my family thought was fantastic.

Food is so much better when you use fresh ingredients. I highly encourage you to step out your door and venture to see what your local farmers are growing. You'll be surprised. Let your creativity run loose. Buy an ingredient you've never tried, then find a recipe. It's a great way to experience the bounty of nature.

Dont you just love the fresh veggies at the Market!!

every day jen — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:11:55 GMT

Today the test kitchen was filled with wonderful goodies from Union Squares Farmers Market. The basil plant was as tall as a tiny tree, roots and all, and a bunch big enough to feed an army, or a ton of hungry ladies in the test kitchen! And the ladies seemed to go crazy for CORN on the cob! Some had it plain, some had butter and salt, and even grated cheese was a thought. Get out there and enjoy that fresh in season produce while you can.

Can You Guess What Flavor?

every day margot — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:47:44 GMT

If you're a New Yorker (or perhaps a tourist) and you happened to be passing through midtown around 2pm today, you may have noticed two desperate girls trying to have you taste three flavors of ice cream.

Did you pass us by? Did you think, "Oh no, I just ate," or, "That looks good, but I really shouldn't."

Well you missed out! Not only was it the perfect hot summer day for an ice cream treat, but we were having every day people like you guess what flavors we were serving! The answers we received ranged from spot on to completely off target.

Each flavor will be new to come out this Holiday season from Edy's, Haagen Daaz, and Turkey Hill. We're writing up a little side bar in one of the Winter issues and wanted your opinions.

Look for these flavors to hit your supermarket as the season's change: Hot Cocoa (with marshmallows!), Peppermint Bark, and Gingersnap. You're definitely in for a treat!