Thursday, December 27, 2012

Bargain guide, week beginning December 26th:

Congratulations:  you've survived, are reading this blog, and may even have made it to tonight's meeting.

Everyone at the food blogs seems to be hunkering down and waiting for the New Year.  If you've still got – or are expecting – a houseful of guests, Chow.com does have a reasonably easy “make-ahead breakfast casserole” that will serve a substantial number of hungry, or hungover, people, as well as a pile of recipes for dealing with that enormous slab of leftover roast beast from Christmas, some New Year's Eve appetizers described as “elegant” (honest – teeny little grilled-ham-and-cheese sandwiches topped with fried quail eggs), and Sazerac jello-shots.

Yoni Freedhoff, at his “Eat&Run” column, suggests a good resolution to make about New Year's resolutionsPizza Hut Singapore presents the unspeakable horror that is the “Double Sensation”, a concentric double-pizza arrangement in which the outer ring of pizza has a cheese-stuffed crust topped with turkey ham, bell peppers, mushrooms, and salsa, while the inner circle has a chicken-sausage-and-cheese stuffing to the crust, topped with smoked chicken, zucchini, and Alfredo sauce.

And – I do not lie – a cherry on top.

Recipes as always:  Sprouted Kitchen has a chopped-greens salad with quinoa, sweet potatoes and apples;  Simply Recipes follows in the same mode with a kale salad involving balsamic vinegar, parmesan, and piƱones;  and Snack Girl has pomegranates.  Anybody wants a pomegranate, let me know in the comments and I'll bring one to next week's meeting.  Not as pretty as the ones from the supermarket but we grow organic.

We've still New Year's to get through, which means quantities of drink and loads of party trays;  but the regular holiday promotions – Huge Slabs Of Meat and Huge Slabs Of Chocolate – are already being displaced by the January marketing theme, which is overwhelmingly Huge Slabs Of Healthy.

Today has been National Candy Cane Day;  tomorrow will be National Fruit Cake Day.  The 31st is, entirely appropriately, National Champagne Day;  but the 30th rather anticipates necessity by being National Bicarbonate of Soda Day.  The first of January is appropriately National Bloody Mary Day and in the UK is actually called National Hangover Day!  (See breakfast casserole above.)

December 26th:  National Candy Cane Day, National Coffee Percolator Day
December 27th:  National Fruit Cake Day
December 28th:  National Chocolate Candy Day (not to be confused with National Chocolate Day which is October 28th, National Milk Chocolate Day which is July 28th, or National Chocolate Covered Anything Day which is December 16th), Eat Vegetarian Day
December 29th:  Pepper Pot Day
December 30th:  National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
December 31st:  National Champagne Day
January 1st:  National Oatmeal Day, National Bloody Mary Day, Apple Gifting Day;  in the UK, National Hangover Day
January 2nd:  National Buffet Day, National Cream Puff Day

Joyous Kwanzaa to all who celebrate it, as today begins that festive season.  Happy New Year as well, and I'll see you all in 2013!


Albertson's

    Beef ribeye/t-bone/top sirloin steaks, boneless or bone-in, 50% off
    Petite sirloin steaks, boneless, $8.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Beef crossrib OR bottom round roasts, boneless, $5.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    85/15 ground beef, $2.49/lb (3 lbs or more)
    93/7 ground beef, $2.77/lb (3 lbs or more)
    Pork loin back ribs, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 2 free
    Pork loin chops, boneless, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Pork loin roast, boneless, whole in bag, $1.99/lb
    Pork shoulder country style ribs, bone in, $1.99/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 spiral sliced hams, bone in, $1.77/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $4.99/lb
    Essential Everyday cream cheese, 8 oz block, 10/$10
    Yoplait yogurts, 20/$10 (50¢ ea)
    Albertson's sour cream, 16 oz tubs, 99¢
    Deli:    Jennie-O “Honey Smoked” OR “Oven Brown” turkey breast, $5.99/lb
        USA Gold honey or baked ham, $5.99/lb
        Charlie's Pride corned beef/Italian roast beef/beef pastrami, $5.99/lb
        Margherita hard or Genoa salami OR pepperoni, $5.99/lb
        Stella Swiss/Provolone/Muenster cheeses, $5.99/lb
    Hunt's pasta sauces, 24 oz cans, 99¢
    Essential Everyday pasta, 12-16 oz boxes, 99¢
    Essential Everyday tomatoes or beans, 14-15 oz cans, 69¢
    Essential Everyday fruit, 14-15 oz cans, 10/$10
    Albertson's veggies, 2 lb frozen bags, $1.99
    Healthy Choice frozen meals or “Steaming” entrees, 2/$5
    Fuji or Braeburn apples, $1/lb
    Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
    “Cuties” clementines, 3 lb bag, $3.99
    Cut up pineapple, 20 oz thing, $3.99
    Roma tomatoes, 99¢/lb
    Broccoli crowns, 39¢/lb
    Greens (collard/kale/mustard/turnip), 88¢/bunch
    Red/yellow/orange bell peppers, $1 ea
    Fresh Express “Iceberg Garden” bag salad, 12 oz, 2/$3
    Earthbound Farms organic box salads, 1 lb, $4.99


Bashas':

