Plates-Grocery List 9/21-27

How do you top the grand opening of a HUGE store? I visited the new HEB Sugar Land market again but still not ready to do a review. It's always fun to be present for "new," but it's also a stress on the folks working. They're getting used to things. Plus, they've called in help from other stores. It was good to see all my friends in the grocery business there.A review will be here with one more shopping trip.

This week's Grocery List notices all three of the major chains in Houston are featuring pork and for varying prices. What that also means is different cuts, different quality, and different suppliers.

You will find pork recipes in all cuisines. Pigs are easy to keep and raise. They're cheaper than cattle to feed. Contrary to their messy image, they are very clean. Pigs are also very smart (and that's from more than just watching Babe). Pork works well seasoned with fruits and fruit flavors, but also holds up well with heavier spices and sauces.

The Kroger and HEB ads show Boneless Pork Loin Center Cut Chops as grilled. That's how I fix mine. Many times I'll toss the pork right on the grill. Maybe I'll use some wood to flavor the meat. A good thing is a quick (30 minute) marinade - soy sauce, apple juice, pineapple juice, beer ... or a couple together - will add some moisture. Unlike beef, you need to cook pork all the way through. But you have to be careful that you don't cook it so much that it dries out. Use indirect grilling and cook it low and slow. That's also where a marinade (or a moisture pan) will help.

The other thing I do with pork chops is to apply a rub. I make a BBQ type rub (garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and cumin), or I use a brown sugar rub. I'll post a few recipes, because my favorite brown sugar rub uses coffee. Not liquid, drink in the morning coffee, but finely ground before you brew it coffee. Stay tuned.

Randall's has whole Boneless Pork Loin and they advertise it as a roast. I usually slice mine and grill it. I can't recall the last time I did a pork roast. I have good recipes though.

Before I post my recipes, here are some places you can find pork recipes ...
http://www.iowapork.org/
http://www.porkbeinspired.com/Index.aspx
http://www.pork4kids.com/



H-E-B
http://www.heb.com

Natural Boneless center Cut Pork Loin chops - $1.97/lb
Fresh Atlantic Salmon - $6.97/lb
Seasoned Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs - $1/lb in value pack
Market Fresh Groud Italian Sausage - $2.29/lb
Large Cantaloupes - $1
St Arnold beer - $6.77/6-pack



KROGER
http://services.kroger.com/StoreLocator/StoreLocatorAdvanced.aspx

Boneless Pork Loin Center Cut Chops - $2.49/lb
Boneless Top Sirloin Steak - $2.99/lb
Peaches, Nectarines, Plums - 99¢/lb
Broccoli Crowns - $1/lb

Gasoline - Regular ... $3.15.9 ... $3.12.9 w/Kroger Card @ Rosenberg Marketplace - Highway 59



RANDALLS
http://www.randalls.com/IFL/Grocery/Home

Fresh Whole Boneless Pork Loin - whole in the bag ... $1.88/lb
Tilapia or Swai Filets - $3.99/lb
Gala Apples - 99¢/lb
Red Seedless grapes - 99¢/lb
Bartlett pears - 99¢/lb
Roma Tomatoes - $1.29/lb
Primo Taglio Black Forest Ham - $5.99



WHOLE FOODS
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Sugar Land once again has daily coupon specials.



CENTRAL MARKET
http://www.centralmarket.com/
http://www.centralmarket.com/Goods/Weekly-Specials.aspx

It's the last week of Brewtopia - a two week festival of all things BEER!
Buy $25 worth of beer and save 25%. It could be worth it unless you know a home-brewer.



SPECS
http://www.specsonline.com/

Cheese and beers specials abound and the Fall seasonal beers are there with more arriving daily! Head to the main downtown Houston store for a great sandwich special - yummy!!!

Plates-Grocery List 9/14-20

The news this week is the Grand Opening of HEB's Sugar Land Market store, located at Texas Highway 6 and US-90A on what used to be a Texas Department of Corrections prison farm. Part of the of Sugar Land Central Unit, it was made "famous" in the movie Sugar Land Express with Goldie Hawn, William Atherton and Ben Johnson, a 1974 film directed by a Hollywood newbie, UCLA film grad and Eagle Scout Steven Spielberg - his first big screen film.

This H-E-B store is - in a word - HUGGGGGE!!! I usually shop at the Sugar Land River Park store and the Rosenberg Kroger Marketplace. I even make my way to the Houston Buffalo Market store (which is larger than HEB-RP). This place is even bigger. If you remember the old Auchan Market on the Tollway - it's about that big (or so it seems). Without checking the floor plans right now, it's probably the size of any of Kroger's new Marketplace stores in Rosenberg, Pearland, Sugar Land, and Conroe

I was there yesterday to be part of the grand opening hooplah (since I was at River Park's opening day) and I'm sure the turnout did not disappoint HEB area President Scott McClelland (who was also there).

