Today was a turning point for me - I got the right cut of meat and advice from a great butcher at the Union Square Whole Foods!  I went in for a pork tenderloin, and after asking me what I wanted to do with it (stuff it with apples!) he recommended a center cut pork roast better for serving 6 people. AND, before I could ask, he offered to butterfly it so I can stuff away! AND it was half the price of the tenderloins! I was blown away. Something simple like that makes my grocery shopping such a joy. A little knowledge and customer service does go a long way. I lost my Trader Joe’s receipt, so I’ll just give a gist and what my bank account said I withdrew. The farmer’s markets are great right now - lots of apples, squashes, and a lot less sweating carrying your booty home. Here are the totals for this week:

Trader Joe’s (cheeses, frozen peas, raisins, apple cider, tarragon) = $21.73

Union Square Greenmarket

Potatoes (Yukon and Red Bliss), Parsnips, Carrots - $6.75

Granny Smith Apples - $2.50

Bell Peppers - $5.00

Rosemary, Thyme - $3.00

* 2 Cornish Game Hens bought on sale - $8.50

Grand Total - $84.86/2ppl/10 meals = $4.24/person/meal

Yesterday was a busy day - I almost forgot I had Top Chef Taste of The Boroughs tickets, and then I needed to head down to do my weekly shopping. I’m going to do a separate post about the Top Chef event - lots of chefs, lots of food, lots of schmoozing - well I wasn’t, they were. Anyway, I did discover that Trader Joe’s is much more bearable around 2:15pm, rather than in the morning which is when I usually go. They were still out of a lot of stuff, but I got the bear minimum, plus some fondue - my weakness. I also went to Whole Foods for the first time in a few weeks, they had the crab I needed for the crab cakes, that’s how they got me. I’m also using shrimp I had in the freezer for the dish on Halloween, so I’ll add that amount here also. Here are the totals:

Union Square Greenmarket

2 pie pumpkins - $10

2 butternut squashes, 3lb Yukon Gold potatoes, 3 shallots - $6.00

3 bulbs of garlic, sage - $1.75

Fresh organic sourdough bread - $3.50

Frozen Shrimp - 1.5lb - $11.00

Total: $72.68/2ppl/10meals =

$3.64/person/meal

As I mentioned earlier, I was inspired again by the bounty of the Greenmarket. If you’re close, or visiting NYC this is a great place to hang out on Saturdays. It was actually hard for me to keep tabs on how much cash I was going through in my wallet. I got a bit too excited I think, but wanted to showcase all the great veggies available right now. I went to the market on Saturday, and Trader Joe’s today (Monday - they were wiped out!) I had some time to think about what I wanted to make from my market purchases and developed a menu, I also got inspired by some Barefoot Contessa. I’m still craving cozy fall meals, and the bounty of veggies other than tomatoes at the farmer’s market. I think everyone is getting excited by the pumpkins, gourds, and ruffage offerings that are appearing. Here are the totals for this week:

Farmer’s Market - Union Square

Rainbow Carrots, 3lb potatoes (various colors), turnips, 3 onions - $6.50

Arugula, spinach, shallots, 2lb butternut squash - $5.00

2 Zucchini, 3 eggplants, 1lb green beans - $4.50

2 Organic Duck Breasts - $10.00

Organic local ham - $8.00

1 Bottle of Trader Joe’s Sauvignon Blanc - $3.00

Grand Total: $82.34/2ppl/10 meals = $4.11/person/meal

Going into my seventh year living in NYC I’ve noticed a funny “ism” you could call it about New Yorkers. As soon as the temperature in the fall drops below 75F people begin wearing jackets, scarves, long sleeves, boots, etc. In the spring, maybe March or April depending on the year when it rises to about 55F women especially break out mini skirts, tank tops, and sandals. So it actually doesn’t matter what the temp is outside, it’s about what season it feels like in fashion. On my way to Trader Joe’s on the train I noticed this girl wearing a long sleeve shirt, scarf, wool jacket, jeans and boots- very appropriate if it was 50! Today’s high was 78F. By the time I left Union Square it was about 72F. I wondered what that girl did for the rest of the day - I was glad I had my tshirt, sunglasses and flip flops still on - people from the South tend to never admit a season change and hold on to summer as long as possible, New Yorkers jump the gun. I also found this season-identity crisis at the farmer’s market. I still picked up great looking tomatoes, heirloom and beefsteak, and I still saw sweet corn! This was in addition to pumpkins, squashes, cauliflower - the usual fall harvest as well. I was still glad to pick up some tomatoes, and might as well take advantage. Again this week I was able to avoid Whole Foods all together, although Trader Joe’s didn’t have corn starch, I didn’t need it that bad. By making a couple meals this week vague - a big salad and pizza, I was able to be inspired by what was at the farmer’s market and picked up eggplants, parsnips (which I LOVE), kale, various greens, and fresh oregano, which I haven’t seen every week in the past. In this week’s total, I’m going to include the meats I bought last week and froze. Here are the totals:

