This weekend is when the Irish comes out in everybody, even if you aren’t Irish. It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day and in Chicago, that’s a big deal! You might kick off the celebrations this weekend and what you eat can be a big part of that!
Here are some foods to bring out the Irish in you.
Soda Bread
Soda bread is a scone like bread. This bread is made with simple ingredients and enjoyed by people all over the world!
Corned Beef
Corned beef was used as a bacon substitute for many Irish- American immigrants looking for some comfort foods from their homeland. Corned beef had a similar taste to boiled bacon that was usually enjoyed on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, which is why it is mainly eaten by Americans to celebrate this holiday.
Irish Cream Cannoli
We can’t completely stray from our Italian roots, and our Irish Cream Cannoli are an ode to this. Our March Cannoli flavor of the month is Irish Cream in honor of St. Patrick’s Day! Come pick some up in our bakery for your upcoming festivities! They will be available now through the end of March.
We hope everyone has a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day!
March is National Nutrition Month. Focusing on your nutrition can be difficult, but one way to do this is by forming healthy habits, like eating fruits and vegetables. You can use different approaches to create healthy habits that last. One thing you need to form a habit is repetition and consistency. If you’re looking to eat better, it is good to have those good foods right in front of your face. You can do this by having a fruit bowl in your house!
Besides looking beautiful in your kitchen, dining room or office, fruit bowls keep satisfying fruit front and center. Intuitive eating is also a growing trend and a full-to-the-brim fruit bowl is well-suited to this eating pattern!
The great thing about having a fruit bowl is that you can get creative with it! You can out whatever fruit best fits your taste. Fruits come in an array of colors which can really brighten up a room. Here are some of the fruits you can find in our kitchen fruit bowl
Apples
With different varieties that are good in each season, apples are a staple in fruit bowls. They are nutritious
Oranges
These citrus fruits are another good way to add some color into your fruit bowl and some nutrition into your everyday life. Oranges are known for their high vitamin c content as well as antioxidants, vitamins, and more!
Plums
Plums are an incredibly nutritious food. They contain antioxidants that can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. They are a high source of vitamins and minerals, and contain fiber.
Kiwi
Kiwi is another fruit that has many health benefits. They are low-fat, high in fiber, high in vitamin C, a good source of vitamin E, and a good source of potassium amongst other benefits!
Pears
There are many varieties of pears and all are good to add into your diet for more nutrients! They are good sources of fiber and vitamin C.
USA Pears wants to help create a supportive community that encourages healthy habits and daily fruit consumption. Share photos of your fruit bowl and your favorite ways to enjoy fruit using #WhatsInYourFruitBowl.
We know that finding meatless meal options can start to become repetitive. For this Lenten Season, we have created two new sandwiches in addition to our numerous other meatless options! Our two new sandwiches are a pepper and egg and a cod fillet sandwich.
Pepper and Egg sandwich
This is a classic lent sandwich good for everyone! Peppers and eggs scrambled together, seasoned with various spices, and put on a bun. No meat and full of flavor!
Cod Fillet Sandwich
This is a new sandwich this year! It is a beer battered cod fish fillet. It comes with homemade tartar sauce, lettuce, and tomato on a fresh baked turano bun.
In addition to these new sandwiches, we have plenty of other meatless choices available everyday! This includes plenty of fish options! Our seafood department is full of different fish. We even have pre-marinated fish options so that all you have to do is pick one out and cook it!
Another meatless option is pizza and you can’t beat our Pizza Friday deals. You can get a 16” take and bake cheese pizza for only $6! Each topping is an additional $1.
The pepper and egg sandwich and the cod fillet sandwich are only available for a limited time. They will be in-store throughout Lent!
The Lenten Season starts next week. Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter recognized in the Christian calendar. Lent is usually a somber time spent in preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus. But before it starts, we celebrate! The day before Ash Wednesday is commonly referred to as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”. Tradition has it that you are supposed to eat rich. fatty foods before fasting during Lent. This is the day to indulge and give into your cravings!
Are you ready to eat, but not sure what you want yet? Here are 4 things you may want to eat on Fat Tuesday!
Beef Sandwich
Something juicy, full of flavor, and sure to leave you satisfied? A beef sandwich! A piece of bread loaded with thinly sliced meat and soaked in juice is a delicious way to celebrate Mardi Gras! Top it with some giardiniera or giardiniera relish and you have a winner! Plus, our dinner for two this week is Beef Sandwiches! Pick up the complete meal in our grab and go section.
Stuffed Burger
Burgers are always a good idea, but our stuffed burgers take it to a whole new level! A classic burger that is stuffed with different items. In three different varieties, our stuffed burgers are full of flavor. They are sure to make your
Marinated Jerk Chicken
When you think of Mardi Gras, you may think of New Orleans. New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations. New Orleans is famous for its cajun flare on foods. To embody this part of the culture, try out our marinated jerk chicken! Available in our meat department, it is already marinated and is a great way to embrace Mardi Gras!