    Beef t-bone steaks, value pack, $3.99/lb (regular pack, $1/lb higher)
    Beef crossrib roast, $4.99/lb
    Ground beef chuck, $3.49/lb
    Pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $1.88/lb, cut & wrapped free
    Sanderson Farms boneless skinless chicken breast, buy 1 get 1 free
    True cod (wild caught) or steelhead (farm raised) fillets, $6.99/lb
    Sargento cheeses, 6-8 oz shreds or shingle, 2/$5
    Daisy sour cream, 16 oz tub, 2/$3
    Nabisco snack crackers, 5-16 oz boxes, $1.99
    Chicken of the Sea solid white tuna, 4/$5
    Nature Valley granola bars, 6-9 oz boxes, 2/$5
    Bush's beans, 15-16 oz cans, 99¢
    Healthy Choice frozen entrees, 5/$10
    Cuties clementines, 3 lb bag, $2.49
    Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
    Fuji apples, 99¢/lb
    Grape tomatoes, 12 oz box, $1.99
    Roma OR slicing tomatoes, 99¢/lb
    Whole pineapples, $1.99


Fry's:

    Beef t-bone steaks, family pack, $4.77/lb
    Beef top round roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
    Corned beef brisket, flat cut boneless, $3.49/lb
    85/15 ground beef, $3.29/lb
    Half pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $1.77/lb, sliced & wrapped free
    Pork loin back OR St-Louis-style ribs, buy 1 get 2 free
    Pork loin chops, boneless, family pack, $3.59/lb
    Chicken thighs or drumsticks, bone in, $1.19/lb
    Sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $9.99/lb
    Fry's milk, gallons, 2/$3
    Kroger cheeses, 12-16 oz chunk or shreds, 3/$10
    Kroger cream cheese, 8 oz block, 10/$10
    Kellogg's breakfast cereals or Nutri-Grain bars, 50% off
    Nature's Own bread, 20 oz long loaves, 50% off
    American Beauty pasta, 1 lb pkg, 50% off
    Classico pasta sauces, 8-24 oz jars, 50% off
    Pompeian (16 oz) or Star (25 oz) olive oil, 50% off
    Libby's veggies, 14-15 oz cans, 50% off
    Pirate's Booty, 4 oz bags, 50% off
    Kroger black eyed peas, 15 oz cans, 89¢
    Libby's sauerkraut, 2 lb jar, $1.89
    Glory collard greens, 27 oz cans, $1.89
    Chicken of the Sea chunk light tuna, 89¢
    PopChips, 3 oz bags, 2/$4
    Ro*tel tomatoes, 10/$10
    Lean Cuisine frozen entrees, 6/$12
    Dole or Fresh Selections bag salads, $1
    Navel oranges, AZ grown, 88¢/lb
    Minneola tangelos, 88¢/lb
    HoneyCrisp apples, $1.99/lb
    Blackberries OR blueberries, 4 oz boxes, 2/$5
    Cauliflower, AZ grown, 99¢/lb


Safeway:

    Beef New York strip steaks, bone in, value pack, $4.99/lb (regular pack $1/lb higher)
    Beef London broil, boneless, $2.49/lb
    Beef crossrib roast, boneless, $3.89/lb
    Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, $5.49/lb
    Beef bottom round roast, boneless, $3.89/lb
    90/10 ground beef, $2.99/lb
    Pork top loin chops, boneless, value pack, $3.99/lb
    Pork shoulder blade roast, whole damn thing in bag, $1.87/lb
    Eating Right boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
    Lucerne cheeses, 5-8 oz chunk or shreds, 2/$5
    Daisy sour cream, 16 oz tub, $1.99
    Safeway Kitchens breads, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $1.99
    Chicken of the Sea solid white tuna, 2/$3
    Prego pasta sauces, 23-24 oz jars, 3/$5
    Apples:  Fuji, Braeburn, Red Delicious, 98¢/lb
    Lemons OR limes, 5 lb bag, $5
    Safeway Farms grape tomatoes, 2/$5
    Bell peppers, red/yellow/orange, 2/$3
    Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, $1.29/lb


Sprouts:

    Grass-fed organic beef roasts, boneless, $5.99/lb
    Pork loin roast, center cut boneless, $1.97/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, value pack, $1.88/lb
    Seafood-stuffed salmon, 6 oz portions, $2.99 ea
    Navel oranges, 3 lbs/$1
    Texas grapefruit, 3/$1
    Braeburn or Cameo apples, 88¢/lb
    Red seedless grapes, 2 lbs/$5
    Whole pineapples, 2/$4
    Tommies sweet tomatoes, 14 oz thing, $2.99
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢ ea
    Eggplant, 88¢ ea
    Roma tomatoes, 88¢/lb
    Italian or yellow squashes, 88¢/lb






Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Bargain guide, week beginning December 19th:

Every food website is devoted entirely around holiday recipes, of course.  Doing turkey again this year?  Chow.com has the best way to brine it, as well as a set of fast and easy skillet meals entirely suitable for a week when you're terribly tempted to tell the family “Tonight's dinner is a huge pot of EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF”, a vegetarian Christmas menu, and a set of covered dishes you won't want to keep covered for the family potluck.

Snack Girl has a festive looking salad of carrots and beets, how to make your own instant oatmeal, and a very impolite review of “The Worst Snack of 2012”.  Simply Recipes has a beef roulade with walnut pesto (and a recipe for the walnut pesto).  And at Grist, I found roasted red onions with pumpkin-rosemary stuffing, which even if you don't feel like making pumpkin-rosemary stuffing is a brilliant idea:  put your ordinary stuffing into onions and roast them!

