Costco food finds - 1st quarter 2012 [old]

[greygarious]

Re-upping. Please mention your location when posting, since Costco inventory varies greatly from one area to another.

[hto44]

I was at the Dedham MA store today and they were sampling CJ chicken cilantro mini wontons. Tasty enough that I walked out with a bag. Has anyone tried the fresh ravioli? Specifically, I was curious about the lobster ravioli and the chicken and mozzarella?

[Rella]

Here in Winchester, VA, a couple of times I have sampled "a" lobster ravioli, which I did not like at all, but I do not know the brand, or if they carry more than one brand. My advice - if they have a demonstration, be sure to taste!

But surely don't want to scare you off from something absolutely delicious.

[CanadaGirl]

I buy those wontons often. They make an excellent soup with chicken broth, broccoli and a but of sesame oil. Top with lots of sriracha!

[agoodbite]

Found 4-packs of globe artichokes for $4.99 at the location in Austin, TX. I plan to steam then charcoal grill them tomorrow.

[letsindulge]

2# bag of broccolette. Cross between gai lan (Chinese broccoli, and mustard greens). Delicious blanched then sauteed in EVOO w/ sliced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sunnyvale, CA Costco.

[spazita]

It that like rapini?

[CanadaGirl]

Sounds like what is labelled "broccolini" near me. If so, I agree that it is amazing. Nothing like rapini though, as it is not bitter at all.

[ninrn]

Our Albuquerque Costco:

Basmati Rice (from Pakistan) 20lbs for 14.99 - amazing price.

Lots of varieties of Muir Glen organic canned tomatoes.

Organic Raw Blue Agave Nectar/Syrup -- I think a two-pack (total 23+ oz) was about $6.

[artemis]

New to me - Fage 0% single-serve fruit-on-the-side combo pack (blueberry acai, mango guarabana, cherry pom and maybe one more flavor?) - $13 for 12, Foster City.

[suburban_mom]

Not a food, but I did find cedar grilling planks at the Eden Prairie, MN location. 3 full size planks, 6 half size planks. I'm not sure of the price because they weren't priced on the floor but I think they were about $8 and for sure were under $10.

[dave_c]

Seattle - I've been spending the extra money and buying corned beef (Shenson?) at Costco.

For me, their corned beef is not overly salty and flavorful.
Cooks up very tender and not dry in the crock pot on low, 10 hours.

The supermarket lost-leader sale corned beef usually seems saltier and flavorless. I've given up on those brands.

[gmm]

@dave_c - did you soak or rinse your cb before you cooked it? I've got a Shenson cb in the fridge. I'm also planning to cook it in the crockpot.

[dave_c]

All I do is rinse.
The last corned beef was a 5 pounder which barely fit in the slow cooker.
In the crock pot I added a chopped carrot and half an onion, chopped, and about 4 cups of water to cover.

Recently a friend mentioned adding a little brown sugar, 1 to 2 Tablespoons. I have not tried that but may give it a shot.

[rabaja]

Picked up a Snake River corned beef on Friday at the Novato, CA Costco.
I'm pretty excited to try this corned beef, hopefully I won't mess it up.
They had various sizes, I got a smallish one for around $13. I think it's just over 2 lbs.
They had them next to another brand, but I've enjoyed a lot of Snake River meats at work and wanted to give this a try.

[rabaja]

Anyone have any experience with this brand?
I want to cook it this week, but not sure if I should soak it for a day first...we don't like too much salt around here, but I hate to throw flavor down the drain.

[Beach Chick]

OMG...
Went to my Poway Costco yesterday and bought the Quinoa salad....next to the shrimp cocktails.
Outstanding!
So fresh and good and a Superfood for this chica..
It was about $6.50 for a pound and it has cucumbers, mint, cherry tomt's..

[Berheenia]

Would it qualify as a vegan dish? I will be going to Costco in a few weeks to shop for a luncheon for 40+ and want a vegan alternative to the rotisserie chicken salad. thanks!

[meatn3]

The variety I purchased in NC last week is vegan:

Cuke, Tomatoes, red quinoa, red bell pepper, mung beans, white quinoa, bulgur wheat, red lentils, parsley, soy bean oil, cilantro, 2% or less of following: salt, lemon juice concentrate, vinegar, water, spices.

Might be pricey for 40...I purchased 1.39 lbs for $6.94. Worked out to about 4 serving spoons worth. Only other issue I see if if you have people who avoid gluten (bulgur).

It seems more of a side salad to me. You could add canned beans (black or red would work) and perhaps some of TJ's frozen roasted corn to extend it and make it heartier. Shelled edamame would work too. The lentils are not readily apparent in the dish.