Paczki
Fat Tuesday and Paczki go hand in hand. It’s a tradition to have a donut or paczki on Fat Tuesday. We have a variety of different paczki available in our bakery including three new specialty flavors! Our gourmet paczki add some fun flavor to the classic treat. Our specialty flavors are strawberry, banana custard, and cannoli!
If you’re planning to cook on Fat Tuesday and want to make a traditional New Orleans meal, try Chipotle Shrimp Gumbo! It is a rich and hearty gumbo loaded with a savory combination of tender shrimp, onions, okra, and diced tomatoes, all seasoned to perfection with a homemade creole spice blend. It is a perfect recipe to bring New Orleans to your kitchen! Get the recipe here!
Let us know what you’re eating or cooking up this Fat Tuesday!
Busy schedules mean a shorter amount of time for things like meals. You need food on the table quickly so everyone can eat and go to their meetings, practices, or another obligation that comes up. We’ve been there and we believe that you should never have to sacrifice a quality meal for the sake of time. Our rotisserie chicken is a go-to on hectic days like these!
Rotisserie chicken is a chicken cooked on a rotisserie, using direct heat to cook because the chicken is placed next to the heat source.The chickens are put onto rods that rotate to ensure optimal juiciness and cooking.
You can feel good about feeding it to your family. Our chickens are always fresh and never frozen. There are no added hormones or steroids and they are MSG free. In addition to these benefits, the taste is incredible!
Our chicken is known for its outstanding flavor and juiciness. We season it with a special herb rub. The special seasoning is made with a variety of different herbs and spices to give the chicken a unique and delicious flavor. It is our homemade blend that we took the time to test and develop until we got it to the special blend we were proud to feed you and your families!
You don’t have to just take our word for it!
Chicago Magazine recently did a ranking of the top 10 rotisserie chickens in Chicago and we ranked in the Top 3! The chicken was tested in 6 categories on a scale of 1-10; the categories were skin, flavor, wing texture, juiciness, appearance, and freshness.
We love using rotisserie chicken in recipes that call for shredded or pulled chicken. Because the chicken is already cooked, it is one less step for you! Plus, you never have to sacrifice taste for convenience because our rotisserie chicken gives you both!
February is National Heart Month. This is a month used to generate awareness for heart disease and risks. We are taking the opportunity this February to recognize Cesco’s Heart.
Cesco’s Heart is a local, non-profit organization in honor of Francesco Vavalle who was born with a rare and severe heart defect. Francesco had congenital heart defect that meant he was born with half a heart and would require multiple open heart surgeries, the first one when he was just days old.
Francesco was called home only a few years into his life, but his memory lives on. Cesco’s Heart is a non-profit organization whose proceeds go to support the research and advanced treatments for pediatric cardiology. This organization was created by his family to continue his fight. The funds go directly to Advocate Children’s Hospital where Francesco received multiple treatments including open-heart surgeries, procedures, and care.
We want to help in honoring the legacy of this beautiful boy and his incredibly strong family.
Throughout the month of February, a portion of all sales of Wonderful Pistachios will go to Cesco’s Heart. Come to any of our seven stores and purchase Wonderful Pistachios to join us in supporting Francesco and the entire Vavalle family.
For more information on Francesco and the mission of Cesco’s Heart click here.
I don’t know what’s crazier, the fact that January is almost over or the fact the Big Game is Sunday! Whether you’re excited for the game, the commercials, or the performances, tons of people will be tuned into the same program. It’s the Sunday for parties which means food!
Whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish to someone’s house, here are 4 items you need at your party and some ideas if you want to cook!
Wings
Boneless or bone-in, wings are a must! We offer wings in buffalo, barbecue, and teriyaki.
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is another crowd pleaser. Grab a half pan of our La Bella Romana mac and cheese, bake, and serve! Try topping it with some bread crumbs or buffalo sauce for some extra flavor. Don’t want mac & cheese, but still want pasta? We have an array of half-pans of different pasta cuts with different sauces to choose from!
Chips & Dip
You need chips and dip to snack on and we have plenty to choose from. All of our La Bella Romana dips and salsa and made in-house daily. Some of these include guacamole, BLT dip, corn salsa, mango salsa, and more- you can’t go wrong with any of them. They pair perfectly with our tortilla chips too.
Sub Sandwiches
Check out our grab and go case for some 3ft sub sandwiches. Available in American or Italian, they are fresh baguettes loaded with an array of meats and cheese. These also include lettuce, tomatoes, and dressing on the side. Cut them into smaller sandwiches, put them on a platter, and enjoy!
