Cherry Season - Recipes & Reviews

Cherries season 🍒 is back! They are my fave fruit, and I like them plain or .... well, just read on to see what I do with a cheap$kate bag of Cherries.

Just this week I got delicious Cherries for 1.49c per pound at Superior Grocers, my local Latin market. Cherries always first show up there on sale.

My love affair with Cherries really heated up when I began to visit relatives in Central California, and remember getting fresh Cherries from an orchard tree. While Washington produces the most Cherries, California is in a tight race with Oregon for second place. 

You can read the health benefits of fresh Cherries here. I find they are less perishable than strawberries when refrigerated.

The only hindrance to consuming a Cherry is the easily discarded stem and stubbornly buried center seed. Cherries are large enough to slice around the seed, twist and separate, then pry out the seed. It's easy enough to slice around the seed, too.

If you have a metal straw, push it through the opposite end of the stem, and out pops the seed. (You can use a plastic straw as shown in my GIF below, but it will start to buckle after a few cherries.)

The easiest and quickest Cherry Recipe is to just add a few slices to your favorite plain (or mildly flavored) yummy yogurt. 

It's an early morning light breakfast, or on a warm afternoon, a cool snack for relaxing on the patio. My video below shows how I do it.

Cherries & Yogurt Recipe

I like pancakes in the morning, especially on weekends. I use a generic pancake mix from my 99c only Store and Dollar Tree, and I always add a little fresh fruit, especially cherries. 

You can mix the sliced cherries in the pancake batter or sprinkle them on a hot pan first, then pour on the batter.

Cherry Pancake Recipe

Cherries are featured in desserts the most. I once found small 4-ounce cartons of Cherry Garcia ice cream by Ben & Jerry's at my local Dollar Tree.

My Mom has a Cherry Pie to die for. She used to bake 'em up when we were kids, and she makes a mean one even now.

There's nothing better than the smell of a baking fruit pie in the oven and watching the crust brown through the oven window.

And my brother from another daddy, the Swamp Chef, paddled out of the bayou to get Mom to show us how she does it!

This is a 2-crust pie, and she uses cherries from the can; that's the old-school way. Of course, I know where to find canned Cherries the cheapest, from the Dollar Tree, of course!

So pull up an extra chair and invite the whole family to watch Mom and the Swamp Chef show you a homemade Cherry Pie Recipe video...oh, boy!

I have a Gay Wedding Cupcake recipe that is part documentary. When Los Angeles allowed same-sex couples to marry for the first time, I was there to celebrate and offer the happy couples a tasty cupcake with a cherry on top. Click here to see my blog post and video of the historic day.

 

I crave the Cherry flavor of sweet Craisins from my local Dollar Tree. I haven't seen it this year...yet.

Craisins are dried cranberries, and they're very similar to grape raisins. And real Cherry juice is used, plus cane sugar for a bit too much sweetness. I can eat them by the handful or just add them to breakfast cereal or hot oatmeal.

And finally, I'm still a fan of sickly-sweet Chocolate Covered Cherries. There is something so pleasing, almost magical, combining a Maraschino Cherry and creme in a shell of chocolate.

I keep a lookout for 5-count boxes for the right price at my local and Dollar Tree.

So if you are wondering how they rate on my Cheap$kate Dining Scale of 1 to 9, 9 being best? Just check out my video review right here.

Enjoy Cherry Season the 99 Cent Chef way!

Mixue - $1.19 Soft Serve Ice Cream on Hollywood Boulevard

For the cheapest Soft Serve Ice Cream in L.A., cruise Hollywood Boulevard. Right across from the world-famous Chinese Theater is a recent import from China called Mixue Ice Cream & Tea. If you have a sweet tooth like me, then you can get your fill of sweet, creamy Soft Ferve in a Waffle Cone for the bargain price of $1.19. And it's a darn good Soft Serve.

Mixue (Translation - Honey Snow) is a Chinese Restaurant Chain specializing in Soft Serve Ice Cream, Tea, and Lemonade. There are a lot more expensive Soft Serve options, including Strawberry Milkshake, Super Boba Sunday, Ice Cream Latte, and Fruit and Milk Teas. Click here for the menu.

Click on any photo to see larger.

Our local newspaper, The Los Angeles Times, did a recent profile of the first Mixue Ice Cream & Tea Store in the U.S., located in Los Angeles. Mixue is like a Soft Serve McDonald's with thousands of stores, but limited to stocking soft serve ice cream and tea.

On a recent trip to my dentist in Hollywood, I had to stop by Mixue to check it out. Even with half of my mouth numb, the Soft Serve was cool comfort. Located on the west end of Hollywood Boulevard, look for the "Snow King" puffy character wearing a crown, and draped with a red cape, at the front entrance. 

Step over Billy Barty's Star on the Walk of Fame and you are there. 

Inside is a counter the length of the store for ordering and pickup. The line moves quickly, and when your number is quickly called, the Ice Cream Cone is handed to you wrapped in a paper sleeve. 

And it is a tasty ice cream, milky sweet and soft. The serving is substantial, especially for $1.19.

The Waffle Cone is crunchy like a wafer cookie and not too sweet. You could probably get it in a cup, but why would you do that?

You can taste the Soft Serve Cone at a couple of counters against the wall and front window (there are no chairs or tables). I prefer to step outside and watch the Hollywood Boulevard sideshow. Just check out the cosplay movie and cartoon characters hustling money from the tourists walking down the Boulevard.

There is plenty to see on Hollywood Boulevard, and everyone can find a favorite sidewalk Star or hand/shoe prints in the forecourt of the Chinese Theater to take a picture with. 

