Tips

In The Sisters’ Kitchen By now you know that we love fresh food and we love to cook. We just can’t help ourselves and are always on the look out for exciting new products, cooking techniques or tricks to make our tasks a little easier.

We hope these ideas will help make your cooking go more smoothly and keep you exploring new flavors in the wonderful world of food. If you have a tip or recipe that you'd love to share please let us know. Email us at mary@mcginnis-sisters.com with your ideas.
Meat Tips

McGinnis Sisters proudly offers Plainville Farms Turkey products, the best name in turkey. With farms in the rolling hills of Central New York and Pennsylvania, Plainville Farms cares for its turkeys in an Animal Friendly environment and without the use of antibiotics. Plainville uses only the finest vegetarian feed free of any animal by-products.

All of Plainville Farms fresh meat products satisfy FDA standards for the use of "Heart" and USDA standards for the use of "Lite" on its labels. Plainville was the first and only company given permission by the USDA to use "Animal Friendly" on its labels. Plainville's turkeys run free on litter in naturally ventilated buildings, receive 30% more space than generally provided in the industry, and is certified by the American Humane Association for its humane growing of turkeys.

The McGinnis Sisters Plainville Turkey section is expanding and now offers turkey cutlets, turkey London broil, wings, thighs, and drumsticks. We also carry ground white turkey meat, boneless turkey roasts, and turkey patties. All are a delicious and easy way to enjoy the great taste of turkey throughout the year.

Start with careful preparation by brushing your cold grill with oil to prevent sticking. If you are going to marinate beef or chicken, using a one-gallon zip-lock plastic bag will cut your clean up time in half. Marinate 1 pound of meat or vegetables in 2 to 3 cups of marinade. Seal the bag or cover, be sure to remove as much air as possible. Place in refrigerator and turn occasionally.
 
Fill a plant mister with 7 parts water and 1 part vinegar; use to spray grill when flames flare up. Preheat gas grills at least 15 minutes; for charcoal grills, light at least 45 minutes before, and let burn to hot embers, coated with ash. Begin grilling when grill temperature stabilizes at 300 Fahrenheit.
 
For K-Bobs: grease flat, narrow metal skewers or soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. For small, delicate items such as fish, shrimp or asparagus use an oiled grill basket for easy turning. For long-cooking vegetables or fruits (such as potatoes, whole heads of garlic or apples) cut a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, oil well, fill with sliced vegetables or fruit and seasonings, drizzle with oil, seal and place on hot grill. Use long-handled tools and tongs-not forks-to turn meat to avoid piercing and releasing juices.

We proudly offer Parma Sausage Products, locally owned since 1954. Five generations have been producing the finest fresh sausages, cooked sausages, and dry-cured sausages, Prosciutto, and Pancetta found in the area. Each authentic Italian meat is made from family recipes that have been passed on from one generation to the next, right here in the Strip District of Pittsburgh.

Rina Edwards still makes Prosciutto the old-fashioned way. She takes her time and use the extra care and a commitment to the highest quality standards taught by her father Luigi Spinabelli. Rina’s family is originally forming Ranzano, a region of Parma, Italy.

Rina uses only select fresh hams, and monitors the Prosciutto from the first salting to the end of the long aging process. By never speeding up the aging process the result is an authentic old word taste. You can find Parma Prosciutto and other fine Parma products right on our deli. We slice each order fresh and to your specification.

We are so excited about Pollo Buono, our new Italian Heritage Chicken. Originally bred on a small Italian farm outside of Rome, the Pollo Buono is a composite of Italian heritage breeds. Just like the rest of our McGinnis Sisters Chicken, Pollo Buono is fed an all vegetarian diet free of hormones, growth stimulates and antibiotics.
Pollo Buono's savory flavor is the result of excellent breeding, strict standards and a naturally slow growing process. Pollo Buono has a natural proportion of white and dark meat with a thin, flavorful skin.   
 
McGinnis Sisters Pollo Buono chickens are raised in small flocks on family farms in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The chickens grow in open-side houses that provide plenty of natural light and more than double the growing space of industrial raised poultry flocks. Treat your self to this old fashioned preservative free heritage chicken.
 
 Find a Roast Pollo Buono recipe in our recipe section.

McGinnis Sisters Aged American Angus Whole Beef Tenderloin - The prized center section of the whole, trimmed tenderloin with the sirloin and tip ends removed. This center-cut section is of a single cut of beef that is perfect when you use Bonnie's No Fail recipe! Plan on about 1/2 lbs per guest.  

Not sure how long to cook those pork chops or how to grill that New York Strip to medium? Use our easy temperature guide to ensure your food is cooked safely.
 
First, make sure you have an instant read thermometer on hand. Many are even preprogrammed with the temperatures for each type of protein.
 
For Beef:
Rare 120 to 125°F. Center is bright red, pinkish toward the exterior portion
Medium Rare 130 to 135°F. Center is very pink, slightly brown toward the exterior portion
Medium 140 to 145°F. Center is light pink, outer portion is brown
Medium Well 150 to 155°F. Very little pink if any.
Well Done 160°F. Uniformly brown throughout.
Ground Beef should always reach 165°F.
 
