Food Finds (Grocery Store Edition)
September 05, 2007
This weekend I finally worked up the nerve to tell my best friend about two of my recent food finds. I was kind of nervous about it, like confessing them would suddenly mean that grocery stores everywhere would have empty shelves whenever I visited.
I imagined driving from store to store, calling locations in other cities in a lame attempt to get my hands on the products before finally calling the manufacturer and asking if any boxes were left in the warehouse. And when the manufacturer offered a sympathy coupon, I'd take it but never use it, in an odd sort of protest. I feel kind of bad about how possessive I am, and thought that if I present my grocery store food finds on a grander scale, maybe I can cure myself of this sickness. [Though, so help me God: if stores everywhere start running out of these products, I'm blaming you, Internet.]
Sugar Free Popsicles. At 15 calories each, they make the perfect snack. This works well if you're like me and you discover that your snack includes no less than 10 popsicles in one sitting, because even then it's only 150 calories, which equals roughly 10% of a pint of Ben & Jerry's. It's totally justifiable. The grape-orange combo is the best, exactly in that order. I always let the Popsicles thaw a little before inhaling them, which works well when you're eating several in succession. That way one Popsicle can be thawing while the other is being consumed.
Vanilla Scones. Since it's a fact of life that you overspend when you go to Target anyway, do yourself a favor and throw a box of Archer Farms (Target brand) vanilla scone mix in your basket. (Also needed: whipping cream.) Next time you need a fancy-but-easy breakfast, follow the instructions on the side of the box to make the scones. Add extra vanilla (pure Mexican vanilla is best), approximately 2 tablespoons. Just before baking, sprinkle sugar on triangles of dough. [Confession: I almost did it again. I wasn't going to tell you to use the extra-large sugar crystals, because it totally makes the scones gourmet and I wanted to have that title all to myself. Gah. I think I may be incurable after all.] Whip remaining cream (adding sugar to taste) and serve with sliced strawberries. Everyone will think you are a baking god(dess).
This list will likely continue to grow, but I'm curious to know what YOUR favorite grocery store food finds are.
Comments
My best food find ever is Edy's/Dreyer's loaded ice creams. They aren't labeled low-fat, so you'd probably walk right by them unless you were specifically on the market for binge food. But the Butterfinger flavor is only 3 points on Weight Watchers!
Posted by: nabbalicious | September 5, 2007 05:28 PM
Weight Watchers Eclairs - because it is cakey and chocolatey and puddingy all at the same time and only 3 points.
Snyder's Chocolate Covered Prezels - they taste just like the one's I get from the candy store and half the price.
Stacy's Pita Chips - All flavors! But the cinnamon chips and a simple fruit salsa is a nice summer alternative for get togethers.
I am going to check out the scones...I *heart* Scones.
Posted by: Judi | September 5, 2007 06:28 PM
I absolutely love Traders Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce. I'm not a great cook, but when I'm starving and need some yummy comfort food, this stuff is the bomb. Simply take a couple of boneless/skinless chicken breasts out of the freezer, thaw them out in the microwave, cut them up into bite size pieces, throw them into a pot, pop the lid off this jar of amazing Masala Simmer Sauce, pour the sauce over the chicken along with a half a jar full of water, turn on the stove, and let it simmer away for about 10 minutes after having been brought to a boil. Meanwhile, throw a cup of jasmine rice into another pot and let that simmer after it's reached a boil. In about 15 minutes, you'll have a pot of rice and a pot of masala chicken and dinner is served. Voila.
I also love Coconut Oil for cooking with instead of vegetable oil. Coconut Oil is as good as if not better than Olive Oil. Coconut Oil has shorter chain links of triglycerides, or something like that, so it's healthier for you. Plus the aroma when it's warming up in a fry pan is woooonderful.
For a treat, I love the No Pudge Fudge Brownie Mix (non fat). Mmmmm, yummy brownies.
Posted by: Chiada | September 5, 2007 07:10 PM
great. now i'm really hungry.
p.s. fudgesicle no sugar-added pops. it's like you're not even eating, at least that's what i tell myself.
Posted by: Sarcomical | September 6, 2007 12:04 AM
In our house, anything made by President's Choice. It's a Canadian grocery store chain's house brand and their stuff is awesome. All of it.
Posted by: Assertagirl | September 6, 2007 07:00 AM
WHEEEE I didn't even make it past the first sentence because that's me the link for best friend. MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
ok, i'm done
Posted by: Katie | September 6, 2007 09:14 AM
8 popsicles last night Jes. The good thing is that I live in Ft. Worth and you live in Dallas so if we split the mid-cities we should have some time before we consume every popsicle in the DFW area.
I'm a sucker for 100 calorie Lorna Doone cookies. So buttery, so sweet, only 100 calories.
Posted by: Katie | September 6, 2007 09:18 AM
I need to find me one of these Targets with a real food selection. The one closest to me is really limited and has hardly any of their own Archer Farms products. Those scones sound pretty awesome. I also recently had their flavored pretzels at a party and those were soooo good. Maybe I'll just have to stock up next time I go up to visit my parents.
I'm gonna be on the lookout for that TJ's Masala Simmer Sauce now. That recipe sounds so super easy and delicious.
My personal current favorite grocery store find has got to be Trader Joe's 0% greek yogurt. Mixed with some bananas and honey... yum, yum, yum. Plus, a million and one other uses for it. Oh, and the Clif Z bars. They are supposed to be protein/snack bars for kids, but they are the perfect size for me and way tastier than the regular Clif or Luna bars.
Posted by: Stephanie | September 6, 2007 10:31 AM