October 2012 - Page 2 of 3

Rainbow Cupcakes with Cool Whip Frosting

October 21, 2012 by frugalbites 15 Comments

I’ve been wanting to make the colorful rainbow cupcakes I’ve seen online for a long time, but I wasn’t sure the best method to use. First, I turned to my friends on the Mommysavers forum for advice on how to make rainbow cupcakes. There are a few different methods of doing it, but I make mine the old-fashioned way with adding a few drops of food coloring into four different bowls of batter: red, yellow, green and blue. My friend Shell also has a real cool cheater method of making rainbow color swirl cupcakes. That may be my NEXT project!

First, I headed off to get my supplies.

White box cake mix (I had eggs and oil at home already)
Food coloring
Frosting
Cupcake liners

Plus, for a limited time you’ll be able to print a high-value coupon for the Cool Whip Frosting I used:

First, frosting. This new Kraft Cool Whip frosting is available in ready-to-go in three different flavors: vanilla, chocolate and cream cheese. My Walmart only carried the chocolate and vanilla, but the cream cheese flavor sounds wonderful. I found mine at Walmart for $2.28. Each container frosts one cake or a batch of 18-24 cupcakes. While at the store, I also picked up a boxed cake mix, food coloring, muffin cup liners, and a magazine (not on my list- oops!).

First, prepare your cake batter according to package directions. A white or yellow cake works best.

After you prepare your white cake batter, separate it into four separate bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring into each bowl in rainbow colors you choose.

Place 18 cupcake liners in muffin tins. Layer the batter according to the colors of the rainbow. I first did blue, then green, yellow and red. I added approximately one teaspoon of each color in the bottom of each cupcake liner.

Bake your cupcakes according to package directions and cool completely.

Since Cool Whip Frosting is a softer consistency than most frostings, make sure your cakes have thoroughly cooled before using it to prevent it from melting. I also took the frosting out of the freezer to warm up for a few minutes before using it. It was the perfect consistency for my piping bags. It’s slightly firmer than regular Cool Whip whipped topping, but softer than a typical frosting.

To make frosting cakes and cupcakes easier AND more attractive, I use a basic Wilton cake decorating set coupler and tip. You can get one for less than $10, and if taken care of will last forever. Note: Since the frosting is cream-based, you’ll need to make sure you keep them refrigerated.

My son LOVED them. He ate three right away and said, “The frosting is the best part!”

Frugal Tips: You don’t need to purchase the fancy piping bags. I just use a cheap-o sandwich bag like the one pictured above by cutting the tip off. I can throw it away when I’m done, and wash my couplers for the next time I bake.

View my entire Rainbow Cupcakes with Cool Whip Frosting Photo Gallery on Google+.

Check out more awesome cupcakes & cakes on the Kraft Cool Whip Frosting Pinterest Board and more recipes at Kraft recipes. Want to find out more about Cool Whip Frosting? Join the #CoolWhipFrosting Twitter Party on Wednesday, October 24 at 1pm EST if you are available!

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Kraft Cool Whip. #CoolWhipFrosting #CBias #SocialFabric. All opinions are my own.

Sweet and Savory Party Poppers

October 18, 2012 by frugalbites 2 Comments

These Sweet and Savory Party Poppers were one of the best things I sampled at the ALDI Taste Kitchen Event. Thanks to the ALDI kitchen team and Chef Alyssa for sharing the recipe.

Frugal Tip: ALDI has a variety of gourmet cheeses as seasonal offerings during the holiday season. Goat cheese, brie, edam, and gouda are available for about 30-50% less than what you would pay at your typical grocery store. View photos of ALDI 2012 fall seasonal offerings.

Sweet and Savory Party Poppers

Recipe type: appetizers

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 35 mins

Serves: 6

These sweet and savory party poppers require only four ingredients, but will be a big hit at your next party!

Ingredients

8 oz. pitted dates
4 oz. brie cheese round
6 oz. slivered almonds
1.5 lb. thick sliced bacon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375.
Cut dates in half lengthwise.
Cut brie into bite-sized pieces (about the size of a peanut). Place a piece of brie and 4 almond pieces on the open half of the date; place the other half on top.
Quarter the bacon slices and wrap tightly around the stuffed date. Secure with a toothpick.
Line a baking sheet with foil an place wrapped dates on top.
Bake for 15 minutes until bacon is crispy.
Serve warm.

Filed Under: Appetizers Tagged With: ALDI, aldi recipes, aldi test kitchen, bacon, brie, entertaining

Why is ALDI so much cheaper than other supermarkets?

October 13, 2012 by frugalbites 152 Comments

WELCOME FACEBOOK FANS Don’t forget to “like” Frugal Bites on Facebook too! - Kim

Why is ALDI so much cheaper than other supermarkets? Curious shoppers want to know how they can offer groceries for 20-50% less than their competitors without compromising quality. After visiting the ALDI Test Kitchen and headquarters in Batavia, IL last week I now have a better understanding. Let’s clear one thing up right away: It’s not by offering inferior products. ALDI products undergo considerable testing by their own staff and 3rd party consultants before deemed worthy of offering to the marketplace. The ALDI business model has been so successful because of their staunch attention to streamlining the process from start to finish.

Why is ALDI so much cheaper than other supermarkets?