Fish - 145 °F
Pork - 160 °F
Chicken Breasts - 165 °F
Whole Poultry - 165 °F
Egg Dishes - 160 °F

How do you build a better burger? Start with the very best ingredients. We have been making our own grinds since our store opened in 1946. Our father Elwood had very strict standards about the grinds and we have been following his recipe ever since. Unlike most stores, we do not receive large shipments of tubes containing meat that has already been ground. We use Elwood's original recipe to make our Special Ground Meat, Ground Meat made with Chuck, Sirloin, Round and our Beef Pork and Veal Blend. We make our Ground Beef from whole cuts of beef. This old fashioned method allows us to continue our commitment to quality and freshness.
 
For juicy burgers start with our Beef, Pork and Veal Blend (90% lean). If you are striving to eat more healthfully this year try using Ground Sirloin (98% lean) or Ground Chuck (92% lean).  Check out our recipes section of our web site for a variety of burgers that you can easily make at home.
 
Short on time? Then let us help! We make all of our burgers in house from scratch. Each burger starts with our freshly ground beef and is made by our Team Members, not made at some factory miles away.  No matter your taste we have the burger for you. We rotate our recipes each week so you never get bored but if there is a flavor you love, just call our meat department and we will be happy to make a special order for you.
 
All Natural Beef Burgers - All of our Beef Burgers start with our freshly ground beef, ground in our stores several times a day. Each is made from our all natural, hormone and antibiotic free American Angus. Our flavors include:
  • Classic American Burger
  • Black & Blue Burger - Freshly cracked black pepper and crumbled blue cheese
  • Greek Feta Burger
  • Bacon Cheddar Burger - Made with our own slab bacon
  • Montreal Steak Burger
  • Sweet Onion Burger
  • Monterey Jack Cheese Burger
  • American Mesquite Burger
  • Chili Cheese Burger
  • Cajun Blue Burger
All Natural Chicken and Turkey Burgers - Our Chicken and Turkey Burgers start with our Pennsylvania all natural chicken. Our chicken and turkey is hormone and antibiotic free and Turkey Burgers are made from turkey breasts.
  • Buffalo Chicken Burger
  • Classic Gourmet Turkey Burger
  • Turkey Artichoke Burger
  • Turkey Bacon Burger - Made with our own slab bacon
We also make sausage burgers from our Father Elwood's original recipe sausage. Look for our Hot Sausage and Sweet Italian Sausage burgers. 
 
Grill your burgers and temp to at least 155F on an instant read thermometer for beef and 165F for poultry. Server with our freshly baked hamburger buns and one of Mother Rosella's homemade salads!
Produce Tips

According to the Harvard School of Public Heath there is evidence that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The higher the average daily intake of fruits and vegetables, the lower the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Compared with those in the lowest category of fruit and vegetable intake (less than 1.5 servings a day), those who averaged 8 or more servings a day were 30% less likely to have had a heart attack or stroke.

Good choices are green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and mustard greens. Try cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale. Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit also make important contributions to your health.

Try to eat more fruits and vegetables. Aim for at least 5 -9 servings (4½ cups) a day. Choose a variety of different fruits and vegetables. It's easy to get into a rut when it comes to the food you eat. Break out and try a wider variety - include dark-green, leafy vegetables; yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables; cooked tomatoes; and citrus fruits.

Pennsylvania apple season is almost here!  Typically between twelve and seventeen varieties of apples are grown in Pennsylvania. We have been working with a few Pennsylvania orchards to source the very best local apples.
These orchards uses the Integrated Pest Management approach suggested by Penn State University to support sustainable farming. This method combines orchard monitoring, horticultural controls and judicious use of pesticides to produce the very best apples. This method has enjoyed success by using hand applied pheromone dispensers to disrupt mating of certain insects, eliminating the need for most sprays.
 
Our favorite apple is the Honeycrip which is known for being sweet, crunchy and juicy.

The daikon radish is popular in Asian dishes and is known in Japan for its versatility. Daikon has a similar feel to a large carrot and is available almost all year long.
Daikon has high water content and is rich in vitamin C and potassium. Daikon is also very now in calories which make it a great addition to your healthy diet. Daikon is a cleansing vegetable that also fortifies the liver and helps with digestion.
 
When served raw daikon is mildly pungent taste that is sweeter than traditional red radishes. Try serving daikon slices in a crudité platter or shaved on top of a fresh salad. The flavor mellows with cooking making diakon a great addition to vegetable soups or stir fry dishes.

McGinnis Sisters is pleased to announce our new partnership with Milestone Centers, Inc. We will be offering Milestone's hydroponic lettuce in our stores beginning in April. Grown fresh and cared for by Milestone's clients with behavioral health and intellectual challenges, this delicious lettuce helps Milestone clients achieve their best. Each head of lettuce is living and packaged with the bulb attached to ensure freshness.

