A Perfect Summer Cocktail

It’s a beautiful Memorial Day here in SoCal, a great start to the summer grilling-and-barbecue season. Tina found this cocktail recipe in the June issue of the Costco Connection magazine that’s a perfect – and original – compliment to any sort of outdoor feast. Or indoor, for that matter.

We’ll post a delicious flank steak recipe from Food Network star Guy Fieri when we get a chance. In the meantime, kick back and suck down a watermelon mojito – and have a great Memorial Day.

30 large fresh mint leaves, coarsely torn by hand
3 or 4 thick slices of fresh watermelon
12 oz. light rum
½ cup simple syrup (simply one cup sugar and one cup water boiled until the sugar dissolves)
6 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice (3 limes)
Mint sprigs and watermelon slices for garnish

Use a mortar and pestle to mash the mint leaves, and after removing seeds, but the watermelon into a food processor and puree.

Put the mashed mint into a large pitcher with 2 cups of pureed watermelon, the rum, syrup and lime juice and stir to combine.

Place ice in 6 glasses and pour the concoction over the ice, garnish and serve ice cold. Makes 6 drinks.

Sidenote: If you want an extra kick – and this was not part of the original recipe – add a shot or three of Bacardi 151 to the pitcher. Or add a shot of 151 or dark Myers's Rum atop the glass as a delicious, and potent, floater.

Recipe was reprinted in Costco Connection as it appeared in Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That? (Clarkson Potter, 2010). Photo is from Barefootcontessa.com.

Bringing Home the Jamba

The only downside to an in-office copy editing gig is that I have to miss the occasional Costco venture. The upside, of course, is money. Anyway, Tina went twice with a friend following their art classes, to pick up a few things (including the largest $4.99 Costco rotisserie chicken I’ve ever seen, more like a small turkey) and nosh on some Costco pizza for lunch.

Heading up the sample highlights, which were fairly plentiful for midweek, were a pair of promising new items you might want to check out: Jamba Juice Make Your Own Smoothie and Tyson Roast Beef Dip Sandwich Kit. Both got thumbs-up from both girls, Tina took home the Jamba, and plans to get the Tyson when she isn’t planning several time-consuming post-Costco errands on the way home.

They also had the Hormel Private Reserve Chili (we have an 8-pack) and some delicious tortellini. I’m jealous.

Ninety Nine Reasons

Haven’t been able to post for the past week – I’ve been Downtown L.A. filling in full-time for an editor out on medical leave – but we’re compelled to add a word or two about our latest discovery: A massive and sparkling 99 Cents Only supermarket on the edge or Highland Park and Eagle Rock. Best store we’ve seen in that chain, with lots of quality fresh produce (the artichokes put the much-pricier alternatives at Whole Foods to shame), and the book selection is vast and varied.

I actually picked up a pristine hardback copy of “Last Lion,” the best-selling recent biography of Ted Kennedy (list price: $28). For those of the right-leaning persuasion, there were three books on President Reagan, including a compendium of his personal notebooks. There were large-format paperback Bibles and a biography of retired New York Giant superstar Tiki Barber. Oh, and they have a bridal registry, layaway plans and gift cards -- along with a cool sense of irony.

Anyway, it’s as large and clean as any major supermarket, with a large frozen food section and lots of household staples. And, of course, nothing ever costs more than 99 cents. We also left with ginger root, paper towels, Taco Bell taco kit, and a nice artist’s paint palette that Tina needed for her watercolor creations. If you have a store in your area, do check it out.

Dining Out at Costco

We went to Costco last Friday afternoon and the sample spread was outstanding – more on that later – but we were also reminded of one of the most lucrative savings opportunities Costco offers, namely the wide varieties of discount gift cards, which work equally well as gifts for yourself, especially the restaurant cards. They cover major chains, including California Pizza Kitchen and McCormick & Schmick’s seafood restaurants. a pair of $50 cards for only $79.99. Obviously a great deal – 20% savings. They also have similar offers for spas and travel.

Can’t overlook deals on movie tickets -- $15.99 for a pair at AMC Theaters – and premium field and loge seats for the L.A. Dodgers -- $32.99 per ticket, a savings of $35 each.

Anyway, the samples were out in force, heavy on the poultry: Two forms of chicken sandwich – grilled and Kirkland canned – along with some excellent turkey spinach lasagna and two types of spicy chicken sausage, accompanied by tomato-basil chicken burger.

And that’s just scratching the surface. Further proof that these complimentary lunches alone more than make up the annual membership fee, especially when you split it with family or a friend, as we do. We left with full bellies.

