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Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC - Utah's biggest and oldest online food magazine; I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.  I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV shows. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have covered the Utah dining scene for the better part of fifteen years.   I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   I started Shop Smart to catalogue my adventures in the grocery store and kitchen.  Follow along on Instagram too!  

BBQ plate with home made corn bread

June 17, 2020 by Stuart Melling
BBQ plate with home made corn bread

The star of the show here is the home made corn bread. The corn meal based side dish is one of the few ways we know of to sneak a …

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Categories Dinner Ideas Leave a comment

Ultra simple and easy buttermilk cornbread

June 14, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Easy corn bread recipe

This couldn’t be any more ridiculously simple. From start to finish it takes a little under thirty minutes – and it makes a wonderful side dish to Summery BBQ plates. …

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Categories Recipes, Side dish Leave a comment

Mushroom and Swiss burger

June 14, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Mushroom and Swiss burger

This could almost fit in the 15 minute meal category if it weren’t for the fact to make the perfect mushrooms takes just a little longer. In fact I find …

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Categories Burgers, Dinner Ideas Tags Alexia, Beyond Meat Leave a comment

Alexian Duck Liver Mousse

June 14, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Alexian Duck Liver Mousse

Another fine find from Sprouts Market. This duck liver mousse is a perfect topping for toast, or served on a little charcuterie plate alongside other fixings. If you’re new to …

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Categories Grocery Tags Alexian, Sprouts Leave a comment

Three meat chilli with tater tots

June 14, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Kroger Tater Bites with three meat chilli

Admiteddly this one relies having some chili in the freezer. Pro tip: make chili often, make it in big batches and always have some in the freezer. It’s one of …

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Categories 15 Minute Meals, Comfort Food, Dinner Ideas Tags Kroger, Steak-umm Leave a comment

Izzio Demi Baguette review

June 9, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Sprouts Demi Baguette

I love freshly baked bread from the store. Sadly freshly baked doesn’t love sitting there unused. Eat it the same day or the next day you’re faced with This baguette …

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Categories Grocery, Pantry Tags Sprouts Leave a comment

Gardein Sweet And Tangy Barbecue Wings review

June 9, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Gardein Sweet And Tangy Barbecue Wings

Of all the relatively contemporary meat free businesses, Gardein has one the most expansive product lines. The lineup has items like the more commonplace burgers and chicken patties, but also …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags Gardein Leave a comment

Kroger Tater Bites review

June 9, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Kroger Tater Bites

Given that Tater Tot is a registered trademark of the Ore-Ida company, you’ll probably see all manner of names for these short little barrels of shredded and formed potatoes. Kroger’s …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery, Vegetarian Tags Kroger Leave a comment

Indian styled fish, chips and peas

June 7, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Indian fish chips and peas

Love fish and chips? What about fish and chips brought to life with the flavors or India! This dish is a fun twist on the UK classic. I started by …

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Categories British, Dinner Ideas, Indian, Mash Up Tags Bigga, Sitka Salmon Shares Leave a comment

Beyond Breakfast Sausage review

June 7, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Beyond Meat Beyond Breakfast Sausage

These days we get pretty excited when a new product from Beyond Meat is announced. For the longest time their Beyond Burger was our favorite meat free burger on the …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags Beyond Meat Leave a comment
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  1. Joe on Review: Kroger Pork CarnitasMarch 10, 2024

    I'll never buy again! The package contained fully 12 (out of 16) ounces of pure pork fat. Totally unacceptable. Major…

  2. K B on Review: Van de Kamp’s Crispy Fish FilletsFebruary 28, 2024

    I complained to them and they sent me a measly $4 coupon to buy them again.’they won’t be in my…

  3. Melissa on Kroger Private Selection Angus Beef Burgers reviewFebruary 27, 2024

    I like them if you add water to the hamburger. When it's cooking it won't be so much grace

  4. Pamela D. on Tai Pei Chicken Egg Rolls reviewJanuary 18, 2024

    I had some for dinner last night . The first bite was so spicy, I had trouble getting back into…

  5. Robert Whitney on Simple Truth Natural Beef Burgers reviewJanuary 6, 2024

    YES!!! I both them a little bit ago and made them but they taste like they have permanent freezer burn…

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  • K B on Review: Van de Kamp’s Crispy Fish Fillets
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