Retailers figure you've finished most of your holiday baking by now and are preparing for Christmas dinner, so the biggest promotions this week are for enormous fowl and entire regions of kine and swine.

Lots of food holidays this week, besides the obvious food-oriented holiday.  Tomorrow is both National Fried Shrimp Day and National Sangria Day, which combination as far as I'm concerned has dinner covered.  The 24th is National Eggnog Day, and the day after Christmas is National Candy Cane Day.  And the 23rd, I'm told, is St. Thorlak's Day, the patron saint of Iceland.  On that date in Iceland it's traditional to serve “skate hash”, a dish said to be so unappetizing (its aroma is described as “ammoniacal”) that anything served afterwards seems by comparison delicious.

December 19th:  National Hard Candy Day
December 20th:  National Fried Shrimp Day, National Sangria Day
December 21st:  National Hamburger Day, Kiwifruit Day (in California)
December 22nd:  National Date Nut Bread Day
December 23rd:  National Pfeffernuesse Day;  feast of St Thorlak;  Saturnalia ends
December 24th:  National Eggnog Day
December 25th:  National Pumpkin Pie Day
December 26th:  National Candy Cane Day

Merry Christmas, and whatever God or Gods you look to, may their blessings rain upon you always!


Albertson's:

    Beef standing rib roast, whole damn thing, bone in, $4.77/lb
    Beef New York strip roast, bone in, $4.47/lb (steaks $1/lb higher)
    Beef ribeye roast, boneless, $6.99/lb
    Beef crossrib/bottom round/London broil roasts, boneless, $5.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Beef chuck/eye of round/sirloin tip roasts, boneless, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    93/7 ground beef, $2.99/lb (3 lbs or more)
    Pork sirloin chops, boneless, $1.77/lb
    Pork loin roast, boneless, whole in bag, $1.99/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 spiral sliced half ham, bone in, $1.37/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 half ham, boneless, $3.99/lb
    Cook's ham, bone in, shank portion, $1.29/lb
    Jennie-O fresh turkeys, 12-22 lb, $1.79/lb
    Butterball fresh turkeys, 12-22 lb, $1.99/lb
    Butterball frozen turkeys, 12-24 lb, $1.49/lb
    Honeysuckle White turkey breast, $1.77/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.77/lb
    Leg of lamb, bone in, $6.99/lb
    Coldwater lobster tails, 3 oz minimum, wild caught, $3.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $6.99/lb
    Albertson's eggs, AA large, 18 ct, $1.99
    Daisy sour cream incl. Light, 16 oz tub, $1.99
    Challenge butter, 2/$5
    Sargento cheeses, 5-8 oz shreds, $2.99
    Tillamook cheeses, 2 lb chunk, $7.99
    Deli:    All Dietz & Watson ham/turkey breast/chicken breast/cheeses, $7.99/lb
        Signature (store brand?) turkey breast/roast beef/“double honey” ham, $6.99/lb
        Deli Fresh Muenster/Provolone/pepperjack/mild Cheddar, $5.99/lb
    Libby's veggies, 14-15 oz cans, 2/$1
    Stove Top stuffing mix, 6 oz boxes, 10/$10
    Betty Crocker potato dishes, 3-6 oz boxes, 10/$10
    Vlasic pickles, 16-46 oz jars, 2/$5
    Early California olives, 6 oz cans, 4/$5
    PictSweet frozen veg, 14-16 oz bags, 88¢
    Lean Cuisine frozen entrees, 5/$10
    Cuties clementines, 5 lb box, $2.99
    Navel oranges, $1.29/lb
    Fuji or Braeburn apples, $1/lb
    Cut up pineapple, 20 oz thing, $3.99
    Green Giant fresh green beans, 12 oz bag, 2/$5
    Vine tomatoes, 14 oz box, 2/$5
    Red or golden yams, 79¢/lb
    Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, 99¢/lb


Bashas':

    Beef standing rib roast, “trimmed, tied, and ready for the oven”, $4.75/lb
    Beef standing rib roast, large or small end, $5.75/lb
    Beef ribeye steaks, bone in, $6.99/lb
    Beef tenderloin, whole in bag, $6.99/lb, cut & wrapped free
    Beef top sirloin, sirloin tip, top/bottom/eye round, crossrib, rump, chuck roasts, $3.99/lb
    Ground beef chuck, fat content not listed, $1.99/lb
    Cook's spiral sliced half ham, $1.35/lb
    Pork shoulder/loin/crown roasts, $2.99/lb
    Cook's ham, shank portion, $1.29/lb (butt portion, 30¢/lb higher)
    Hormel spiral ham, $2.49/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 boneless ham, whole or half, $3.99/lb
    Butterball or Jennie-O fresh turkeys, $1.79/lb
    Food Club cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk/shreds/cubes, 5/$10
    Food Club butter, 2/$5
    Shamrock Farms cottage cheese incl. Light, 16 oz tubs, $1.99
    Bashas' “Homestyle” bread, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $2.88
    Nature's Own bread, 20 oz long loaves, $1.99
    Nabisco snack crackers, 5-10 oz boxes, $1.99
    Stove Top stuffing mix, 6 oz boxes, 99¢
    Libby's veg, 14-15 oz cans, 69¢
    Dole pineapple, 20 oz cans, 10/$10
    Dole Mandarin oranges, 11 oz cans, 10/$10
    Idahoan potatoes, 3-4 oz bags, 99¢
    Food Club fruit, 8-15 oz cans, 99¢
    Flav-R-Pac frozen veg, 12-16 oz bags, 77¢ ea
    Whole pineapples, 99¢ ea
    Blackberries, 4 oz box, buy 1 get 1 free
    Apples, Fuji/Red Delicious/Granny Smith, 99¢/lb
    Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
    Cantaloupe OR honeydew melon, 59¢/lb
    Slicing tomatoes, 99¢/lb
    Fresh green beans, 77¢/lb


