Ghetto to Gangnam

A new Aldi opened next to my CVS yesterday. If you know me, the significance of this is too great to put into words.

I've been shopping at an Aldi in a VERY BAD AREA for a few years now, so my first trip to the new Aldi was pretty exciting, knowing that I didn't have to fear for my life. Instead, I encountered one confused-irritated person after another leaving the new store empty handed. This is called First Trip to Aldi Syndrome.

Everyone who isn't wondering where their next package of Ramen is coming from will probably suffer from FTTAS, but it is highly curable.

The food at Aldi is the identical food you buy at any other grocer. It tastes the same, it is the same. The difference is that it probably costs 30-50% less at Aldi and you won't see a logo you are familiar with. If you don't like something, for whatever reason (such as the corn flakes taste like Kellogg's and not Post, or the cheese crackers taste like Sunshine and not Nabisco), then you bring your item back to the store and Aldi will return your money, plus give you a replacement product. That's a pretty bold guarantee.

If you're new to Aldi, start simple and buy some fresh produce, condiments and dairy items.  The next time you go, add a few more items, such as a box of cereal and something frozen that looks good. It won't take long to win you over.

My husband and I went on a 7 day Caribbean cruise with the savings from shopping at Aldi in one year's time. I like labels and logos as much as the next person, but I like white sand beaches and someone else cooking me elegant dinners a whole lot more.

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Zucchini Sausage Bake

• 2 zucchini, sliced (3 for $1.29-$1.69)
• 1 pkg. smoked brats, sliced ($2.49)
• 3 tbsp. butter (1 lb. $2.29)
• 1 pkg. (brick) cream cheese ($1.19)
• 1 tsp. minced garlic in olive oil 
• coarse ground black pepper
• 1/3 pkg. garden vegetable crackers, crumbled ($1.49) (these are identical to Carr's Gourmet)

Sauté sliced brats, zucchini and minced garlic on medium-low heat for about 5-10 minutes. Add butter and continue to sauté until butter is melted. Add cream cheese, cut up into sections, and stir until melted. Add black pepper to taste.

Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Crumble crackers over top and bake at 350° for 30 minutes.
Less than $1 per serving.

Post Traumatic Mother's Day Corn

I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day, I know, it's a lot of pressure. Some of you got breakfast in bed and some got burnt offerings; and if you were lucky like me, you went out to eat and were seated immediately (4:30 pm is a perfect time).

I got to see my oldest on Saturday, but I won't get to see my second in command until Tuesday for her college graduation. My younger two were in full Mother's Day spirit and my husband was sweet and lovey all day - offering to fix things, such as the broken tiles on the kitchen floor and painting the ceilings - both of which can wait for some other day, as I'm in total chaos, we're having a graduation party in less than a week.. everyone is walking on eggshells around me (I'm even scared of myself).

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Post Traumatic Mother's Day Corn

• 1 pkg. frozen corn, thawed
• 1 stick butter
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tsp. white ground pepper
• pinch salt

Combine corn and butter in a frying pan and cooked over low heat until butter melts, stir continually.

Add whipping cream and salt/pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes on low heat, stir several times or it will stick.

Yes, I am aware of the caloric implications, but if you're a mother or have/had a mother, or know a mother.. sometimes you just need to eat food like this.

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Disclaimer: I do not own these recipes. I cook from memory and often adapt things I've seen, tasted, heard about, or read about.

Potatoes in Cream

Some people are afraid of potatoes. Aside from the fat jokes, I don't really know what is going on with them lately, but apparently it's serious because health conscious people say things like if you can't afford organic food, at least buy organic potatoes. 

My grandpa used to put potatoes in dirt under the entry-way into his house. When you went down to the basement, there was an open area full of dirt just under the floor, and that's where the potatoes were. I'm sure there are 50 year old potatoes still in that dirt today. They might even be healthier than the potatoes in the store. That's a scary thought.

A search for "potatoes are evil" tells me that in the 1600's, Europeans thought potatoes caused leprosy, syphilis, narcosis, scrofula, early death, sterility, and rampant sexuality.

I plan to research this potato thing more, but in the meantime, I am buying packaged pre-cut potatoes at Aldi. The thought of potatoes seasoned with rosemary/garlic/olive oil and covered in cream is making me feel rampantly sexual hungry right now.

Pick Your Poison: 

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Potatoes in Cream

• Potatoes, in any form
• Heavy Whipping Cream

Combine potatoes and cream in a baking dish and bake uncovered at 350° for at least an hour. You can vary the temperature and cooking time to accommodate other recipes.

NOTE: Both the potatoes and heavy whipping cream should be the same temperature prior to combining. i.e.: the potato wedges are frozen, so thaw them first. 

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Disclaimer: I do not own these recipes. I cook from memory and often adapt things I've seen, tasted, heard about, or read about.

Minnesota Funeral Comfort Food

Bags cost money at Aldi. Boxes are free. If you do RecycleBank, the box adds weight to your recycling and can earn you some cool things eventually. I use Ikea bags at Aldi. These are my favorites: 

The blue one is the smaller version of Ikea's big bag and it has a nice long strap and I sometimes look like a pack mule leaving Aldi with 5 bags on each shoulder, which brings me to..

You need a quarter for a shopping cart. You get the quarter back when you return the cart, but needing to remember a quarter and some shopping bags or searching for boxes might end up to be the straw that broke the camel's back when all you want to do is get in the store, get some food and get out. I don't really like returning the cart, but I like using it inside the store, so I try to pack myself up and put the cart back before I head for the car.

My aunt Darene told me this is called African Chow Mein, but I seriously don't think many people are eating it in Africa, so I call it..

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Minnesota Funeral Comfort Food

• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 3-1/2 cups boiling water
• 1 diced onion
• 4 tbsp. soy sauce
• 4 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 cups sliced celery
• 1 lb. raw hamburger
• 1 can cashews pieces

Mix all ingredients (except cashews) in a baking pan/dish. Bake covered at 350° for 50 minutes, then uncover and cook 10 minutes longer.

Top with cashews. It's easier for everyone to do this individually if you're not eating it after a funeral.

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Disclaimer: I do not own these recipes. I cook from memory and often adapt things I've seen, heard, or read.