You may be surprised to learn that McGinnis Sisters was the first retail supporter of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) and their Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign.  McGinnis Sisters signed on early to help promote the benefits of supporting local farms and local producers. We worked with PASA to help the organization better understand customer needs and questions surrounding local products. Since then the movement has received a lot of attention as families and individuals learn what makes a Pennsylvania strawberry or the home grown corn so special.

We have some amazing blueberries this weekend in a 2lb container! Not sure you can use 2lbs? Just freeze the rest for another day. Spread the berries on a tray or baking sheet to freeze individually. Then packed into containers as soon as they are frozen. Seal, label with the date and freeze. Wash the berries before you use them, don't wash before freezing.

We know that getting kids to eat healthy is hard, especially when it is easy to grab french fries or chicken nuggets in the drive thru.Next time you need a healthy snack try these fun ideas that both you and your child can feel good about.
GRAPES: Freeze them for a mouth-popping treat.This is also a great Halloween party snack called Frozen Eyeballs.
MONKEY TREATS: Cut a banana in half length-wise. Spread with peanut butter and a few mini-chocolate chips.
PEANUTBUTTER APPLES: Cut in wedges. Spread with thin coating of peanut butter.
BAKED APPLES: Core apple. Fill with brown sugar and raisins. Put in bowl. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Add small amount of apple juice or water. Cover with microwave safe lid. Microwave until soft.
ORANGE WHEELS: Peel. Cut across the orange to get “wheels.” Arrange on plate. Sprinkle with grated coconut.
FRUIT KABOBS: Alternate bite-sized fruit on toothpick or skewer. Strawberries, grapes and melon are good choices. Can include chunks of cheese.
FRUIT SALAD : Mix your choice of fresh or canned fruit together. Top with vanilla or fruit-flavored yogurt and a sprinkle of nuts or coconut.
FRUIT SMOOTHIE: Blend low-fat milk or yogurt with frozen fruit.
VEGGIE BAGELS: Grate or chop carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Spread bagel half with garden cream cheese or ranch dressing. Layer generously with veggies. Add sprinkle of grated cheese.
RAW VEGETABLES: Keep raw vegetables in water in the refrigerator along with light vegetable dip or ranch dressing. Have available for all to snack on while preparing supper.
ANTS ON A LOG: Fill celery with peanut butter or soft cheese spread and top with raisins.
CARROT AND PINEAPPLE SALAD: Drain 1 can crushed pineapple. Add 3 cups of grated carrots and ½ cup raisins. Stir in 1 cup vanilla yogurt and a few dashes of cinnamon. Top with grated coconut.

Honeycrisp apples are here!  Our brother Pat McGinnis is making a weekly trip to Gettysburg, PA to get our favorite fall apples.  Originally developed in Minnesota, Honeycrisp apples were created by crossing the Macoun and Honeygold apple varieties. Honeycrisp apples grow very well in Pennsylvania and we are so happy to have these sweet juicy apples in our home state. Honeycrisp apples are great for baking, go well in salads and make a great healthy snack. If you are trying to get your child to eat more healthfully, try packing a honeycrisp in their lunch.  Apple season doesn’t last long, so don’t miss it!

Butternut squash is in season right now and make a great addition to lunch and dinner.  Look for a squash that has no cracks or soft spots and is heavy for its size.  Butternut squash will keep for months in a cool, dry place, so pick out ones you like and store until ready to use. 
If making a recipe that calls for mashed squash, the easiest way to prepare it is to cut the squash in half vertically, and remove the seeds and fibers with a spoon. Place the halves, cut sides down, in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Add water to a depth of 1 inch, and bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until tender-when you can pierce the squash easily with a small knife.  Let the squash cool, then scoop the pulp out with a spoon, and mash the pulp with a potato masher.
 
Other Tips and Tricks: One pound uncooked butternut squash will yield about 1 cup mashed. When the recipe calls for chopped, peeled squash (uncooked) Cut the squash in half and remove its seeds and fibers with a spoon.Peel the squash with a vegetable peeler, cut it in cubes, and proceed with your recipe.

We love delicious and crisp summer salads. The following easy tips can help you make the perfect salad every meal.
 
  • Clean your salad greens with a brief soak in cold water. Swirl the leaves around to ensure any grit or sand is removed. Lift your greens gently out of the water and set aside. Rinse our the bowl and repeat until no grit is left.
  • Use a salad spinner to dry the greens. After a few spins, drain the bowl, even out the greens and spin again. Repeat until the leaves are dry and no water is left in the bowl of the spinner.
  • Make a homemade vinaigrette in a separate container until you find exactly the right balance of greens to vinaigrette. Be sure to pour just enough to lightly coat your greens. You can always add more later but no one likes an over dressed salad.
  • Toss the greens until evenly coated. Use large spoons or clean hands for easy tossing. Taste to ensure the seasoning is balanced and if so serve immediately.
Seafood Tips

Foley' Fresh Unsoaked Sea Scallops are a year round staple at McGinnis Sisters. Our sea scallops are from the Georges Bank off of the coast of Nova Scotia and have never been soaked in a brine or solution. Our Foley scallops are sugar sweet, naturally, with a firm texture unlike processed scallops which tend to be jelly-like and have a chemical aftertaste.

