Maison Rustique

Trader Joe's had some Brioche Toasts for a while that I loved, but they are no more. I like Wheat Thins and Cheeze-its extra brown version for mainstream crackers. But Effie's Homemade Biscuits are my latest obsession. Funny this thread popped up because I just posted about Effie's on Facebook today. So far the oatcakes are my favorite, but I still have a few varieties to taste.

I was an avid Aldi shopper for several years, but the one nearest us started to decline in terms of inventory (shelves often not stocked) and apparently distribution issues, as they often do not receive the items in the flyer. The quality of the produce has also declined. I seldom go anymore.. Actually I seldom go anywhere except Costco (because we get our prescriptions there) and anything else I need, I order for delivery. I always loved grocery shopping and really miss it, but trying to drag my husband out to go like I used to is just too difficult and I can't leave him alone. I do have to say that Sprouts (I think they are national?) has replaced Aldi for me and a friend of mine for bargains. If you go frequently, they mark down foods (meat, seafood, product, pantry items) drastically when it is on the verge of the sell by date. Last week, my friend brought me a huge package of scampi with asparagus that was expiring the next day. It was marked down from $17.xx to $.98. Also a package of beef tips for under $1. And this week, he brought me a package of marinated spicy orange salmon that was not close to expiring, but was only $2.98. We had it last night and it was delicious. There is enough left for hubby to have a sandwich for lunch today. If you have a Sprouts near you, go often and look for the mark-downs!

I need to clean out my freezers and make some space so I can order!

I finally got around to checking them out. I'm amazed at the low prices! I definitely need to check it out. Things are not great here right now and I've been buying a lot of pre-prepared meals and instant-type things, so I'll be trying some of these.

I have faithfully used one of these flat rubber jar openers for decades. Not just jars but anything I can't get a good grip on. This particular one is probably at least 20 years old?

Yikes!!

I read a lot of eBooks on my Kindle, but not cookbooks. I've tried with a few samples I've downloaded and I just can't. I'd rather check out the real book from the library and if there is something I want to save, take a photo of those pages and put it in my recipe files on my PC. Probably not strictly legal, but I somehow doubt the FBI will show up to search my 10,000 recipes on my PC that are only for personal use. Well, OK, I might send one to my sister occasionally. Lock me up!!

I have 4--3 Echo Shows and 1 little round gizmo that I can't recall the name. I use them constantly--reminders to put the wash into the dryer, timers for the kitchen, measurement conversions, news and music while I cook, on and on. I never imagined I w ould use them so much--got them free with rewards points of various sorts.

Yes, smoked salmon/cream cheese and I'm also imagining an open-face BLT. Would also be a great accompaniment to potato soup later this year when the weather cools down. Thank you, @PatrickT!

@rotuts, Shrubbery Sauce? I'm not familiar with what this is.

I wish I'd thought of that before I gave away tons of cupcake liners!

(eG-friendly Amazon.com link)

Also not a lamb fan. I think mostly because Mom and Dad hated it, so I did not grow up eating it. The smell gets to me. I've cooked it for others and it is a true labor of love to have to stand there smelling it. Raw or undercooked/seared fish disgusts me. You know, I never consider myself a picky person, but I seem to be finding a lot of stuff I don't like. 😝

Yep. Not a pork belly fan at all. Not a fan of big globs of fat on any food. Well, unless it is butter. 😉

Yes, has air fry. Will report back after using it!

@Tropicalsenior I very nearly ordered that one yesterday, but went with a Black & Decker Crisp & Bake (I think that's the name) that is very similar in size and features--it comes in 4, 6, and 8 slice sizes. I went for the 6, which also takes a 12 inch pizza.. A friend here highly recommended it. It will arrive today, so will see how it looks and works!!

Hot dogs and any sausage must be grilled until black. Best hot dog is on a soft bun with mayo, yellow mustard, chopped onion and shredded sharp cheddar. Now I'm craving one.

We got a GE toaster oven as a wedding gift nearly 39 years ago. Would you believe the darned thing died a few days ago? Huh! Nothing lasts anymore. 😉 Trying to decide what I want to replace it with. I'd like to get something a little bigger so I can heat bread or a small dish instead of turning on the oven every night to make dinner. Counter space is valuable real estate in this tiny kitchen and budget is very limited. I've had lots of recommendations, just need to go physically look at them to decide if I'm willing to give up that much space. Timing is not bad, as I've been working to re-do my countertops to get appliances on the counter instead of stored away so I will actually use them.

Interesting. I'll have to take a look at some of my old cups/glasses to see if they are marked similarly.

@PatrickT, thank you for posting that. I am drooling!!

And I am surprised to see the worker handling the raw chickens without gloves. I thought that was some sort of food safety requirement.

I'm fairly certain that the rotisserie chickens that are not sold by the end of that day, get the meat pulled to use in their prepared meals that they sell there at Costco. (Husband worked for them for a few months when he first retired.) I'd ask him, but dementia has likely wiped those memories.) So, if you buy their prepared meals with chicken and are watching your sodium, it is likely to be high in those meals, too. Just saying. I'm also in the never-had-a-Costco-rotisserie-chicken-or-prepared-meal camp.

I loved this article and thought I'd share. I hope I chose the correct forum. Early Kansas City Hamburger Stands

I follow Nik Sharma on Facebook and get his newsletter. I just love his recipes. And he seems like a really nice guy, too. He has plenty of delicious recipes that even non-experts like me can easily make.

Positive, healing energy for you, @liuzhou!