Fry's:

    Beef New York strip roast, bone in, $3.77/lb
    Beef standing rib roast, bone in, whole in bag, $4.97/lb (trimmed, $1/lb higher)
    Beef rib roast, large end, $6.97/lb (small end $1/lb higher)
    Beef tenderloin roast, whole in bag, $12.99/lb
    Beef top/bottom/eye round, sirloin tip, chuck, shoulder roasts, boneless, $3.99/lb
    Beef New York strip steaks, $4.77/lb
    Cook's spiral sliced ham, bone in, $1.27/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 spiral sliced ham, bone in, $2.69/lb
    Private Selection spiral sliced ham, bone in, $2.49/lb
    Private Selection boneless ham, “quarter sliced”, $3.99/lb
    Flame Crafted ham, $6.99/lb “in select stores”
    Kroger boneless whole ham, $2.79/lb
    Rack of pork, center cut, $5.99/lb
    Pork crown roast, $5.99/lb
    Half pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $3.49/lb, sliced & wrapped free
    Leg of lamb, “semi boneless”, $6.99/lb
    Rack of lamb, 8 rib, $13.99/lb
    Jennie-O or Foster Farms fresh turkeys, $1.79/lb
    Butterball fresh turkeys, $1.99/lb
    Kroger frozen turkeys, 79¢/lb
    Frozen ducks, $2.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
    Kroger butter, $1.99
    Kroger cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk/shreds/shingle, $1.99
    Kroger veggies, 11-15 oz
    Bruce's yams, 29 oz cans, buy 1 get 1 free
    Ragu pasta sauces, 16-26 oz jars, 3/$5
    Kroger frozen veg, 9-12 oz bags, 75¢
    PictSweet (14-16 oz) or Birds Eye (12 oz) frozen veg, 10/$10
    Navel oranges, 13 lb box, $4.99
    Blackberries OR blueberries, 4-6 oz boxes, 2/$3
    HoneyCrisp apples, $1.99/lb
    Asian pears (apple shaped), 88¢/lb

Safeway:

    Beef ribeye roast, bone in, whole in bag, $4.99/lb
    Beef chuck pot roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
    Beef chuck crossrib steak, thin cut boneless, $3.99/lb
    Beef ribeye steaks, boneless, $7.99/lb
    Beef tenderloin roast, $11.99/lb
    90-10 ground beef, $3.99/lb
    Safeway smoked ham, whole or shank half, 99¢/lb (rump half 20¢/lb higher)
    Safeway Select boneless whole ham, $3.99/lb
    Safeway spiral sliced half ham, bone in, $1.79/lb
    Smithfield spiral sliced half ham, bone in, $2.99/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 boneless half hams, $4.99/lb
    Pork sirloin chops, boneless, $1.99/lb
    Open Nature leg of lamb, boneless, $7.99/lb
    Open Nature fresh turkeys, $1.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $7.99/lb
    Lucerne OR Open Nature cheeses, 24-32 oz chunk or shreds, $6.99
    Lucerne butter, $2.99
    Safeway Kitchens breads, 24 oz wide pan loaves, $1.99
    Vlasic pickles, 24 oz jars, buy 1 get 1 free
    Prego pasta sauces, 23-24 oz jars, 3/$5
    Safeway Kitchens tomatoes, 14-15 oz cans, 89¢
    Green Giant frozen veg, 7-10 oz boxes, buy 2 get 1 free
    Eating Right frozen entrees, 5/$10
    Cuties clementines, 5 lb bag, $3.99
    Whole pineapples, $2.99 ea
    Red Delicious OR Granny Smith apples, $1.49/lb
    Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
    Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, $1.99/lb
    Fresh Express OR Safeway Farms bag salads, 2/$5
    GreenLine fresh green beans, buy 1 get 1 free


Sprouts:

    Beef standing rib roast, “Presidential cut”, $7.99/lb
    85/15 ground beef, value pack, $3.99/lb
    Sprouts spiral sliced ham, $1.99/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, $2.99/lb
    Fresh free-range turkeys, $1.99/lb
    All pork or chicken sausage, bulk or links, $2.99/lb
    Alaskan cod or salmon fillets OR swordfish steaks, wild caught, $6.99/lb
    Sprouts butter, 2/$5
    Navel oranges, 3 lbs/$1
    Fuji/Granny Smith/Jonagold apples, 99¢/lb
    Organic Valencia oranges, 4 lb bag, 2/$5
    Roma tomatoes, 77¢/lb
    Winter squashes, acorn/butternut/spaghetti, 77¢/lb



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Bargain guide, week beginning December 12th:

Fooducate.com has an article on “The Chips Revolution – Not Just Potato and Corn Anymore” (“Kale chips, bean chips, you-name-the-veggie-we-have-it-chips”), and one on Bolthouse Farms' new advertising campaign to sell fresh vegetables as sexxxay.  Hey, if it gets people eating their veg it works for me.  Chow.com has a roughly-six-PointsPlus-per-serving split pea soup to make in the slow cooker, better than two dozen holiday roasts (content note:  sensitive souls may want to exercise caution as #9 features a photograph of a roasted suckling pig), and loads of videos:  how to do “easy slow-roasted prime rib”, a “sneaky breakfast remedy for hangovers” (one tablespoon each of bourbon and maple syrup:  mix, warm in the microwave, pour over your breakfast oatmeal or yogurt), Supertaster reviews of a Swiss Colony gift box and lutefisk, and an analysis of that eternal question, is it safe to eat raw cookie dough (no).  And at Summer Tomato, I find “6 tips to make dessert worth it”.