Many customers ask us the difference between our scallops and others they have seen marked as dry. Unfortunately “dry” scallops are soaked up to 8% of their body weight in brine or other solution. McGinnis Sisters sea scallops have never been soaked in brine or treated with chemicals. This natural treatment allows our scallops to maintain their sweet ocean taste. Our Foley scallops will caramelize perfectly for a stunning plate presentation.

Many people assume that all farm raised Atlantic salmon are the same quality and flavor. Foley's has "gone to school" on Atlantic salmon to provide the very highest quality, firmest textured, freshest and most flavorful Atlantic salmon produced anywhere.
 
Several major factors differentiate one farmed raised Atlantic salmon from another including gene pool, farming practices, harvest and travel time. Attention to detail at each step along the way, from the hatchery to the final shipping determines the overall quality and flavor of the salmon that we offer our customers.
 
In addition, Foley salmon farms test their salmon regularly at the parts per trillion levels for PCB's which is significantly higher than current government standards. Foley stands behind the healthfulness and quality of each fish.
 
Foley Fish also partners with farms who raise their fish with good husbandry. For example, all of our Foley Farmed Salmon is fed an all natural feed. Further, they cover their pens with polar twine tops to prevent fish escape. They feature underwater cameras to monitor feed and stop adding feed once the fish stop eating. They also allow pens to lay fallow and rotate pens as a farmer would his fields.

McGinnis Sisters is the exclusive provider of Foley Fish in Pittsburgh. Foley Fish buyers source their groundfish, like Captain’s Cod, from boats fishing on Georges Bank. The fishermen from this area describe the benefits of the Georges Bank as a habitat where the fish eat healthy and live clean.

The Georges Bank runs from the Northern tip of Cape Cod to the southern tip of Nova Scotia. The distance from shore make the waters of the Georges Bake exceptionally clean. Fish thrive in this pollutant free environment. Cod also thrives because the Georges Banks are very rich in nutrients. Two ocean currents converge at the banks providing Georges Bank fish with a superior diet. The relatively shallow water of this are allows the fish to better see and capture its foods. The end result is fish that are meaty and delicious to eat.

Unlike other companies who merely join associations, Foley Fish actively participates in fishery management with a representative on both the National Marine Fisheries Northeast Groundfish Advisory Panel and the Highly Migratory Species Panel. Foley's direct involvement in fishery management allows us to steer our customers to well managed, sustainable species. McGinnis Sisters is the exclusive retail provider of Foley Fish in Pittsburgh.

McGinnis Sisters Special Food Stores is expecting our first shipment of Nantucket Island Scallops the week of November 2nd.  These sugar sweet scallops are a seasonal delicacy not to be missed. These jewels of the ocean are so rich that 3-4oz per person is more than enough to satisfy the pallet.
We have just heard from Foley Fish of Boston...the Foley family has met with the Nantucket Island Harbor Master and their boat was licensed to harvest the maximum about of 5 bushels per day. 

Laughing Bird Caribbean White Shrimp has arrived at McGinnis Sisters! Laughing Bird Key off the coast of Belize was named after the Laughing Gull known to nest there. This remarkable, low-impact operation produces an extraordinary shrimp with a succulent texture and sweet taste.
Favored by environmentalists and seafood lovers alike, McGinnis Sisters is proud to introduce this pure, delicious shrimp you can trust. Laughing Bird Caribbean White Shrimp are best described as little shrimp with a BIG flavor. Laughing Bird shrimp is processed and chilled moments after harvest and never frozen. The shrimp are all natural - no hormones, antibiotics or preservatives.
 
The shrimp are hand peeled to ensure high quality and turn a deep and vibrant red when cooked.  Sustainability study funded by the World Wildlife Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization labeled the Bowen family’s operation, "the future of aquaculture." This inland, closed loop aquaculture system minimizes land and water use, leaving nearby coastlines and mangroves untouched.
 
This sustainable operation employs a Zero Water Exchange policy meaning pond water is recycled from cycle to cycle. Laughing Bird Caribbean White Shrimp are approved by Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program. 

Just like our beef, turkey and chicken burgers. Our seafood burgers are made right in our store from freshly ground Foley salmon, tuna and swordfish.
 
If you love grilling but want to lighten things up this summer try our Spinach & Feta Salmon Burger, our Lemon & Dill Salmon Burger, our Pineapple Swordfish Burger or our Gingery & Teriyaki Tuna Burger.
 
Looking for something more classic? No problem, just call ahead and our seafood team would be happy to make you seafood burgers without seasoning.

Do you need a little help selecting the right seafood for your family? Foley Fish has published the New England Sustainable Seafood Guide to showcase the health of the New England fishing stocks, the management measures in place to protect these stocks and the current growth of the biomass of stocks in New England waters.

