ShopEasy with Barb

I feel extremely fortunate for your loyalty and patronage this past year! As we approach Thanksgiving, I'd like to pass on my gratitude and ask for your assistance to help those who are struggling. For the month of November, I'm hosting a virtual food drive: When you place an order, please tell me if you would like to add either particular items or a dollar amount to donate to the food drive. I'll match each donation and, to thank you for your efforts, credit you $10 towards your shopping fee. At the end of the month, I'll deliver all of our donations to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. I hope you'll join me to help others!

Back from vacation and so excited to see all the great seasonal items at Trader Joe’s! Can you say “pumpkin”??

Mums the word!! To freshen your curb appeal for fall, consider picking up a few of these lovelies for your front steps, walkway, garden, entryway, etc. These beauties are from SHOP ‘n SAVE and are two for $10 right now.

Who doesn’t love corn on the cob! It’s plentiful in the grocery stores and at the farmers markets right now and if you have a microwave you can enjoy this fresh, sweet, crisp taste of summer in no time at all.

To microwave corn, keep them in their husks. Limit batches to no more than four ears at a time for the best results. For one or two ears, microwave 2 to 6 minutes; for three or four ears, microwave 3 to 8 minutes. You might need to adjust the time based on the size of the ears, size if your microwave, and your own preferences (crisp vs. mushy) . Once you remove them from the oven, let the ears sit and cool slightly (they’ll be very hot on the inside). Then, simply grab the top of the husks, silk and all, and pull downward quickly. You’ll appreciate how easily the husks come off.

At this point you can either top with butter, salt, and pepper or your own favorite toppings, or roast the cobs on the grill for a couple minutes. You can also use a knife to cut the kernels off the cob for use in salads and other dishes.

Enjoy!