We love a good ALDI shopping sesh as much as anyone, and September will be no different. With autumn around the corner, the grocery is stocking up big on treats, seasonal items and must have fall foliage. We’ve rounded up our must-have items that hit ALDI stores starting Sept. 1, so keep scrolling to see them all.
Calling all taco lovers! If your mini me loves whipping up play creations, then they’ll love this absolutely adorable Fill & Fold Taco and Tortilla Set from Melissa and Doug.
The taco-tastic kit comes with everything kiddos need to host their own Taco Tuesday. Use the skillet, knife and wooden spoon to cook up chicken, shrimp, beef, tomato, onion, avocado, pepper, shredded cheese, pinto beans and crema before topping off with hot sauce!
photo: Courtesy of Melissa & Doug
The set comes with a foldable tortilla, hard-shelled taco and menu cards so your chef can craft fajitas, burritos or tacos to order. The set is for kids three and older and even comes with a hinged container for easy storage.
Researchers may have found a way for people to live longer and the answer lies with chili pepper! A new study will be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2020 that could demonstrate a significantly reduced risk of dying from cancer or cardiovascular disease when people consume chili pepper.
After analyzing 570,000 individuals in the United States, Italy, China and Iran and combing through 4,729 studies, researchers produced four unique studies on the power of chili peppers. So what did they discover?
Science has long known the power of capsaicin (what gives peppers their spice) and the capabilities it has in regarding to being an anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, anticancer and a possessing a blood-glucose regulating effect. Researchers took it one step further by comparing records of those who regularly consumed chili peppers with those who rarely or never did.
Those who did eat chili pepper had a 26% relative reduction in cardiovascular mortality, a 23% relative reduction in cancer mortality and a 25% relative reduction in all-cause mortality.
“We were surprised to find that in these previously published studies, regular consumption of chili pepper was associated with an overall risk-reduction of all cause, CVD and cancer mortality,” said senior author Bo Xu, M.D., cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute in Cleveland, Ohio.
“The exact reasons and mechanisms that might explain our findings, though, are currently unknown. Therefore, it is impossible to conclusively say that eating more chili pepper can prolong life and reduce deaths, especially from cardiovascular factors or cancer. More research, especially evidence from randomized controlled studies, is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.”
While there are still plenty of unknowns, tossing in a little extra chili pepper couldn’t hurt and it will definitely spice up your dinner.
Move over tacos, there’s a new spicy food in town. A donut is now heating up the charts to reach the peak of spicy superiority. Dunkin’ has baked up one of the most surprising treats ever to rise from its kitchens, the new Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut.
A deliciously daring donut that delivers the heat with every bite, the Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut is a classic yeast donut ring, topped with a strawberry flavored icing that features a bold blend of cayenne and ghost pepper, and finished with red sanding sugar for a sizzling look. The Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut will be on the menu for only a few hot minutes, available beginning today for a limited time at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide until December.
As the hottest choice to help unveil Dunkin’s new sweet and spicy donut variety, who better than the expert in hot foods, and host of Complex Networks’ hit First We Feast series Hot Ones, Sean Evans? In a special episode debuting on Oct. 19, for the first time in Hot Ones history Sean will be in the hotseat, challenging himself to answer hard-hitting questions while trying Dunkin’s new Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut, complemented by a variety of hot sauces ranging from sweet to scalding from the show’s famous arsenal.
America can enjoy Dunkin’s #SpicySide on Twitter this month as well, with brand posts demonstrating a decidedly fiery attitude with hot takes and even a burn or two. Dunkin’ is also encouraging fans to show their own spicy side by surprising their friends with the Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut and capturing and posting the reactions on social media using #DunkinSpicySide.
“Halloween looks a little different this year, and so do our donuts. While our classic bakery offering has plenty of crave-worthy treats, we’re excited to show our spicy side with a donut that packs a touch of heat with something sweet and can be enjoyed any time of day,” according to Jill Nelson, Vice President, Marketing Strategy at Dunkin’. “With our scary-good lineup of the Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut, Halloween DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits and fan-favorite Spider Donut, Dunkin’ is here to help our guests keep their Halloween spirit alive this season.”