Tastes great. With the temperatures so high I've been enjoying it as a cool meal along with the cilantro shrimp.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i had high hopes for the quinoa salad after BC posted about it so i sought it out at my Costco last week...and then i saw bulgur listed in the ingredients. such a buzzkill! why did they have to go and ruin a perfectly good GF item like that?

[meatn3]

True - the bulgur could easily be replaced without changing the product much (flavor and production cost). Seems silly to not have it GF. Perhaps the commissary is afraid of cross contamination and has decided to just avoid the potential by not making GF dishes?

[gmm]

Has anyone tried the Green Chopsticks brand potstickers? A couple weekends ago they had a couple tents set up and were cooking and giving out samples. I didn't try one, but I was curious about the brand so I looked it up online. I guess Costco isn't actually carrying the product yet, they're just doing demos at stores around the country as a test run to check customer feedback.

[mlshoppy]

Bought these about a month ago at Jacksonville Costco....nothing to write home about, should have helped yourself to one during the demo. They are smaller than normal dumplings, no flavor at all. I steam mine, then mix a sauce together to spice them up and it still doesn't help much.

[meatn3]

I saw Irish Bangers in the seasonal refrigerated end cap near the meat/deli section in Raleigh tonight.

A woman in line ahead of me had a deli prepared container of pork tamales. I had never seen them in the prepared food area (pot pie, chicken salad, etc.).

[Rubee]

The bangers are RJ Balson and Sons. They were very good - made bangers and mash this weekend. Will definitely be stocking up while they have them.

http://www.balsonbutchers.com/blogs/r...

[givemecarbs]

Tried the fire roasted veggies in balsamic butter sauce from my montgomeryville pa costco. They come in generous individual bags and the instructions are to heat some oil in a pan and then stir the veggies in and heat them on medium high until the butter sauce packets melt and the veggies are hot.
They were a bit strong for my Lenten meal of fish sticks and mashed potatoes so I had some leftovers. I had some drumsticks on hand so I browned the drumsticks in oil and then popped another packet of veggies to supplement the leftovers. Ended up with a nice chicken and veggie dish which I served with white rice. I still have some of the chicken and veggies left and I bet they will taste even better for lunch.
Would buy again as a chicken helper quick meal.

[Rella]

Thanks for your review. I passed them up my last trip, but instead bought a bag of new frozen green beans not previously seen. I've not tried them yet, though. I'm not sure whether to buy the balsamic fire roasted veggies, but they look tempting.

[givemecarbs]

Rella inside the big bag are some smaller bags. I had been planning to just nuke them up but I'm glad I took the time to read the instructions. I think they would be yummy as the side dish they were intended for, but with something more assertive like ribs or barbecue chicken. I had fun I like to play with my food. And the chicken veggie stew was even better today.

[Rella]

Yeah, I think they're for me. Thanks.

[givemecarbs]

Just got back from a brief Costco raid. In the prepared foods section I saw quinoa salad. Anyone try? Also in the refrigerated section with the ravioli and chicken parm and such I saw chicken vindaloo. It looked yummy but it might be too spicy. Anyone try that? This was at the montgomeryville pa Costco.

[givemecarbs]

Paella appeared again with the refrigerated prepared foods next to the huge pot pies and such at my montgomeryville pa Costco. Was even better than the last time it was available as there were plump scallops on top. Reheated nicely for lunch too.
I'm sorry to say that I bought a tub of honey almond cookies. I drink a lot of hot tea this time of year and these cookies keep jumping into my mouth. I'm going to have to freeze some or better yet take them into work. I'm eating five or six a day and have barely made a dent. You have been warned.

[monavano]

I'm thinking that the paella is appearing again for Lent. I was pleasantly surprised how good it was a few months ago. I'll be looking for it on Friday ;-)
Thanks for the heads up.

[peppergal]

Just got home from Costco (Fort Worth), and the Kirkland Chocolate Almond Toffee is back! I was whining several weeks ago about its apparent demise. I'm not sure it tastes just the same (yes, I've already had a piece!), but I'm sure I can convince myself it's still mighty good....

They also had some beautiful baby bok choy. Wonderful in salads, braised in a little olive oil, garlic (or maybe diced jalapenos, or both), s&p. Spring is here!

[Rilke]

Was the baby bok choy in the walk in refrigerated section?

[peppergal]

Yes. In a clamshell.

For the past couple of months, they've also had a broccoli salad -- in my opinion not as good as the broccoli slaw they carried for so long. Smaller size, more ingredients, more expensive, not as finely cut.. I'd rather add my own dried cranberries, etc., etc., etc., and have a more slaw "texture", but at least they brought back an approximation. I could, of course, buy broccoli crowns and make my own slaw -- but 've come to love convenience!

