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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!  

Buenatural Vegan Tamales review

June 10, 2020June 7, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Buenatural Vegan Tamales

These are another find from our recent scouring of the shelves at Sprouts. These vegan friendly tamales live over in the freezer aisle where you will find six to a …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags Buenatural, Sprouts Leave a comment

Aussie Bites

June 7, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Aussie Bites

We found these on the aisles of our local Sprouts. For as much junk as we love buying it’s all balanced out by plenty of healthy eating believe it or …

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Categories Grocery, Pantry Tags Aussie Bites, Sprouts Leave a comment

Thai jungle curry with rice noodles

June 7, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Thai jungle curry with rice noodles

Thai jungle curry? I’m not sure if that’s a real name of not. It’s the name one of my cook books gives to this simple recipe that use’s Thai red …

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Categories Dinner Ideas, Meat Free, Thai Tags Mae Ploy, MorningStar Farms Leave a comment

Rogan Josh with salmon

June 7, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Rogan josh curry with salmon

This one came together when we found a solitary piece of frozen salmon from Sitka. I found a jar of Patak’s brand Rogan Josh in the pantry and the rest …

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Categories Dinner Ideas, Indian Tags Deep, Patak's, Sitka Salmon Shares Leave a comment

Kroger Microwaveable Chicken Sandwich

May 29, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Kroger Microwaveable Chicken Sandwich

I don’t think it’s unfair to call this junk food. It’s a highly processed product that’s pre-cooked, requiring just a microwave and barely 60 seconds of patience. Don’t get me …

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Categories Frozen, Frozen Meal, Grocery, Snack Tags Kroger 2 Comments

Teriyaki mushroom and egg burger

May 27, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Teriyaki mushroom and egg burger

If you want to add a ton of lip smacking umami to your burger look no further than a handful of mushrooms…and an egg doesn’t hurt either too! The mushrooms …

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Categories 15 Minute Meals, Burgers, Comfort Food, Dinner Ideas, Meat Free Tags Beyond Meat, Kikkoman Leave a comment

Three chile eggs and steak fries

May 27, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Three chile eggs and steak fries

Thick cut steak fries like this brand from Walmart smothered in Hatch brand green chilli sauce. Thick fluffy potato with slightly sweet and zesty mild chills is a match made …

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Categories 15 Minute Meals, Comfort Food, Dinner Ideas, Meat Free Tags Great Value, Hatch, Walmart Leave a comment

Fish and chips with panko crusted cod

September 23, 2020May 24, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Fish and chips with panko crusted cod

Fish, chips and peas – a classic. This dish eschews the deep fat fried fish for a much healthier air fried version in panko breadcrumbs. Simply dip in four, then …

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Categories Confort Food, Dinner Ideas Tags Sitka Salmon Shares Leave a comment

Great Value Regular Cut French Fried Potatoes

May 24, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Great Value Regular Cut French Fried Potatoes

I was fairly enamored with the Great Value Steak Cut fry, so was hoping for similar potato joy here too. This nearly two pound sack of fries is certainly a …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery Tags Great Value, Walmart Leave a comment

Sweet potato fry nachos

May 24, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Sweet potato fries with MorningStar Farms crumblers

The crinkle cut fries from Alexia are the basis for this meat free comfort food dish. After cooking the fries to a crisp finish (an air fryer works best) its …

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Categories 30 Minute Meals, Comfort Food, Dinner Ideas, Mash Up, Meat Free Tags Alexia, McCormick, MorningStar Farms 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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  • Joe on Review: Kroger Pork Carnitas
  • K B on Review: Van de Kamp’s Crispy Fish Fillets
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