This guide is by no means a comprehensive look at the oceans of the world but rather a snapshot of what is going on in New England where we source the majority of our seafood. Foley is helping to illuminate the good news about New England fisheries. Foley used the National Marine Fisheries Service for their information and vetted the guide with two leading fishery management scientists.

We encourage you to print the guide and share it with your friends. The guide is designed to be folded into a wallet sized pocket guide so you can bring it to the store on your next shopping trip. Foley Fish New England Sustainable Seafood Guide
Cheese Tips

Our Cheese Shoppe is very excited about Beemster cheese. We have five different types of Beemster, which come from the quiet canal lined pastures of North Holland. This remarkable landscape, located 20 feet below sea level, was reclaimed from the sea in the year 1612. In search of better pastures, Dutch farmers moved north and found a lagoon stretching out to the sea. Using dykes and 106 windmills, this area referred to in Dutch as a Polder, was drained and soon became inhabited by lucky dairy cows.

The lush pastures are filled with minerals and it is against the law to use any chemicals or pesticides. Can you imagine how rich the milk is, one taste of Beemster cheese and you will. Beemster Classic is aged 18 months and is a 'Royal cheese'. To achieve this honor and be served at Court, a cheese must be made for 100 years with no mistakes.

With so many sizes and options choosing a fresh mozzarella can be confusing. To keep it simple we like to use the ovaliene and bocconcini sizes in our dishes. Bocconcini means "mouthful" in Italian. These bite-sized morsels of fresh mozzarella are perfect for appetizers and salads. Our sister Bonnie likes to make a salad with bocconcini mozzarella, prosciutto, fresh figs and a drizzle of olive oil. Just tear the prosciutto and toss with the mozzarella and sliced figs. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top of the salad and serve.

Larger ovalene size mozzarella balls are perfect for a Caprese salad. To enjoy this restaurant favorite at home just slices a ball of mozzarella and layer it with freshly sliced tomato and fresh basil leaves. Drizzle the salads with a little extra virgin olive oil and good balsamic vinegar. Fresh mozzarella is best served at room temperature so that you can enjoy the full flavor of this delicious cheese.

New to our Adams Twp Cheese Shop - Raspberry BellaVitano. This premium cheese won Best New Cheese and Best American Cheese at the 2008 World Cheese Awards in Ireland. It is soaked in New Glarus Raspberry Tart Ale to bring out fruity notes.


Cheese is an investment in good taste and proper storage helps preserve the purity of its flavor. Plastic wrap, foil and other non porous materials suffocate and kill cheese, altering its flavor and accelerating spoilage.
Formaticum's two-ply Cheese Paper simulates the cave envireonment where cheese is traditionally aged. It allows the cheese to breathe while maintaining optimal humidity. Formaticum Cheese Paper is a small investment to keep your cheese fresher longer.
 
Here's how: Remove store wrap and put cheese in Formaticum Paper, placing the wrapped cheese in high humidity bin or a sealed container in your fridge. Use the enclosed adhesive labels to identify your cheese and ensure a proper wrap. Package contains 15 sheets of 11-14 cheese paper, enough to wrap 30 medium pieces of cheese for only $6.99. Now you can feel secure about your cheese investment and keep it optimally fresh so that each bite tastes as great as the day it was cut.

Use our fool proof method and think of your cheese plate as a clock.
 
Place the mildest cheese in the Noon position. Try Brie, Havarti, or Erin Gold. Next at Three o'clock stir things up a bit with Parrano or Champagne Cheddar. At Six o'clock start rockin' the platter with a two year old Black Diamond or Tillamook Cheddar, Manchego or Fontiago. Nine o'clock bring your platter full circle with Beemster Classic, award winning Sartori Gold or invite Old Brugge and see what happens.
 
Now the fun begins, fill in the gaps with honeyed nuts, fresh dates, dried fruit and fresh from the oven breads. Plan to purchase about 2oz of cheese per person.
 
Need more suggestions? Try our 12 Cheeses of Christmas.

Pleasant Ridge Reserve is an artisanal cheese made from the non-pasteurized milk of a single herd of Wisconsin cows fed and managed using natural, "old world" practices. Pleasant Ridge cows graze lush pastures from early spring through fall.  The resulting milk has better nutritional value and more varied and subtle flavors that are expressed in the delicate flavor profile of Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese.
 
United States Champion 2003 Pleasant Ridge Reserve has received numerous prestigious awards. Most notably, Best of Show at the 2005 American Cheese Society conference, an accolade it won for the second time, having been awarded Best of Show in 2001 as well. Additionally, Pleasant Ridge Reserve was named U.S. Best of show 2001 and 2005 Champion at the 2003 U.S Championship cheese contest. Pleasant Ridge Reserve is the only cheese to ever win both national competitions. Most recently Pleasant Ridge Reserve was awarded the 2007 Gallo Gold Medal Award for Best Artisanal Dairy Product.

Pleasant Ridge Reserve is an original cheese inspired by farmstead cheeses from the alpine provinces of southeastern France. The aging techniques we use were originally developed in the Middle Ages when cheeses similar to Pleasant Ridge Reserve were aged in limestone caves and washed frequently with a brine solution. Washing the rind keeps it free of unwanted microbes and produces a variety of pleasing flavors. Because of the time-consuming hand work involved this practice is rarely used today.