Create a new Halloween tradition with Dunkin’. Halloween DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits will feature plain yeast or Old Fashioned cake donuts, with pre-packaged icing in orange, white, and black varieties, and three sprinkle blends. The Halloween DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits are available for purchase in two sizes, small (4-count donuts) and large (9-count donuts).
Also, the creepy-crawly Spider Donut is back on Dunkin’ menus. This frightfully delicious Spider Donut features a classic ring donut with orange icing, topped with a glazed chocolate MUNCHKINS donut hole treat, chocolate drizzle for the spider legs, and white icing for the eyes to create the sweet eight-legged donut creature.
This year’s Halloween lineup will haunt participating Dunkin’ restaurants for a limited time only, while supplies last.
Who else is excited to countdown the days until the holidays? Maybe you are just happy to see 2020 come to an end. Walmart has you covered with the ultimate countdown we all need this season.
Starting Nov. 1, the new Tasty 12 Days of Wine, Cheese + Chocolate Pairings Holiday Calendars will be available at Walmart stores. The best part of all is that all three can be purchased together for less than $100. Plus, if you grab all three you’ll have samples of wine already perfectly paired with cheese and chocolate. We can’t think of a better way to ring in the season.
The new Tasty Holiday Calendars bring 12 days of wine, cheese and chocolate pairings to life with wines like SRSLY Sauv Blanc, Oh So Rose and Beyond Red Blend. Discover unique cheese pairings including mozzarella cheddar and jalapeño pepper and chocolate pairings including a pink ruby cocoa strawberry ganache heart and a dark chocolate ganache tree.
Tasty 12 Days of Wine – $69.98
Whet your palette with cans of Tasty wine, each equivalent to two glasses of wine. Enjoy exciting varietals including Bubbly Rose, Beyond Red Blend, SRSLY Sauv Blanc, Pinot Noir, Deeply Blood Orange, Oh So Rose, Raspberry Rose, For Real Grapefruit and Lil’ Brut.
Tasty 12 Days of Cheese – $9.98
What’s wine without cheese! Pair your blend with a selection of cheeses such as mozzarella cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeno pepper and cheddar.
Tasty 12 Days of Chocolate – $9.98
Indulge in decadent chocolates, paired perfectly with your daily glass (or two!) of vino. Enjoy samplings of punk ruby cocoa strawberry ganache hearts, milk chocolate sea salted caramel snowmen and dark chocolate ganache trees.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever eaten something unhealthy because you felt stressed. During my trips to the supermarket, I have been shocked to see so many grocery carts overloaded with junk food. I understand that people are tired and seeking comfort. But tater tots and ice cream won’t help. In the past, I’ve turned to food to bring me solace. But in hindsight, I learned that when you eat poorly, you feel worse so you eat poorly again. After two slices of pie, you might as well eat the whole thing, right? It’s a downward spiral!
Cleaning up your diet may help you feel better physically and emotionally. If that’s still not enough to motivate you, here are my 3 favorite food categories that I reach for whenever I’m stressed. Comfort foods don’t have to be junk. And healthy foods don’t have to be boring (see below for 2 of my favorite recipes that prove just that).
Foods I Reach for When I’m Stressed:
1. Food with Fins. Meat prices are skyrocketing and there’s talk about shortages. Meanwhile, there’s been a spike in seafood consumption. But I still hear from people who are afraid to serve fish at home because they don’t know how to prepare it. Really, it’s easy. Just saute it at high heat until it changes color and flakes easily. Total cooking time would be about 8-9 minutes for thick fillets, and 6-7 minutes for thinner fillets.
Make sure to use the right oil. Some oils become carcinogenic at high heat. Malaysian palm oil is ideal for fish because it has a neutral, buttery flavor. Plus it’s heart-healthy, nutritious and certified sustainable.
Choose sustainable fish. We’re all attuned to shortages right now. Get into the habit of making responsible choices that help protect our food supplies and our planet. The American seafood industry generally has better sustainability practices than those of other countries.
2. Food from the Soil. There’s no shortage of fruits and vegetables. Because they are rich in fiber, you’ll feel fuller so you’re less likely to want to snack. Consider serving plant-based proteins a few times each week instead of animal proteins. You may know that beans and legumes have a lot of protein. But I’ll bet you didn’t know that there’s also protein in whole grains, broccoli and sweet potatoes. So, challenge yourself to create the most colorful plate of food possible.