I had to wonder ... where did all these people used to buy groceries? Or did everyone run out of food at the same time?

Okay - there were some great prices, lots of tastings, give-away's, giant ice cream and Coke cans, and all kinds of characters in costumes to draw in crowds. But even at 7:30pm, the store was cart-to-cart, shopping list to reusable bag, jam (and jelly) packed.

It's going to make my weekly shopping even more fun!



We'll start this week's Grocery List with some specials good only at the HEB Sugar Land Market ... including gasoline.

St Louis Style Pork Spareribs - $1.77/pound
Coho Salmon - whole ... 3.99/pound
Coho Salmon - fillets ... $5.97/pound
Extra Jumbo Gulf Shrimp (what an oxymoron) - $5.97/pound
Strawberries - $1/pound
Cokes - 2 12-packs/$5
Toaster Strudel - 3/$5
Pop-Tarts - 2/$3
Gasoline - regular ... $3.19.9/gallon



H-E-B
http://www.heb.com

Sanderson Farms Chickens - whole ... 77¢/pound
Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs - Bun Length ... 98¢
Extra Large Black Plums - 97¢/pound
Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns - $1
Hot Pockets/Lean Pockets - $1
Big Red, 7-Up or RC - $1



KROGER
http://services.kroger.com/StoreLocator/StoreLocatorAdvanced.aspx

T-Bone Steaks - $3.99/pound
Kroger Boneless Chicken - Breasts, Thighs or Tenderloins ... $1.99/pound
White Seedless Grapes - 99¢/pound
Roma Tomatoes $1/pound
Gasoline - Regular ... $3.29.9 ... $3.26.9 w/Kroger Card @ Rosenberg Marketplace - Highway 59



RANDALLS
http://www.randalls.com/IFL/Grocery/Home

93% Lean Ground Beef $2.99/pound
Fresh Pink Salmon ... $4.99/pound
Red Lion Nectarines - 88¢/pound
Kiwi Fruit - 3/$1
Sanderson Farms Chicken - Thighs or Drumsticks ... $1.49/pound



WHOLE FOODS
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Sugar Land once again has daily coupon specials. Today it's half price cupcakes, tomorrow it's 20% off wines.

Real Cod - $9.99/pound



CENTRAL MARKET
http://www.centralmarket.com/
http://www.centralmarket.com/Goods/Weekly-Specials.aspx

It's Brewtopia - a two week festival of all things BEER!
Buy $25 worth of beer and save 25%. It could be worth it unless you know a home-brewer.



SPECS
http://www.specsonline.com/

Cheese and beers specials abound and the Fall seasonal beers are there with more arriving daily! Head to the main downtown Houston store for a great sandwich special - yummy!!!

PLATES-Grocery List 9/7-13

I have been doing grocery shopping for close to 40 years. One of the reasons is my Mom did not drive. At first, I would take her grocery shopping. After a while, she would write out the list and I would do it for her and save her time. Being part Scottish, I would also clip coupons. Some of that saved money would find its way into my pocket if I could save money (she knew about this and encouraged my thriftiness).

When I moved off to college, I stayed with an aunt on weekends and would often make grocery runs for her. She was amazed I could find my way through the aisles and bring home not only what was on her list, but also things I observed she "needed."

Later, I had an efficiency dorm. Stuck in a deserted college town with nothing better to do, my college roommate and I would often go grocery shopping on Saturday night. Our greatest find was mis-marked blueberries. This was "back in the day" when stockers would put a sticker on each item and the checkers would ring them up. I had received a yogurt machine for Christmas (another story for another time) and we decided to make blueberry yogurt. The two of us found a whole case (or two) of blueberries at Safeway tagged 39 cents instead of $1.39. We had blueberry yogurt and pancakes ... and even created a few other blueberry recipes. I don't know how many cans we discovered, but we left college with more than a can or two of blueberries in our belongings.

After college (and getting married), the grocery stores were a long way from the East Texas town where we lived but they were on my travel route. Plus the Mini-Max stores were clients, so it was "good business" for me to shop there. Since I enjoyed cooking and she was going to college completing her masters degree, it worked out, too.

