Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s the perfect day to show your loved ones how much you care by sending a card or flowers or just making a nice romantic meal at home. I usually try to make something easy because I don’t want to spend the entire night cooking. I’d much rather spend it enjoying each other’s company! So, I found a recipe that I thought would be perfect for the evening because I love seafood. Each year I usually have some kind of either seafood or steak and this year I wanted to try something different so I decided to make scallops instead of the usual lobster or crab legs. This Buttery Garlic Scallops recipe I found is perfect because not only is it very easy to make but it tastes so delicious! 

I always like to have a side salad with my pasta dishes, and I also wanted this to be a quick and easy recipe. I knew I hit the jackpot when I came across this Beet Salad recipe! It is so quick to put together and I just love beets! The honey and orange juice dressing adds the perfect touch of sweetness to it too. 

Now all you have to do is serve a great bottle of wine with the meal to top it off. There is a newer wine called “Federalist” and it is a Zinfandel and it goes great with this meal. This is one of my all time favorite wines! 

Last but not least you just have to stop into anyone of our Bakery Departments for your Valentine’s Day treats! They have so many Valentine’s Day themed goodies including sugar cookies, heart shaped cakes, giant cookies, dream bars, and more! And you can even get them personalized with custom messages or designs, just ask any of our bakery staff and they’ll help you out!

What a perfect meal for a perfect evening! Happy Valentine’s Day and enjoy! 

Jayne,
Coborn’s, Inc. Merchandising Specialist Team Manager – Bakery & Deli

 

 

Cooking With Kids!

Although we are all proud and tough here in the midwest, we often just need to stay inside to stay warm on these brisk winter days! However, we may get a little antsy if we’re stuck inside for too long, especially with kids around.

A great family activity is cooking or baking together, especially around the holidays! I can almost guarantee that when you cook with the kids, the kitchen will be a bit more of a mess, but it will all be worth it! No matter their age, cooking can be a great way to encourage kids to try new foods, develop new skills, and learn to follow instructions.

How to get the kids involved at every age:

The Big Question: What Do We Make?!

There are so many great recipes that incorporate fruits and vegetables that are so easy and fun for kids to make.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Confetti Quesadillas

Everyone loves confetti, right!? What about confetti quesadillas? This is a fun spin on your classic quesadilla that adds in the veggies, beans and whole grains. Perfect for Taco Tuesdays for a quick weeknight dinner! 

Pizza Night 

Build pizza your way on a whole grain pizza crust! This is always a hit with kids and they can add whatever toppings they like. Try making fun faces on the pizzas using veggies to make eating veggies more fun! 

Blueberry, Avocado, and Banana Smoothie Bowl 

This is a great way to get more fruit in your kids’ diets! They’ll have fun adding things in the blender and watching it mix. It’s a great afternoon snack or the perfect breakfast to start their day (and yours!) off right! 

 

 

Share with us on Instagram @Coborns_Stores what you and your kids are cooking up! Join in the conversation with the #kidscookingcreations! 

Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season,

Amy RD, LD 

Easter Side Dishes

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Jayne

Wow Spring is here and so is Easter!

I know most of us are planning our Easter dinner already which most likely means the traditional ham as well as all the favorite side dishes that our family and friends love. Once in a while, it’s nice to mix things up and try some new recipes too! Continue reading

The Difference Between Grilling and BBQ

Grilling and Barbecue are sometimes thought of the same cooking method by most. Unless you are a pro on the patio or in the backyard, you may not know the difference. Have no worries, I am here to help a little with that and assist you with choosing the right meat for the right application.

Both methods can and will use the same equipment that you may have, the difference will be the meat or seafood that you choose and the temperature of the flame. Both cooking methods are popular forms of cooking for intimate settings or big social gatherings. And, there is something about cooking over a live fire that makes me feel good. I normally get no complaints when I fire up my grill, whether Grilling or BBQ, the appreciation at the table is always seen by the smiles on my guests faces, and not to mention the dish washer appreciates fewer pots and pans as well.

Grilling

I will start with Grilling. It is the oldest form of cooking known to modern man. It is probably one of the most preferred forms of cooking, and some will say it offers the best eating experience. Grilling uses high heat and direct flame. This type of cooking will usually cook meat at a faster rate and and you should expect to eat in 30 minutes or less.

Grilling uses leaner, small, naturally tender cuts of meat. These cuts come from the Rib, Loin, and Sirloin of beef and are often in Steak form. Seafood, ground meats, as well as Boneless Skinless Chicken, and tender cuts of pork are also great choices for Grilling. Grilling, done at a higher temperature, locks the juices in the meat, and by using those cuts of meat it will offer the best eating experience. Grilling in this High Heat/Direct method requires attention, and usually will require you to turn the meat. This same high heat will produce a flare up or two, so you will need to pay close attention to the grill and your meat. These flare ups however are not always a bad thing, these offer aroma while cooking(my neighbors are always asking “what’s for supper”) and flavor at the table.

Barbecue

Barbecuing, on the other hand, in my opinion is an art. Every time that I BBQ, I find and look for ways to make it just a little better the next time. Either I adjust the Seasoning and Rub, or possibly the marinade, and even the wood that is used to make it just a little bit different. Across the nation, many people compete to be the best and to own the rights to say their BBQ is the Best!! Rib competitions are happening more and more, and the interest in this form of cooking is growing in popularity in backyards across the nation. BBQ is the form of cooking that uses indirect heat at a lower level. Low and Slow is the term that one uses when you BBQ, you cannot be in a hurry when you BBQ. BBQ will take several hours to complete as the meat used will take longer to make tender.

BBQ often uses wood as the heat source, although gas can be used effectively if temperatures are monitored throughout the cooking process. BBQ lovers savor the taste of the meat when this method is used. Normally the wood that is used will give the meat a distinct flavor, from apple wood to pecan, cherry, and mesquite the results are different with each that is used. Some will even blend the wood used for their own distinct taste. Many will guard their secret recipes and formulas to make certain they keep the bragging rights that theirs is the “Best”!!

BBQ often will use less tender cuts of meat, meats that are normally a better value and will often feed larger crowds are the choices many make when looking to BBQ. These cuts often have more connective tissue and take longer to cook, this process makes them tender and mouthwatering. These inexpensive cuts normally come from the front quarter of beef and pork. Bone-In Ribs, pork shoulders, and beef briskets are the most common cuts used. Whole turkey, turkey breast, whole chicken, and skin on chicken parts are also good choices for barbecuing. The seasoning or marinades used, are also a big part of barbecuing. That special blend of spices and sugar, that certain tablespoon of fresh garlic or minced onion rubbed into the meat to give it your signature flavor will be enjoyed by many. I take the time to let these seasonings absorb into the meat for hours prior to placing them on the grill, this normally produces favorable results for me.

So, the next time that you set out to use your backyard or patio, our teams are ready to assist you with your selections. Dabble in using different choices of meat and seafood, different cuts of ribs. Be brave and try new seasonings and rubs on your selections. As with anything, the more that you become familiar with each method, the easier and more rewarding the results will be.

Kevin Connor 
Merchandising Specialist Team Manager for Meat and Seafood

Jayne’s Debut on Kare 11

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We’re excited to announce that our own Jayne will be on a cooking segment with Pat Evans on Kare 11, Saturday, November 5th on the morning show. Be sure to tune in for these great recipes and Jayne’s network television debut!

UPDATE: The show has aired. You can watch Jayne’s debut below:

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