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Posts Tagged Costco

Fire It Up: Grill Season Is HERE

May 20

Posted by admin in cooking, food

IMG00346OK, Californians and other hearty Midwesterners, ignore the headline: On the East Coast we save a lot of propane and charcoal costs 5-6 months a year depending on how dedicated we are to the grill. One thing is certain, this weekend, even with its early calendar date, inspires us to think gas, charcoal, and even electric fire power. It’s grill season, Baby.

Let’s go. First, we need to scrub, clean the grates–yikes, are they in bad shape. Then we need to use the old aluminum foil trick–turn on the grill, cut a piece of aluminum foil that covers the grates, and let it do the burn-off you’ll be thanking me later for this one.

Now we’re ready. Maybe not, we need a menu. What better way to start the season than with the all-American winners: the hot dog/hamburger combo with fresh corn? Stop–don’t scream–there are plenty of both products that almost pass under the radar of the food police.

Hot dogs for instance–go with the all-beef or antibiotic-free turkey dogs–yes, their color is a little off-putting but they come with far less guilt. As for burgers, extra lean beef may not give you the char you want but you’re afraid of the char anyway from all the off-season reading you did about healthy cooking. Or, do the turkey burgers–with a little condiment help, they’ll be fine. 

Don’t forget the extras: onions and mushrooms grill nicely in their aluminum foil (recycle, please) boats away from direct heat. As for corn which is already crazy good and the season has not really begun, clean by stripping off the silk and then closing the cob back into its husk before putting on the grill. The charred cooking gives it extra flavor–watch it, prick with a fork for doneness–it cooks quickly.

Cut up some hothouse tomatoes (until the weather warms up around here, these are the ones), pickles, and the condiment groaning board possibilities, and let the feast begin.

Here’s an added plus: No pots, no pans, no fuss, no mess.

Oh yeah, it tastes great. Fancy foods on the grill for another day, but this the official week of summer grilling, start with the easiest foods to kick-off the seasonal shift.

Breads are optional.

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It's Hard Work to Save Money

Mar 30

Posted by admin in Economy, life

crowdEverybody is working so hard to keep dollars in their wallets, but the concept becomes difficult  to visualize after today’s visit to Costco. It began with parking lot bedlam, but the inside of the store made the lot seem deserted! With Easter and Passover coming up, and everyone clutching a coupon booklet, the chaos was inevitable. The store was insane. So was I. Why did I torture myself?

The line to purchase gasoline was maniacal. People merely needed to cross the street, spend one penny more per gallon, and get on with their lives. They used more gas waiting in the line to save the penny and surrendered precious moments of a sunny day.

Back to the insanity of the store itself. Baskets were piled high with an assortment of fresh and frozen foods, books, magazines, snacks, and other non-food “critical” items. The words” excuse me” truly fell on deaf ears as no one could hear anything. The aisles were jammed with adults trying to push mile-high piled carts. Screaming children wondered what they could taste next.

How much do you have to spend to save money? That is always a question when it comes to Costco. Buying $20 worth of toilet paper prompts the question: are you better off spending less money each week or taking advantage of the super-sized big-box universe? I think I saw the answer today: Spend the money; you’ll enjoy the savings.

The big initial cash outlay gets balanced against the need to run out and buy smaller products for less money. Sometimes that equation gets lost on me. I just wanted to make a beeline u-turn for the exit. But I was there, and the smoked salmon from Norway is delish. I needed organic eggs, grilled chicken strips, and, yes, toilet paper. Quality is high and well worth the investment as long as you can remain focused and not buy into impulse savings. After all how much mouthwash does someone use?

It will be difficult to hear that Costco did not have a good financial quarter.  If it doesn’t do well, I sure do wonder how many more people have to load their carts to the hills before they can have a blow-out quarter?

My money’s on record sales. I saw ‘em.

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The New Food Buzz–Home Cooking

Feb 5

Posted by admin in Economy, food

vntgstove1Yes, it’s true, many of us have rediscovered our kitchens–you know the room with a stove which is a way more complicated piece of equipment than the microwave. You’ve given the microwave a pretty good workout over the past few years as you’ve championed carry-in. Even though you’ve often said, the food’s just OK; not great. But, hey, it was easy. Just pick it up, pop it in the wave, and bingo, dinner.

