Make Gourmet-Tasting Meals From the 99 Cent Store

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:13:31 -0700

With the economy in a bit of a downturn, eating like a gourmet foodie can seem a bit extravagant. Cooking a three-course meal for your entire family while on a budget can seem downright difficult. Yet Christiane Jory, author of The 99 Cent Only Stores Cookbook, believes you can do it easily by shopping at dollar stores. And before you start rolling your eyes - I know you're doing it because I did - I should mention that the book actually contains recipes for things that sound delicious. I mean, what about gruyere beignets, salmon souffle and Pinot Noir poached pear tarts doesn't sound good?

I first heard about this book on NPR - you can listen to the whole story online - and thought it was absolutely fascinating. While I don't think I could eat this way completely - sorry folks, I've become a fresh fruit and veggie snob - I do think it's fantastic to show people how to create good tasting food on the cheap. And besides, with the economy the way it is, this book might end up as a must-have for all of us!

So what about you? Do you think you could make gourmet-tasting meals from the 99 cent store?

Find a Golden Ticket and See Paula, Randy and Simon

YumSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:01:52 -0800

Have you ever actually seen a real life Wonka Bar? I have, but oddly enough, only at 99 cent stores and random convenience stores across America. The last time I saw one I decided to give it a try and while it wasn't half-bad, it wasn't what I was expecting. I thought it would be a pure chocolate bar (just like the movie), but instead it's a chocolate bar with graham cracker bits on the inside. The crackers give it a nice texture, but the chocolate is a bit waxy.

Now, you might be asking, why on earth am I talking about Wonka Bars and what does it have to do with American Idol? Well, just like the movie, the Wonka company is giving away five golden tickets! Only instead of winning a trip to see the world's most amazing chocolate factory, the winners will receive two tickets to the Season 6 American Idol Finale. Which, I guess is pretty cool for a free trip, but will there be an entire river of chocolate? I doubt it...

Either way, if you're into Idol and you know where to find these elusive bars (my guess is the ones at the 99 cent stores will be older than this contest), then you may want to hustle on out and get as many as you can. Good luck! Oh and if you win, don't forget who told you about this contest, okay? After all, it says you get TWO tickets.

Source: Sugar Savvy