Gingerbread Spice Pancake Mix (ALDI)

I’m a savory type of guy when it comes to my breakfast.  Black coffee, bacon, eggs, roasted potatoes, sausage, and all that kind of stuff.  I don’t even own a waffle iron, simply because I wouldn’t ever use the damn thing.  So, as I was standing in front of pancake mixes at ALDI, I found myself contemplating if I would ever actually make these.  They might just sit on my cabinet shelf, collecting dust like that brain cupcake mix I was convinced I was going to make for Halloween.  However, this pancake mix was a little different.  It sang a siren’s song of ginger spice, and I knew I was going to break my savory breakfast regiment.  Sweet was going to take the place of savory for a few days and I was actually looking forward to it.  Here’s how it all went down:

The morning after my purchase of this holiday pancake mix, I dusted off my measuring cups and broke out a few ingredients that are rarely seen in my kitchen.  Powdered sugar was purchased, and would undoubtedly waste away in my cupboard after this early morning experiment was over.  An egg was cracked and slightly beaten, much like my pride after realizing that I was about to make pancakes for breakfast.  A cup of mix was measured out and placed in a bowl.  Then the beaten egg, a 2/3 cup of milk, and a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil were added and mixed to a point where there was still small clumps of mix remaining.  I greased a pan with butter and poured five circles in an attempt to construct a gingerbread man (looking at the pictures, I could use a little more practice on that).  The bottoms of the pancakes began to solidify and the edges were starting to round.  I made my first flip, successfully keeping all of the extremities intact.  After a couple more minutes, the gingerbread thing was finished and I tossed it on a plate and dressed it with brown sugar and cinnamon butter and powdered sugar.

My fork cut through the right arm of the gingerbread man pancake and to give it a taste.  With my fork on a collision course with my mouth, I paused for a second to prepare myself for the sweet shock that my body may not quite be ready for this early in the morning.  Gaining confidence, I loaded the sweet breakfast item into my mouth.  I expected a bit of twitching as it touched down on my tongue, however my mouth rejoiced this change.  There was a slight ginger flavor and the butter and powdered sugar made for some great additions.  I don’t know why I was evading starting out my mornings with sweets.

I could see myself sprinkling in a few more mornings that begin with sweets.  It would help to break the monotony of my daily ritual, and give that powdered sugar a few more uses.  FORK, it looks like I may just have to invest in that waffle iron after all.

Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee. (Aldi)

Typically, I like my coffee black, so these iced coffee beverages just don’t do it for me.  However, when I see something don the pumpkin spice label, I have to check it out.  Aldi’s coffee label, Beaumont Coffee, makes these super affordable java beverages at about 1/2 the cost of a Starbucks counterpart.  This deliciously spiced beverage is wonderful over ice and at $1.19 in an incredible FORKing deal.  So, if you’re ever in need of a quick caffeine kick, forget the high priced labels and go for this pleasant pumpkin product.

Benton’s Pumpkin Spice Cookies (ALDI)

$2.49

Most of my pumpkin provisions tend to come from Trader Joe’s, however just about any grocer will come up with any seasonal item that keeps shoppers on the edge of their carts.  It’s only fitting that TJ’s sister shop is, also, one of the leaders in this category as well.  ALDI has been cranking out inspired seasonal fare at a rate that can compete with their sibling, sometimes offering the same products at a cheaper rate.  There are times when you’ll even see the same products of with a different box lining each of their shelves.  There will be some subtle differences in the two products, ranging from ingredient tweaking to sizes of packaging.  ALDI tends to have the better prices and Trader Joe’s the better ingredients.  On a recent visit to ALDI, I was staking out some pumpkin products when I noticed a soft pumpkin spice cookie from Benton’s (ALDI’s cookie supplier).  It looked strangely familiar and not at the same time.  Turns out that Trader Joe’s offers a similar eggnog cookie around Christmas time that can only be made by the same company, Benton’s, which TJ’s private labels.  Remembering how delicious that one was, I had to pick up this Pumpkin Spice Cookie from ALDI just to see how it stacked up.  Here’s what I thought:

perfect for parties

Benton’s doesn’t really get too creative with their packaging, and justly so, as their products are quite a bit cheaper than just about anything you can find on the market.  These soft, chewy cookies only ran $2.49 which is quite a deal as I would only expect to spend almost twice that at a major grocery store.  I tore into the package and was greeted by four lines of six soft cookies.  I snagged the first one out of its row and promptly bit into the cookie.  It was exactly what I said it was, and was full of pumpkin spice flavor.  Before I began sampling this product, I had told myself that I would only eat the one.  This wasn’t going to happen and I began gorging myself into the whole row finishing off every last one in line like a firing squad.  I couldn’t help it.  They were damn good and looked so tasty with their slight drizzle of white icing decorating each one.  With a row depleted, I regained my strength and shoved the rest of the delightful cookies back into their box, carefully sealing it so they wouldn’t dry out.  This was a relapse in willpower that will surely return the next time I open this box. I highly suggest going out to your local ALDI and snagging a few boxes of these as they are bound to sell out at some point in the season.  If you wait too long and get there and they’re sold out, FORK U.  I gave you a heads up

Mediterranean Greek Yogurt Dip (Trader Joe’s)

Only $2.99

Time and time again I find myself rushed, on my way to a party, and Trader Joe’s is there to save my ass without breaking my budget.  On a Sunday evening I darted into the ever so popular grocery store to pick up some delicious snack so I wouldn’t arrive empty handed.  I perused the section of fresh dips and salsas ready to snag a solid favorite from their arsenal when a new item highlighted with an orange tag drew me in.  I snagged the Mediterranean Greek Yogurt Dip and a bag of Reduced Guilt Pita Chips, and hustled to the registers to check out.  Armed with my snack, I arrived at my destination ready to please my host and their guests.  Here’s how it went:

I decided to present this on a plate and in a dish, but the manner in which the dip is packaged allows for you to just pop it open and serve as the Za’atar spice is resting on top.  I laid down plate, taking the first dip myself.  It was thick and creamy with small chunks of feta mounted on my chip.  I popped it in my mouth and let my tongue do the investigation.  The tangy flavor of greek yogurt combines with the acid of lemon juice highlighted by salty notes from feta cheese.  The Za’atar spice provided the finish adding a savory sesame kick.  This dip was incredibly popular and extremely addictive.  It took all of my willpower to not hover over it, hoarding it from the rest of the guests.  In all honesty, I found myself returning frequently, consuming half the dip on my own.  I even plunged my finger into the crevices of the dish, removing all of the dip, and finished off what was left.

So, you need something quick to take to that party full of hungry guests.  Here’s what the FORK U do:  1.Go to TJ’s and pick up this dip.  2.Find something to dip into it (celery and broccoli for you health nuts)  3.Impress everyone there and look like a rock star.  4.Go home with that cute guy/girl you’ve been staring a hole through all night.

Pumpkin Spice Rooibos (Trader Joe’s)

Autumn is really starting to rear it’s nasty head and temperatures have sharply dropped.  Stepping outside alarmed me to that fact as the skies were blanketed with a grey mass of condensation.  Luckily I had something in the pantry to warm this depressing weather away.  Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Rooibos was awaiting my return ready to warm my soul.

As if the world of everthing pumpkin hasn’t quite infiltrated enough of the culinary landscape, a tea of that nature rested on the shelves at TJ’s peacocking its beautiful tin canister among the cardboard containers sitting at its sides.  At $3.99 it’s not quite a bargain buy, but the re-usable tin and quality craftsmanship on this tea makes it well worth the extra scratch.  With flavors of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg packed in a pyramid shaped sachet it brings out everything that we love about the season and is a great way to shake a gloomy day.  I highly suggest picking up this product as you’ll find yourself retreating to your cabinets to pluck a pack, battling to keep the FORKing chilly weather at bay.