Moving to Houston, I worked in Houston near a wide assortment of grocery stores, large and small. I would duck in and out of them in my rounds and find the weekly values. A guy friend, who was also into cooking, would compare shopping lists. Somehow all the females with whom we worked (I think there were 20 ladies and only 4 guys at this place) would be mesmerized he and I would spend lunchtime planning not only meals for an entire week, but also how to double and triple coupons (while eating our homemade molé or lasagna) when their husbands had no clue coupons even existed ... or who Vlassis was (and still is).

Through the years, when I visit friends and relatives, part of my travels includes going to Dierberg's, Schnuck's, Publix, Winn-Dixie, Ralph's, Minyard's and other "fun" places.

My Dad and I enjoy going to the grocery stores and checking out things - especially the bakery and the meat counter. This comes from my time growing up and one of my fondest childhood memories ... going with Dad to Plagens' and Kowalski's to get meats to grill and choose lunch items, respectively.

As you can imagine, I don't shop in just one place in my area. And yes, I "know" associates in a number of stores and they "know" me!

With that in mind ... here's the picks of the week from grocery stores in the Houston area. I'm hoping this can become a weekly blog feature (and make me post something), but without the long introduction!

Some of these are not things I will be buying (frozen pizza), but I try to spot good food deals for YOUR carts and baskets.


CENTRAL MARKET
Prince Edward Island Mussels - 2/lb bag for $6.99


WHOLE FOODS
has a "Deal-A-Day" ... check the ad for the one you like


H-E-B
Boneless Beef NY Strip Steaks - $3.77/lb
Large Cantaloupe - 98¢
Bartlett Pears - 77¢
Nilla Vanilla Wafers - $1.50
HEB Buns - $1
HEB Soft Drinks - $2/12 pack
HEB Potato Chips - $1.50
Red Baron Pizza - $2.50
HEB Tortillas - BO/GOF
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or New Belgium Fat Tire - $11.97/12 pack


KROGER
Kroger Value Fresh Split Chicken Breasts - 99¢/lb
Assorted Pork Loin Chops - 1.99/lb
Ground Turkey - 1.79/lb
Springdale Milk - 2.99/gallon
Black Seedless Grapes - $1/lb
Medium Cantaloupe - 99¢
Big K Soft Drinks - $2/12 pack
Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt - 4 for $5


RANDALLS
Fresh Boneless Pork Loin Roast - $1.88/lb
On the Vine Cluster Tomatoes - 99¢/lb
Signature Cafe Family Size Pizza - $5 each
St Arnold beer - $6.99/6-pack


SPEC'S
St Arnold ... all varieties - $6.99/6-pack
Shiner ... all varieties - $5.99/6-pack
Newcastle ale - $11.99/12-pack

PLATES - Hatch Chili Peppers ... recipes 1, 2, 3

These are MY three favorite Hatch chili recipes and the first ones I make when Hatch chili's come into season.

The first one is a fairly traditional take on Pico de Gallo. I love cilantro and lime and this gives it a good twist. If you don't like tequila you can use some cider vinegar.

The second adds the peppers to apple cobbler and gives it an interesting taste.

The third thing I make are quesadillas. I grill some onions and hatch peppers and cook some bacon. I use a mixture of cheese - two kinds of white and a little cheddar. I also have some cilantro. Get the freshest tortillas you can find - I prefer flour (I buy them raw - something you can get in Texas - and cook them before making the quesadillas) but corn will also work. Put the onions, peppers, bacon, cheese mixture, and cilantro in a tortilla and fold in half. Put a little butter in a hot pan and toast on each side until the cheese melts and the tortilla toasts.

There will be some more Hatch recipes as the days go along.

Enjoy!


PICO DE GALLO

Ingredients:
6 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 diced red onion
3 Hatch chili peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Zest of 1/2 lime
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon tequila
1 teaspoon cumin
sea salt and crushed black pepper, to taste

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients in a big old bowl, as this recipe makes a lot. Remove the seeds and juicy parts of the tomato for better consistency. Cover and refrigerate for a couple hours. As with any dish, you may add or delete ingredients to suit your personal taste. If you like avocado, chopped and slice one (or two) for this recipe. You can also add garlic, if desired. You can use any peppers (usually jalapeño) if Hatch peppers are not in season.




HATCH OATMEAL APPLE COBBLER

Ingredients:
3 cup apples, sliced (Granny Smith or Gala)
1/2 cup Hatch chili peppers, chopped
3 tbsp. flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. cider vinegar

Topping:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
Combine apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and cider vinegar. Place in a buttered (greased) casserole dish. For the topping - cut together with pastry blender the remaining ingredients and sprinkle on top of the apple mixture. Bake 35 minutes in 375 degree oven. Again, you can adjust this recipe as you'd like. I've used some other spices, and even more nuts, oats and butter.

