I remained small, edging my way to the grocery section at the back of the warehouse. The grandstand rack of packaged breads could have fed an entire middle school. The pies, cakes and doughnuts were huge; one piece would provide a meal's worth of calories. Most meats, frozen foods and cheeses were packaged in amounts two or three times that of retail groceries. I imagine the purchase of a 50 pound bag of rice comes with complimentary fork lift service. And just think of the money you’ll save!
Costco's business formula is simple: buy in gross and pass on some of the discount to consumers. Wholesale pricing like this is great when it comes to the occasional big-ticket purchase. To offer savings on less expensive grocery products Costco packages them in bulk. They claim the target market for warehouse shopping is large families and small businesses. But what red-blooded American consumer can resist shopping for a bargain? The concept has made Costco the third largest retailer in the U.S.
To their credit, Costco has used its purchasing power to strengthen quality standards and lower prices, Costco forced Tyson to test its meat scraps for E-coli before shipping it to be ground. It now boasts more stringent screening procedures than the US government requires. The company also wrangled a steeper discount from Coca-Cola by pulling its product from their stores when the company first refused to negotiate price.
Is Costco doing us a favor by making empty calories more affordable? I asked myself this as I walked a thirty foot aisle stacked with boxes of glorified junk food. The food industry giants manufacture these snacks and then market them with nutritional claims. They must think we are dumb.
What did I have in my cart at the check-out? (1.) A still-warm double loaf of La Brea whole grain bread at the same price as Jewel's. (2.) A pair of veal rib chops, at a 20% savings over that of Whole Foods, whose supply is spotty. (3.) A 12 oz. wedge of Papillon label Roquefort; a 50% savings. (4.) A two-pound bag of Starbucks whole bean House Blend roast under Costco's Kirkland label for the price of one pound at Starbucks. (I do have to grind it myself.)
I’m not sure I will ever be able to fill a dinner plate with Costco purchases. Potatoes, rice, pasta and fresh vegetables are sold in amounts that dwarf my storage (and eating) abilities. Here’s how I prepared the chops and sides:
PAN-SEARED AND BAKED VEAL CHOPS
Ingredients:
2 12 ounce bone-in veal rib chops
kosher salt and pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
Mushroom sauce:
1/4 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
1/4 cup stock or white wine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)
Directions:
Chops: Remove the meat from the refrigerator one hour in advance. Lightly salt and pepper it and reserve at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Heat the butter and oil together. Wipe dry the meat and sear it for 3 minutes on each side. Place in the oven on a sheet pan for 10 – 15 minutes, until the interior temperature reaches 150 degrees. Remove and hold as long as 10 minutes before serving as desired.
Sauce: Soak the mushrooms in 1/3 cup hot water until they soften. Strain and reserve the soaking water. Chop the mushrroms.
Remove fat from the skillet. Deglaze the pan with the stock or wine. Stir in the mushroom liquid and pieces. Simmer for one minute. Swirl in butter if desired. Season to taste and spoon over the chops
GREEN BEANS
Ingredients:
8 ounces green beans, trimmed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Bring a quart of water to a boil in a deep skillet. Add the green beans and cook al dente. Plunge beans immediately in iced water for 2 minutes. Drain and dry them. Reheat beans in the skillet with butter and season to taste.
HERB RISOTTO
Ingredients:
3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup arborio rice
2 tablespoons one or more minced fresh herbs: parsley, thyme rosemary, chives
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Bring the stock to a simmer in a saucepan. Stir in the rice and simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes or until the rice absorbs the stock and is tender. Fold in herbs and season to taste.