Farmer’s Market

Carrots, Yukon Potatoes, 2 heads lettuce, parsley - $10.75

Fresh Organic Bread - $4

Kale, tomatoes, eggplant, parsnips - $9

8 Apples, 2 pears - $5.50

Duck legs - $7

Pork Ribs - $13

Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme - $4.50

Grand Total: $99.28/10 meals/2ppl = $4.96/person/meal

Super H Mart in Atlanta, complete with local gas-guzzling SUVs

As I mentioned yesterday, I had to make an emergency trip to my parent’s house in North Atlanta. So I left some of my farmer’s market produce and froze the meat I had bought in Brooklyn. So today I ventured out, in a car….. to collect what I’d needed here in ATL and get the other things my parents had on their list. I don’t have receipts to scan or a scanner this week, so you’ll have to take my word for it. My father has been raving about this new Korean market down the road, Super H Mart (pictured above w/SUVs included) where he finds tons of fresh veggies, great seafood, and lots of Korean food he has no idea what to do with. I found a cool cut of meat I’d never seen - shaved, super thin ribeye. I think I’m going to wrap it around my eggplants, see what happens. I also found my palm sugar which I need for my curried soup on Friday. The Whole Foods here is stunning, so well stocked, and people are super friendly. The prepared food guy asked how my Sunday was, and my initial response was, “Excuse me? I didn’t hear you correctly” - I was taken aback by an actual interest in the customers from the employees. I also had my heart set on having duck this week after I bought it in Union Square and had to freeze it, so I bought a whole duck for only $2.99/lb! And the butcher offered to cut it into pieces for me! I was practically floating through the store. I had to get a couple expensive dairy items, but my parents also have a very well stocked pantry and kitchen so I think things even out. So here’s my rough/combo total for this week’s groceries:

Union Square Greenmarket:

2 Red Bell Peppers, 3 eggplants - $6.30

Green Beans - $2.00

Broccoli Rabe, 2 bunches kale - $5.00

Bread - $4.75

2 Acorn, 1 butternut squash - $5.50

Shallots - $2.50

NY State Apples - $3.00

Super H Mart, Atlanta, Ga

King Oyster Mushrooms - $3.99

Shaved Beef Ribeye - $5.09

Palm Sugar - $1.49

Whole Foods, Atlanta, Ga (not Union Square where I have most of my disappointing grocery experiences)

Bananas - $.57

Turkish Figs - $4.69

Creme Fraiche - $3.89

Fontina - $8.28

Whole Duck - $14.86

Grand Total: $71.91/2ppl/10 meals = $3.60/person/meal - Unfortunately Johnathan won’t be enjoying my food until Thursday or Friday, and has to fend for himself back home, but my mom is helping me eat the other meals this week. Part of being prepared for us is being able to get Johnathan frozen Fresh Direct meals if I’m out of town….an expense we have to factor in occasionally, luckily my food is WAY better than theirs.

I was thwarted by my tactic to go early for a pleasant shopping experience. In NYC, I can’t seem to get a break, and enjoy strolling down aisles, picking things up, reading labels - not going to happen. I was at TJ’s by 9:15 am. You would think people would be at work on a Monday morning - of course not! The familiar line around the store, blocking the dairy and vitamin aisle was in full force. I lose this one. But, I got a lot of great food, and I managed to keep my spending to a minimum, even picking up some extras like cereal, milk, and fun colored beans from the farmer’s market. All in all, not a bad shopping day, and I didn’t even go to Whole Foods! That’s truly the prize this week. I did go on Sunday night to pick up a few things for a party my friends’ having, and picked up asparagus that was on sale ($2.72) and organic onions ($2.99). That was it! Next step, buy everything from the farmer’s market…. that’s the next level right there… I also managed to buy fish from the farmer’s market, turkey for a meatloaf, and bacon for the week. I bought more herbs this week but here’s a note: right when you get home, wet paper towels, wrap your herb stems with the wet towel, then store in a large ziploc in the fridge. My parsley from LAST week still looks new - now I have way too much. All my other herbs lasted well after the week was over, so it’s a great way to stretch your money, but still having fresh fresh flavors for your dishes. I also stocked up on the last of the tomatoes, so there will be a couple extra special dishes this week. Note, I break up the farmer’s market totals by the stalls I buy at, so each dollar amount is from a different farm. OK, here are the totals for this week

Whole Foods:

Asparagus - $2.72

Onions, 5lb bag, organic - $2.99

Farmer’s Market

2 white fish fillets - $7.20

Organic potatoes, garlic, sage - $5

2lb butternut squash, Rosemary, Chives, Parsley, pint cherry tomatoes, 2 beefsteak tomatoes - $12

Multicolored beans (new for fall)  - $2

Basil - $2

Grand Total: $77.53/10 meals/2ppl = $3.88/person/meal!!!