Green Mountain Gruyere is an excellent natural rind cheese made of whole unprocessed milk.  The Green Mountain Gruyere is an excellent grating cheeses and has a lovely flavor that stands well alone.
 
The Green Mountain Gruyere has been judged first in its class several times by the American Cheese Society.
All of Blythedale Farm's Cheeses are free from added animal enzymes and are made with a microbial rennet. Be assured that the cows who live at Blythedale Farm have a good home. They are cared for with love and respect and live in a clean, comfortable stable, with year round outdoor access. Their stress-free (and rBST-free, although law requires me to say that this makes no difference) lives create a milk with delicious flavor. 

The Jersey Blue is made in the style of Stilton. Unlike other blues which are generally made from skimmed milk, the whole, unpasteurized milk makes a dense, creamy curd with a delightful flavor, which is enhanced by the Roquefort mold. The American Cheese Society's annual cheese judging has judged Jersey Blue best in its class (Blue-Veined) and Reserve Grand Champion of the Entire Show!
 
To make Jersey Blue unique minimal salt is used which can hinder growth of blue flora but allows tremendous flavor development. Is often crumbly, but high butterfat content assures 'melt in your mouth' quality.

So what exactly is Crème Fraîche? After you milk the cows, set the fresh cream aside. Let the natural lactic bacteria take over — creating a thick, smooth, tart result known as crème fraîche.
When Bob Reese and Allison co-founded Vermont Butter & Cheese Company in 1984, their first product was Vermont Chèvre, the company’s signature goats’ milk cheese. Vermont Crème Fraîche, their first cows’ milk creation — and another perfect combination of modern technology and time-honored European methods — followed close on its heels.
 
A staple of French cuisine, Crème Fraîche is exquisitely rich, with the cultured, nutty flavor and creamy texture. Crème Fraîche will add a richness to sauces, stews, and soups. Mix with fresh ripe berries for a refreshing summer inspired dessert.  Or try this velvety Crème Fraîche and Chive Mashed Potatoes dish, a great compliment to any meal.

Brie cheese is a wonderful soft-ripened cow's milk cheese that is off-white or light grey in color. This creamy cheese is covered by a semi-soft white edible rind.
 
Fresh Brie should have a slightly acidic odor and a buttery, salty flavor. Double and triple cream Brie's are the most popular amount the imported Fresh Brie cheeses. In order for a cheese to be called triple cream the butterfat content must be at least 75%. Double cream cheese only needs to have a butterfat content of 60%. In general triple cream cheeses are going to be smoother, richer, and more complex with a texture closer to butter (which is 100% butterfat) than a double cream cheese. It is almost always worth the splurge for a triple cream Brie but when hosting a party, a double cream Brie will help your dollars stretch without sacrificing flavor.
 
Store Brie cheese in the refrigerator in the vegetable or high humidity drawer. When selecting Brie, always check the expiration date on the package to ensure the product won’t spoil within a few days. When you get home re-wrap your Brie tightly in wax paper and then in foil. We also suggest using the cheese papers sold in our cheese dept as they are created specifically to increase the life of your cheese. The cheese papers simulate a cheese cave right in your own refrigerator.
 
Brie is excellent served on its own with a variety of nuts, fresh and dried fruits, preserves, chutneys, crackers and breads. The rind of the cheese, although slightly bitter, is also edible. Brie can also be wrapped in puff pastry and baked for Brie en croute. Brie is also great in fondue, sauces, paté, on baked potatoes and in soups and sandwiches.
 
For Valentine's Day use our guide to Valentine's Day cheeses or ask our cheese specialists to select a cheese that will make your weekend special. Don't forget to remove your Brie from refrigerator at least 30 minutes prior to serving to experience this wonderful cheese the European way.
 

Our cheese monger Karen Novak is anxiously awaiting Beemster Graskaas cheese from Holland. This magnificent cheese comes in once a year and has to be pre-ordered in the winter. Each cheese shop that carries it can only receive an allotted number of wheels so you’ve got to get it while you can. This year we will received about 100lbs of Graskaas for all three of our stores.
 
Graskaas will be available at McGinnis Sisters in early June, but it won’t last long. Imagine the cows, eating hay in their barns all winter, anxiously awaiting the arrival of fresh spring grass. When spring rolls around, the barn door is opened to sunshine and rich green grass peeking through the snow. The voracious cows can’t wait to get a bite. The milk that evening is rich and golden from the fresh spring grass. The cows feed on the spring grass for a month or two and this is the only milk used in Graskaas Cheese. To get an idea of the excitement watch this Beemster Spring Video
 
The Beemster family of cheeses are produced in the Polder region of Holland. Once under sea level, the lush grasses are rich in minerals and flavors that are infused into each cheese. It is against the law in Holland to use chemicals or pesticides and each year the grass changes just as other crops do. Graskaas 2010 will taste a bit different than Graskaas 2009 to reflect the changes in the climate and grass each season. Once the milk is harvested Graskaas is made using techniques that date back to 1901, the cheese is then aged one month before released to the public.
Other Tips

To help you Go Green McGinnis Sisters proudly offers American made reusable bag. We offer two types of American made reusable bags. The cotton bag is made from 100% natural, unbleached cotton and can hold 40 pounds. We also offer an EcoSpun bag that is made from 100% recycled soda bottles. Five two liter soda bottles make each bag keeping these materials out of land fills.

