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  • 1st Place Winner - Victor Colon!

    Victor was our most prepared, even-keeled chef.  He came in early to scope out Grocery Outlet and see what our product offering was before he crafted his dish.  Victor is from Puerto Rico, and wanted to pull together a classic dish with tastes of his home.  His dish, Mojito Mofongo, is a dish of mashed plantains with rice.  He paired it with shrimp cooked in salsa.  The dish impressed our judges with its flavor, elegance, and presentation. It was closest to the caliber one would expect from a fine restaurant.  Just goes to show that good preparation and planning pay off!

     

    Victor scopes out the Crown Hill Grocery Outlet

    Victor scopes out the Crown Hill Grocery Outlet.

     

     Victor's ingredients.

    Victor's ingredients.

     Victor comes in just under budget.

    Victor comes in just under budget.

     

     Victor, zesting a lemon.

    Victor zesting a lemon while STAR 101.5's Jill Taylor interviews him.

     

    Mojito Mofongo

    Mojito Mofongo, with Shrimp in Salsa and Coleslaw Salad.

     

    As our first place winner, Victor won $2000 towards his tuition to the Art Institute of Seattle.  In a surprising twist, he told our audience that as a military veteran, his schooling is paid for by our government, and that he would like to give his winnings to Alex Marshall, our 2nd place winner! 

    Victor is truly a class act, and we wish him, Alex, and Josh the best for their continued culinary education.  We hope we'll be eating in your restaurants some day guys!


    For Victor's award-winning Mojito Mofongo, click here to download a PDF.

    To see Victor's receipt, click here.

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  • 2nd Place Winner - Alex Marshall

    Alex was outgoing, funny, and had some fantastic culinary ideas.  The judges liked his concept of Chicken Thighs with Beurre Blanc (a sauce made from butter and white wine) and thought his dish was refined, but he got points knocked off for execution.  The judges wanted the rice to be a little more cooked, so when you make his recipe, be sure to check the rice.


     Alex, prepping

    Alex, prepping.

     

    Alex, cooking.

    Alex cooking.

     

    Rice
Pilaf with Asparagus

    Alex plating the Rice Pilaf with Asparagus.

     

    Alex cheering, upon winning 2nd place.

    Alex cheering, upon winning second place.

    Though Alex didn't win first place, he made a delicious dish that was inexpensive and paired well with wine.  He's also the only chef who used wine to cook with in his dish. 

    Click here to view Alex's recipes.

    Click here to see his receipt.

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  • 3rd Place Winner - Josh Schimmel-Bristow

    Josh Schimmel-Bristow was our 3rd place winner with his Lemon Chicken with Parslied Rice Pilaf.  Josh was an engaging, personable chef with admirable knife skills.  I was impressed with his talent in the kitchen and his take on classic comfort food.  Of all the recipes, I think his meal would appeal most to our customers with families—it's the most kid-friendly and would make a fantastic fall or winter dinner.

     

    Josh, shopping

    Josh picks out his ingredients.

     

    Josh comes in just under budget

    Josh comes in just under his $20 budget, even with wine and half and half!

     

    Josh, cooking

    Prepping the chicken and vegetables.

     

     Lemon Chicken with Parslied Rice Pilaf

     Lemon Chicken with Parslied Rice Pilaf

    Click to download a PDF of Josh's recipes.
    To see Josh's receipt, click here.

    While all of the dishes scored very well, there can only be one winner.  Stay tuned for Alex and Victor's dishes!

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  • Gourmet Cooking from Cans

    Canned food sometimes gets a bad rap.  There’s a misunderstanding about the freshness and nutritional value of canned fruits and vegetables, but much of this bad press simply isn’t true.  Canned fruits and vegetables are comparable in nutrition to those that are cooked fresh or frozen.  In fact, just like frozen food, canned fruits and vegetables are picked and processed at their peak, which seals in nutrients.

    Also, canned foods are convenient: since the food inside is usually already cooked, it lessens your cooking time, allowing you to get food on the table faster.

    Grocery Outlet has long promoted the benefits of canned food items, and we’re here to show that you can create gourmet-style meals in your kitchen that are healthy, cheap and easy to make.  Here's our first recipe, an easy asparagus soup that you can make in minutes.

     

     Asparagus Soup

     

    Asparagus Soup

    Ingredients:
    1 (15 ounce) can asparagus
    1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
    1/2 cup milk
    1 tablespoon butter
    2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
    salt and pepper to taste

    Directions:
    1. Blend the asparagus, with liquid, in a blender or food processor until completely smooth.
    2. Heat asparagus and chicken broth together in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in milk, and bring to a low simmer. Stir in butter to finish, and season to taste with, Parmesan, salt and pepper.

    Serves 4.

     

    For more delicious recipes, click here to download our Cooking from Cans recipes.  We've even included a dessert! 

