These days at home are long. I’m home with my two young sons and my husband, and it seems like we’re eating meals all day long. I have grown tired of my usual recipes, and I am always on the hunt for new and exciting things to cook at home. There’s only so many variations on macaroni and cheese that I can handle. I just want to feel inspired to make something different.
Some local C-U establishments are currently offering some delicious things you can buy and then make at home. I’ve rounded up five delicious foods you can take home and prepare in your own kitchen.
Burgers, shrimp, and filet mignon. Photo by Hamilton Walker’s.
Filet Mignon | Hamilton Walker’s
Part of Hamilton Walker’s current menu includes a section called HW Butcher Shop. You can purchase speciality meats to cook at home. I’m partial to the six ounce filet mignon ($21), but they offer 14 ounce ribeyes, steak skewers, steak burger patties, Atlantic salmon, jumbo shrimp, sliced bacon, and whole beef tenderloin. You order the meat online and can pick it up curbside. It comes packaged raw for you to cook at home.
With summer quickly approaching, these would be perfect on the grill. Our family doesn’t have a grill, so I sear my steak in a pan on medium high with olive oil. You can pair your Hamilton Walker’s meats with whatever your family enjoys: a salad, some roasted or grilled veggies, or (my kids’ favorite) frozen french fries.
Hamilton Walker’s
201 N. Neil St
Champaign
W-Sa 3 to 8 p.m.
Photo from Sweet Indulgence’s Facebook page.
Take and Bake Scones | Sweet Indulgence
Sweet Indulgence is well-known for their delicious treats. If you want to have some of their baked goods fresh from the oven and still piping hot, you can buy their take and bake scones which includes four raw scones for $15. They’re offering blueberry, chocolate chip, cherry, and butterscotch as options. You can choose one flavor or a variety.
Don’t worry about making a mess in your kitchen: you won’t have to have flour all over your counter or measure any ingredients or clean any bowls to get a scrumptious scone hot from the oven. All you have to do is pre-heat the oven and put the raw scones on a baking sheet — that’s the kind of baking that makes you feel fancy without any of the work. You can place your order by calling 217-352-2433.
Sweet Indulgence
2149 S Neil St
Champaign
T+F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sa 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Photo by Seth Fein.
Pizza Dough | Manolo’s Pizza and Empanadas
Manolo’s is famous for their pizzas and empanadas, but Seth shared back in April about how you can get their amazing pizza dough to go. It’s a game changer, especially when most places are sold out of yeast. If you want the fun of making your own pizza without the hassle of mixing the ingredients, kneading the dough, and waiting for it to rise, this is your best bet.
You can buy Manolo’s pizza dough balls ready to take home and bake. They are offering 12 inch ($3), 14 inch ($4) and 18 inch ($5) sizes. You can’t order online, but you can call in to the friendly staff at 217-365-0110 to buy your pizza dough.
Manolo’s Pizza and Empanadas
1115 W Oregon St
Urbana
M-F 9 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Sa+Su 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Basil | Meyer Produce
There’s so many wonderful things to buy at our local farmers’ markets. One staple that you definitely want to try is basil from Meyer Produce. You can find them at both the Urbana Market at the Square and The Land Connection’s Tuesday Champaign Market. Basil is a versatile herb that you can buy and use at home to elevate lots of dishes. I plant my basil outside in a pot, but I have friends who keep basil inside on their kitchen counter by a window.
Just pluck a few leaves and add it to your pizza, salad, or pasta. Go nuts and add it to your scrambled eggs or a ham sandwich. Grab lots of leaves and make a pesto. The possibilities are yours to eat.
Meyer Produce
Urbana Market at the Square
7 a.m. to noon, Saturdays
Land Connection Tuesday Market
3 to 6 p.m., Tuesdays
Photo by Jarling’s Custard Cup.
Sundae Pack | Jarling’s Custard Cup
A C-U favorite for sure, Jarling’s is a go-to for custard. Now, this isn’t really cooking per say, but it is something you can make at home. If you’re wanting to create a little ice cream party at home, you can buy their Sundae Pack.
The Sundae Pack includes two quarts of your choice of custard, two 8 ounce toppings, and a cup of nuts for $23.45. We’ve now made it 11 weeks staying home to flatten the curve, and that totally warrants an ice cream sundae party.
Jarling’s Custard Cup
309 W. Kirby Ave
Champaign
M-Th noon to 10 p.m.
F+Sa noon to 11 p.m.
