Safeway Home Delivery Review

I've never thought of myself as a control freak, but when it comes to grocery shopping I must say that I am classic type-A.  I really do love grocery shopping and I have some crazy primal need to pick and choose what goes into my basket.  So, when I was offered the chance to try out Safeway's grocery home delivery service I was both excited and frightened at the same time.  Would I really be able to let a stranger pick and pack my groceries when ahem, there is a Safeway basically across the street from my house?

Along with my control freakness, I tend to be an impulse buyer at the grocery and can't really leave without spending at least $50 so I figured this if anything, this would be a good exercise in purchasing what I actually need. Luckily, the shopping purchase was pretty easy as I picked a recipe (Creamy Lemon Soup with Lamb Mint Meatballs - amazing!) and went to town from there. For good measure I picked out some produce to see what I'd get.

Result? It was a bit hard for me to wait for the groceries to arrive. Luckily, they give you a pretty short window for delivery and my driver was kind enough to call on his way over.  The process was quick and easy and the next time it is too cold for me to leave the house, I'm thinking this ain't too bad of an option.  Finding ground lamb isn't always and easy task so I was happy to be able to order this online and not travel from store to store in search of such an elusively good item.  All in all a great service - one I can imagine would be uber helpful in the big city!

Disclosure: Thanks to Safeway and Foodbuzz for the chance to review. I was not compensated for the review but did receive a stipend to try out their fantabulous service.  The opinions are my own.

Cherry Pie Pecan Bars

I admit it. I cut coupons...AND I think its fun. Some habits die hard and while growing up my Mom and I would sit on the couch on Sundays and go through the ads and coupons. In my grade school days, I think finding a coupon acted as leverage and a perfect excuse to convince my mom that it was a good idea to buy the latest junk food or kid-geared snack. To this day, I must say I still enjoy this activity though I must also admit I probably only use 1- 2% of the coupons I so diligently cut out, save and file.  It's the effort that counts!



Last Sunday I saw a recipe for Cherry Pie Pecan Bars in the coupons section. I am not a fan of cherry pie, and I don't like pecans but the recipe reminded me that Lucky Leaf had sent me a few samples of their pie fillings.  Since I don't make pies very often, this recipe seemed just about perfect.  Um, except for the stick or so of butter that I was missing!  I subbed apple butter for quite a bit of butter so I had no idea how these would turn out.

Maybe I just thought I didn't like cherry pie, because this dessert was one of my favorites in a long time. I can't say the apple butter substitution made these all that healthy, but just like my coupon cutting, it's the effort, right?

Cherry Pie Pecan Bars
Adapted from Lucky Leaf recipe

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups uncooked quick cooking oats
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
13 tablespoons butter
7 tablespoons apple butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp baking soda
1 21 oz can cherry pie filling
1 cup minature marshmallows

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all ingredients except pie filling and marshmallows in a large mixing bowl.  Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

2. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture for the topping.  Press remaining mixture into ungreased 13x9 inch baking pan.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.  Gently spoon pie filling over hot crust.  Sprinkle with marshmallows then sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.

3. Continue baking for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool completely on a rack.

Chicken with Mushrooms in Marsala Wine Sauce

True story. I once tried to make Chicken Marsala with Two Buck Chuck. I know. Right? Well I wont spend too much time here spewing excuses for why this ill-fated experiment seemed like a good idea. There's really no good, or even average excuse. Just take it from me - folks, don't try this at home.



Well, now that I'm all grown up and can shell out the big bucks for marsala wine (really, it's not that expensive...) I figured I'd revist what was once a black sheep dish in our household and do things right. Growing up, I loved going to Rich and Charlie's and ordering the Chicken Marsala. Something about seeing "wine" listed in the description made me feel daring and older. No one bothered to tell me at such a young age that the wine cooks off. Now that I know the truth, I still love it.  Just not made with Two Buck Chuck, I suppose. :)

This version has oodles of mushrooms (porcini, shiitake, and button)- probably more than I ever could have handled as a child. Serve this chicken up with some egg noodles and you have yourself quite a gourmet meal!

Chicken Marsala
1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms
1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms
Kosher salt & pepper
4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded thin
1/4 cup flour
1 Tablespoon Emeril's Essence (go here for recipe if you don't have it)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups sliced white mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 cup dry Marsala wine
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 small basil leaves

1. Place Porcini and Shiitake mushrooms in a small bowl.   Cover with boiling water.  Let stand for 20 minutes or until tender.  Drain and rinse.

2. Lightly season the chicken breasts with salt & pepper to taste. In a shallow plate or bowl, combine Essence seasoning and flour. Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour and shake off excess.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add olive oil to pan. Add chicken and saute until brown on each side, but not fully cooked through. Remove from pan and cover with foil.

4. Add more olive oil to pan and saute onion, red pepper and garlic, until onion is lightly browned. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, mushrooms and oregano. Saute until mushrooms darken and have given off moisture. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the marsala wine and allow to reduce. Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes or until sauce starts to thicken.

5. Add chicken to the pan and continue to cook until heated through. Prior to serving add 1 tablespoon butter and stir to combine. Garnish with small basil leaves.