Has anyone else noticed substantial shrinkage at the grocery store lately?
I know it started several years ago when suddenly a pound of coffee was really weighing in at 11 ounces. Remember that?
Then sugar got into the show. I used to buy a five pound bag of sugar; you too? Then my local grocery store began offering sugar in a plastic, resealable container, which I thought was a great improvement over those paper bags that leaked sugar crystals all over the cupboard. The only difference in the two; bag versus container was the weight, 5 pound bag vs 4 pound container, same price mind you.
Hmmm.. shrinkage.
The next shrinkage I noticed was far more subtle than a conspicuous unit of weight. The culprit: Toilet Paper.
Has anyone noticed that the actual cardboard roll is getting bigger and the paper surrounding it is getting less? Anyone? TBHITW insists that the manufacturer is rolling the paper less tightly too. Insidious bastards.
Just yesterday I noticed the latest shrinkage. Graham Crackers. Yes, good old graham crackers; base for every cheesecake in America, necessary component of the ever popular summertime S'More treat, baby's first cookie... smaller. Just a tad narrower. Just a bit. What next? Teddy Grahams with one leg and one arm? The horror, the horror!!
Do these manufacturers take us for morons? Do they think we won't notice?
Has anyone else suffered shrinkage lately?
Unlike the above mentioned products, cauliflower (in my neck of the woods) is still big, beautiful and rightly priced. To me, it is like a great big white board - just waiting for embellishment. Herewith my great big, non-shrinking cauliflower; sure to get a wow when you set it on the table and sure to give you a feeling of abundance.
Spicy Honey-Roasted Cauliflower* (serves 5)
1 whole head cauliflower
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup locally produced honey
1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs such as thyme, tarragon, parsley and/or rosemary (use a single herb or any combination you like)
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
1/2 stick (4 ounces) butter, softened.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut off about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the stem end of the cauliflower and insert a long, thin knife into the core. Place head in a deep baking dish and add about 1/4 inch water. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and pour off the water. Return cauliflower to oven, increase heat to 400 degrees F. and roast for about 5 more minutes to "dry" the cauliflower.
Meanwhile, combine the bread crumbs, honey, herbs, mustard and butter in a small bowl.
Remove the cauliflower from the oven and coat with the bread crumb mixture. Return to oven and roast for about 12 more minutes or until nicely browned and tender when pierced with a sharp knife.
Serve whole and piping hot on a platter.
Abundance.
A Cook's Notes: This side dish pairs nicely with a mild flavored fish or simple grilled chicken.
*Adapted from Sustainably Delicious by Michel Nischan
Ha, I experience shrinkage in my purchases, just not in my jeans size!
ReplyDeleteHow about potato chips? Half air, lol, and higher price! Great recipe, cher! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOH yes!!! I have experienced shrinkage..in alot of products...I am on to them...oh yes...what can we do? I never eat Cauliflower..maybe this recipe could be the one that will let me tolerate the taste..they say its so good for you..I will give it a try...NOW if you can come up with a tasty brussel sprouts recipe???
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
I wish I was a shrinkage sufferer - I live in the land of bulk. the bigger the better - cars, houses, food items... You cannot get anything small for love nor money. Bloody diriculous I tell ya!!
ReplyDeleteAnother delicious recipe - I feel like I gain five pounds every time I visit you!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I definitely noticed food shrinkage. Toilet paper is the WORST, though certain brands of bar soap are also smaller now. Edy's Ice Cream is tremendously smaller, and Skippy Peanut Butter has also shrunken. The sugar? Yep, here, too. And the last time I bought Starkist Tuna, it had shrunken from 6 oz. to 5!
I have certainly noticed the shrinkage. Fruit roll ups. So delicious, but so much smaller.
ReplyDeleteCauliflower is one of my favorites... I would love to make and devour this for dinner!
Blissed, really? My clothes have taken to shrinking while hanging in my closet.. it's the strangest thing...
ReplyDeleteMargaurite - potato chips? Now that's just not right.
Marlene - I sent you a recipe for brussel sprouts. Delicious.
Eternally - Bigger everything? who do they think they are? Americans?
Ethalmae - oh yes, I forgot about bath soap - they now carve a curve into the bar,like we won't notice it used to be a solid block.
Phoebe - not fruit roll ups too???
Oh yes, shrinkage. Some of my old recipes called for "16 oz jar" or such - only the jar is 14 oz or less now!
ReplyDeleteRecipe sound fantastic! Can't wait to try it!
I first noticed shrinkage with a bag of crisp. They used to weigh 45g now reduced to 25g. I guess on the brigh side of esting crisp the less, the good it is for your waistline.
ReplyDeleteI don't think i have ever had caulifower this way. So will have to try it for sure. I am always looking for ways to 'jazz' up cauliflower.
"Sliders" little bitty hamburgers in restaurants- three of them cost more than one big burger!
ReplyDeleteTeri - my first thought was, "there are a lot of recipes that are going to need to be rewritten"
ReplyDeleteMango - I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Buffalo - sliders have got to be one of the marketing ploys best moves.. imagine, less meat, more bread (of both kinds) doesn't it just make you mad?
Yum! Now, I noticed the shrinkage in the store too. And when they lower the prices on one item? They raise it on another 2 items.
ReplyDeletei cant help but think of seinfeld when i saw shrinkage. but yes.. things are shrinking. damn economy! what the hey are we supposed to do???
ReplyDelete