Gearing up for some summer fun festivities for the 4th of July weekend and food as always plays a big role in the festivities. Overnight guests require a breakfast plan and we have an easy solution with our Sausage and Ricotta Frittata recipe. Our “Chef” Ryan  video shows how easy the prep is. Bring on the dogs for a fun take on lunch, how about a hot dog bar with a variety of different hot dog options such as a Sweet Chili Thai Peanut Hot Dog There are more fun hot dog suggestions from The Noble Pig. Pulled Pork for sandwiches is easy to prepare ahead of time, serve on some fresh rolls with some cole slaw for a taste good easy meal. If you’re looking for something easier on that consider our fully-cooked pulled pork from our Deli, just heat and eat! Our family style salads, sides catering offer … Continue reading

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One of the great things about good food is that it can bring the whole family together not only eating it, but also making it! There is a great deal of discussion about childhood obesity associated with soft drinks and snacking at home yet over 32 percent of American’ Caloric intake is food prepared away from home and accounting for 41 percent of their food budget. Until we get back in the kitchen and begin preparing meals and snacks with fresh ingredients we will not solve the problem of childhood obesity. Cooking together will teach our children essential skills for life and it’s a terrific way to spend some quality time together as a family and is far easier on the budget than eating out. What better meal to celebrate the beginning of warm weather than grilling kabobs with everyone participating in preparation, assembly and cooking. The meat used in … Continue reading

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Since it seems we will be spending Saturday in the house thanks to snow, rain, and wind and whatever else Mother Nature throws at us, why not do some cooking and snuggle in to watch the Kentucky Derby and some flicks. Time to think about what that menu should look like! We do so many recipes with Buffalo flavor we went searching trends and experimenting for a new take on wings and determined that Jerk Seasoned Wings were the winning flavor. This recipe has the wings marinate in a lovely spicy sauce that infuses some wonderful flavors into the wings. This Jerk Chicken Wing recipe is for 3 lbs. but you may want to double the recipe because these chicken wings are addicting! Serve up some Red Stripe and at least mentally transport yourself to the warmer climate of Jamaica.     We’re going to suggest that you keep this … Continue reading

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Is there anyone who isn’t suffering from Cabin Fever after these long months of snow & cold? Hopefully the weather forecast is correct for the weekend – 70+ degrees by Sunday! The arrival of spring calls for a celebration with some great food and beverage, perhaps even a bonfire with s’mores! If your schedule is packed, perhaps you should have your groceries delivered! One thing for certain is that the grill is coming out this weekend. A Rib Eye Steak Topped with Blue Cheese Butter seems like a perfect way to kick off the grilling season.   No gathering should ever be without Guacamole (at least in our opinion) and we prefer the chunky kind. You can toss together at the last minute before your guests arrive and it won’t be long before the bowl is empty – always a hit!   A Caprese salad with vine-on tomatoes and fresh basil will … Continue reading

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The fresh Halibut season has begun in the US and the fillets have been awesome! One of our favorite recipes for Hallibut is Fish Tacos with Chunky Guacamole. This recipe also works well for Shrimp Tacos, use some shredded Spanish Manchego Cheese for a lovely combination with the shrimp. Guacamole is also a healthy snack that takes very little time to prepare, we have Guacamole at our house at least once per week. Guacamole is a lovely side to so many dishes. Another fabulous recipe for Halibut is Roasted Halibut with Red Bell Peppers, ask our butchers to remove the skin on the Halibut for you to save time. Click on the photo below for the recipe.   Source: eatingwell.com via Festival on Pinterest   Nothing says spring like a delicious dish made with Asparagus! We found this recipe for Absurdly Addictive Asparagus on Food52.com and fell in love, let … Continue reading

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Our Premium Quality Double Smoked Bone-In Ham has been a holiday tradition for many families. Our ham is twice smoked over hard wood, it is fully cooked so you may simply bake covered with foil or lid at 325 degrees for approximately 15 minutes per pound to an internal temperature of 140 degrees. This video featuring Festival team members Ray and Jason explains the advantages of purchasing and serving a premium quality ham. If you prefer a glaze on your holiday ham this is a fabulous recipe for Cranberry Maple Glazed Ham. I recently saw this recipe in Bon Appétit magazine for Easter Ham with Golden Breadcrumbs and Madeira Sauce and it sounds delicious so I plan to prepare this for our holiday dinner. Regardless of the recipe you choose for your ham, the perfect accompaniment is our Cheesy Potatoes, all you need to do is pop them in the oven! Leftover ham from your dinner … Continue reading

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A fine stew seems appropriate for this time of year! Even more so a Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika, a recipe from The Pioneer Woman. Made even better by our lean stew meat, well-trimmed by our expert butchers.   Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Festival on Pinterest   Irish Soda Bread  – Handmade from scratch and fresh out of the ovens at Taste of Scandinavia. A heavier bread with currants that can be served at room temperature or toasted with butter,  a heavenly bread eating experience! Some lovely Kerrygold Reserve Cheddar, one of our favorites,  comes only from the finest milk of Ireland’s grass-fed cows. If you’re not a fan for Corned Beef and Cabbage, perhaps a Rueben Sandwich is what this celebration calls for! Try this crockpot Corned Beef and Awesome Rueben Sandwich recipe. Corned Beef not a favorite? Try this fine Irish Beef Stew (don’t forget the Guiness)!

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Well we might not be invited but there’s no reason we can’t have our own fabulous “Governor’s Ball”. The menu by Wolfgang Puck for the 2013 Governor’s Ball is somewhat intimidating but there is no reason we can’t whip up some pretty fine fare in our own homes to watch the Academy Awards in fine-tasting style with friends. Rather than their shrimp fritters for an appetizer try our recipe for Beer-Battered Coconut Shrimp with a lovely light batter.   These Italian Sliders would really spice up the evening and make quite an impression, made with our very own fresh Italian sausage -made right in the store. Always on our table when entertaining is Chunky Guacamole and now a new favorite on our table is a Black Bean Dip, a spicy warm delight.   Buffalo flavor something is always on the table as well. For something new pick up some of … Continue reading

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Valentine’s Day is one of our favorite holidays at Festival Foods and it will be here before you know it! Step into our stores and you’ll be swept away by the festive atmosphere of our floral and gift departments and wowed by the selection of especially delicious products throughout the rest of the store to make Valentine’s Day perfect – without reservations! Love is in the air when you serve a breakfast of French Toast made very special by using our Taste of Scandinavia Chunky Cinnamon Bread. Surprise your Valentine with a side of heart shaped bacon, easy to make just cut and shape the bacon and bake it in the oven. Garnish the plate with a Chocolate Dipped Long Stemmed Strawberry for the finishing touch! If a romantic dinner is more to your liking let’s begin with the appetizers; we have some spectacular Maine Lobster Claws, already cooked  that … Continue reading

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Food is an important part of celebrations throughout the world, regardless of culture. The next several days have many celebrations so we’ve been sorting through recipes to share with you that you and your family might prepare together to recognize these traditional festivities. The Chinese New Year begins on February 10 – The Year of the Snake. Kung Pao Chicken with Noodles is one of our favorite chicken recipes and seems perfect for a Sunday meal with your family. The peppers create some lovely heat and the crunch of the peanuts really makes the dish. Another recipe with some heat from crushed red pepper is Chicken with Cashews, my favorite ingredient in this recipe is the fragrant fresh Ginger! Just because we’re not in New Orleans doesn’t mean we don’t love the food and festivities of Mardi Gras! Our favorite restaurant is Commander’s Palace and the House Salad with Creole … Continue reading

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