All manner of recipes!  Grist has ideas for edible gifts that aren't cookies:  DIY granola, flavored salts, pesto (for some reason they're doing nettle pesto:  nettles do not occur in our counties nor do I or the Agricultural Extension people recommend introducing them), lemon curd (“like jam but it's decadent and British”), vin d'orange (start it now for next year).  Simply Recipes has roasted butternut squash with radicchio (that's spelled the same way as on the webpage, so my spell checker can just shut up), Smitten Kitchen has cauliflower feta fritters (I know, I know, but as she points out, “In a December that is to the gills with buttery cookies, decadent cheese plates, stiff drinks and rich roasts, they might even be a little island of moderation”), and Snack Girl has a Christmas salad (kale like holly with tiny tomatoes) and her Top Ten Recipes from 2012.

National Cocoa Day – the beverage – is either today or tomorrow, my sources cannot agree.  They do however agree that cocoa and hot chocolate are different things (cocoa made with cocoa powder, hot chocolate from chocolate candy melted into hot milk).  In commemoration of the poor ickle piggie mentioned at Chow.com above, the 18th is Roast Suckling Pig day.  The 16th is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day which let us celebrate with respectful abandon.  The 17th is the first day of Saturnalia.  And I've finally managed to find out an explanation for why tomorrow is National Ice Cream and Violins Day:  December 13th, 1903, the US Patent Office granted Patent Number 746,971 to Italo Marchioni for his invention of a machine to make molded ice-cream cups;  and the same date in 2010, violinist Ben Lee of FUSE broke the Guinness World Record for Fastest Violin Player, by playing "Flight of the Bumblebee" in 58.515 seconds, over 14 notes per second.  And yeah, that violin has glitter on it.  And a pickup.

December 12th:  National Ambrosia Day, Gingerbread House Day, one date for National Cocoa Day
December 13th:  Another date for National Cocoa Day, National Ice Cream and Violins Day;  1827, the first Delmonico's restaurant opens in New York
December 14th:  National Bouillabaisse Day
December 15th:  National Cupcake Day -- or possibly National Lemon Cupcake Day, this is another on which my sources differ
December 16th:  Chocolate Covered Anything Day
December 17th:  National Maple Syrup Day;  1843, A Christmas Carol first published
December 18th:  National Roast Suckling Pig Day
December 19th:  Oatmeal Muffin Day, National Hard Candy Day;  1863, Frederick Walton of London patents linoleum

Oh, and Happy Sound Test Day!   (1-2, 1-2, 1-2 … )


Albertson's:

    Beef whole standing rib roast, bone in, $4.77/lb (limit 1)
    Beef herb crusted standing rib roast, bone in, $6.27/lb
    Beef ribeye roast, boneless, $6.99/lb
    Beef New York roast, bone in, $4.47/lb
    Beef crossrib/bottom round/London broil roasts, boneless, $5.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Beef chuck/eye of round/sirloin tip roasts, boneless, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Cure 81 spiral sliced half ham, bone in, $1.37/lb
    Cook's ham, bone in, shank portion, $1.29/lb (butt portion, $1.49/lb
    American Chef whole boneless hams, 4 lb, $19.99 ea, buy 1 get 1 free
    Pork shoulder butt roast, bone in, $1.99/lb
    Pork half loin roast, boneless, $1.99/lb
    Pork sirloin roast, boneless, whole in bag, $1.77/lb
    Pork loin chops, boneless, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 2 free
    Albertson's milk, gallons, $1.67
    Albertson's eggs, AA large, dozens, 2/$3
    Albertson's cottage cheese incl. Light, 16 oz tubs, $1.49
    Deli:    All Dietz & Watson hams, turkey breast, chicken breast, cheeses, $7.99/lb
    Del Monte veggies, 13-15 oz cans, 88¢
    Ro*tel tomatoes, 10/$10
    Hunt's diced tomatoes, 14-15 oz cans, 10/$10
    Libby's fruit, 15 oz cans, 2/$3
    Reese artichoke hearts, 14 oz cans, $3.49
    Fresh Aisle olive oil, half litre bottles, $3.99
    Healthy Choice “Baked” or “Steaming” entrees, 5/$10
    Bananas, 39¢/lb
    Cuties clementines, 5 lb box, $4.99
    Navel oranges, $1/lb
    Red or Golden Delicious apples, $1/lb
    Roma tomatoes, $1/lb
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, $1 ea
    Yams/sweet potatoes, $1/lb
    Sweet onions, $1/lb


Bashas':