Check out our prepared foods case for some delicious items to bring with.
When you think of vegetables that are good for you, sometimes cabbage can be overlooked. This simple, leafy veggie that looks like lettuce is a cruciferous vegetable which means the health benefits are numerous.
One thing about cruciferous vegetables is that they are known to aid in fighting cancer. Cabbage can help improve digestion because it is rich in fiber. Cabbage is high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant that can protect you from various diseases and illnesses. In addition, cabbage is a rich source of Vitamin K. Vitamin K is a very important nutrient to the body, especially when it comes to blood as it aids in helping blood to clot properly. One cup of cabbage is about 85% of your daily required Vitamin K.
The USDA has approved cabbage as being fat-free, saturated fat-free, very-low-sodium, cholesterol-free, low in calories and high in vitamin C.
A great thing about cabbage is that there are a variety of ways it can be consumed. In salads, coleslaw, cooked into dishes, used in soup, or eaten as a side, cabbage is an extremely versatile ingredient. Cabbage is easy to cook with and the health benefits make it so worth it. Plus, there are many different kinds of cabbage like green, red, napa, and savoy!
Need some inspiration on your next dish to cook with cabbage? How about Roasted Red Cabbage and Sausage. This recipe from our Recipe Rack, only takes 10 minutes to prepare and is simple to make (and it’s inexpensive)!
Check out The Recipe Rack for some more recipes that include cabbage!
Were you ever indecisive about what you want to eat? You spend so much time looking in the fridge, but can’t decide what sounds good. By the time you choose what to eat, you’re starving. We’ve been there and we’re here to help. Our new feature The Recipe Rack can help you plan exactly what you’re going to make come mealtime.
The Recipe Rack is a new feature on our website that allows you browse recipes and do your grocery shopping at the same time! This personalized shopping experience is tailored exactly to you. With custom settings, you can choose your dietary preferences, family size, and more. As you continue to shop, it will get to know you and suggest recipes based on past purchases, favorite brands, and more. Also, this technology will consider the sale items for the week and items in your cart when suggesting recipes.
When browsing the catalog of recipes, it is very easy to customize what you want to see. You have the option to search by course, by cuisine, by diet, by ingredient, and more.
Once you find a recipe you want to make, you can view the ingredients and the recipe. This feature also gives you the option to add the ingredients to your cart from the recipe. Whether you need all the ingredients or only a few, you can add it there with a simple click of a button! It also considers items you may already have in your pantry like salt and pepper. The feature does not automatically add those, but they do appear with the option to add to your cart.
See a recipe you want to save for later? Click the heart in the upper left hand corner and it will be saved to the “your recipes” tab in the Recipe Rack.
With busy schedules, any time you get to spend with your family is important. A lot of the bonding time is done over meals. The Recipe Rack can take the stress of meal prep away. Easily shop recipes, add them to your cart, then get the items delivered right to your door! Simple and easy!
Need another reason to shop The Recipe Rack? How about a gift card! We are giving away 3 gift cards as part of our ReNEWed You Challenge and Sweepstakes! For this 3rd and final challenge, place an order using The Recipe Rack. You will be automatically entered to win one of three gift cards- a $200 gift card for 1st place, a $100 gift card for 2nd place, or a $50 gift card for 3rd place. You have until 1/20 to place your order.
Click to start shopping The Recipe Rack here! We hope you enjoy!
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it can also be the most skipped. When you’re rushing and your mornings are chaotic, it is easy to skip these meals or pick up something that is quick and easy, but maybe not great for you. An easy go-to is yogurt! With so many different flavors and topping choices, a parfait is a great way to kickstart your day.
Here are the ingredients for my go-to parfait:
Vanilla greek yogurt: I like to use vanilla because it adds a hint of sweetness without being too much
Berries: A lot of fruits go great with yogurt, but I prefer berries. I like to put blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries in my yogurt! They all mix well together and have flavors that compliment each! PLUS there are so many benefits of berries! They are full of antioxidants and nutrients, can boost heart health, and much more. Needless to say, berries are great fruits to incorporate into your diet and parfaits are a great way to do that.
Granola: I like to put granola in my parfaits because the crunch contrasts well with the smooth texture of the yogurt! Our La Bella Romana Vanilla Granola is a great option. Already in flakes, you can add as little or as much as you want. The vanilla slightly sweetens the granola and goes great with the vanilla yogurt!
Whether you use a different flavor of yogurt, add mangoes, or add chia seeds, parfaits are easy to make your own. The options are endless and they all result in an easy and nutritious breakfast!
If you need a parfait on the fly and don’t have the ingredients on hand, stop by our Carol Stream store! We have a new yogurt bar where you can create your own parfait and take it to go!
