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Michele, a BirminghamMom of three from Oak Mountain, has a great tip for the kids' Halloween candy that gets left over because no one wants it (not even during a bout of insomnia with an empty pantry). Michele just tucks her kids' unwanted candy away until the Christmas season, when she pulls it back out to decorate her gingerbread house.
This way the assorted hard candies, Necco Wafers, Tootsie Rolls and licorice strips can still be utilized, even if only for ornamentation. They have a harmless second chance as stained glass, frosted windowpanes, chimneys and trim around doors and windows on your gingerbread manor. Ironically, the candy helps retain the illusion that the gingerbread house is edible while ensuring that no one will actually want a bite. (Obviously, the candy you consider disposable depends on the tastes of your household, but I'm betting Recee's Cups and Hershey's Kisses never make it to the gingerbread house project.)
Whether you build a house out of home baked gingerbread, buy the kit for $10, or smack graham cracker squares onto milk cartons, your leftover candy can add plenty of bling without requiring "good" candy or materials. When it's time to dispose of it, you can say goodbye with no remorse that any good stuff went to waste.
Thanks, Michele, for the tip!
Riding through Crestline the other day I drove slowly to take in this Birmingham enclave that seems to relish fall and Halloween in particular. The front porch stoops are loaded with vignettes that are whimsical without being campy and predictable. I had one question: Where do all these great pumpkins come from? They certainly weren't the regular orange carving variety sold at the big box stores.
I turned down Oak Street and there they were: Pumpkins of every variety piled high and tumbling in every direction. White ones, knobby ones, giants and miniatures - including a romantic sounding (for a gourd, anyway) Cinderella variety.
Turns out the pumpkins were just the beginning of what was to be discovered in this gorgeous shop, Oak Street Local. Inside were tables abundant with locally harvested produce from heirloom tomatoes to muscadines. I knew it was organic even before I asked because it was so... real. Here were apple varieties besides Granny Smith and Golden Delicious, and pears that I could envision actually falling from a tree, not rumbling down an endless conveyor belt. Sure, I inspect my giant-size supermarket fruit as much as anyone, but here I didn't miss the high gloss wax and the tiny stickers.
Maybe the biggest thrill was the presentation, which made the experience 
feel like a walk through a cookbook coming to life. This was way more inspiring than buying tomatoes from a roadside tent! And the produce prices weren't outrageous, either - $1.89 per pound for locally grown sweet potatoes. A special touch was the photo display of the farmers and growers who supply the store. (BirminghamMom tip: Don't miss the photo of the farmer who is a dead ringer for Fabio.)
My white pumpkin from Oak Street Local will be a beautiful, easy easy centerpiece set against a dark brown tablecloth. Let the kids carve the regular orange ones; Mama is stepping out of her usual gourd this year.
Oak Street Local is at 115 Oak Street in the Crestline area of Mountain Brook. Don't miss the Oak Street Garden Shop next door. A limeade from Zoe's is just a short stroll up the street.
Years ago I worked with Michelle from Lakeland, Florida who told me the one thing she missed living in Birmingham was shopping at Publix. I wasn't familiar with the chain at the time, but she assured me that I didn't know what I was missing.
Now that Publix is well represented in Birmingham, I have to agree with her. Although I can't say that Publix always has the lowest price on every item, I can unequivocally say that the quality is excellent, the stores are clean and bright, and they do make sure "shopping is a pleasure."
I'm praising Publix now because they have continued to offer each of their Publix brand essentials at what they term a "surprisingly low price." At first I worried this was a loss-leader gimmick that would only last a week, but as the prices have continued to be promoted for several weeks now, my hat's off to employee-owned Publix for holding the line.
Publix' list of essentials includes milk, orange juice, bread, ground chuck, vanilla ice cream and Cheerios; in other words, the items that are always on the list and that are most likely to force a mid-week grocery run. Although I would normally look for the quickest place to get in and out for an in-between grocery trip, these prices and the pleasant interior are enough to coax me into full-size Publix rather than the corner pharmacy for milk.
Another thing I like about Publix is that they positively glorify the home cooked meal. I am the first to admit an unbecoming dependency on take out and convenience foods in a pinch, but Publix inspires me to aim higher whenever I can. Every Wednesday circular has an Apron's Simple Meals plan that includes shortcuts and tips, and they always plug the fact that you can feed a family of four for markedly less than cost of a restaurant meal. They have an excellent publication of Thrifty Tips.
I'll offer them one more compliment: This is the only grocery chain where I have never heard the cashier and bagger shuffling my bread and discussing when their shifts finally end.
It's a small thing, granted, but if skipping a latte every day can make you a millionaire in 30 years, maybe paying less for spaghetti sauce each week can buy you...a tank of gas one day. Either way, it's worth pointing out that you have options.
