Celebrate the Season

Did you know May is National Barbecue Month?
Or that it’s also National Hamburger Month?
Seems as if these days, a special month or day exists to celebrate everything, especially food. The only thing that could be better about this month’s combination would be if it also included ice cream. That dessert has its day in July.

Saving money at the store

If you’ve been to the grocery store or the gas pump lately, you feel the economic pinch. And that pinch probably causes many of us to decide to forgo the restaurant and eat at home.
With simple menu planning and smart shopping, you really can save money and time.
I found these tips in an e-mail from the California Walnut Board. True, the publicists promoted the benefits of walnuts, but these tips are good for every occasion.

Shop for staple items in advance. Watch circulars for sales and stock up when the price is right. For instance, Kroger runs 10 for $10 sales occasionally on frozen vegetables and pantry items.
Eat seasonally. When fresh fruit and vegetables are available from local farmers, stop by their stand or a farmers market.
Look for nutrient dense foods. Junk food offers empty calories, and that convenience usually comes with a higher price tag at the store.
Control portions. True, this sounds like diet tips, but by eating less, you’re saving money, not to mention calories.

A meal for a houseful of kids for $10.50? Yes, really ...
Try this one:
Grilled Taco Chili Dogs
Yield: 8 servings
1 pound (8 to 1 package) hot dogs
1 (15-ounce can) chili with meat but no beans
1/4 cup mild or medium taco sauce
8 taco shells
1 cup shredded taco flavored cheese
1 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup finely sliced crisp lettuce

Grill (or broil) hot dogs 6-8 minutes over medium heat. Turn often and continue to cook until hot throughout and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. In a small saucepan, stir chili and taco sauce together. Cook over low heat until bubbly. Place one hot dog in each taco shell. Top hot dogs with 2 tablespoons chili mixture. Sprinkle with cheese, tomato, onion and lettuce, packing ingredients down to ensure all ingredients fit into shell.

New in the dairy aisle

New product alert: Cool Whip now comes in cans as well as the familiar tubs. Varieties are regular, extra creamy and lite and will be on store shelves just in time for Memorial Day.


Some fun facts about this American favorite:

Oklahoma City ranks as the No. 1 city in per-capita consumption of Cool Whip whipped topping.
The topping was first introduced in 1967.
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, sales of Cool Whip provide enough of the white fluffy stuff to top 2.2 billion slices of pumpkin pie.

Leigh Landini Wright, The Paducah Sun’s features editor, can be contacted at 575-8658 or llandini@paducahsun.com