I had a late start yesterday, and what a difference that makes. Trader Joe’s was already a mad house (at 3pm ish) -and the line was wrapping around the store to check out. That scene makes me so anxious, and really sucks the fun out of grocery shopping - but the prices are too good not to suffer through. I’m curious to see if any traffic will be alleviated when the Brooklyn Trader Joe’s opens. This week I’m making 2 meat dishes, and I think this is the LEAST amount I’ve ever spent on a weeks meals. I bought almost everything from the farmers market, but I also wasn’t buying a lot of dairy, which might be my key, and my downfall. But I bought organic chicken from TJ’s, and free range, grass fed, local beef cubes for the stew, rather than lamb. When I got to the farmer’s market around 4:30, things were winding down, and it was a bit panicked, but I got some great things, but no artichokes! I saw them on Saturday, but they were no where to be found (fresh) at the market or Whole Foods. Hmmmm…. baby artichoke shortage? So that is still on my list to acquire, but otherwise here’s the totals for this week. Oh, I bought some vitamins at TJ’s - I wasn’t going to include them in the totals, but I just noticed I wasn’t charged for the Gruyere cheese I bought, so I’ll keep the vitamins in and call it even, even though the cheese was a bit less.

Farmer’s Market Totals:

Organic, free range Beef: $13.00

Organic garlic (this garlic is so much sweeter and aromatic) : $2.00

Swiss Chard: $2.00

2 small Pumpkins: $7.00

Fresh Peasant Loaf of Bread: $4.50

Carrots: $2.50

Total: $31.00

Grand Total: $75.58/2ppl/10 meals = $3.78/person/meal!!

Pork Ribs - what I was charged for vs. Chuck Roast - what I actually bought

I had to cool down a bit before writing this post. And partly because this ever present problem with Whole Foods (in Union Square) is partly my fault. I have one meat dish this week for our friend from over seas who requested a real American roast (pot that is). I knew this was going to put a dent in my budget, but I also wanted to rise to the challenge. At my last stop, Whole Foods (WF) I only needed a couple small things, and one big roast. I had a short conversation with the butcher, and they did not have a French trimmed rib roast (I’ve never been able to find anything special or specific at the meat or fish counter - although they now carry Ostrich eggs for $39.99) he recommended the chuck roast and said 4lbs was enough for 4 people. He wrapped it up, and I went on my merry way. Not until I was unpacking and rearranging the fridge did I notice that he charged me for PORK SPARE RIBS!!! They were $6.99/lb as opposed to the chuck which was $4.99/lb. After a conversation about the meat, he did not even charge me for the right animal! I was livid, especially after my encounter with the fish monger. I do have grace for human mistakes - but there seems to be a pattern at this store. I should have checked before I left - but I used to have a higher standard for WF. I also had to tell the check out chick which mushrooms were which and that I had scallions not leeks. Good help must be hard to find - if you’re a butcher or fishmonger, apply to manage the Union Square Whole Foods counter, and save the good name of your profession.

That aside, Trader Joe’s was well stocked, and I bought all my cheese and milk products there, as well as some yummy sourdough. I don’t expect a huge selection from them, but what I do get is usually a great price. Although, this week, WF had cheaper low sodium chicken broth - their 365 brand. The farmers market was unusually busy with chefs and sous chefs for a Monday. Large orders were being carted around and really large totals were being called out. I found all my herbs and the squashes are beginning to appear. I love when the farmers start lining their tents with pumpkins, gourds, and funny shaped squashes. I think I chose some pricey dishes this week, but because of my wonderful husband, I’m getting back money from WF for their mess up. Here are the totals:

The Chuck Roast that was charged as ribs was supposed to be $17.71, not $24.67. So the WF total is actually $38.11.

The totals for the farmers market are:

4 Leeks - $3.00

2 LG Heirloom Tomatoes - $2.50

3lb Beets - $3.00

3lb Butternut Squash - $2.40

Thyme, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage - $4.50

Grand Total $113.16 / 2ppl/10meals a week= $5.65/person/meal!!!

My Favorite Veg!