Make sure you’re always eating a variety of foods. Consider what you ate yesterday, and try not to eat it again today.
Opt for fresh or lightly processed. Many over-processed foods, even those sourced from plants, can contain too much sugar and salt. Even if it’s made from plants, you still need to read the labels.
3. Food That’s Fun.
Keep the kids from going stir crazy by getting them into the kitchen. Instead of swinging into another drive-through, teach your kids how to choose and prepare foods on their own that will keep them occupied and sharpen their minds.
Plant a garden with kid-approved brain foods such as strawberries, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach and broccoli.
Encourage them to sample new things. Have your kids research traditional foods and meals in different parts of the world. Then ask them to share what they’ve learned around the dinner table. It’s a wonderful way to take your family on a culinary adventure while you’re all stuck at home. For instance, my kids know that I only cook with palm oil produced in Malaysia because it is certified sustainable; it’s made without harming wildlife or rain forests.
Have enough measuring spoons and measuring cups so that each child can use their own. That speeds up meal prep time. Kitchen shears are safer for kids to use than knives.
If you feed your family junk food, your health will pay the price. But you don’t have to be a slave to your stove. Do what I’ve done and try eating just fresh foods for a couple weeks. Pay attention to how eating different foods makes you feel, not just in the moment but also the next day. Then slowly introduce processed or sugary foods back into your diet and see how you feel. Once I cleaned up my diet and realized how great I felt, and how much clearer my thinking was, it became easier to kick my favorite junk foods to the curb, permanently!
Here are 2 of my favorite comfort foods that are healthy to boot:
Chicken “Palm-atta”
Ingredients:
2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
Sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
all-purpose flour, for dredging
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
7 tablespoons Malaysian sustainable Red Palm Fruit Oil
1/3 cup lemon juice, fresh
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
1/3 cup Italian parsley, chopped
Directions:
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.
Place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 6 tablespoons Malaysian Red Palm Oil.
When butter and oil are hot, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is golden, flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
Remove from the pan and hold in a warm spot.
Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock, and capers. Place on the burner and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan to deglaze for extra flavor.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
Move chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 1 Tbsp of Palm oil to sauce and whisk to emulsify.
Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.
Mashed Root Vegetables with Chevre and Chives
Ingredients:
2 pounds celery root (celeriac), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
5 cloves garlic, peeled
4 tablespoons Smart Balance Spread, divided
1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
1/4 cup Chevre goat cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup fresh chives, snipped
Directions:
Bring 1-inch of water to a simmer in a large saucepot.
Place celery root, parsnips, and potatoes in a large steamer basket over the water, cover and steam over medium heat for 20 minutes.
Add garlic and continue steaming until the vegetables are fall-apart tender, 20 minutes more. Add more water if necessary.
Drain the cooking liquid through a sieve and return the vegetables to the pan.
Place over low heat and continue to stir for 3-4 minutes to steam dry.
Add 2 tablespoons Smart Balance and mash until chunky-smooth.
Gradually stir in buttermilk, chevre, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Just before serving, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons Smart Balance and chives.
Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare everything through Step 2 and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in a double boiler and stir in the remaining butter and chives (Step 3) just before serving.
Chef Gerard Viverito is Director of Culinary Education for Passionfish, a NGO non-profit organization dedicated to educating people around the globe on the issue of sustainability in the seas. He is also the operator of Saveur Fine Catering, a company focusing on local, sustainable and organic foods.
Looking for kid-friendly hikes in Austin? We’ve got the full scoop on trails that are stroller-friendly and even some that include a waterfall or swimming hole. Get ready to get out an explore with your family!
Editor’s note: We’re making every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information. However, sometimes closures occur at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the spread of Covid-19. We highly recommend that you call ahead before you pack your kids (and all those snacks, and diapers…) and haul them across town. Stay safe!
We love this trail around Lady Bird Lake because it offers tons of options if you want to do it again and again. This 10-mile hike-and-bike trail meanders along the water’s edge and passes by skyscrapers, neighborhoods, ball fields and cultural attractions. Hop on at any point and use the bridges to cut across the water when you want to loop back around. There are even some parks located along the way.