    Beef top sirloin steaks or London broil, boneless, value pack, $2.99/lb
    Beef New York strip steak, boneless, $9.99/lb
    Beef crossrib OR bottom round roast, $4.99/lb
    Ground beef sirloin, value pack,
    Pork shoulder roast, $1.99/lb
    Bashas' chicken drums/thighs/leg quarters, 99¢/lb
    Bashas' boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
    Steelhead fillets, farm raised, $6.99/lb
    Haddock fillets, $4.99/lb
    Bashas' cottage cheese incl. Light, 24 oz tubs, $1.99
    Land O Lakes butter, $2.99
    Nature's Own bread, 20 oz long loaves, $1.99
    Classico pasta sauces, 8-24 oz jars, 2/$4
    Food Club pasta, 13-16 oz pkg, 99¢
    Del Monte veg, 13-15 oz cans, 79¢
    Navel oranges, 3 lbs/99¢
    Texas grapefruit, 3/99¢
    Apples:  Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, 99¢/lb
    Mangos, 10/$10
    Whole pineapples, $1.99
    Vine tomatoes, 99¢/lb
    Hass avocados, 3/99¢
    Grape tomatoes, 12 oz box, $1.99
    Cucumbers, 2/$1
    Full Circle organic box salads, 2/$5
Fry's:

    Beef New York strip roast, bone in, “oven ready”, $3.77/lb
    Beef New York strip steaks, bone in, family pack, $4.77/lb
    Beef whole standing rib roast, bone in, whole in bag, $4.97/lb (trimmed, $1 higher)
    Beef tenderloin roast, whole in bag, $12.99/lb
    Beef rib roast, bone in, large end, $6.97/lb (small end, $1 higher)
    Beef chuck, shoulder, top/bottom/eye of round roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
    Cook's half ham, bone in, 97¢/lb
    Flame Crafted ham, $6.99/lb (“available in select stores”)
    Private Selection spiral sliced half ham, $2.49/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 spiral sliced ham, bone in, $2.69
    Kroger whole boneless hams, $2.79/lb
    Half pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $3.49/lb, sliced & wrapped free
    Private Selection rack of lamb, fresh, 8 rib, $13.99
    Kroger frozen turkeys, 10/20 lb, 79¢/lb
    Jennie-O or Foster Farms fresh turkeys, 10/24 lb, $1.79/lb
    Butterball fresh turkeys, 10-24 lb, $1.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
    Fry's milk, half gallons only, 88¢
    Kroger butter, 2/$5
    Kroger cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk/shreds/shingle, $1.99
    Kroger veg, 11-15 oz cans, 2/$1
    Progresso soup incl Light (with the WW logo!), 8/$10
    Ragu pasta sauces, 16-26 oz jars, 3/$5
    Birds Eye frozen veg, 12 oz pkg, 10/$10
    Kroger frozen veg, 9-12 oz pkg, 10/$10
    HoneyCrisp apples, $1.99/lb
    Cuties clementines, 3 lb bag, $4.99/lb
    Bananas, 57¢/lb
    Whole pineapples, 2/$5
    Pomegranates, 2/$5
    Blackberries OR raspberries, 6 oz boxes, buy 1 get 1 free
    Dole bag salads, $1 ea
    Fresh green beans, $1.99/lb
    Golden or red yams OR sweet potatoes, 99¢/lb


Safeway:

    Beef New York roast, boneless, value pack, $4.99/lb
    Beef bottom round roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
    Beef tenderloin roast, $11.99/lb
    Beef chuck pot roast, boneless, $3.89/lb
    Pork shoulder blade roast, bone in, whole in bag, $1.87/lb
    Pork tenderloin, boneless, whole in bag, $4.79/lb
    Open Nature “semi-boneless” leg of lamb, $7.99/lb
    Safeway smoked ham, whole or shank half, 99¢/lb (rump half, $1.19/lb
    Safeway spiral sliced half ham, bone in, $1.79/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
    Alaskan true cod fillets, $6.99/lb
    Pantry Essentials milk, gallons, $1.67
    Lucerne cheeses, 5-8 oz shreds or shingle, 2/$5
    Philadelphia cream cheese, 8 oz tubs, 2/$5
    Yoplait yogurts, 10/$5
    Lucerne sour cream, 16 oz tubs, $1.69
    Bush's variety (non-baked) beans, 15-16 oz cans, 5/$5
    Safeway Kitchens canned veg, 14-15 oz cans, 79¢ ea
    Hunt's tomatoes, 14 oz cans, 10/$10
    Campbell's “100% Natural” soup, 18 oz cans, buy 1 get 1 free
    Safeway pasta, 12-16 oz boxes, 10/$10
    Healthy Choice frozen entrees, $1.99
    Navel oranges, 2 lbs/$1
    Apples, Red Delicious or Granny Smith, $1.49/lb
    Red cherries, imported, $4.99/lb
    Blackberries/raspberries/blueberries, 6 oz boxes, 2/$6
    Cuties clementines, 5 lb box, $6.99
    Nature Sweet cherry or “Sunburst” (tiny yellow) tomatoes, 10 oz box, 2/$6
    GreenLine fresh green beans, 12 oz bags, buy 1 get 1 free


Sprouts:

    All ground chicken/pork/lean beef/lamb/turkey breast, 50% off
    All bulk foods from bins, 25% off
    Beef standing rib roast, “Presidential cut” whatever that may mean, $7.99/lb
    Beef rump roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
    Beef ribeye steak, boneless, $11.99/lb
    Pork loin roast, boneless, center cut, $2.99/lb (chops $1 higher)
    Pork shoulder roast OR country style ribs, boneless, $2.49/lb
    Rack of lamb, French-cut, $14.99/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, value pack, $2.99/lb
    Tilapia fillets, farm raised, $6.99/lb
    Mahi mahi fillets, wild caught, $7.99/lb
    Navel oranges, 3 lbs/$1
    Cuties clementines, 5 lb box, $2.99 
    Whole seedless watermelons, 3 lbs/$1
    Fuji or Braeburn apples, 99¢/lb
    Pears:  Bartlett, D'Anjou, Bosc, 99¢/lb
    Blackberries, 5 oz boxes, 99¢ ea
    Roma tomatoes, 77¢/lb
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢ ea
    Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, 99¢/lb
    Brown onions, 2 lbs/$1
    Eggplant, 88¢ ea
    Italian or grey squash, 88¢/lb