Now times are different. They are past a ‘changing. They are here. We need to buckle up for the rough ride and figure out how we can be the producer instead of just the purchaser. It’s not that hard. We go to the grocery store and look at house brands as a starter. Most of the major supermarkets, and even some big boxers, have expanded their line-up. 

Wegmans, Harris Teeter, and Whole Foods have all done shout-outs about their expanded list of private label products. Costco started out slow with the “Kirkland” title, but, it, too, recognizes shoppers are different than they were even 6 months ago. “House brands”  are no longer considered a dirty phrase. It’s about the price.

When you read the labels of two products that look similar, have the same name, but differ significantly in the cost department, you can’t help but get excited about the lesser priced one. Every once in a while you find a dog, but mostly those days are over. The national brands want a bigger chunk of the pie. We do, too, but we want it for less money!

We can do it. We can cook it. Every recipe has somehow found its way onto the Internet. Some of the vntgstovesites such as all recipes and epicurious make you wonder why you ever purchased all those cookbooks. Oh, I remember, they’re fun to have, to leaf-thru. Maybe the preponderance of available recipes and menus means you might be able to grab a coffee at your local book store and devour current issues of the food mags–shh, don’t tell them you have no intention of ever buying a $5 magazine again!

So, home cooking. It’s something we used to know how to do. It’s time has returned. It’s not that hard. Start off with the basics. It’s like getting up after the horse has thrown you. You can read and adapt and create the great new stovestove1stove2recipe that uses the ingredients you want. Pre-made is so over.

Hello, stove, I’m back.old-stove

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The Importance of the Crackle

Jan 12

Posted by admin in life, New York Times, Pairings, Uncategorized

No, I do not mean Rice Krispies , but they are a food product that I will always hold dear with positive memories: my Mom’s favorite late night snack. This “crackle” comes from a wood-burning fireplace. There’s nothing quite like it. All the sounds, the smells, and the sense of warmth as it saps the heat from the rest of the house. That’s a shame, but  the fireplace room is its own haven of content.

There is something about the world that seems all right while you read in front of cacophonous fire. Just as long as you read sections of the newspaper that have nothing to do with real world issues. Start with the Sunday Styles section of the New York Times and rush to the back, to the wedding stories. They are so much fun. Of course, there are the Bill Cunningham party photos. Skip over the real life, potentially sad articles, and  go for the morning fun and begin your day with a relaxing tone.

Then, you can ease into that splendiferous cup of espresso. Did I mention I made it to Wegmans. From earlier posts, you’ll know it’s not around the corner but worth the drive. I get less expensive gas in Virginia and then head over to the shopping mecca which somehow seems to do as much damage to my credit card as a trip to Costco. Bad financial week, hit both of ‘em in a matter of a few days.

Now it’s time to analyze what it is about their whole bean dark roast espresso that keeps me hankering for a true cup. Maybe it’s the price. Certainly doesn’t hurt that the 32-ounce bag of beans is under $10. Flavor wins from the bean’s oily richness that engulfs the coffee machine’s bean holder. It transcends any other coffee bean experience of late. Hit the buttons, grind, and punch up a double espresso.

Now the morning has promise, a crackling fire ,and a true cup of espresso. I haven’t even started the potatoes yet. More on that later.

Crackling sounds and a steaming cup of coffee. A perfect pairing.

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My Keychain Is Not this Big

Jan 9

Posted by admin in Uncategorized

grandetogoSome mornings are so perfect. You glance through the paper, and you see it: The phrase, the headline, the sentence that puts the day into perspective. Today it jumped. Right in the middle of  a grocery ad–there it was: “Cheap Is Chic”.

It’s been so long since we had grocery wars. Now every brand is tripping over itself to talk about lowered prices, special promotions, and member benefits. My key chain is not this big. Everyone wants me to sign up so I can get the best price. Today Harris Teeter took the strategy up a notch and started a new level of higher order promotions, the e-VIC program which promises to make shopping easier with personalized emails that notify you not only store specials but help you with your shopping list.