When you get to the bottom of this post, you’ll notice a lot more receipts than usual. This week required some heavy canned and bottled items, so I broke up my shopping into two days, and made Johnathan carry the first half home. I still had about a 30lb load to bring home today - oh the things we suffer in the city without a car or delivery service (Brooklyn is always shafted that way). Again, Trader Joe’s was the victor as far as dairy prices. I’ve pretty much ruled them out as a place to buy veggies. I also bought a free range cut chicken for the Game Hen recipe. Part of this recipe is stuffing an herbed butter underneath the skin, and I did this last year for the Thanksgiving turkey - it’s freakin’ amazing and juicy. So, I couldn’t actually find Game Hens in my usual spots - only smallish chickens. I decided to buy skin on chicken, which is cheaper than skinless and buying a chicken, plus I got more pounds (3 to be exact) for my money which should yield some good leftovers.

I think this is my favorite time of year at our farmer’s market - great tomatoes, there’s still corn, and bell peppers have arrived! Johnathan and I love snacking on bell peppers whenever we can, and I bought 5 for $3 at the Union Square Greenmarket! I was busting (even though it wasn’t on my shopping list). I might try to make an extra cooked dish from them, but we usually eat them raw as a side dish for dinners. Oh, and I don’t particularly like roasted red peppers - weird squidgy texture. You’ll also notice cantaloupes are out. I’m doing grilled cantaloupe tonight with the ribs, which I’m excited to try. Trader Joe’s has them for $2.99/each, Farmer’s Market for $3.50, and Whole Foods for $3.99. I purchased mine from the farmers, and it was $.50 more well spent. And it smells amazing!

You’ll also see a new receipt from Food Bazaar, which is our local grocery store. I try to avoid it as much as possible. It’s the kind of inner city grocery store that smells like rotting produce and meat, but it has a great Chinese and Spanish section. We’ve bought ribs from there before and they were actually really good - although not organic. I looked at St. Louis style baby back ribs at Whole Foods and a rack to feed the 2 of us (well, I am married to a man with 2 stomachs and a hollow leg, so I always get a bit more) was going to be $22! That was way over what I wanted to spend, and I don’t believe it was organic. Trader Joe’s had ribs for $10.99, but they were already cooked or marinated in BBQ sauce. I didn’t want to lose the experience of trying this new sauce from Bon Appétit, so I passed, hence the Food Bazaar rib purchase (you’ll also see another guilty pleasure on the receipt - Dunkin’ Donuts ground coffee). The ribs here were only $3.99/lb so we only spent $8.94 on a rack. Because of my dear husband’s constant requests for my ribs, this week’s total is a bit higher, but it does make him (and me I’ll admit) very satisfied.

Union Square Green Market

Pint of Cherry Tomatoes - $3.00

Cantaloupe - $3.50

Bag of 5 Red Bell Peppers - $3.00

3 ears of corn, mint, basil, parsley - $4.00

Total - $13.50

Shopping Total: $120.30/2ppl/10 meals

Grand Total: $6.01/person/meal

The Who Farm Bus

Today’s shopping trip was a bit less dramatic than last week, but something did make me realize I’d become immune to the oddities of NYC living. As I was walking with my 15lb bag from Trader Joe’s to the Farmer’s Market, I spotted a man, reading a book on the steps of Union Square - then I looked closer - he had a large desert-type lizard on his shoulder, also enjoying the warm summer air. I giggled, and kept moving. Then I thought, you can’t make this stuff up when you live in urban environments. No where else, except in a large city do you find a normal lookin’ guy sunning himself with his lizard, literally. After making a pass through the Green Market, I saw this double bus promoting an organic farming project. After looking at their site, they apparently bought this weird bus from Jerry of Ben & Jerry’s (now, it makes sense, right?). They will be traveling cross country - it’s quite a sight to see - if you’re on their list of stops, check it out.

I had great luck at the Farmer’s Market, as well as Trader Joe’s. The tomatoes were perfect, and the corn was still really sweet. I also found another baker that charges $1 less for an artisnal loaf of bread. I bought my prosciutto and salmon from TJ’s as well as the dairy. The price difference between those sorts of items there and at Whole Foods is pretty large. The only “fresh” things I purchased at WF was the Taleggio cheese, which I’ve never tried - so why not now? I also noticed that both stores had some pretty bare shelves I assume from the weekend. I also splurged on an authentic New Mexican Red Chili sauce at WF, which I think will be well worth it. But overall, I was very happy and excited with my purchases today. Here’s the break down.

Green Market Totals:

4 Ears of Jersey Corn, 6 Ripe Tomatoes, Green Onions, Cilantro, Parsley, Basil, Jalapenos, White Nectarines: $12

Fresh Artisnal Bread: $3.75

Grand Total: $94.11/week/2people/10 meals (plus whatever else I can come up with)

Total of $4.70/person/meal!!