Ask your cashier where to find your reusable grocery bag. McGinnis Sisters is proud to improve the environment and also the economy with these American made bags.

McGinnis Sisters proudly offers Brunton Dairy products. Brunton Dairy is a family farm located in Independence Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Seven generations work together to provide great tasting milk and what most people agree is the best tasting chocolate milk anywhere! All the Brunton Dairy milk is bottled in half gallon glass bottles right on the farm. Brunton does not use supplemental hormones and are committed to providing a wholesome product for the community.

Milk is packed with nutrients such as calcium, protein, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin B-12, riboflavin, phosphorus, niacin, and vitamin A. These are critical to good health and the prevention of chronic disease. 3 - 8oz. glasses can supply most adults with the daily requirement for calcium, which supports strong bones and teeth.

Milk needs to be stored at a temperature of 38 to 40 degrees. Your refrigerator may "feel cold", but proper temperature is important. Remember to protect milk from sunlight. Ultraviolet rays will alter the taste.

Bob’s Red Mill offers a wide variety of whole grain products including whole grain flower, hot cereal and baking mixes to make incorporating whole grains into your diet easier. Bob’s Red Mill is the nation’s leader in stone milling and offers the widest diversity of whole grains found anywhere.

For those suffering from Celiac disease Bob’s Red Mill has become a leader in producing high quality Gluten Free products. McGinnis Sisters is a leader among those offering Gluten Free products. In 2001 we started carrying Gluten Free essential and hosting classes and informational sessions. Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods creates several of our favorite Gluten Free products including brownie and bread mixes.

Be sure to check for the Gluten Free symbol on all certified gluten free products. This symbol informs those following a gluten free diet that the product is produced in a dedicated facility free from wheat and other gluten-containing grains or derivatives.

The Stonewall Kitchen dream began 17 years ago with a few jams displayed on a three foot card table at a farmers market in Maine. Since then this dynamic company has been driven by a passion for food and a knack for creativity.
 
In 2004 we visited Jonathan King and James Scoot in Maine for a full tour of the Stonewall Kitchen facilities. We were among the lucky few who have ever gotten a rare behind the scenes look into their word of jellies, jams, sauces and mixes. We spent time in the company stores, the factory, and the test kitchen to get an up-close look at this award winning line. After dinner at their home we could not agree more that life with Stonewall Kitchen is always delicious.

Ina Garten has been one of our Food Network favorites since 2002 when she started her own show Barefoot Contessa. The show was named after her East Hamptons store of the same name.
McGinnis Sisters was the first store in Pittsburgh to sell Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Pantry line of products. These delicious products allow you to make Ina’s classic recipes in no time at all. What could be better than creating that East Hampton feeling right at home?

For its April coffee cupping, Coffeereview.com recently evaluated an array of coffees from Papua New Guinea and awarded Counter Culture's Kuta the top score with an outstanding 93 points!

Reviewers noted Kuta's "quietly vibrant acidity, smooth mouthfeel, continued gentle richness, with a flavor complex that combines lush night flowers with a sweet pungency." Available at our Adams Township location

We think it’s time for more clarity, directness, and peace of mind. The Counter Culture Direct Trade program guarantees 100% compliant with the following standards: Personal & Direct Communication - Counter Culture has visited grower partners on a biennial basis, at minimum.  Fair & Sustainable Prices - Counter Culture has paid at least $1.60/lb. for green coffee. This exceeds the Fair Trade Certified floor price by at least 19%, not including quality-based financial incentives paid to growers.  Exceptional Quality - Coffees have scored at least 85 on a 100-pt. cup quality scale. Simply put the best coffee around from berry to brew.

How about this for an idea. A bottle that doesn't harm the environment. A bottle that comes fully equipped with a 360 degree recycling program, so the bottle doesn't end up in landfill. A bottle that's made from natural plants not petroleum, so it doesn't leach petro chemicals or biosphenal A into the water.
 
A bottle that's made from plants that are annually renewable. A bottle that is biodegradable in a commercial compost in 80 days. A bottle that burns clean with no carbon emission. A bottle that just might allow you to quench your thirst and their desire to help the environment? A bottle made from a NatureWorks biopolymer--the world's first polymer that shows a significant reduction in greenhouse gasses--known as Ingeo™. Ingeo™ is derived from 100% renewable resources. A bottle that, very simply, makes going green easy.
 
That is what you have with Green Planet water. Available now at all McGinnis Sisters locations.

McGinnis Sisters is a proud supporter of the 3/50 Project.  Cinda Baxter started this very simple concept on her blog AlwaysUpward.com.
 