    Remember: just because it's inexpensive doesn't mean it's any less delicious.  Enjoy!

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  • $3-A-Person Thanksgiving Dinner



     Thanksgiving Dinner


    Thanksgiving is the foundation of autumn's traditions and a very important celebration.  With rising prices however, it can be difficult to provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner without breaking the bank.  At Grocery Outlet, we've put together a menu for Thanksgiving dinner, complete with side dishes and dessert, that works out to $3 per plate.  Now you can be the hero of your Thanksgiving table.


    To download our $3-A-Person Thanksgiving menu, please click here.

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  • Cheap and Easy Appetizers

    Who doesn’t love a good appetizer?  When you’re hungry and waiting for dinner, a delicious starter can really hit the spot.  At Grocery Outlet, you can satisfy your guests and not empty your wallet.  Here is a brief selection of our favorite cheap and easy appetizer recipes to surprise and delight friends and family.

     Goat Cheese Balls


    Pistachio Goat Cheese Balls

    1/2 cup shelled salted pistachios 
    6 ounces goat cheese, softened
    2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

    Toast nuts in small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes; chop finely.  Combine goat cheese and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Drop mixture by heaping teaspoons onto a parchment-lined baking sheet; refrigerate 15 minutes.  Roll into balls, and then roll in chopped nuts.  Refrigerate, tightly covered, up to 1 day.  Serves 10, makes 30 balls.


    BLT Bites
    48 whole cherry tomatoes
    1 lb bacon (cooked and crumbled)
    3/4 cup mayonnaise
    3 green onions (chopped)
    3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
    2 tablespoons fresh parsley (snipped)

    Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato.  Scoop out and discard the pulp (I use the handle end of a small teaspoon, or use a melon-baller).  Invert tomatoes on paper towels to drain.  In a small bowl, combine all remaining ingredients and mix well.  Spoon into tomatoes.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serves 12, makes 48.


    Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

    6 roma tomatoes, diced
    2 cloves garlic, chopped
    2 cloves garlic, peeled
    3 tablespoons olive oil
    2 1/4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
    2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
    1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
    8 slices Italian bread, cut about 1 inch thick
    2 tablespoons grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

    Whisk together chopped garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper, and basil.  When combined, slowly drizzle in oil.  Add tomatoes and let sit for 20 minutes at room temp.  Toast the bread.  This can be done either in the toaster (if it's got really wide slots) or under the broiler (if using this method watch closely so it doesn't become a brick).  When the bread is toasted rub each piece, on one side, with the whole garlic pieces.  Place the bread on a cookie sheet and top with tomato mixture.  Sprinkle on a little cheese and broil until the cheese melts.  Serve immediately.  Serves 4.


    Nearly all the ingredients in these recipes can be bought at Grocery Outlet at a significant value.  Other ideas for appetizers would be chopped vegetables with guacamole and hummus, chunks of fruit with sweet yogurt dip, nuts, crackers and cheese.  We’ve got a significant selection of all of those items, so shop your local Grocery Outlet to save while you stock up for holiday parties!


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  • Come Back Inside: Fall Dinners

    As the weather chills and the leaves start to fall, come back inside for family dinners.  A warm, satisfying meal together is the perfect way to celebrate the change of seasons and transition to cooler temperatures.  We’ve put together some delicious recipes and ideas for this time of year that will fill up your soul without emptying your wallet.

    Ham with Cheesy Shells
    You can make this in your slow-cooker or Crock-Pot!

    Ingredients:
    12 oz. diced ham
    1 can cream of mushroom soup
    8 oz. grated cheddar cheese
    Black pepper to taste
    1 cup frozen vegetables, cut broccoli or mixed vegetables
    3 cups cooked small pasta shells or macaroni
    1/4 cup of low-fat evaporated milk

    In a 3 ½ - 5 quart Crock-Pot or slow cooker, combine ham, soup, cheese, and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. Add frozen vegetables 30 minutes before serving. Add milk to thin; add hot cooked pasta then serve.  

    Serves 4.


    Other frugal fall meal ideas:
    - Host a taco bar!  Set out plates of tortillas, cooked chicken or ground beef, grated cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce and tomato, and let everyone make their own tacos.
    - Baked potato bar—same idea, different spin.  Bake up a  potato for each family member and load it up with cheese, sour cream, chopped chives, cooked veggies, chili—whatever they like.  Hearty and filling, and the vegetables give it extra nutritional value too.
    - Get your kids in on the action.  Help them brainstorm a 5 ingredient-or-less meal, shop for it with you, and then make it together.  Kids like being included and if you keep the ingredients and prep low, it should be pretty easy going.  Ideas we have: spaghetti with meat sauce, mac ‘n cheese with a side of steamed veggies, English muffin pizzas.  Have fun!



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