Today I decided to check out our new Sobey's that opened here in our lovely community of Cranston last Thursday.
I can't tell you how excited I am to have a grocery store only 2 mins away.
As soon as I walked in the front doors, I could tell I was going to like this particular location.
As a chef I get very excited about the produce sections of all grocery stores. Especially when they offer varieties of vegetables and fruit that I could normally get from the farmer's market or my specialty grocers. Right away I noticed how beautifully displayed and well stocked the produce section was!! I knew my only 20 mins of a quick shop would quickly be turning into hours of shopping. I was right!! :)
I came across so many wonderful finds. The best part is that they are only mins away vs. a much longer drive. I spent most of my shopping time in the produce area. About 40 mins to be exact :) Silly I know...but I was like a child in a candy store. And to make it even better, the produce manager Dave noticed how excited I was at my finds, he came over to introduce himself to me and ask me...Why so excited? I told him that I was just so excited to find such specialty produce.
I decided to post about my "little" special finds and add pictures of them.
Purple Bunch Carrots
I am looking forward to adding these to the perfect autumn vegetable dish
I can't tell you how excited I am to have a grocery store only 2 mins away.
As soon as I walked in the front doors, I could tell I was going to like this particular location.
As a chef I get very excited about the produce sections of all grocery stores. Especially when they offer varieties of vegetables and fruit that I could normally get from the farmer's market or my specialty grocers. Right away I noticed how beautifully displayed and well stocked the produce section was!! I knew my only 20 mins of a quick shop would quickly be turning into hours of shopping. I was right!! :)
I came across so many wonderful finds. The best part is that they are only mins away vs. a much longer drive. I spent most of my shopping time in the produce area. About 40 mins to be exact :) Silly I know...but I was like a child in a candy store. And to make it even better, the produce manager Dave noticed how excited I was at my finds, he came over to introduce himself to me and ask me...Why so excited? I told him that I was just so excited to find such specialty produce.
I decided to post about my "little" special finds and add pictures of them.
Purple Bunch Carrots
I am looking forward to adding these to the perfect autumn vegetable dish
Baby Purple Artichokes
I love these on a normal day, especially when they are at a good price. My kids love them. They have become a staple in our home.
But to find these beautiful little guys...I am now in HEAVEN!!! :)
A great appetizer to a beautiful seafood dinner.
I love these on a normal day, especially when they are at a good price. My kids love them. They have become a staple in our home.
But to find these beautiful little guys...I am now in HEAVEN!!! :)
A great appetizer to a beautiful seafood dinner.
Pomegranate Seeds
This is the time of year to purchase Pomegranates. They are awesomely priced and easily found.
I always complain at how hard it is to get these yummy tasty jewels of deliciousness out to truly enjoy. Whether in salads, desserts or even savoury dishes, they are just gorgeous.
Now...to my great JOY...you can purchase them just like this!! In a nice little container for you to enjoy without the extra work to get at them. Love it!! :)
I think these will be gracing a salad this week. Can't wait
This is the time of year to purchase Pomegranates. They are awesomely priced and easily found.
I always complain at how hard it is to get these yummy tasty jewels of deliciousness out to truly enjoy. Whether in salads, desserts or even savoury dishes, they are just gorgeous.
Now...to my great JOY...you can purchase them just like this!! In a nice little container for you to enjoy without the extra work to get at them. Love it!! :)
I think these will be gracing a salad this week. Can't wait
Meyer Lemons
This is a specialty lemon. Hard to find here. It was found in China and thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. If you like lemons, but don't really care for the pucker, then these are the lemons for you. They aren't nearly as tart as a regular lemon and the peel tends to be a bit sweeter and thiner. Perfect for preserving!
Think making a beautiful sauce for a roast chicken is in order :)
Kiwi Berries
I've only ever seen these in BC. They are perfection in my eyes. Taste is much like a regular kiwi, only with the added bonus of not having to peel them because the skin is so tender. Great for topping salads, or desserts. Or just enjoying as is. They are gorgeous!!
I've only ever seen these in BC. They are perfection in my eyes. Taste is much like a regular kiwi, only with the added bonus of not having to peel them because the skin is so tender. Great for topping salads, or desserts. Or just enjoying as is. They are gorgeous!!