Here’s the rest of the lineup:

 Noh Hawaii grilled pork

 Chipins popcorn chips

 Greek yogurt

 Peanut butter filled pretzels

 Café mocha

 Whole grain rice with delicious Yoshida’s marinade (we picked some up)

 El Monterey taquitos and quacamole

 Tropical pineapple salsa and chips

 Boca vegan burger

 Hillshire Farms chicken lunch meat and American cheese

Taking Apps on the Road with iPhone and iPad

With summer coming up fast, I should point out Travel on the Grid, a helpful article on travel apps in the May issue of Costco Connection – programs that can help you find your way on vacation and even recommend restaurants, attractions, etc., and guide you right to them. They go far beyond the capabilities of regular old GPS, and even help you out with medical emergencies. One of the more unique applications is Google Goggles, which lets you take a picture of a landmark and then tells you all about it. It's part of the Google Mobile App package.

Of course, Costco is a discount source of several types of smartphones and cellphone plans. This guide directs you where to download what you need on an iPhone, iPad, Android or other phones or tablets. Happy driving.

Photo of iPhone 5 courtesy of Apple

Grilled Goat Cheese Pizza

Tina bought the ingredients for this pizza, and we can’t wait to try it (probably over the weekend when the weather is supposed to cool down considerably in SoCal, since she plans on doing the finishing broiling option).

Got this gem from the May issue of Costco Connection magazine, which also includes more goat cheese recipes, a preview of white summer wines, an interview with Oscar winner Colin Firth, profiles of charitable athletes and DVD and book reviews. It’s a nice membership perk.

Tina wanted to share, in case any of our peeps would like to join in and get their goat cheese on. Should be delicious.

1 12-inch whole wheat pizza crust
2 teaspoons olive oil
½ cup zesty pizza or tomato sauce
1 sliced fresh tomato
10 ½ oz. fresh goat cheese, sliced into medallions ¼-inch thick
2 tablespoons fresh basil, cut into thin strips
1 teaspoon fresh parsley, torn into small pieces

Preheat grill to 425 F

Grill one side of the crust just long enough to firm it, so it can be easily moved. Check it after about 3 minutes.

Take the crust off the heat and flip it over so you can arrange the toppings on the grilled side. First, spread the olive oil all over the crust to the edges, then add desired amount of sauce to the middle, leaving about a half inch for the edge crust. Add tomato slices and goat cheese, followed by basil and parsley.

Put it back on the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes on medium or until the crust is golden brown and the goat cheese medallions begin to melt. Or you can grill for 5 minutes, then broil for 2 more to brown the goat cheese. Makes four to six servings.

Trader Joe's

A recent visit to Trader Joe’s reminded us that we should give a shout out to that unique chain store. I’m sure we’re not the only Costco devotees who swear by TJ’s; after all, they’re always busting out free samples from their kitchen kiosk, regardless of which outlet you visit, and they have spectacular deals on wine and, occasionally, spirits too. Two-Buck Chuck (Charles Shaw wine, for the uninitiated) is a great value, and it comes in several varieties, red and white. And where else can you get a nice bottle of champagne for $5-$6 dollars? The holistic cat treats with Omega 3 fish oil and 33-cent cans of cat tuna are staples, along with quality pre-cooked packaged meals (meat lasagna, turkey meatloaf and chicken enchiladas are our faves) and flash-frozen fish (albacore steaks and mahi-mahi for two for $6, seriously).

If there’s ever a lull at the samples kiosk it’s because they’re changing shifts or someone’s taking a break. Last time we had delicious ham and garlic potatoes – one of the best samples ever – but not equal to the half a chili dog with organic franks and bun given out earlier. Even better, the kiosk girl had a surplus and handed me an extra helping. That’s right: and entire organic chili dog while shopping! Free coffee is always available, always sampling the wide variety TJ’s offers. You can’t beat the deals on coffee; we get a pound of high-quality French roast for $3.99.

The décor theme is funky tropical, and the friendly staff follows suit with Hawaiian shirts and creative chalk art displays. Very cool place. If you haven’t been, you own it to yourself to seek out a nearby store. One word of advice: Don’t go on a Monday. It’s the busiest day of the week, our checker Jose assured us, and it’s often impossible to even get into the parking lot. Been there. Mondays in the parking lot can get ugly.

Late update: Made a quick trip to TJ's in Eagle Rock and scored a generous sample of ravioli with alfredo sauce, along with low-cal lemonade. Win.