Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Stokes Marketplace Review

Stoke'


At long last, Salem, Utah has thier grocery store back. Last year due to budget cuts, Crisps Grocery closed it's doors for good. Ironically, I was employed there, and soon found myself looking for another job.. Fast forward 10 months, and Stoke's Market opened up today. The Grand Opening is scheduled for November 2nd. They accept coupons and printable coupons, but the jury is still out on the ad price matching, such as Walmart.
I thought I would give you a gluten-free review of what the store offers.

Like Maceys, Stokes does have a dedicated gluten free isle. They have King Arthur products, Schar products, Glutino, and Tinkyada pastas. I also noticed that on the product specific aisle, such a cake mixes, there was 1-2 gluten- free offerings in that section.

The thing I was impressed with the most, was the produce section. Fresh watercress for 69 cents, and large RED bell peppers for the price of green-69 cents also. Another area that impressed me, was the gluten-free frozen section. They offered about 4 different types of pizzas, mostly Glutino, and Amy's brands. The frozen section included sliced breads, like Udi's(my favorite) Glutino bagels, english muffins, and my favorite guilty pleasure- Cinnamon Donuts by Kinnikinnick. For those of you that like convience foods, they had the single serve Fettucini Alfredo, by Gluten Free Cafe.(Look for coupons on thier website.)
For the chidren, they had Ians brand breaded fish sticks, and chicken nuggets. All of the gluten free items were price comparable to other stores.

So if you are in the area, and in need of gluten-free food, give Stoke's a try. They should have you covered.

*UPDATE*
I failed to mention that they also have a huge selection GF Auguson Farms baking mixes. They are located at the very front of the store, near the other food storage items. So far my favorite, is the rolled oats.
They hold up really well for cookies and granola.

Rolled Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treat

Okay, I have to admit, I love my sweets! The past month, I haven't been baking much. I am eating healthier, and losing weight in the process.
I find if I bake, I eat! Dont get me wrong, I do splurge one day during the week, usually a Saturday.

I was watching Studio 5(Amy Richardson) a couple of months ago, and they featured this variation of a Rice Krispy Treat. My SIL came to me, and asked for a good treat to serve her Celiac co-workers. I tweaked the recipe a bit, and here it is.

Warning these are so addictive. I usually slice them up, and wrap individually in foil, and hide them in the freezer for later :)


5 tbsp butter
5 1/2 cups Gluten Free Rice Krispie Cereal
1-10oz package marshmallows
1/3 cup peanut butter (White Chocolate Wonderful, Peanut Butter & Co.)
1- 4oz bar of chocolate, melted (Hershey or other GF milk chocolate)
1- 4oz bar white chocolate, melted
3/4 cup coarsely chopped cashews(get these in the bulk isle, they are cheaper)
1/4 cup prepared, or homemade caramel(I like Mrs. Richardsons)


Method:

· Butter a small flat baking sheet(I used my broiler pan from my oven,remove the insert, of course)
set aside.

· In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat, add marshmallows and stir until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter.

· Fold in cereal.

· When evenly coated, pour into prepared pan. Press to flatten slightly.

· Sprinkle cereal mixture with half the nuts. Drizzle half of the chocolate, white chocolate and caramel over the nuts.

· Refrigerate for 5-7 minutes, or until chocolate is slightly set.

· From the small end of pan, lift cereal and roll, jelly roll style. Pressing lightly to compress. Smoothing edge to seal.

· With seam side down, drizzle remaining, chocolates, and caramel over the top of roll, finishing with remaining chopped nuts.

· Refrigerate until firm. Slice into rounds when ready to serve.

Makes 10 pieces