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Something New for Cooking

It doesn’t take much to make me happy . . really. Vince might not agree but that’s only because he has no idea how demanding and spoiled most wives are. Not any of you, of course! 🙂

When I’m in the grocery store, I usually have a list and if it isn’t on my list, I’m not looking at it. Yesterday I had gone to the store and they had iceberg lettuce on sale for something like .78 a head which is really cheap for our area. But, there’s hardly anything we like to do with iceberg lettuce. We usually use the leafy type lettuce but for .78, I was thinking about what I could do. And then I saw this:

They had Greek, Italian and Spanish flavors. We love putting Boscoli on our salad but I can’t buy it here and we’re just about out. We also put Boscoli on sandwiches so I don’t want to run out before I get back to Louisiana so we haven’t been using it much on salad. Thought I’d grab this jar of “Just Add Lettuce” in the Greek flavor and try it out. All I did was shred about 1/4 head of iceberg lettuce, added some chunks of fresh cauliflower because it absorbs flavors so nicely, dumped a little less than half a jar of the “Just Add Lettuce” and I’m telling you . . it was as good as any salad in any Greek restaurant! Lots of feta cheese, oregano, olives and even some stuffed grape leaves. I will be buying more of this. Can’t wait to try the other flavors.

The other thing I’d never noticed in the grocery store was this:

I always buy the packets of Ranch dressing mix but this was less expensive. It tells you on there how many tablespoons to use for one packet and I can make just a little or a lot when I want to make dressing. Pretty convenient, huh?

What have you found in your grocery store lately that’s exciting that you’ve never seen before? Do tell!

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Comments

  1. something from our bakery, called “mini cherry snack stix”.
    it’s sheets of Philo dough cut into strips about 4 inches wide, then filled with cherry pie filling. the pastry is folded over the pie filling, slashed on top, cut into 2 inch pieces, and then baked.
    they come out very yummy indeed. i like it better than the pie they also make.

  2. I make a lot of tacos and recently found Taco Seasoning in a can much like your Ranch seasoning… Much nicer than the packets as I only used 1/2 a packet at a time and ended up either throwing away a 1/2 packet or losing it in the cupboard…

    Love the new blog look…

  3. I buy the dry Ranch Dressing in the bottle instead of packets also. Try it with a package (or small can) of salmon, skinless and boneless, by adding a teaspoon of dry Ranch dressing and a tablespoon (or more if you like) of mayonnaise. Makes a really good snack with crackers and we often have this with a bowl of soup for lunch. Sprinkle dry dressing on a beef roast before cooking.

  7. I’ve gotta get some of that Ranch in a can! Never seen it around here but will definitely look. I usually buy the box of five packets but hate to throw away all that packaging.

    I like the brocoli slaw that’s packaged; I just buy Marie Callendar’s cole slaw dressing, add some chopped apples, some raisins and dried cherries and am good to go. Everyone loves it.

    Can’t live without Lawry’s garlic salt for my quesadillas either.

  8. Judy, we have that Ranch mix stuff too – my husband tried mashing potatoes with that and plain yogurt rather than our usual, more decadent lots-of-butter-and-sour-cream version, and it was so wonderful and rich tasting.

  9. I am so glad that you have started posting you menu of the week-i love this feature as well as everything on your blog-you are amazing ans I SOOO look forward to seeing what you have to say everyday!!!!!!! I especiallt luv when you post more than once during the day!!! i OFTEN CHECK YOUR BLOG MORE THAN ONCE AND RE READ OLDER ENTIRES. LUV LUV LUV PATCHWORK TIMES-THE PATTERNS, THE PATTER AND THE RECIPES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. The best thing I have found is Pesto in a jar by Classico. It’s better than my homemade. We use it a lot. I put it on meats and veggies before grilling. I used to use it in the best pasta salad, but since hubby is on a special diet that one has to be reworked still. It is even good just dipped on chips, bread or veggies.

  12. As I was reading this post to my cook (my DH), he immediately went online to check it out. They have a website at: justaddlettuce.com that has a short video. I had the question of shelf life but my DH found it is 75 days. We’re gonna be looking for this! Thanks Judy!

  13. Hi Judy, Where did you find the Ranch dressing mix and is it in the spice section or by the prepared salad dressing? I have never seen it in the bottle. Did you get it at Walmart? Thanks

  14. Our local Sam’s Club sells the Hidden Valley Ranch plastic jar cheaper than anywhere else in town.
    :0)

  15. I’m in love with Marie’s “Creamy Chipotle Ranch Dressing” but not necessarily for lettuce. I use it instead of mayonnaise (which I LOVE) to put a tiny ‘kick’ on sandwiches. Another thing I love is to sprinkle (liberally) dried tarragon on chopped up, cooked chicken, mix with a tsp of that powdered Ranch dressing, a little mayo and slivered almonds. So simple and it’s the BEST chicken salad.

  16. I havent found it in the grocery store, but my sister turned me on to Pensey’s spices. I used to like HV ranch (and still do) but I like their ranch dressing better now. Just add buttermilk and mayo, and it easily lasts 2 weeks. They have other good stuff too. I will have to keep my eyes open. Our grocery store doenst get alot of new stuff on their own, but if you ask them, they will get it for you, and if it sells, will keep it on the shelf, but if not, you might not find it again. Fair, since they only have so much shelf room, it is not a big store. Thanks for keeping us updated!

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