I am convinced that spaghetti sauce is one time saver that would cost more to make from scratch than to buy. It's readily available, inexpensive, and there are dozens of varieties to suit any taste. Since I use this product at least once a week as a base for a casserole or soup, over pasta, or as a sandwich/cheese stick dip, I figure it is worth it to get the best value.
Your first thought is probably the jar of sauce that is typical for the national brands whether Prego, Ragu, or a store brand. However, let me draw your attention to the lowly canned version, which is inevitably shelved below the jars. The can is 26 ounces just like the jars, only it costs almost $1 or so less than the jar versions.
It's not as if you're taking a risk by buying the canned version, since it's produced by the likes of Del Monte and Hunts, the same manufacturers who bring us so much of our ketchup. True, you can't portion it out and screw the lid back on as you can a jar, but that's what containers are for. Besides, there is rarely any left over to store. And if you've ever dropped a jar and broken it, you know how quickly your kitchen can go from being clean to looking like a crime scene in two seconds flat.
Give the can a try and consider your savings as a coupon you didn't have to clip.
September 7 - Make-Ahead Meals using your slow cooker and Dutch oven- September 14 - Always All Clad (sounds like a pitch for the cookware, but interesting nonetheless)
- September 21 - Comfort Foods such as upscale Macaroni & Cheese (will the kids notice upscale?)
- September 28 - Cocktail Mixology - for those planning holiday entertaining
- October 5 - Knife skills - chopping and slicing techniques as well as fancy cuts
- October 12 - Cookies & More -basic sugar cookie recipe and techniques for rolling, cutting, baking, decorating
- October 19 - Roasting - classic roasted chicken and how to carmelize roast vegetables
- October 26 - Fall Soups - from purees to chowders
You can see that many of these technique classes are perfect for BirminghamMoms and all are complimentary. Why not take advantage of such a convenient opportunity to learn something new? Contact the store at 205-970-4101 to reserve a spot.
Behold the most authentic deep-dish pizza you will find anywhere near the Heart of Dixie. This pizza is brought to us by two former Chicagoans, Carlos and Carol Vizcainos, whose signatue recipe includes herbs baked into the flaky crust. They do offer other menu items such as regular style pizza, but why bother? Their deep dish version is the best.
The Vizcainos are Cubs fans, a slight irony given their restaurant is just down the road from Hoover Met home of our Birmingham Barons (a farm team for the rival Chicago White Sox). For ages, Carlos optimistically displayed a cigar "to be smoked when the Cubs win the world series". Sadly, the cigar finally disintigrated - but I am bringing him a new one myself if the Cubs win. This year marks the 100th since the Cubs have won a World Series title.
Deep dish pizza being what it is, prepare to wait if you have a special order. However, the daily special always includes a sausage and pepperoni stuffed version that is baked fresh throughout the day. Tortuga's take-out is a great option for family night at home or for guests when you want something heartier than regular pizza delivery. Place your order 45 minutes in advance and you can pick up a partially baked pie to serve piping hot from your own oven. Tortuga's never fails to please my out-of-town guests and a slice is a gourmet meal to itself. (See the BirminhamMom take out listing.)
The original Hoover location on Hwy 150 fills up quickly on weekend evenings, and the atmosphere is pleasant but not an attraction in itself. Pick-up is your best option with kids who just can't wait, and leftover slices freeze very well. You'll cut wait time considerably if you order a daily special from the menu.
BirminghamMom Tip: If you dine in, your young children are likely to be brought small dough buns to play with at the table, a refreshing surprise for our generation accustomed to commercially produced, unnaturally colored dough you can do anything with except eat.
Tortuga's has two other locations with the same original recipes: Pelham off hwy 52 (with especially large dining room suited for team parties), and one off Hwy 280 in the Meadowlake Shopping Center. Visit Tortuga's Pizza for maps and contact info.
Forget Willy Wonka's proverbial Golden Ticket; all your sweet tooth needs is the new shop in Vestavia on Rocky Ridge, Serendipity Sweets. The kids will think they have hit the candy mother lode when they walk in the door to see:
Churned ice cream, yogurt, and sorbets - 36 flavors in all
Glass cases full of locally-made chocolates
A wall full of bulk candies
Bins of small toys - wind-ups, rubber duckies, novelty items, etc.
Classics - lollipops, stick candy, gumballs
Waffle cones are made fresh on site. There are no-sugar-added ice cream selections as well as smoothies with add-ins. Serendipity Sweets has premade buckets of toys and candy or you can build your own and have the staff complete the celophane wrapping and ribbons. (Cute idea: A coed painted her greek letters on a bucket and filled it with jelly beans in her sorority colors.) Bucket building parties start at $10 per person.