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Bargain guide, week beginning December 5th:

Disclaimer:  This blog, and the corresponding printed handout, are entirely my production.  This is a hobby.  It is in no way, shape, form, or fashion an official Weight Watchers production.  So VERY not.  Noop.

Lots of recipes this week and probably for the next couple.  Chow.com has a list of recipes for latkes and sufganiyot – not exactly PointPlus-friendly but traditional (although the traditionality of sufganiyot with ginger-lime-curd filling is questionable) – as well as, at this time of entertaining, recipes for “fancy toast” appetizers, cold appetizers, vegetarian appetizers, and (startlingly) healthy appetizers!  And for after the cocktail hour, when your guests want to buckle down for some serious (and shudderingly expensive) eating, there are “impressive, yet surprisingly easy” prime-rib and rib-roast ideas.

Weighthacker has the three reasons we tend to overeat during the holidays – abundance (food is EVERYWHERE), palatability (and it's the good stuff), and peer pressure (you're surrounded) – and how to deal with them.  The New Yorker has the history of peanut butter (“First created for sanitariums like John Harvey Kellogg’s Western Health Reform Institute, it satisfied the need for a protein-rich food that did not have to be chewed”).  And for your weekly dose of snark, Deadspin has a funny if somewhat (warning!) linguistically uninhibited commentary on the Williams-Sonoma catalog.  (“Item #02-496059, Bourbon Cranberry Relish.  Sauteed cranberries, bourbon, shallots, and herbs with a hint of orange.  16 oz.  Price, $40.  That's 40 bucks for a bowl of cranberry sauce that everyone will pass up because we all prefer the s*** that costs two bucks and comes plopping out of the can in the shape of the can.”)

More recipes!  Darya at Summer Tomato reprints her recipe for “Brussels Sprouts that aren't gross”.  Sprouted Kitchen provides what I can only describe as pumpkinblackbeanburgers – I know, I know, but they actually look good.  And Snack Girl supplies Lighter Latkes, as well as some truly adorable Santa hats made out of strawberries.



December 5th:  National Sachertorte Day;  1933, 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution ratified, repealing Prohibition
December 6th:  National Gazpacho Day, Microwave Oven Day;  feast of St. Nicholas of Myra
December 7th:  National Cotton Candy Day;  1863, Richard Warren Sears born (founder of Sears & Roebuck);  1904, Clarence “Ducky” Nash born (the original voice of Donald Duck)
December 8th:  National Chocolate Brownie Day
December 9th:  National Pastry Day, National Apple Pie Day;  1886, Clarence Birdseye born (founder of the General Seafood Corporation, now Birds Eye Frozen Foods)
December 10th:  National Lager Day
December 11th:  National Noodle Ring Day;  1874, James Lewis Kraft born (inventor of “process” cheese and founder of Kraft Foods)
December 12th:  National Cocoa Day, National Ambrosia Day, Gingerbread House Day


Albertson's:

    Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, $8.99/lb, buy 1 get 2 free
    Beef chuck, crossrib, bottom round steaks, boneless, 50% off
    Beef chuck, crossrib, bottom/eye round, sirloin tip roasts, boneless, 50% off
    Beef New York roast or steak, bone in, $4.99/lb
    Beef standing rib roast or steak, bone in, family pack, $7.99/lb
    85/15 ground beef, $2.49/lb (3 lbs or more)
    93/7 ground beef, $2.77/lb (3 lbs or more)
    Pork loin chops, boneless, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Pork sirloin roast, boneless, whole in bag, $1.77/lb
    Pork shoulder butt roast, bone in, $1.99/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 spiral sliced half ham, bone in, $1.37/lb
    Sanders Farms boneless skinless chicken breast,  tray pack, $4.99/lb, buy 1 get 2 free
    Store (unbranded) boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon, farm raised, $4.99/lb
    Lobster tails, wild caught, 3 oz minimum, $4.99 ea
    Essential Everyday cream cheese, 8 oz brick, 4/$5
    Deli:    Jennie-O “Deli Style” turkey breast, $4.99/lb
        USA Gold Virginia ham, $4.99/lb
        Deitz & Watson bologna, beef or German, $4.99/lb
        Margherita hard/Genoa salami OR pepperoni, $4.99/lb
        Charlie's Pride pastrami OR corned beef, $4.99/lb
        Deli Fresh Provolone/pepperjack/Muenster/mild Cheddar, $4.99/lb
    Classico pasta sauces, 15-24 oz jars, 2/$4
    Barilla pasta, 12-16 oz boxes, 2/$3
    Bear Creek soup mixes, 9-11 oz envelopes, $3.49
    Navel oranges, 3 lb bag, $1
    Ambrosia or Pink Lady apples, $1.99/lb
    Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, 88¢/lb
    Grape tomatoes, 12 oz boxes, 2/$3
    Earthbound Farms organic box salads, 1 lb, $3.99
    Bok choy OR nappa cabbage, 79¢/lb
    Green bell peppers, 2/$1


