Completely Costco

Costco is one of my favorite places to shop.  My household consists of two people (and two dogs), yet I go every other week.  Thank goodness for the vacuum sealer!  Where else can you get a new mattress, fresh meat, fresh veggies, new tires, and enough toilet paper to last a year?  I love this place! 

Have you seen the movie "Idiocracy"?  That store was miles wide by miles wide.  People in the future get everything from Costco - even a law degree!  I know, it's a totally B-movie, it's not a good movie, but I just love how Costco survives and dominates in the movie's version of the future.  It's good to know I can depend on my favorite store sticking around forever.  :)

When I prepared for tonight's dinner, I didn't have the intention of trying to use every ingredient from Costco.  As I was cooking I realized that literally everything had been purchased at Costco, and it was fantastic!  On the menu tonight was grilled pork loin chops, asparagus and bread.  The pork was seasoned with olive oil and McCormicks new Sweet Basil, Citrus and Garlic rub, and the asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper.  The bread was lightly buttered and then all of it went on the grill.  I finished the bread and asparagus with a light shaving of parmesan.  Oh me oh my!

I was a little intimidated to grill those chops because they are 1.5" to 2" thick.  Being that thick they are easily undercooked, or even overcooked from fear of undercooking.  I'm proud to say they were close to perfect.  I probably could have pulled them off one or two minutes sooner, but they were still juicy and tender!  So, my tips to pass along?  Put oil and rub on, then refrigerate for a few hours; let them sit out while the grill is warming.  Cook those chops low and slow, then let them rest.

~ Enjoy ~

Camping Meal: Chicken & Asparagus

Camping season is approaching and often we eat better than when we're at home!  The main reason is that I carefully plan our meals and prep the food before we leave.  This past weekend I brought skinless, boneless chicken breast and aspargus.  Before we left, I prepared both sides of the chicken with a little bit of light olive oil, and a modest to heavy dose of Kirkland Signature Organic No Salt Seasoning.  To that I added a bit of sea salt, some crushed red pepper and a pinch of turbinado sugar (which is basically coarse ground raw sugar).  I put it into a ziploc and packed it for the trip.  I did this on a Wednesday and cooked it Friday, so the flavors had plenty of time to develop and 'get into' the meat. 

For the asparagus, I cleaned it, drizzled it with a little olive oil, and a small amount of sea salt and pepper.  I grilled it for about 5-6 minutes and it was perfectly cooked.  Oh my, what a fabulous meal ...

Delicious food can be had on the road.  A part of camping that I look forward to is finding more great meals I can whip up in an outdoor kitchen.  :) 

Are you a camp cook?  I'd love to hear your meal ideas! 

Enjoy!