Hope you find and enjoy the baby bok choy.

[Rilke]

Thanks, I will be looking for it! I'm hoping that if they don't have it now (here in Delaware), it will appear when the weather gets warmer.

[MisterBill2]

The Delaware Costco is great! Always lots of samples from local vendors when we've been there. And no sales tax, to boot (although that is not an issue with food).

[Rilke]

Yes, the Delaware Costco is a well run store.

[Dax]

I saw the baby bok choy in Alamaba too but did not think the price was much better than at either of the local asian markets.

[rasputina]

May not be cheaper but I'm always up for one stop shopping.

[ferret]

May not be cheaper, but definitely not more expensive - and they're very good.

[cstr]

I've purchased them 3 times over the past 2 months, they're nice baby sized, tender and very fresh. I use them in soup, as a sub for spinach and in stir frys. They're about $2.50 pp.

[cstr]

Costco was demoing the broc salad today, pretty good taste and texture.

[peppergal]

Had the broccoli salad tonight, adding slices of the baby bok choy. Pret-ty good!

[Beach Chick]

So it was pretty good...I make my own so I was hesitant to purchase the salad.
Which Costco do you go to?
My Poway Costco has added dumplings, soba noodles and seaweed salad..

I've been on an Ahi, pineapple spears, baby peppers, shrimp salad, blue cheese and shrimp cocktail binge that I need to see if Betty Ford has treatment for it..
; )

[cstr]

The Morena Costco, yesterday.

[peppergal]

I went to Costco (Fort Worth) this morning and couldn't find the broccoli salad. It seems to be hit and miss. If I could figure out how to julienne the broccoli stalks (other than by hand -- maybe my mandoline? I hardly ever use it), I could make my own, adding craisins, crunchies, red peppers, etc., and a dressing (probably with less fat). And buying the crowns would be less expensive than florets. I do enjoy the salad (they used to call it broccoli slaw), but I wish it were more consistently available.

[givemecarbs]

Sounds yummy peppergal! Be careful with that mandoline though. I'm afraid of those things.

[walker]

I always use my cut-resistant glove with it .. costs about $20. Chefscatalog.com has it.

[cstr]

Not sure if was being test marketed as it was on demo, still it was very tasty. I usually stay away from prepared foods as well. I can't live without my mandoline, it does a great job on veggies, way better than slicing when there's a lot to do.

[peppergal]

Which blade do you use for julienne, cstr? The few times I've used mine it's been for slicing -- not even sure if I still have the directions that came with it. Thanks.

[cstr]

Mine has a separate julienne blade.

[peppergal]

Thanks, cstr. Maybe if I dig deeper....!

[gmm]

I've got two different ones. The smaller one has blades that have to be swapped out to do julienne (pic #1), and the larger one is a v-slicer where you just swap out a plate that holds the blades (pic #2). Either way, I highly recommend getting a cut-resistant glove. Using the julienne blade requires you to go a little faster and use more force to get the food through and no matter how careful you are, you will cut yourself at some point. I learned that lesson. :)

[peppergal]

Thanks, gmm. The pictures helped. I *think* mine is the v-type! (It's been a while!) I'll look for a cut-resistant glove as well, which Walker also suggested (above).

[gmm]

One thing on the cut-resistant glove - make sure you try it on and that the fingers aren't too long. The one I got was a "one size fits all" and the fingers are way too long for my hands. I still use it but the extra fabric really gets in the way of the blade unless I'm holding my hand flat.

[peppergal]

Thanks for the tip, gmm. Love your dog!

[peppergal]

Not that you've been losing sleep over this, gmm, but while in fit of throwing things away today (trying to get my house ready to put on the market), I ran across the instruction pamphlet for my mandoline. It is the v-type, and it seems there is a julienne attachment. It apparently has a "safety holder" as well, but the glove still sounds like a good idea. Now, should I ever actually get moved, I can make the broccoli slaw! Thanks again for your help and good suggestions.

[gmm]

:) I occasionally use the safety holder for potatoes, but mine isn't very useful for holding onto smaller things. Glad you found it though.

[rasputina]

oo baby bok choy! Thanks for the heads up!

[carfreeinla]

Found a great olive tapenade on Staten Island- has a "parmigianny" taste which made it perfect to dress plain pasta. Almost like a pesto made of olives

[baltimorejim]

Arundel Mills MD Costco

My brother just bought "Capt Neill's Seafood Inc" jumbo lump crab meat "wild caught" "processed in USA". My wife insists on buying Blue Crab. This crab looks Asian to me. She is making crab cakes. It will be interesting to see how they taste. I notice the lumps seem much larger than blue crab.