Bashas':

    Beef New York (steak? roast?  It doesn't SAY!), boneless, value pack, $4.77/lb
    Beef t-bone steak, $9.99/lb
    Beef London broil, $5.99/lb
    Beef chuck or crossrib roast, $4.99/lb
    Pork shoulder roast or value-pack steak, $2.49/lb
    Bashas' boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.77/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, $4.99/lb
    Mahi mahi fillets, wild caught, $5.99/lb
    Cod fillets, wild caught, $5.99/lb
    Bashas' milk, gallons, $1.67
    Bashas' sour cream OR cottage cheese, 16 oz tubs, 4/$5
    Challenge butter, $3.29
    Vlasic pickle spears, 24 oz jars, $2.69
    Full Circle organic olive oil, 17 oz bottles, $3.99
    Pictsweet frozen veg, 10-12 oz pkg, 4/$5
    Apples:  Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Red/Golden Delicious, 10 lbs/$10
    Navel oranges, 10 lbs/$10
    Roma OR slicing tomatoes, 10 lbs/$10
    Asparagus, $1.77/lb
    Dole bag salads, buy 1 get 1 free
    Sweet onions, 10 lbs/$10
    Broccoli OR cauliflower, 10 lbs/$10
    Italian or yellow squashes, 10 lbs/$10
    Red or gold bell peppers, 10/$10




Fry's:

    Having another case sale:  check the last page.
   
    Beef top/bottom/eye round, sirloin tip, chuck, shoulder roasts, 50% off
    Beef t-bone steaks, family pack, $4.97/lb
    Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, family pack, $4.97/lb
    Pork shoulder roast, bone in, whole in bag, $1.97/lb
    Foster Farms whole chickens, 98¢/lb
    Sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $9.99/lb
    Kroger cheeses, 12-16 oz chunk or shreds, $2.99
    Kroger cottage cheese, 24 oz tubs, $1.77
    Kroger butter, 2/$5
    Oroweat breads, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $2.99
    Progresso soups incl Light (with the WW logo!), 8/$10
    Pam cooking spray, 5-6 oz cans, $3.29
    Chicken of the Sea chunk white tuna, 2/$3
    Hunt's tomatoes or sauce, 12-15 oz cans, 10/$10
    Prego pasta sauces, 23-24 oz jars, $1.99
    Smart Ones frozen entrees, 5/$11
    Lean Cuisine “Salad Additions”, $2.68
    Del Monte pineapples, $1
    Asian pears, 99¢ ea
    Mangos, 99¢ ea
    “Cuties” clementines, 3 lb bag, $4.99
    Bartlett or Anjou pears, $1.29
    Bananas, 57¢/lb
    Vine tomatoes, 88¢/lb


Safeway:

    Beef crossrib roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
    Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, value pack, $3.99/lb
    Beef t-bone steaks, $7.99/lb
    Beef bottom round steaks, thin cut boneless, $3.99/lb
    Beef London broil, $4.99/lb
    80/20 ground beef, value pack, $2.49/lb
    Pork loin roast, boneless, whole in bag, $1.99/lb
    Pork sirloin chops, boneless, value pack, $2.49/lb
    Eating Right boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
    Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $6.99/lb
    Safeway Kitchens Pacific cod OR yellowfin sole fillets, 24 oz IQF, $7.99
    Land O Lakes butter, $2.99
    Safeway Kitchens variety breads, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $1.99
    Nature's Own breads, 20 oz long loaves, 2/$4
    Del Monte veggies, 14-15 oz cans, 79¢
    Del Monte tomatoes, 14 oz cans, 79¢
    Safeway pickles, 24 oz jars, $2.29
    HoneyCrisp apples, $1.88/lb (organic, $2.49/lb)
    Pomegranates, 2/$5
    Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
    Vine tomatoes, $1.99/lb
    Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, $1.49
    Cucumbers, 79¢/lb


Sprouts:

    Beef London broil, boneless, $2.99/lb
    Pork sirloin chops or roast, boneless, $1.99/lb
    Pork tenderloin, boneless, $3.99/lb
    Chicken breast tenders, $1.99/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken thighs, $2.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon steaks, bone in, farm raised, $4.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
    Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $9.99/lb
    Apples, Braeburn/Cameo/Jonagold, 99¢/lb
    Navel oranges, 88¢/lb
    “Texas Star” grapefruit, 88¢ ea
    Pineapples, 99¢ ea
    Cuties clementines, 5 lb box, $4.99
    Roma tomatoes, 77¢/lb
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 99¢ ea
    Grape tomatoes, dry pint, 2/$5
    Summer squashes, Italian/yellow/grey, 99¢/lb


Fry's case sale:

    Fry's eggs, AA large, 30 ct, $2.99
    Kroger veggies, 11-15 oz cans, 24 ct, $12 (50¢ ea)
    Hunt's pasta sauce, 24 oz cans, 12 ct, $10.92 (91¢ ea)
    Kroger pineapple, 20 oz cans, 24 ct, $19.92 (83¢ ea)
    Kroger chicken or beef broth, 14 oz cans, 24 ct, $10.80 (45¢ ea)
    Maruchan ramen noodles, 3 oz pkg, 24 ct, $4.32 (18¢ ea)
    Kroger instant oatmeal, 11-15 oz boxes, 12 ct, $15.96 ($1.33 ea)