This shop has outdoor seating near a fountain in the newly renovated Rocky Ridge business district so the younger kids can get out and wiggle all they want (ice cream drips are also more manageable). Sandwiched between Cafe Iz and Leonardo's, it's also an ideal spot for dessert, and its proximity to Vestavia Hills High School makes it an easy stop after a game. Everyone in the family can be satisfied whether they want a double scoop of ice cream or just a tiny bite of something sweet.
BirminghamMom tip: Set a limit on number or allowance for the small toys before entering. With a limit established, you'll be able to enjoy the abundant selection and save something for the next visit.
Upromise has been mentioned previously as a way to put money aside for college when buying from vendors you would patronize anyway. It's time to update the list of participating restaurants that offer you two to four percent for your Upromise account when you dine with them and pay with a Upromise registered card. Unfortunately, some old favorites have left the program but there are some new participants that are just as exciting:
Dale's Southern Grill, Vestavia and Hoover - this is a good location for including grandparents; see the detailed description below.
Five Points Grill - Five Points Southside (that's their kids' menu pizza on the left)
Harry's Place - Hoover off Hwy 31
Cafe Ciao - Mountain Brook
Billy's Bar and Grill - Mountain Brook English Village
OT's Sports Grill - Lakeview District
Icon - Tutwiler Hotel downtown
Jackson's Bar and Bistro - Soho, Homewood
As a reminder, you must pay with a debit or credit card you have registered with Upromise (it can be your own bank card; it is not necessary to use a Upromise credit card) for credit. No further action is required of you and you'll receive an electronic statement of your Upromise balance at regular intervals.
If you're dining out anyway, why not favor these restaurants? You have so many options represented here: Burgers, meat and two, fine dining, working lunch. All offer you an opportunity to see a small amount of your dining purchase put away for college. It's easier than saving change in a jar!
While McDonald's claims "Billions Served" beneath its golden arches, most BirminghamMoms don't feel too far behind, serving dozens of meals and snacks over the course of a typical week. We can take a lesson from these big guys, who expect their patrons to gather their napkins and bus their own tables at the end of each meal.
One of the handiest ways I have found to serve finger foods like sandwiches, pizza, or popcorn is with these restaurant-quality baskets lined with a sheet of Kabinet Wax. Even the youngest child can place a liner in his or her basket with minimal assistance, and the baskets are sturdier than most paper plates. Other advantages:
Cheap! A 500-sheet box of cabinet wax is around $7 at Sam's; Baskets are less than $2 apiece at Bresco (see below)
Clean-up is a breeze - roll up crumbs in the paper and toss in the trash
Dessert? Just whip out another wax liner for the basket and start fresh, no ketchup blots to avoid
Baskets are dishwasher safe in top rack
Minimal cabinet space and less trash volume
The wax liners are also useful for serving on the go. On the practical side, the liners allow you to grab a food item and then pass it to another or enjoy it yourself without having to handle the food directly. You avoid sticky fingers and have a built-in crumb catcher.
Baskets are available in several colors and sizes at Bresco, a restaurant supplier on 6th Avenue South (Full Moon BBQ is next door; grab a half-moon cookie while you're there). I recommend the large size basket, priced at $1.40, because it accommodates bigger entrees like nachos and is easier to handle on your lap.
The cornerstone of a meal is the entree, and for most families, the main course includes meat. Mr. P's Deli in Bluff Park has a package that will give a BirminghamMom a head start.
The Mr. P's Monthly Meat Specials - currently meat for 30 meals for $99.99 - changes monthly but always include select cuts of beef, pork and chicken, and usually a fish selection as well. Incase you're skeptical, these are not thinly disguised slow sellers but premium choices that you would likely select at your own meat market. Mr. P's has been in business over 30 years and is a fixture in Bluff Park so you can be assured of the quality of your purchase.
A monthly meat special takes much of the work out of meal planning so you can focus on side dishes. Mr. P's has simple recipes and serving suggestions incase you don't already have a serving plan in mind, and the instructions read like what your grandmother would tell you in her own kitchen ("grill till the meat shrinks 1/2 inch off the bone").
If the man of the house is a grill meister, he may be eager to prove his skills with some of the cuts from this package. And the aforementioned recipes won't intimidate anyone who's handling dinner, be it Dad or teens. For example, the popular stuffed pork chop instructions are all of three sentences: "Preheat oven to 325. Wrap pork chops in foil or place in foil-covered casserole dish. Place in oven and bake one hour."
The deli also sells several original seasonings that complement the meat packages. If your kids eat adult-size portions, you will want to consider purchasing additional portions or even two packages. Call ahead (823-6136) and your meats will be packaged and ready for pick-up when you arrive. Mr. P's closes at 6 p.m.