Capt Neill's is listed on the plastic container as Columbia N. C. 27925. Anyone see anything misleading about the packaging if it is in fact Asian crab?

[monavano]

I'd bet dollars to donuts it's from Asia. I only get local from the Chesapeake.

[goodhealthgourmet]

it doesn't say "Product of [country]" anywhere on the container?

[AmyInNC]

I can't say that I've seen this particular product in our Costco, but I can tell you that I grew up in eastern North Carolina & Columbia is *very* close to the coast, and North Carolina is a primary producer of blue crabs - along with, of course, Maryland, South Carolina, Louisiana, etc... I wouldn't assume it's Asian in this case.

[baltimorejim]

Well let me tell you something those backfin lumps were the largest lumps I've ever seen in a plastic east coast looking 1 pound tub of crabmeat. It does not say product of anywhere on the container.

I agree with monovano. It made the strangest crab cakes from the recipe we usually use and made me understand why crab cakes made with Asian crab are made the way they are made in restaurants nowadays. There was no hope of pan frying them.

I also stick to crab which I expect to be at least blue crab. I will buy Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana... when Chesapeake crab is not available.

I would love to hear other comments from purchasers of this product. I met a fellow who supplies crab meat to local Whole Paycheck stores. It would be interesting to hear his take on this package and its contents.

[AmyInNC]

Please update us with your findings! It is strange that it doesn't have "product of" listed on the container. It's certainly possible that they're processing foreign crab, but gosh... I really hope that's not the case. NC has such great seafood (yes, I'm biased)... I would hope that businesses could rely on locally souced products to be profitable, but I know that's probably not possible nowadays :) I tried to find contact info to email them, but wasn't successful. However, I did find a phone number: 252-796-0795.

[baltimorejim]

I was busy today so did not get a chance to question "Capt Neill" or Costco. (I am not a member) Did you get a response? If they are processing Asian crab it appears to be a deliberate effort on the part of Costco or Capt Neill to deceive customers. But probably not illegal.

[AmyInNC]

Ugh. That would be so disappointing. I didn't get a chance to call them either. However I meant to say in my earlier post - Tara Foreman is the owner. Apparently it is a family-run business. They do seafood packing & also (I think) have a restaurant on site.

[baltimorejim]

I realize this is a waste of your time and mine. The battle is long over and we have won an abundant supply of an inferior product thanks to Phillips entrepreneurship in Asia. An interesting history of this can be found at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/co...

I am sure Tara will readily admit the crab is Asian and after all it is $19.95 not $26 to $29 as I am happy to pay for east coast of the US jumbo lump.

I encourage all to experience the difference for themselves.

[Rella]

Fabulous article. I have made the jaunt to MD on a few occasions for fresh crab. The last time in Crisfield - on a birthday or some other celebration, left me hungry, dissatisfied, and we headed to the second restaurant for more food -- (I still can't believe we did this!) This second restaurant was Mexican cuisine - to get our stomachs full was not good either. It indeed was an memorable birthday. Since then, we have not gone searching for fresh crabs in Maryland.

I have been buying Phillips lump at Costco, but am wondering how the "use by date" can be so many months down the road.

[treb]

The 'use by date' is a suggestion by the packers. Remember, crab in cans is pasturized so it has a longer life.

[baltimorejim]

Well maybe I spoke too soon. According to Charley in Tara Foreman's office at Capt Neill's the crab was "caught right here in North Carolina". I notice the container has a sell by date of 2/13/12 and also says "perishable" .

I must say that it is the most unusual east coast jumbo lump I have ever encountered. Big hard lumps top to bottom of the container. Has anyone else tried this crab?

My apologies to Capt Neill and AmyInNC.

[Rella]

Thanks for your great investigation and posting. I will be looking for this product in my Winchester, VA or Manassas, VA Costco stores -- as much out of curiousity and as a result of your fine posts.

[monavano]

Me too!

[treb]

A sell by date is not use by date. As for the texture, it's canned not fresh which it a totally different animal! Yes, I've used it and it's OK for what it is and it's price.

[Rella]

Canned AND perishable? That, I don't understand.

[treb]

The canned crab is cooked then canned and the cans are displayed in the store's cooler cases. Not like most canned goods that are cooked in their cans.

[Rella]

Are they metal cans? vs. the plastic containers>

But, gee, I've never seen 'metal' cans of fish in the cooler cases. Or I'm getting a mental block.

[treb]

Yes, metal. They're usually in the cooler case near the smoked salmon.

