We have our winners.

The Fuel Your Family Recipe Contest generated a great response from creative Save-A-Lot shoppers. Our shoppers have shown us how they get great food at great prices from the great people we have in our stores. After the careful sorting and testing the most creative and delicious uses of Save-A-Lot brand products, finalists were selected in each of the seven categories and awarded with a $250 gift certificate. The best of the seven meal solutions won the title of grand prize winner and a year’s worth of free groceries!  

Grand Prize Winner / Healthy Category Winner - Toshwattie Ingram - Belliview, FL

Bluit (blend a fruit)

My five year old son WILL NOT eat anything but chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese.  I had to think quickly as I knew he would not get the nutrition he so desperately needed - so  I stood in the save - a lot produce dept. with all of the beautiful variety of fruits and veggies  thought of the dusted blender I never use  and with a pack of 10 children with me including my son with dark circles under his eyes - I asked that each of them choose a fruit - when asked why - I said  you will see".  They each blended their own fruits to make one huge fruity shake - I admired the expression on my five year old's face as they each took turns in drinking a bit.  I watched it turn from curious to wanting - - -Children at that age tend to do what other children do  I learned.  Since this day  My son and I have sampled some of the fresh veggies and fruits save-a-lot has to offer - - - He pulls his toy jeep around in our back yard to me standing in an apron with a top hat saying  "Welcome to the shake shop - what can I blend you today?"  He will ask for some of the strangest combinations and Save-a-lot is dependable enough to always have them all and keep my fridge drawers full of exotic fruits and veggies!!!!"

Dinner Category Winner - Tina Allen - Milwaukee, WI

Chicken Dumplin

This was my Grandma KLUCK chicken dumpling.  She passed a way like 6 years ago. She loved to cook for family and friends. I miss her so dearly, when sick or not she knew how to make people feel better.  This is one the meals she didn’t want no one to know how she made it. She told me it’s a cheap and fast meal anyone can make and trust me it’s yummy. I am crying just writing this down because I miss her and how she taught me how to save money and make lots of food for many people. She had ten kids so she had to figure out how to stretch the money and feed the family her husband passed so she learned fast and taught me some the ideas of cooking.

Lunch Category Winner - Diane Braden

Fiesta Tuna Tacos

My 2 girl friends and I started a diet club called The Bikini Chicks “and I was looking for a way to incorporate naturally low-fat high protein tuna into our diet several days a week in a way that would be fun and easy to prepare.  It also had to taste good or I knew we wouldn't stick with it.  One of the girls has a Hispanic background and gave me the original idea of the tuna burrito. Later I expanded the recipe to include tostadas and tacos.  And with her help taste testing of course I developed the Fiesta Tuna Taco Recipe for the Save-a Lot Fuel Your Family Contest.   It makes a great family meal that is nutritious and delicious. So good you think you are eating out. According to my friend “It has an authentic Mexican taste “and it's a snap to prepare.  We love it! "

Breakfast Category Winner - Erin Frenzel - Albany, OR  

Carson's Healthy Toddler Banana Muffins

My husband and I just bought our first house and during this economic slump are on a tight budget! Last year we had our first child. Save A Lot has been a blessing to us because we have been able to buy baby necessities such as baby food toddler treats juice and baby cereal at Save A Lot for a fraction of the price that we would have paid at other grocery stores.     My son just turned 1 in December. The way that the economy has driven up prices we have managed to save a lot" of money at Save-A-Lot. We are thrilled that we don’t have to pay so much for things that we need to "fuel our family." I am always looking for ways to make healthy meals for my family and not have to spend a fortune to do it.  My son eats bananas every day and these are a weekly item we buy at Save A Lot. Because your prices are the best!  I love that I can make these healthy toddler breakfast muffins for my toddler using Save A Lot brands and he absolutely loves them! We have never spent over $100.00 at Save A Lot for a full cart of healthy food--which is unheard of at other stores especially during this recession!  For that I would like to say THANK YOU!

Snacks Category Winner - Marie Alzarez

Mini Pizzas

One afternoon, many years ago, when I was in High School, I had to entertain and cook up something for a boyfriend at the time with whatever ingredients I could find in my house and fridge. So, for a snack I conjured up this. It went very well. Ever since then, I continue to make them. Everyone loves it, even kids, they can help. It's easy and fast-simple! You also can top with grated parmesan cheese or crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

Desserts Category Winner - Lisa Renshaw - Kansas City MO

Granny's Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake

It was a Christmas tradition to present my grandma with a box of chocolate covered cherries each year. I remember the look of sheer delight on her face as she bit into those little jewels. I wanted to create a cake to honor this precious memory  with all the same flavor notes. in cake form. This recipe succeeds in all aspects. It is both delicious and a show stopper...with the added benefit of being easy to prepare. I think of my dear sweet grandma each time I prepare this cake.

International Category Winner - Carol Benge - Trenton, FL

Beef and Broccoli with Asian Fusion Salad

I love this meal because it was a challenge! I wanted to give my family a Chinese style dinner on a squeaky tight budget. To say my guys are beef eaters is an understatement. To stay on budget  I needed to incorporate ground turkey in a way that they wouldn't notice. I also hate the crowded  noisy  giant mega-mart in my small town. I love our local Save-A-Lot. It is a friendly place to shop where everybody knows me. AND it has everything I need to make international favorites!