Cape Gooseberry
I'm sure you've seen these topping some of your desserts in restaurants. I use them alot to garnish desserts and platters when I am catering. I've only ever purchased them from my specialty suppliers, so it's nice to find them in my everyday grocery store. My kids love to munch on them as a snack. I like to think of them as delicate with a sweet sour taste. Much like a cross between a regular gooseberry and a cherry tomatoe. Hard to describe the taste, so you'll just have to get some and try them for yourself. :)
I'm sure you've seen these topping some of your desserts in restaurants. I use them alot to garnish desserts and platters when I am catering. I've only ever purchased them from my specialty suppliers, so it's nice to find them in my everyday grocery store. My kids love to munch on them as a snack. I like to think of them as delicate with a sweet sour taste. Much like a cross between a regular gooseberry and a cherry tomatoe. Hard to describe the taste, so you'll just have to get some and try them for yourself. :)
Baby Zucchini and Squash
Love love love these baby veggies. The flavours don't change at all, only the size and that's what it's all about. Who wouldn't like to see these mini bites of earthiness gracing there plates whether at home or in a restaurant. Simply served...cut in half, roast and add a bit of butter and garlic. They really don't need much else.
Love love love these baby veggies. The flavours don't change at all, only the size and that's what it's all about. Who wouldn't like to see these mini bites of earthiness gracing there plates whether at home or in a restaurant. Simply served...cut in half, roast and add a bit of butter and garlic. They really don't need much else.
Baby Pineapple
I just about died when I saw these. Again, I couldn't resist. Who could? Imagine it cut in half or quarters lengthwise to garnish platters mounded with beautifully colored fruit. Left whole just to admire, but I know that wouldn't last too long. It would be eaten up before you know it. Just so cute. NO ONE could resist it's cuteness!! I just know it :)
I just about died when I saw these. Again, I couldn't resist. Who could? Imagine it cut in half or quarters lengthwise to garnish platters mounded with beautifully colored fruit. Left whole just to admire, but I know that wouldn't last too long. It would be eaten up before you know it. Just so cute. NO ONE could resist it's cuteness!! I just know it :)
Baby Pear
So cute!! I just couldn't resist. Again, I've only seen these in farmer's markets. Never in a grocery store.
Not sure what I'll do with these other than just eat them as is. They are sweet and tender! Will end up being my mid day snack tomorrow.
So cute!! I just couldn't resist. Again, I've only seen these in farmer's markets. Never in a grocery store.
Not sure what I'll do with these other than just eat them as is. They are sweet and tender! Will end up being my mid day snack tomorrow.
Baby Eggplants
Again...I've only seen these at my farmer's markets. I have a great plan for these little babies. Cut in half, grilled whole, drizzled with a bit of olive oil and seasoned with some fleur de sel to be served a long side an herbed pork roast. YUMMY!!! I can't wait.
Again...I've only seen these at my farmer's markets. I have a great plan for these little babies. Cut in half, grilled whole, drizzled with a bit of olive oil and seasoned with some fleur de sel to be served a long side an herbed pork roast. YUMMY!!! I can't wait.
I hope you enjoyed my picture post of my "LITTLE" finds at my local grocery store. Make a trip to your local grocery store and see what "little" treasures await you. It just may spark some new creativity in your kitchen :)
Don't forget to click on the left tab to follow my blog! :) And just above that, click on my facebook page to follow that. That is all you have to do to be entered in my draw to celebrate the new look and direction of my company blog. A basket full of canning, preserves, & a mini recipe book that includes a couple of my not yet published recipes from my cookbook will await you if you are the winner. Leave me a comment and let me know you did it, and consider yourself in the draw:)
Easy Peesy!!!
If you don't win this time around, don't worry. There will be more draws in the future. So follow the blog to keep updated!
Tomorrow...look forward to a recipe post and picture post of my recipe for Cioppino. My favorite Seafood Soup/Stew with a twist.
In the next few days to come, my first post of TO TASTE. Where I take one ingredient, and create a dish without using a recipe. It's the easiest way to cook. No need to be scared! :)
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!
Until we "COOK" again
Don't forget to click on the left tab to follow my blog! :) And just above that, click on my facebook page to follow that. That is all you have to do to be entered in my draw to celebrate the new look and direction of my company blog. A basket full of canning, preserves, & a mini recipe book that includes a couple of my not yet published recipes from my cookbook will await you if you are the winner. Leave me a comment and let me know you did it, and consider yourself in the draw:)
Easy Peesy!!!
If you don't win this time around, don't worry. There will be more draws in the future. So follow the blog to keep updated!
Tomorrow...look forward to a recipe post and picture post of my recipe for Cioppino. My favorite Seafood Soup/Stew with a twist.
In the next few days to come, my first post of TO TASTE. Where I take one ingredient, and create a dish without using a recipe. It's the easiest way to cook. No need to be scared! :)
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!
Until we "COOK" again
cute post i enjoyed it and thought of you jumping up and down in the supermarket-you should show people how to prepare artichokes i love them but have no ide how to cut those babies!
ReplyDeleteLove the post! Totally could picture you as well! That's exciting they have all those yummy foods! I haven't checked it out yet, but sure will! So I've been waiting for this draw... will be checking back later with crossed fingers!
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