Help with the Holiday Madness!

by Kristina, November 11, 2009 | Permalink

Do not fret the holiday shopping and your menu! Our Team Members are ready to help you find anything in the store and provide recipe ideas for your gathering. This website is also a great resource for special diet recipes, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, low-sodium and vegetarian/vegan.

What I love about working with such fabulous people, is that they all have great ideas and creativity when it comes to food. Please feel free to ask Team Members what their favorite recipes are.

Of course, we also have an incredible Prepared Foods offering for the holidays, whether it’s a full meal package, side dishes, hors d’oeuvres, or wine pairings. Stop by the Holiday Table to place your order or for more details.

In addition, throughout the store, you’ll find nifty gift ideas for your family and friends.

May you and yours have a wonderful and tasty holiday season!

Buzz on Buffalo?

by Kristina, September 2, 2009 | Permalink

Buffalo is a delicious way to “lean up” your beef recipes with more protein and less calories, fat or cholesterol than beef. In addition, buffalo is a good source of iron, B vitamins and other key nutrients. The trick to cooking with buffalo is “low and slow” as leaner meats cook and lose moister faster. The lower temperature also provides better texture. With a richer, slightly sweet flavor compared to beef, buffalo earns bonus points for nutrition! Recipes are available at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/.

What’s Hot This Weekend & Special Benefit

by Kristina, August 8, 2009 | Permalink

Trying to find the perfect item to grill this weekend? Through the 9th, the New York strip steaks are on sale for $9.99/lb. Delicious, high quality meat on a discount! Love the Soy Vay Very Very Teriyaki as a marinade and highly recommend it.

On another note, please mark your calendar to support Ray Brandhurst, a local shrimper who is battling lung cancer with minimal health insurance. Ray is a member of the White Boot Brigade, which we have supported through special fundraisers in our Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina stores. His wife Kay sells shrimp at the Crescent City Farmers Market and they have four children.

Chef Michael Farrell from Le Meritage is hosting a Louisiana Wild Caught Shrimp Dinner to benefit Ray and his family Saturday, August 15th from 7 to 10 p.m., which features four courses with wine pairings for $75 per person. Call 504.648.6119 for reservations.

What’s Cooking for the Fourth!

by Kristina, June 27, 2009 | Permalink

From now through July 7th, grilling planks are on sale and perfect for celebrating the 4th in style! One of the store team leaders (comparable to general manager) used a plank for grilling chicken and it came out incredibly tender and flavorful. You’ll generally find them in the Seafood Department in addition to grilling displays as they’re mostly used for fish. Ask a team member for their recipe as they are happy to share and celebrate good food!

In addition, from July 1st through the 8th, you’ll receive FREE one 18 oz. bottle of Stubbs BBQ sauce, 1.25 pounds of Whole Foods Market cornbread, and one pound of classic coleslaw when you purchase one full rack of baby back ribs!

I’m known as the rib queen in our household and can’t wait! Also, I prefer to use our 365 charcoal rather than a gas grill although I understand the convenience of using gas. Call me a purist!

Shrimp Sale & Things to Ponder

by Kristina, June 13, 2009 | Permalink

The three Louisiana stores have fresh (not previously frozen) headless jumbo Gulf shrimp on sale this weekend only for $9.99.

What makes this shrimp different from what you’ll find on the corner or around town is that it’s preservative/chem-free and sulfite-free. Added bonus is that the weight is from the shrimp meat rather than the head. More shrimp to eat! Of course, if you’re making a stock, you want the head for the best flavor.

I’m thinking it’s shrimp and grits for brunch this weekend! Bon appetit!

Check out the Pontchartrain Grill Inside Veterans!

by Kristina, June 5, 2009 | Permalink

One of my favorite venues at the Veterans store is the Pontchartrain Grill. You can sit at the counter, order your meal, and dine with family, friends, and business associates, or relax and chat with us. I always find myself talking about food and different recipes with the Team Member Chef of the Day. Food is part of us and we definitely have a way of celebrating it! 

Look for the delicious daily specials and be sure to ask questions if you want to make any substitutions or additions or know how your dish will be prepared. Bon Appetit!