[baltimorejim]

Capt Neill's crab meat was packed in a plastic 16 ounce container as you would expect from North Carolina. (Not in a can)

[AmyInNC]

Jim :) No need to apologize, none at all. I'm just sorry it wouldn't work for your crab cakes. :) Thanks for calling to find out the story!

[mcf]

I've used it quite a few times and I think it's really, really good.

[Mattkn]

HaHa, Rella. Your story reminds me!

My sister and I had sushi at a new place that was very bare bones and had only 2-3 people working. We were starving and ordered what we thought was an appropriate amount of sushi. Well, it wasn't. The place was TINY and extremely busy with people waiting outside the door. Instead of ordering more we went to Five Guys and split a burger and fries.

[Rella]

I'll bet there are others that do the same. But it is alarming when it happens, and something one doesn't forget. Thanks for your story. :-))

[givemecarbs]

I haven't been able to find roasted seaweed in any form at my Montgomeryville Costco. I first bought it in a plastic tub of individually sealed packets, and then I got a box of seaweed packets once or twice. Has the roasted seaweed vanished everywhere or do people from my area just not buy it?
I did score a box of cranberry almond thins. They are by THINaddictives and claim to have zero trans fat. You get 20 paks of cookies, three per pak and they are yummy. I don't even like pre-packaged commercial cookies but these are amazing, and seven or eight dollars for quite a lot.

[mcf]

I lerve the dried seaweed snacks, still have most of a case. I saw them in the Melville, NY warehouse recently, I believe.

[goodhealthgourmet]

Sis just picked up the box (packs of 3) in Hackensack, NJ last week. of course the seaweed *salad* hasn't been seen there for quite some time...

[givemecarbs]

Thanks mcf and good. Maybe I can request them. Even my pet rabbit gets a tiny piece when I chomp down on a sheet of seaweed.

[Chowrin]

Pittsburgh, Waterfront location
Mrs. Millers Homemade noodles (local, out of fredricksburg ohio)

Anyone got these at other locations (the other pgh ones, or farther)? Fab for chicken soup!

[Rella]

Organic dried black figs. Winchester, VA. I've not opened them yet, but I'm hoping they are better than anything I've been buying the last 20 years which have failed me everytime.

[goodhealthgourmet]

the Made in Nature brand? they're really inconsistent - the company needs to beef up their quality control. some bags are great, but others contain dried out, stale, moldy or fermented fruit. happened one too many times to me so i gave up.

[ChandraNH]

Not new to Costco but new to us.

The Kirkland Super Premium Vanilla ice cream. Two half-gallons for about 10.00. So rich, dense, creamy and delicious that after we finish off the second half gallon it goes on our "only buy if we have guests in the house who can eat it all before we make pigs of ourselves" list. We finished off the first half-gallon in about 4 days. My husband swears this is the best vanilla ice cream he has ever had.

[yummfood]

Mmhmm! Very good ice-cream. So creamy and delicious.

[azveggieguy]

Oh my yes. That's why I stopped buying it on a regular basis - it's so irresistible that putting on pounds was unavoidable.... (I recently bought a quart of Haagen Das for a dessert topping because I didn't want so much of the Kirkland around as temptation; the HD couldn't compare.)

[acgold7]

Yes, that stuff is remarkable. Perfectly balanced in every way. Best I've had at any price.

[cstr]

I did it with Costco's salted carmel and now this, it is really excellent and a great value. I just need to place it in a cooler and in my trunk on the way home or else..... well you probably know what would happen if it was next to me and I just happen to have a plastic spoon from the sample stations.

[Rella]

We don't buy this often as we pig out on it until it is all gone. A week or so ago we bought two pints of name brand; not very good in comparison.

While others gradually fade in deliciousness, Kirkland's ice cream has remained consistent.

[scbeachnuts]

In Charleston SC they have been carrying Papillion Brand Roquefort cheese from France. It is to die for, Apparently the embargo on Roquefort cheese has been lifted, because when we visited the caves last year they said that they could not export cheese to the US. Something to do with beef treated with hormones from Texas to France.

[ChandraNH]

I've bought this in the Kansas City store as well and it is very good (and tart!)

[gakski]

Snikiddy Cheddar Cheese Baked Fries. Fantastic!

[werewolf]

Costco's Kirkland smoked salmon imported from Norway. It comes as two attached 12 ounce packages = 24 oz. It is quite good.

[MisterBill2]

Not new but the packaging is new (it used to be one single package). I really like the new packaging. The only thing better would be a zipper seal on the package.

[ferret]

It's not really friendly to resealing in that packaging because it's vacuum-packed and there's a lot of surface moisture so it's not easy to pull out and replace.

