You know from my website that I am a huge fan of Costco. In fact, I like to say,
"Every meal you eat is 6 degrees of separation from Costco."
I'm not sure what the heck that means but it's a fun saying and everyone seems to understand what I'm talking about.
Since I'm the primary cook in our house and still have a full-time job working at home administering my website and social networks, finding shortcuts for dinner is a must. Most nights I have 20 to 30 minutes to put a meal on the table that my wife and kids are accustomed to and often that requires shortcuts and more often those shortcuts come from Costco. (See my shortcut meals)
Whether it's rotisserie chicken, frozen "four cheese" ravioli, meatballs from a 5-pound bag, or my youngest daughter's favorite, filet mignon, I have created quick and easy meals using ingredients purchased at Costco.
It's also the place I pick up a lot of my everyday staples and why every meal I cook is 6 degrees of separation from Costco. I purchase a lot of cheeses including Brie, goat cheese, Parmesan, Romano, and Manchego. Also, I find their meat department to be very good so I buy most of my meat there including New York Strip steaks, beef tenderloin, pork tenderloins, lamb, and whatever else looks good that week.
Pasta, veggies, Pellegrino water, salad makings, Eggos, frozen shrimp, and scallops, and of course I can't leave the place without one of their signature frozen berry drinks.
As a member, I also receive their monthly magazine, The Costco Connection. The magazine has articles about everyday stuff but also includes a food article and usually some recipes. In fact, Costco contacted me last month about the possibility of writing an article for them. If it happens, I'll be sure to let you know.
While reading through the October issue of The Costco Connection, I discovered that they have several free cookbooks on their website featuring recipes using products you can purchase at the store. Brilliant idea and what great marketing. As Kathy Casey says more eloquently than I in one of the books,
"Everyone is crunched for time these days, so easy recipes have big appeal. At the same time, there's nothing better than cooking up some homemade goodness from scratch, more often than not there just aren't enough hours in the day to make everything yourself. But with Costco's huge variety of products, you can pull together a quickie meal or go all out and spend the day cooking."
Some of the interesting recipes I found in their Easy Cooking The Costco Way
Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Blue Cheese Topping
Grilled Strip Steaks with Tomato-Pesto Glace
Herb-Crusted Lamb Loin Chops with Tomato Mint Salad
Grilled Veal Chops with Tarragon
Pork Medallions with Arrabbiata Sauce
Italian Sausage with Fusilli, White Beans, and Escarole (I have to try this one soon)
What To Do With A Rotisserie Chicken
And then they have a bunch of recipes for using their "versatile rotisserie chicken." You can eat it as is or use it to prepare sesame chicken salad, curry chicken quiche, southwestern chicken salad, or chicken enchiladas verde.
All in all, a great source for everyday recipes featuring products that can help you save a little time at the end of the day when it's time to put a meal on the table. I'll test some of these recipes in the future and report back on how they turn out. If any of you try some, please come back and let us know what you think.
Lynette
Try the "Ultimate Melt in Your Mouth" pancakes! They are absolutely heavenly!
Renee
I tried to find the recipes on Costco's website but could not. Any help?
RG
I don't think they actually have recipes on the Costco web site but I make a lot of shortcut meals using their products and write about them on my blog. I'm sure if you do a search you will find sites that have recipes using their products.
Kitty
I been looking for Manchego cheese at Costco in WA state. The only Costco that I found the cheese was in Puerto Rico, California, and Oregon Coast . If you know a Costco in WA state that I can find that specific cheese I will appreciate it. If not, I guess worth the trip to the Oregon Coast. Thanks, Kitty
Sorry Kitty, don't know of any but I'm sure if you ask your local store, they may bring it in for you. - RG
Enchilada Lover
Sounds awesome! I just came back from Mexico last month and find myself addicted to these incredible now!! Must go back next year sometime, I suppose, and this time head off of the beaten path a little. Looking to reading more!
Hi Enchilada Lover, not sure what this post has to do with enchiladas but thanks. - RG
Sean Ratti
Hey there, long time reader and lurker here with my first ever comment! My only daughter is getting married to her lovely Mexican gentleman soon, and I'm tasked with preparing the wedding party! I thought enchiladas would be a nice snack, so trying to find a good. What do you think? Any other suggestions?? Anyway, thanks for your hard work as ever...
Hi Sean, thanks for writing and congratulations. I love enchiladas and will work on a good recipe for you but it looks like your web site has plenty of good ideas. Not sure why you are asking me. - RG