Simply put, spend $100 locally, and $68 of it returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. Spend the same amount at a national chain and only $43 stays within the community. Spend that online, and nothing comes home. So each month pick three independent businesses you'd hate to see disappear, spend $50 per month and save your local economy. For more information visit www.the350project.net

Even though we have more options and choices for healthy living, heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the United States.  A recent study by the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association found that less than one-third of Americans follow a heart-healthy diet and that 70% of those interviewed felt they are setting a bad example for their children.

It is important to eat a varied and balanced diet full of healthy foods.  Most habits formed during childhood and our habits don't change much as we age. Research shows that educating children about healthy habits will help them be successful later in life.

Here are some heart healthy tips that can benefit your family:
  • High Fat diets are not good, but don't pass up healthy fats.  Nuts, seeds, fish and olive oils are an important source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and cod contain high levels of Omega-3 fats, which are known to reduce triglycerides in the blood.
  • Walnuts, flax seeds, flaxseed oil and almonds in their correct portions also contain heart healthy fats, which can help reduce LDL cholesterol. Flax seeds do not keep long so buy a small amount and try to use each day. Grind flax seeds and sprinkle on cereal or yogurt.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens.
  • Be mindful of added sodium and sugars.  Be sure to read labels so that afternoon snack does not add sodium and sugar into your diet.
  • Tomatoes, onions and cranberries are great choices because they contain antioxidants and other bioactive compounds associated with a healthy heart.
  • Add more Seafood to your diet each week.
  • Try to have one Meat Free or Animal Free day each week.
  • Avoid saturated fats and trans fats that can be found in some plant products including palm oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter.

For more heart-healthy information visit the American Heart Association at www.Americanheart.org 


Better Batter Gluten Free Flour is the brainchild of Naomi Poe, and quite literally an answer to prayer. In 2003, after a year and a half of unsuccessful therapies for developmental and speech delays commonly associated with autism, Naomi asked her doctor, in desperation, if there was something she was missing. Naomi’s doctor suggested that perhaps gluten was behind her oldest son’s autistic symptoms. Testing revealed that he was suffering from gluten enteropathy. Six weeks on the diet were enough to cause an 180 degree improvement in her son, so much so that he was taken off of the ’spectrum’ for autistic behavior.

Feeding her family of four on a Glueten Free diet, Naomi began to look for better tasting and easy to use Gluten Free mixes.  Finally, Naomi came up with a formula for a Gluten Free Flour that could be used in traditional recipes and Better Batter was born! Find great tasting recipes at www.betterbatter.org

By following a few simple tips you can transform healthy food choices into even greater nutritional superstars.

*Steam or blanch fresh vegetables instead of boiling them to prevent leaching out water-soluble nutrients like vitamins B and C.
*Fresh is always best, but when you are pressed for time frozen vegetables to the trick.
*Peels on fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals and are a natural barrier against nutrient loss. Whenever possible, keep the peel on.
*Make snacking healthy with dried fruits. Some dried fruits such as raisins, prunes, apricots and cranberries contain even more disease-preventing antioxidants than their fresh fruit counterparts
*Your body needs fat to absorb fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Low fat cheese, nuts, seeds or avocado, or a little olive oil are healthy fats to choose.
*If you crush garlic cloves 10 minutes before using them, you will activate and preserve garlic’s heart protective compounds.
*When tomatoes, apples or lemons are cooked in iron cookware, you can add energy-boosting iron to these acidic foods. You can also increase the iron you absorb from plant-based foods by eating them with vitamin C rich foods such as orange juice, strawberries and sweet peppers.
*Cut fruit into large pieces and cook as soon as possible to decrease exposure to nutrient-leaching oxygen and light. Season your food with herbs and spices instead of salt to lower your sodium intake.
*Cancer-causing compounds form when fatty meat is cooked at high temperatures, such as grilling over an open flame. Healthier options include oven roasting, stewing, poaching and boiling. If you do grill meat, remove visible fat, cut away charred or burned areas or marinate to form a protective barrier.
*Drink lots of water. Your body needs at least eight glasses a day, and if you exercise vigorously, you may need more. To remind yourself, carry a water bottle along and keep it handy throughout the day.

Several years ago, Kathie Williamson discovered that her son Colin had a severe peanut and tree nut allergy. After years of bearing the arduous task of reading every food product label and making sure every relative and family friend had “safe” snacks for Colin to eat, Kathie decided to start making her own nut-free chocolate covered treats.
 
From that day forward, Colin had his own special chocolate snacks that he knew were safe, and allowed him and the people around him to enjoy chocolate, worry free. Today those peanut and tree nut free chocolate treats are still made by Kathie and her family under the name We’re Not Nutz. We’re Not Nutz, located in Cranberry Township, works to bring the finest quality peanut and tree nut allergen free chocolate covered treats to those that need them, and to those who just want great chocolate alike. We’re Not Nutz donates 5% of net profits to organizations that support food allergy awareness.
 
Find this great chocolate at each of our three locations!
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