[MisterBill2]

We manage to pull it out and get it back inside all the time. Not simple to get it out the first time but after that it's not that bad. And the new smaller package fits in a normal size zip-lock bag. (quart or gallon, I forget which).

[meatn3]

Wrap the remains with wax paper and it slides in and out more easily.

[Rella]

Right-on, meatn3. Costco has a box of the sheets of wax paper that I use them for wrapping lots of meats that I put into a zip lock. A box seems to last FOREVER!

[michelley]

My Costco in Brooklyn, NY has frozen oysters on the half shell, 2 dozen for 19.99
Has anybody tried these? Are they good? I'm tempted..can you freeze raw oysters and eat them raw?

[cstr]

I say no, doesn't your Costco have a seafood display where they sell mussels, clams, crab claws etc?

[michelley]

Only on weekends, I never seem to make it there then.

[mutti]

Yes you can freeze them we had them in my company store, frozen on the half shell don't remember if the top shell was on, anyhow I bought some, fixed them up like oyster rockefeller,they were delish.

[cstr]

I believe michelley was asking if you could freeze then thaw and eat them raw!

[mutti]

either way I believe I answerd the question,but to add on,I have oyster's shipped to me from Joe Patti seafood,not on the shell mind you but in large plastic containers, I then put them in smaller containers and freeze them for when I need them,where Iive in Arkansas we are not privy to oysters except for holidays.Never had a problem use them for everything including frying them.

[michelley]

Actually these are frozen to start with and I was asking if they could just be thawed and eaten. It's probably safer to cook them somehow.

[cstr]

Yah, I would never eat any oyster or clam raw unless it was absoultely fresh, never frozen.

[ediblover]

Recently tried them and they were better than I expected. Plan on picking them up again.

On the safety issue, cooking food is always safer. You can eat these raw without concern; the risks are the same as eating them minus the freezing process.

[azveggieguy]

At my northern Arizona store, I came across Tickler brand "extra mature" English cheddar with chilies and peppers. It's wonderful. I not only feel it in the back of my mouth, it makes the top of my head perspire as well. Yum.

[werewolf]

Where is there a Costco in northern Arizona?

[azveggieguy]

Prescott

[werewolf]

Flagstaff only has Sams Club.

[Jeri L]

That sounds like something to watch for! Has anyone seen it in other areas of the country?

[christy1122]

Yesterday, sampled the 5th St Chicken Meatballs in Morrow, GA and did not pick them up. Wishing I had now as they were really good. Has anyone had them?

[viperlush]

The good: Was happy to see that they started to sell Mayorga Coffee. One of my favorites when I lived down in Bmore.

The bad: Santa Barbara Garden Style salsa found in the refrigerated section. I use to love buying this because I love the chunks and it tasted fresh. I might have to return the jar that I have now. Neither of us like it because it is almost sickly sweet. Should have read the ingredients, cane sugar is 3rd on the list.

Everett MA

[Dax]

Has anyone tried the boxed "dim sum" which has shrimp shumai and hargao, among others?

[Rella]

I tried it. I think it calls for microwaving, but since I don't use a microwave I steamed it, but must've steamed it too long as the texture was not good. I didn't care for the taste, but the Mister thought the taste was ok.

[CanadaGirl]

I tried it last night. It was the best frozen dim sum I've had. It's not going to put any dim sum spots out of business, but it's not bad. I didn't microwave it either - I steamed it.

[Dax]

That's about the way I felt but since I put them out for an app I only tried about 2 each. About on pay with the frozen goyza I get at the Asian markets around here. Far from homemade, but not bad in a pinch. I did think the skins of the hargau were flimsy but I steamed them all the same times in a bamboo steamer so perhaps I oversteamed that one item.

[greygarious]

For a while last year, the Nashua NH Costco no longer had Kirkland peanut butter (twin pack, red lidded jars), which I THINK was organic. I believe there was some CH eulogizing but my search couldn't find it. Now I noticed that the store brand is back, with the same packaging, but does not say organic. Is it the same?

[Rella]

When you say the same packaging, is one of the descriptions you refer to: a plastic jar? I believe the previous 'organic' peanut butter was in a plastic jar. Just curious.

[greygarious]

Yes, the packaging is, again, a pair of plastic jars. I was pretty sure the previous PB was labeled organic but this one is not. The only ingredients are Valencia peanuts and salt.

[Rella]

I recall that the previous pair of PB was in plastic jars and labeled 'organic.' We are on the same page on this.

[treb]

Yes it is organic.

[Rella]

Treb, what does it say on the packaging that indicates that it is organic.
Thanks.