I used to be really paranoid about all these frequent shopper cards, but hey, I figure somebody knows everything about me already so I might as well take advantage of an opportunity to save a few bucks. Anyway when was the last time you paid for something and someone didn’t tell you that today you saved “X amount”. Just heard it at Starbucks. That seemed a little bit of a stretch–think the person bought a gift card and came in with her own ginormous branded cup and ordered her usual oversize drink, and they told her she saved S3.59. Hmm. Starbucks!

Seems every grocer wants to give you $5 off $25–that’s almost become a basic standard. Whole Foods which used to be thought of as Whole Paycheck is working hard at increasing its private 365 label and having weekly specials that really are starting to look affordable. What is this world coming to? Commonsense?  What about a local chain telling us it’s okay to save money–”Cheap is Chic.”

That phrase works as long as quality matches price and product. Having just returned from the big box genius, Costco, I noticed their acquiescence to the reality of the times is that they had  fewer  hardbacks but  increased their paperback selections. That’s smart. Everybody is looking for a break. They also automatically took off savings coupons before you showed them the little clipped pieces of paper. Automatic savings. Interesting.

It’s as if everyone is shouting–join in. You can really save some money. Don’t be left out. Sounds like an infomercial, but it’s not.

What’s happening is real. Now we just have to find the money to save some money. Whatever changes we make, and whatever changes merchants make will help. It can’t hurt. What we’re doing now is all too painful.

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OK, I'm A Junkie

Jan 6

Posted by admin in Uncategorized

miscellaneous-end-of-december-beg-of-january-0521That’s a tough admission so early in the year, but I feel I need to level with you, my readers. I got up this morning with great anticipation to return to my fancy, but well deserved, coffee maker, the Saeco Incanto de luxe S-class (seriously, this is not a car, but has the same fine commitment to quality). It has patiently been awaiting my return from vacation.  It probably missed me. Let me backtrack.

This was the house present a year ago. The idea was simple, two people working at home deserved great coffee and could pay for the machine by not having to run out and grab a Starbucks. The closest coffee shop to my house is Starbucks, actually there are two, each approximately two miles away. Not a bad walk; clearly an easy drive. Either way, at least a $3 investment per cup. Do the math– two people, 2 cups of  purchased coffee, 2 times a day. See it’s not hard to justify going  Deluxe. Full disclosure, Costco, of course, was running a special so the stars were totally aligned.

After all, this high-efficiency beauty grinds on an as-needed basis and lets you put in ground coffee for the necessary decaf experience. I should add it’s also the bossiest piece of equipment we’ve ever owned: empty dredge drawer, beans are empty, fill water tank. All displayed with such an authoritan voice, you obey. Anyway, it doesn’t work til you fulfill its commands.

Ok, back to my problem, the machine in its finery was at the ready. Only problem, I still did not have my precious beans. Remember it is a planned excursion to go to my Wegmans (see earlier post which details my love affair) and my trusty calendar implies that I cannot make that trip for two more days. I had Nicaraguan espresso beans that had been waiting for me to declare them worthy. No choice; they were all I had. Today was the day. They have a sentimental value as they were a gift from a friend, but they are no Wegmans espresso dark, rich, fragranty bean. They will have to work. I am happy to say, and my friend would be happy to hear, they run a very close 2nd. No other product has earned that accolade!

My mother used to say, it is the water. You can’t make a good cup of coffee without first having good water, she’d say. See coffee is in my genetic makeup. It is an important part of my constitution. I would add that we have owned many coffee makers, but never a machine of beauty that ranks up there with many a coffee shop’s efforts at a double espresso. We have the perfect trifecta: filtered water, high quality beans, and a streamlined beauty of a machine. Perfecto.

 The coffee maker did its best and demonstrated that a good machine with explicit built-in timing devices can elevate a bean far higher than a mediocre machine can take it. I had tried these Nicaraguan beans earlier with my vacation machine, and they truly flunked. So the combination of two quality products makes it work.

I’m on. A coffee junkie that can now begin the day and start the year in an appropriate manner.

More on Wegmans later. You probably wonder how I can be so supportive of such a big store. Or, Costco for that matter.  Just you wait.

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