ALDI stores offer a narrow selection of 1400 high-volume products as opposed to the typical 40,000 or more by supermarket giants. Because they only offer products with high turnover, their overhead is lower. Perishable products like milk, meats and produce arrive 5-7 times per week, so there’s no need to rotate inventory for freshness.
No coupons or credit cards are accepted. Debit cards are accepted.
Customers “rent” a cart by depositing a quarter, and return it at the end of their trip which eliminates the need for ALDI associates to corral them.
ALDI employees well-trained to multi-task. Only 3-4 employees are required per shift, which helps keep cost down. They are put to use in all areas: stocking, cleaning, and checking out. They work hard, but are compensated well. In the Chicago area, ALDI associates start at $12.65 per hour. Plus, part-time employees with as few as 20 hours per week are eligible for medical and dental coverage.
Stocking the shelves is also much faster. Products don’t have to be taken out of the box at ALDI. Boxes are designed with colors that blend in with the product packaging – an effort known as the ”invisible case” project. Heavier things like flour and sugar are left on the pallet. Milk arrives on racks so that 80 gallons can be shelved in just five seconds.
Stores use energy-efficient refrigeration and lighting. New stores use a lot of natural lighting; older stores are being retro-fitted with energy efficient lighting.
Produce is individually packaged and sold by the unit to avoid weighing at checkout.
Sale signs are reusable and can be changed manually.
At ALDI, the checkout process moves at lightning speed. Since ALDI stocks their own private label items, they also design the packaging for optimal efficiency. With 3-6 large UPCs on each package, scanning is much quicker.
Customers purchase bags (or bring them from home) and bag their own groceries.

Did you enjoy this information? Order my book: Instant Bargains: 600 Ways to Shrink Your Grocery Bill and Eat Well for Less

View our entire ALDI Photo Gallery on Mommysavers.com.

ALDI milk arrives on racks to facilitate restocking

why is aldi so much cheaper than other supermarkets?

Multiple UPC codes on packaging make scanning easier

Products are shelved in boxes

Sale signs are reusable at ALDI

Sale signs are changed manually and reusable

Produce at ALDI is packaged to avoid the need for weighing

Filed Under: Grocery Shopping, Saving Money Tagged With: ALDI, aldi business model

Having Fun in the ALDI Test Kitchen

October 12, 2012 by frugalbites Leave a Comment

Shopping at ALDI is one of my favorite ways to save money on groceries. Not familiar with ALDI? It’s a limited selection grocery store that carries about only about 1,400 products compared to the 40,000+ at most supermarkets. Because their square footage is smaller (about 15,000 sq. feet per store) and they turn over their inventory quickly, ALDI has much lower overhead costs. Luckily for savvy consumers, they are able pass on those savings to us.

Right now I’m at an ALDI holiday test kitchen event at their corporate headquarters in Batavia, IL. Last night we got to taste-test ALDI products against their name-brand competitors and as you can see from the photo above, had lots of fun! We sampled a variety of cheeses, wines and crackers and then had a delicious holiday dinner presented by food stylist Janice Stahl. ALDI aims to not only meet the standards of those name brands, but exceed them. That commitment to quality was evident in the tasting. I consider my palate to be somewhat refined for a frugal foodie, and in almost EVERY case I chose (somewhat surprisingly!) the ALDI product over the more expensive one.

Today, we’re heading to an ALDI store and back to their headquarters for more touring. I’ll be bringing you even more information and tons of photos after I get back. Tweet me with your ALDI questions @frugalbites or post your inquiries on the Frugal Bites Facebook Wall. Or, follow along on Instagram today by following me @kimdanger as well as the hashtag #intheALDIkitchen.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: ALDI, aldi test kitchen, grocery shopping

Barley Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan and Sage

October 9, 2012 by frugalbites Leave a Comment

I originally posted this Barley Mushroom Risotto recipe on Mommysavers.com. Now that it’s fall, it’s the perfect time to make it again! I love the earthiness of mushrooms and sage as well as the nuttiness of the Parmesan cheese. Barley makes for a great for a change of pace from traditional rice risotto, and doesn’t cost a lot.

Frugal Tip: Grains are extremely frugal — and healthy, too! Instead of serving the same grains over and over again, experiment with different options like quinoa, barley, other varieties of rice, and different pasta shapes. The variety will prevent you from experiencing frugal fatigue!

Barley Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan and Sage

Ingredients

3 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 cup pearl barley
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp. sage
salt and pepper to taste
½ C. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a skillet, melt the butter. Saute onion, celery, garlic until translucent. Add mushrooms and sage and cook until mushrooms are tender. In another pot, boil the barley with 2 cups chicken broth until all the liquid has been absorbed. Tranfer barley to the skillet with the onion/mushroom/sage mixture. Add ½ cup chicken broth and Parmesan cheese. Stir until risotto is creamy, adding another ½ cup chicken broth if necessary. Top with more freshly grated Parmesan to garnish. Serve immediately.
You can serve this alone as a meatless skillet dish or as a side with beef, pork, or poultry.

Filed Under: Salads and Sides Tagged With: barley, risotto, sides

Rainbow Cupcakes with Cool Whip Frosting

Sweet and Savory Party Poppers

Why is ALDI so much cheaper than other supermarkets?

Why is ALDI so much cheaper than other supermarkets?

Having Fun in the ALDI Test Kitchen

Barley Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan and Sage

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