[treb]

Just checked, the Kirkland PB with the red lid does not say organic. A while ago, they had another Kirkland that was.

[Rella]

I used to buy the Kirkland Organic PB, and they stopped selling it. I never was comfortable buying it though because of the plastic jar. Now that it does not say 'organic,' I won't be buying it again. This might not be the place to include this, but I found some organic Wegman's PB in a glass jar organic that I really like. I don't know how much it is in comparison, but it meets my specifications.

Thanks for checking.

[monavano]

What is your concern with a plastic jar?
I have been buying the organic Kirkland PB for a while now, but did not notice the lack of Organic on the label now. Will check it out.

[mcf]

The concern with plastic is about endocrine disruptors and other chemicals leaching into the contents.

[treb]

Yesterday in Nashua, I scored imported scamorza cheese from Italy, they were blowing them out at $2.97 each, originally they were over $9.00 each. Also, they had their individually wrapped chicken breasts on sale, always a deal at that price and whole wheat tortilla's were on sale as well.

[ChandraNH]

Kansas City (main street location)

Kiolbassa brand polish sausage, found in the meat/cheese section (non-frozen). This is the best polish sausage I've had and the only one I've liked. My husband loves it as well. About 10 large links for 9-10, just excellent and very nice looking when you cut into it.

Every checker who has checked me out (and the people checking your cart on the way out) has said "isn't that the best sausage" when they see it in my cart.

Also saw a jar of dark chocolate covered sea salt caramels, with the regular sea salt caramels, didn't buy (don't need another candy addiction). Less expensive than the milk chocolate kind but also appeared to be a smaller container.

[suburban_mom]

That sausage is really good. I found it in the Eden Prairie, MN location.

[justalex]

Wow! Thanks suburban_mom. The EP Costco is the one I frequent. I'll have to pick up some of that sausage. So good with sauerkraut and dumplings this time of year. It's one of my favorite comfort foods.

[ChandraNH]

We had the sausage with sauerkraut, pierogis, onions and mustard this weekend. Very tasty (and very quick for a weeknight meal). I separate the package into three smaller packages and freeze. Just pull out and thaw as needed.

[Rella]

Has anyone tried any of these in the deli section - tv dinner Indian-type

Costco Indian prepared food in deli in packages Fairfax, VA
Jyoti’s Chole Saag
Sukhi’s Chicken Vindaloo
Sukhi’s Chicken Leg Meat seasoned in a yogurt sauce

[CanadaGirl]

I bought a package of frozen CJ Mini Wontons. They are filled with chicken, cilantro and cabbage and are delicious in soup. I bough them in Halifax, NS.

[monavano]

My favorite! I heat them up in Pacific's Organic LS chx stock and instant wonton soup that is not steeped in salt.

[zinfanatic]

Costco Richmond California- seems like they have replaced what remained of branded cheeses to "KIrkland" brand. It is impossible to know if it is the same manufacturer. Example- local Point Reyes Blue cheese at $9.99 # (still cheaper than regular retail) is now replaced by a Kirkland brand labeled as "artisan made" for $3.99 # Is this the same- I doubt it. Anyone know?

[souvenir]

I don't think it is by Point Reyes. I did try the Kirkland, and it was very mild, and had a more creamy texture. I would much rather have the original Point Reyes blue.

[CanadaGirl]

That is exactly the stock I used to make my soup. Yum!

[MangaLisa]

I always have a case of the stock in the house. It is so handy, and the price is great compared to regular grocery stores!

[greygarious]

Certainly not a new item, but there was FINALLY enough room in my freezer to allow me to get the box of four frozen 10-inch Kirkland cheese pizzas. At $2.50 per pizza it's a great price but like the larger ones (served at the snack bar and sold chilled to bake at home) the crust is hard and bland, and the cheese, though generous, is also bland. I topped it with home-made smothered onion and bell pepper before baking it. Twelve minutes in the oven, and the price, make it an acceptable standby for a quick meal but any local pizzeria turns out a tastier pie than this.

[MisterBill2]

New to me at Costco, they were sampling seaweed salad at my local Costco last weekend. It's $9.99 for 28 ounces which is a great price. I am the only one in my house who eats it, but I bought it anyway. Amusingly, a co-worker told me that her husband also bought it last weekend and she hates it. It was dated 2/23, I hope it lasts that long once it has been opened (the guy doing the sampling told me 7-8 days).

[monavano]

I sampled it yesterday and didn't care for it, but it looked beautiful (this was in VA).