PLATES - Hatch Chili Peppers ... day 3

To be called a “Hatch" New Mexican pepper it must be grown in the area of Hatch, Doña Ana County, New Mexico (near Las Cruces). It is not a variety.

Because of the thick skin, the whole peppers are often roasted and the skin removed.

The most common methods:
- In the oven or broiler until skins blister ... about 7 minutes at 450 degrees
- Grill outdoors until skin blisters
- On the stove ... use a heavy pan and on high heat, roasting for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally until skin blisters

A friend suggests ...
“Quick way to peel lots of Hatch chilis - we roast them over the grill when we are cooking other things then let them cool, throw in a plastic bag, seal and freeze. To peel, run warm water over chilis and the skins come off ... works every time!"

Peppers last longer in the freezer with the skin protecting them and the skins will come off easily after thawing. Bacteria can grow on the peppers, so they should be frozen within a day of roasting and thawed in the fridge.

Otherwise, put peppers in a plastic or paper bag and wait till they cool then skin and remove seeds.

Then again - I use them, skin and all, chopped and raw.

Tomorrow - my favorite Hatch chili recipes ... and some suggestions. In the meantime you can simply search "Hatch chili recipes" and find some (but not mine).

PLATES - Hatch Chili Peppers ... day 2

Today I'm across town at Central Market. You can smell the Hatch chili peppers the moment the doors open. Bammmm! hits you in the face.

Actually, you can smell the peppers the moment you get our of your vehicle as they have two huge gas fired chili roasters going.

And all kinds of Hatch food products being demonstrated inside ... from corn chips, corn bread, tortillas and scones, to sausages, salsas, enchiladas, and more!

CM is the H.E. Butt Grocery Company's answer to Whole Foods.

Both stores are born (and based) in Texas. Yes, Texas IS big enough for two similar style stores (even 3 or 4 if you count Sprout's and Sunflower) ... and other smaller ones ... ??? Face it - Texans eat ... Texans cook .. and sometimes we cook and eat healthy.

Central Market is kicking off their 16th Annual Hatch Chili Festival today - August 17.

They’re on the lookout for the most creative Hatch chile recipes. Starters. Entrees. Desserts. Drinks.
Originality counts. From five ingredients to 50, nothing’s out of bounds if it involves a heavenly
helping of Hatch.


Here's the low down ...
Enter your recipe by August 22, 2011 at 10:00 am. Central Market will select eight winning recipes — one for each of their stores. Entries are judged for creativity, tastiness and presentation by Central Market Partners, local celebrities and Hatch chile fans — (I'm thinking I could be a judge???)

Main prizes ...
Winning entries will receive 75 pounds of Hatch chile peppers and a $100 Central Market gift card.

but look ...
You receive a one-time offer for a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase just for entering.

(okay ... I'm working on MY Hatch recipe entry just for the $5 coupon.)

I know people who can spend $25 at Central Market just in the candy bar (neon sour orange worms) ... or on coconut water ... or in beer and wine ... or desserts ... or seafood ... or ...

Ciao!

PLATES - Hatch Chili Peppers

Okay ... so I gotta get my act together and start posting something on a daily basis.

How about something I found today.

Hatch Chili Peppers are 39¢ a pound at Whole Food Markets in Sugar Land.

I don't know if they;'re that price at YOUR Whole Foods, but they are at mine.

Jay Leno joked about Whole Foods again last night ... the US has a $14 trillion debt. To get a handle on $14 trillion, imagine grocery shopping at Whole Foods every day for a month ..." (audience laughs) ...

Well audience, the laugh's on you this time. Hatch chili peppers are 99¢ to $1.49 elsewhere in town. And their quality is considerably less than here at Whole Foods.

For those who haven't tried them, Hatch Chili Peppers are like Vidalia Onions - truly one of a kind. It's the soil in Doña Ana County, NM that makes it unique.

Most suggest roasting the peppers over an open flame to bring out their flavor. You can do this is a skillet or on a grill. The stores have special pepper roasters and they made a big deal out of it on Friday's saturdays and Sundays.

They are also good "raw" ... chopped and diced and used in recipes like you would a bell, jalapeño, anaheim, or poblano peppers.

There are two kinds of Hatch chili peppers, mild and hot. Believe the billing (and just hope the peppers aren't mislabeled when you buy them).

Grab the recipes at the stores ... from Hatch quesadillas (and tortillas), to cornbread and scones and cookies!

I'll give you MY favorite Hatch Chili recipe tomorrow.