Gravies, soups and stews

While I was making stroganof yesterday it occurred to me I had the base for a beef stew and could have just as easily added carrots, peas, onions and potatoes rather than the onions, mushrooms and sour cream. Expanding on that theme I could make a poultry gravy and added diced chicken with veggies and had a creamy chicken stew. All variations on a theme. Stuff like that always make large quantities so I can have lunches.

Tartar sauce

Yesterday I picked up a salmon filet with the thought of pan frying the one pound chunk and eating half for dinner and using the other half in a lunch salad. That part worked fine and I also had some seasoned basmati rice and steamed asparagus. When I got home form the store I realized I had no tartar sauce of any kind and although I had lemon juice I am not a fan of lemon on fish. So I started rummaging around and made my own: 2 big glops of mayonnaise (Best Foods, of course), 2 small glops of dill pickle relish, some seasoned salt and some dry mustard then put it in the fridge for about an hour to let the flavors blend. It turned out better than some jarred varieties I have had. Looking around later I found some recipes that also included lemon juice, capers (both of which I normally have) and some other stuff. I think I would increase the ratio of the dill relish and maybe toss in a splash of lemon juice next time. It is nice to find one more item I can make quickly at home as I need it that doesn't have a bunch of ingredients I cannot pronounce. Also one less item to go bad if I don't use it all quickly enough.

Now what to do?

Several years ago the Costco I frequent near home stopped selling tobacco because the Arizona rules tightened up about access to them by minors. Never mind that Costco has a person checking everybody as they leave. Not a big problem as I drive by the Business center once a week anyway. Well Tuesday I stopped in and the business center has decided tobacco products will no longer be sold for personal use at that location. So now I can buy them at the grocery store, I hate hard box. I can go to the Costco by I17 which is out of my way except for Thursday mornings. Only problem with Thursday mornings is I drive by there about 9-9:30 and they open at 10. I can see if the Sams Club around the corner from my regular Costco sells tobacco at that location and switch my membership over. But I like the selection at Costco and they treat their employees better.

Humpf!! And don't say it. :-)

Lifestyle changes

Yesterday I stopped in at Albertson's to get a lottery ticket and pick up a few things. Other than vegetables I really had nothing special on my list and browsed through the store. Saw some meat that looked good but didn't buy it as now I get free range beef and humanely raised pork from the Meat Shop and free range beef and Buffalo from Sprouts. I saw butter was on sale for $2.50lb but passed because I get it at Costco for $1.60lb. I knew I was low on beer but passed the aisle because it is about $5.00 a case less expensive at Total Wine. Box wine was on sale, for $2.00 a box more than the everyday price at Total wine. Eggs were on the mental list too but the locally grown ones are much cheaper at Sprouts. Frozen veggies are much cheaper at Wal-mart for the same brands. I am getting spoiled living in a big city. With the exception of the Meat Shop all of these places are in my neighborhood. In some cases I buy better stuff for me and in others I buy the same stuff at lower prices. I still like Albertson's but it is no longer my only grocer.