[mcf]

I might've liked it if it weren't so damned sweet, that was ick.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i bought it without sampling and discovered the same thing, so i doctored it up to balance the sweetness...by the time i was done tinkering it was pretty darned tasty. i'd actually like to pick up another container, but the last 2 times i sent Sis to do the Costco shopping she said they were out of it, and one of the employees told her it was probably discontinued because they hadn't had it for several weeks. i need to go back myself and find out what the story is.

[mcf]

Rinsing it to remove the sugar might work, then dress as more appropriate. But I'd rather just get it from somewhere good. Leaving the sugar in place is not an option for me.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i did rinse it :) it's the only GF option i've found, so it's worth the extra effort to me.

[mcf]

I shoulda known. :-) How did it taste, post rinse, before you added other stuff?

[goodhealthgourmet]

it really seemed like most of the sugar went down the drain. of course i was pretty thorough - i rinsed it well in a mesh strainer under running water, shook out the excess moisture, and then patted it pretty dry with paper towels. so it was relatively bland - maybe a tiny hint of remaining sweetness and briny seaweed flavor, but pretty mellow. sounds like a lot of trouble to go through for what's basically plain seaweed, but it's cheaper than buying the dried stuff & hydrating it!

[mcf]

Good to know, thanks!

[MisterBill2]

Have you ever had seaweed salad before? It tasted like the stuff I've had at other places.

goodhealthgourmet, what did you add to it?

[mcf]

I've had it very often at many places for decades, and by comparison with any other, the Costco version tasted candied.

[Rella]

Ditto here on both counts.

[carfreeinla]

I just had some with my dinner- it is one of our staples. Love the fact that they don't use soy sauce ( some do...)

[goodhealthgourmet]

@MrBill, i rinsed it a little, then dressed it to taste with gluten-free tamari, toasted sesame oil, unseasoned rice vinegar & a pinch of shichimi togarashi.

[ediblover]

I noticed it a couple of weeks ago and also enjoyed it. All things considered, I thought it was excellent and a far better option than the canned seaweed you find at most markets (These were in the deli section).

[Rella]

Love this rice that they are carrying in Fairfax, VA.

Sona Masoori - an organic Indian rice.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...

[monavano]

While at the Springfield, VA Costco today, I decided to let them do dinner for me and bought a pan of Butter Chicken, made with their rotisserie chickens.
Delicious!
I served it over whole wheat cous cous. It's going to make a couple lunches at least with the leftovers.

[ceekskat]

Maybe leftover from Holiday stock, but sampled & picked up Cropwell Bishop Stilton for 5 bucks for 1.1lbs today. Tasted similar to Neal's Yard Cashel Blue. In Redwood City, CA.

[givemecarbs]

Well I finally tried the peppermint bark because it was on sale half off at my Montgomeryville Pa store. Big mistake. Now I know why hounds call it Christmas crack.

[cstr]

The salted carmel has the same effect, I made the mistake of opening it on the way home.

[jmckee]

My wife feels the same way about the Salted Caramels.

[givemecarbs]

They both appear to be gone til next year. At my Montgomeryville Pa location I oggled a strawberry rhubarb crumb cake or something. Was very tempted. In the refrigerated foods I saw chicken vindaloo. Anyone try it? I have a cold and I was wondering how well the vindaloo would clean out my sinuses for me. I played it safe and just got the Costco chicken and dumplings which was very comforting on a cold winter night with freezing rain.

[Beach Chick]

me too..
It was so damn good.
; )

[ChandraNH]

Back in stock in KC (main street) is the EV Tuscan olive oil from October/November 2011. This is the oil in the square green bottle for about 9.99 a liter (I think). They were out of the previous batch for a couple of months

[walker]

I was glad to find this same olive oil yesterday, but my regular Costco is not carrying it. I happened to be at the one in Mtn View, CA but downtown SF was supposed to have it. (My regular place is SSF on El Camino.)

I wonder if I should buy another .. I guess one will last me 3-4 months since I use Lucini (from WF) for salad dressing.

[ceekskat]

Kirkland Sumatra coffee beans are back in Redwood City, CA (SF Metro)! Also, I just saw a 1/2 gal. Kirkland Almond Caramel Toffee (?) ice cream for just under $8. At this price, I'm thinking it must be a national brand. Haagen Daz? I *think* the last ingredient was toffee.

[ChandraNH]

ooh that sounds awesome (the ice cream). I'm going on Saturday and will see if we have it in stock in KC.

[debbypo]

I had loved the Cabot cheese 50 % reduced fat cheddar rectangles (great for a quick portion controlled snack or to throw in a lunch bag and, unlike most of those things, not rubbery). They were gone for a long time but, I am very happy to have found them again at Costco in Chicago (Lincoln Park).
Tasted some fabulous smokey pulled pork too.