If you are looking to really get out into nature, this is the trail for you. Designed to be a 30-mile trail once completed, you can currently trek on six miles of trail past the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Much of the trail is ADA accessible and therefore stroller friendly.
This 2.8-mile trail at Emma Long Metropolitan Park is particularly fun for kids as you'll be crossing over a number of creeks along your way (don't forget the water shoes during the wetter months). Dogs are allowed off-leash here so keep that in mind when hiking with the little ones.
There are three trail options at River Place Nature Trail from flat to one with lots of stairs and elevation gain. The Panther Hollow Trail is the best choice for children, walkers who don’t regularly hike or who aren’t as comfortable walking on rough terrain, or for an easy stroll with the pups.
Located near the Capitol of Texas Highway, this 2.5-mile trail is particularly awesome for kid hikers. Head to the Wild Basin Creative Research Center to learn about the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler that lives here. There's even a waterfall and gorgeous viewpoint along the way!
Known just as "the Greenbelt" this is a great spot to take the kids when the heat is on and you want to get a little exercise with some swimming holes thrown in. There are multiple different access points so you can mix it up for your next visit and enjoy a different portion of this 7.25-mile trail.
When it comes to making dinner, no one knows the struggle more than author, nutrition coach and chef, Sarah Adler. The woman behind Simply Real Health is committed to making no muss, no fuss dinners that are healthy and easy. That’s where her Veggie & Red Lentil Curry Stew comes in. With less than 10 ingredients, this family-friendly meal can be made three ways and is the perfect way to sneak in those veggies.
Veggie & Red Lentil Curry Stew Makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups red lentils
5 cups water
1 large bag frozen broccoli (or 3-4 cups fresh)
1 large bag frozen butternut squash (or 3 cups fresh)
1 yam, cubed
5 carrots, roughly chopped
1 TB red curry paste (I used Thai Kitchen)
2 tsp sea salt + 1 tsp pepper
Directions: For a IP: Add all ingredients to an Instant Pot, close tamper to high pressure and set for 30 minutes.
If making in a crockpot: add all ingredients in and cook for 4 hours high or 6 hours low.
If making traditionally in a stock pot: sauté veggies first, then add lentils, curry, s + p and liquid and bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat until lentils are cooked and broken down, about 15-20 minutes.
For more recipes from Sarah check out her cookbook, Simply Real Eating which is available on Amazon for $19.89.
This is a big dill! ALDI has already rolled out Dill Pickle Popcorn and Dill Pickle Hummus. Now they are releasing their latest contribution to the dill pickle trend, Dill Pickle Cashews.
The Southern Grove Dill Pickle Cashews come in 100 calorie packs for easy, on the go snacking.
There’s also a Salt & Pepper variety if dill favoring is not your thing.
Both varieties are on sale now and retail for $2.99.
This hearty fried-egg sandwich packs a punch of flavors! Stuffed with tangy pesto, melty cheese, and a handful of veggies for crunch, it makes the perfect weeknight meal. Scroll down for the complete recipe and how-to.
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 5 min.
Hands-on Time: 15 min.
You will need:
4 slices sourdough bread
1/3 cup prepared pesto
4 slices cheddar cheese
1 avocado, sliced
Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Fresh spinach or arugula (optional)
1 fresh tomato
4 large eggs
Ground pepper
Butter, for greasing pan
Directions:
1. Place a pat of butter in a skillet to melt over medium heat. Meanwhile, spread pesto on all four slices of bread. Top each slice of bread with one slice of cheese.
2. Transfer bread to skillet with the plain side down. Cover and grill until bread begins to toast and cheese begins to melt, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. In a separate non-stick skillet, melt a small pat of butter. Add 4 eggs to the pan, next to each other. Lower the heat, and cook until the white is firm and the yolk is to your liking, about 4-5 minutes. Repeat one more time to create 4 servings of two eggs each.
4. Place each slice of pesto toast on a plate. Top with several fresh basil leaves, spinach or arugula, and sliced tomato.
5.Add fried eggs to the top of each slice of toast. Sprinkle with ground pepper.
6. Eat with a knife and fork, and enjoy!
—recipe and copy by Anna Doogan; photo by Jen Silverstein/Red Tricycle