I usually wander east on the South side of the street and head to President Donald Trump's star to gleefully check out the latest defacing. His star has been pickaxed, spat upon, crossed out with a marker, and smeared with ketchup - among other indignities. 

How does my latest Deal of the Day rate on my Cheap$kate Dining Scale of 1 to 9, 9 being best? Well...I give Mixue Ice Cream Soft Serve a perfect 9! If you are looking for a basic Soft Serve in a Waffle Cone, Mixue does the job. 

Los Angeles has many Ice Cream, Gelato, and Frozen Yogurt stores where you can find exotic flavors that are more interesting and tasty, including the flowery flavors from a nearby Persian Ice Cream parlor, Mashti Malone's, but you have to pay the full price.

You will be hard-pressed to find a cheaper and tastier Soft Serve in L.A. Anytime I'm near Hollywood Boulevard, I'll swing by.

Mixue Ice Cream & Tea 

Location: 6922 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 107, Hollywood, CA 90028.

Hours: Open Daily 10AM - 9PM.

Specialties: $1.19 Vanilla Soft Serve, $1.69 Matcha Soft Serve, Pearl Milk Tea, and Fruit Teas.

Website: https://my.mixue.com

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mixue-los-angeles

Best Cheap$kate Food Finds of 2023

It's back to basics in this roundup of my Best Cheap$kate Food Finds of 2023. That doesn't mean you won't find a few outrageously one-of-a-kind cheap deals that I crow about. Prices are slowly going down this year. So go ahead and read 'em and reap (the savings, that is!).

I scour grocer mail flyers for weekly specials at chain grocery store Ralphs, especially during holidays when I stock up on for-sale meat to freeze, and visit my local Latin Market for cheaper produce like avocados, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and fresh Salsa. 

I luckily have a Dollar Tree within walking distance and a 99c only Store a short drive away. It's not easy being a cheap$kate, I do work at it and enjoy sharing my frugal finds with you, and maybe giving my visitors a few recipe ideas using everyday discount food.

And be sure to click on any highlighted recipe name to see the original tasty blog post recipe.

Let's start with Breakfast. I still get 6 eggs for $1.25 at Dollar Tree, although they do not show up every month, but when they do I grab a few cartons.

I like to add fruit to pancake batter when I grill them. Click here to see how I do it.

Most yogurt with added fruit is way too sugary to my taste. Try adding fresh sliced fruit to plain yogurt like I do here.

Breakfast Sausage is the main ingredient for my food coma-inducing Country Breakfast with Cream Gravy.

I do like a plain buttery Croissant in the morning. I still get 4 Croissants for about a dollar or two from the Bargain Bin (week-old bread) at my local supermarket Ralphs. Click here to see how I sometimes load it with eggs, ham, and cheese. 

I like to cook Italian Pasta, Asian Stir fry, and Mexican Tacos with Salsa. Dollar stores may not carry everything but they have many ingredients I keep a lookout for.

Some Mexican Food Deals

Pinto and Black Beans are the stars of my most delicious Huevos Rancheros Breakfast. You can even use canned beans instead of fresh made.

A Chinese-style Stir Fry is a favorite of mine. It's quick to do and only takes a few cheap$kate ingredients to pull it together.

I still found good veggie and fruit deals in 2023. Potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and apples are around a dollar a pound when on sale (at least here in Los Angeles.) So listen to your Mom and eat your all veggies and fruit!

This is the main ingredient for Pumpkin Pie -- click here to see how my Mom makes hers.

I like canned seafood. I add a few Anchovies on my Frozen Pizza and Sardines in Tomato Sauce over Spaghetti.

Chicken is still the cheapest meat. Pork is a close second and Corned Beef is around $3 per pound during the week leading up to St. Patrick's Day. 

November and December are the months I buy turkey at it's cheapest. I have a basic Roast Turkey Recipe here, but check out my Latin version using turkey legs (or any pieces) for a Turkey Carnitas. It's a succulent take using Coke and Mexican spices. Throw a Turkey Taco Party during the holidays!

I always buy 3 or 4 whole Corned Beef around St. Patrick's Day to freeze. I make an Easy Homemade Pastrami during summer patio parties. I also make a mean Corned Beef and Cabbage, too.

I toast my bread when I make a sandwich, mainly because I buy day (week) old bread from the bargain bin at my local Ralphs Grocer.

I've been making recipes with Cream Cheese lately. Check out my recipes of Bagel with Salmon and Cream Cheese, Bacon Wrapped Dates with Cream Cheese, Clam Dip made with cheap canned clams, a warm Articoke with Cream Cheese Dip, and perhaps the most outré entree of my invention, a Jewish taco called The Loxaco.

Are you ready to revisit a childhood school lunch specialty, Fried Baloney Sandwich? Well, I don't blame you if you give this recipe a pass, but I had to try it again...oh boy, check it out here.

You're never too old for Hot Dogs! Well, I should be at 69 years old. Oh, what the heck, I'm going out swinging when I watch the Boys of Summer hit home runs and steal bases during baseball season. Hot Dogs seem to be inflation-proof. I like mine with sauerkraut and chili from the can, how about you?

Here are a few odds and ends.

I use boxed stuffing for my basic Turkey Stuffing recipe. I do add extra ingredients and even came up with a wild Stuffing Cupcakes with Cranberry Frosting Recipe.

The cheapest wine I found in 2023.

Whew, that's a lot to digest, how about a reward of ice cream? I found a few tasty treats just for you.

Keep checking back for my great cheap$kate finds in the new year.

Happy bargain hunting in 2024!