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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!  

Asian salad with Gardein chicken strips

May 24, 2020May 16, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Asian salad with Gardein chicken strips

This salad is deceptively flavorful given it’s simplicity. To make this salad, first add the following to a large bowl: Thinly sliced red bell pepper Plenty of shredded cabbage Thinly …

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Categories Dinner Ideas, Healthy, Meat Free, Salad Tags Gardein Leave a comment

Hummus with pita chips and salad

May 16, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Hummus with pita chips and salad

This looks fancier than it really is, but admittedly has a few components. They come together pretty sharpish when you need them to though. We made our own hummus here, …

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Categories Dinner Ideas, Healthy, Middle Eastern, Salad Leave a comment

Black bean and corn salad

May 21, 2020May 16, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Black bean and corn salad

I’m a big fan of this one as the main ingredients can sit in the cupboard until you need them. It’s a great last minute goto. Simply mix a can …

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Categories Dinner Ideas, Healthy, Meat Free, Mexican, Salad Tags SW Beans Leave a comment

Loaded OreIda crinkle cut fries with chipotle mayo

May 16, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Ore-Ida Golden Crinkles French Fried Potatoes - loaded fries

These OreIda crinkle cut fries come straight from the oven (about 20-30 minutes of cooking) before being loaded up with: MorningStar Farms crumblers with McCormick hot taco seasoning  Seasoned SW …

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Categories 30 Minute Meals, Comfort Food, Dinner Ideas Tags McCormick, MorningStar Farms, Ore-Ida, SW Beans Leave a comment

Rotisserie chicken salad sandwiches

May 16, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Rotisserie chicken salad sandwiches

Duh. Thanks for that guys I hear you saying. This one included simply as a reminder that your local grocery store probably has everything you need for a really rewarding …

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Categories 5 Minute Meals, Comfort Food, Dinner Ideas, Healthy, Sandwiches Leave a comment

Nachos with MorningStar Farms crumblers

May 16, 2020 by Stuart Melling
MorningStar Farms nachos

These Mission Brand tortillas were chopped, tossed in canola oil and salt then baked for about 15-20 minutes at 425F. Once nicely crisp we topped with MorningStar Farms crumblers, pan …

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Categories 30 Minute Meals, Comfort Food, Confort Food, Dinner Ideas, Meat Free, Mexican Tags MorningStar Farms Leave a comment

Loaded cauliflower tots with MorningStar Farms crumblers

May 16, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Loaded green giant cauliflower tots morningstar crumblers

This might look like a crazy chaotic complex mess – but its – well, its a mess yes, but a tasty easy mess! Green Giant make a fun cauliflower tot …

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Categories 30 Minute Meals, Dinner Ideas, Meat Free Tags MorningStar Farms Leave a comment

Veggie nachos with Tajinn jicama

June 24, 2020May 15, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Air fried nachos with jicama

It sounds complicated but its crazy quick and easy. It’s also a damn sight healthier than those fast food nachos you might be eyeing up to save time – and …

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Categories 30 Minute Meals, Dinner Ideas, Healthy, Meat Free, Mexican Tags SW Beans, Tajin Leave a comment

Hatch green chile enchiladas

May 15, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Hatch green chile enchilada with avocado

We love to make enchiladas for a quick dinner. However one debate we’ve never settled is red or green sauce – which is best? I love this green chile sauce …

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Categories 30 Minute Meals, Dinner Ideas, Mexican Tags Hatch Leave a comment

Meat free BBQ jackfruit plate with Walmart hushpuppies

May 15, 2020 by Stuart Melling
Vegetarian BBQ plate with Upton's Natural BBQ Jackfruit

Meat free BBQ might sound crazy, but it can be damned tasty with minimal effort. An of course who has time to smoke pulled pork from scratch every day right. …

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Categories Dinner Ideas, Healthy, Meat Free Tags Upton's Naturals 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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