General Groceries:
Even more so than cooking at home, making community-sized meals economical means stocking a good pantry with items bought in bulk and knowing where to go for the rest. If you're in the commercial food industry, or have access to someone who is, a restaurant depot will provide all you need. But for those of us who are weekend warriors, wholesale food clubs are our best friend. For our purposes, we rely on Costco for it's central location, diverse offerings, and the large selection of organic items in stock.
As for conventional grocery stores, Whole Foods carries every foodstuff imaginable, but isn't always the best choice for on-budget shopping. We happily shop there for unique or very specific items, bulk grains, and naturally raised meats, but beyond that we try to limit our purchases. Trader Joe's never ceases to amaze with it's great prices and plethora of tasty treats. It's a great spot for frozen items, sausages, snacks, pancake mixes, oils, vinegars, dairy and drinks, but not a great choice for produce or items in large quantities. Dominick's and Jewel-Osco (and most conventions supermarkets) have huge selections, but since we generally shop the perimeter of the store (the fresh stuff) we don't often delve into the rest. Prices on produce and dairy can be high and we've found more economical options elsewhere. That said, the Hispanic foods aisles in Chicago stores are definitely worth visiting for locally-made tortillas, chips, salsas and other great ethnic ingredients.
This brings us to the ethnic groceries in general which are often the least expensive and best stocked shops for recipe-specific ingredients. Chicago is loaded with groceries that specialize in Hispanic, Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ingredients, and this is just to name a few of the options. That said, getting to one can often mean a neighborhood detour and/or limited parking. If we know we need something for an upcoming meal, we put it on the radar early so we can pick it up at our convenience without adding a special trip on shopping day.
Even more so than cooking at home, making community-sized meals economical means stocking a good pantry with items bought in bulk and knowing where to go for the rest. If you're in the commercial food industry, or have access to someone who is, a restaurant depot will provide all you need. But for those of us who are weekend warriors, wholesale food clubs are our best friend. For our purposes, we rely on Costco for it's central location, diverse offerings, and the large selection of organic items in stock.
As for conventional grocery stores, Whole Foods carries every foodstuff imaginable, but isn't always the best choice for on-budget shopping. We happily shop there for unique or very specific items, bulk grains, and naturally raised meats, but beyond that we try to limit our purchases. Trader Joe's never ceases to amaze with it's great prices and plethora of tasty treats. It's a great spot for frozen items, sausages, snacks, pancake mixes, oils, vinegars, dairy and drinks, but not a great choice for produce or items in large quantities. Dominick's and Jewel-Osco (and most conventions supermarkets) have huge selections, but since we generally shop the perimeter of the store (the fresh stuff) we don't often delve into the rest. Prices on produce and dairy can be high and we've found more economical options elsewhere. That said, the Hispanic foods aisles in Chicago stores are definitely worth visiting for locally-made tortillas, chips, salsas and other great ethnic ingredients.
This brings us to the ethnic groceries in general which are often the least expensive and best stocked shops for recipe-specific ingredients. Chicago is loaded with groceries that specialize in Hispanic, Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ingredients, and this is just to name a few of the options. That said, getting to one can often mean a neighborhood detour and/or limited parking. If we know we need something for an upcoming meal, we put it on the radar early so we can pick it up at our convenience without adding a special trip on shopping day.
Fruits and Veggies:
It's no secret that fresh produce can be a budget breaker. If you're a home cook, you already know that it's difficult to keep the recommended amounts of fruits and veggies on your own table; to feed a shelter community with fresh produce can seem impossible. Our local solution is to shop at one of the many discount produce markets in the city where sheer volume sold keeps prices well below the norm. Our favorite is Stanley's, but there are a number of options all around the city. If you're outside Chicago, a little surfing should yield the names of markets in your area. Don't be afraid to let your grocer know what you're shopping for; it may mean a discount on your overall bill. Also look for an opportunity to partner with a produce manager who might be interested in supplying discounted produce (or other items with a limited shelf life). Most grocers would prefer to discount (or gift) items near expiration than to see them go to waste. The same is true for your local farmer's market. We certainly won't advocate nickel and diming a farmer who endures city traffic twice per week to sell his produce at a living wage, but we would suggest letting one know you're available to take travel-fatigued produce off his hands for use in a community shelter. A little conversation is also how we score the 3 foot long zucchinis that just don't fly off the stands in urban markets for our late summer recipes.
It's no secret that fresh produce can be a budget breaker. If you're a home cook, you already know that it's difficult to keep the recommended amounts of fruits and veggies on your own table; to feed a shelter community with fresh produce can seem impossible. Our local solution is to shop at one of the many discount produce markets in the city where sheer volume sold keeps prices well below the norm. Our favorite is Stanley's, but there are a number of options all around the city. If you're outside Chicago, a little surfing should yield the names of markets in your area. Don't be afraid to let your grocer know what you're shopping for; it may mean a discount on your overall bill. Also look for an opportunity to partner with a produce manager who might be interested in supplying discounted produce (or other items with a limited shelf life). Most grocers would prefer to discount (or gift) items near expiration than to see them go to waste. The same is true for your local farmer's market. We certainly won't advocate nickel and diming a farmer who endures city traffic twice per week to sell his produce at a living wage, but we would suggest letting one know you're available to take travel-fatigued produce off his hands for use in a community shelter. A little conversation is also how we score the 3 foot long zucchinis that just don't fly off the stands in urban markets for our late summer recipes.
Meats:
This is one topic where we're decidedly narrow-minded. Commercial meat production has gotten a notable amount of press over the past decade and for good reasons that we won't delve into now. If you're interested in following the discussion, your local library or bookstore will have a surprisingly large selection of writings on the subject. For a nutshell of information in a short amount of time, the film Food Inc. delivers a very specific, anti-industry point of view. If you lament over the loss of craft and local industry (in this case butchering) that has generally accompanied mass-production, then this is the article for you. This article also presents some (shockingly) interesting information about pre-packaged meats.
At the end of the day, we're firm believers that it's better to eat less of and pay more for humanely and ethically raised animals than the opposite. We look for meat that comes from farms where pigs and cows are pastured and chickens live outside of coops. This usually means we're shopping at Whole Foods, a reputable local butcher or even from the farmer's market. These meats come with higher prices to be sure, but more than compensate with fantastic flavor. For the above reasons and more, the majority of our recipes are built on whole grains and produce with meat playing a supporting role.
If your feelings about meat are not as specific as the ones above, you do often cook with meat in the starring role, below are several other Chicago options deftly summarized in a great article by Time Out Magazine.
"Carnivores should head for the industrial strip of the meatpacking district, especially if they’re buying large amounts for a dinner party or to split with a friend (the prices sometimes dip incrementally the more you buy). Have no fear, you won’t run into any slaughtering, but you will find unbeatable prices on meat. Peoria Packing (1307 W Lake St, 312-738-1800) usually sells skinless and boneless chicken breasts for $1.59 a pound, while Nicholas Quality Meats (908 W Randolph St, 312-563-0145) sells its top-notch filet mignon for $12.99 a pound."
Grocery Lists:
The following lists are not exhaustive, but we hope they're helpful for locating the items called for in our recipes. Our meals differ enough by season and character that we can't say we have a specific shopping pattern. We do pick up hard-to-find items for several meals at a time when we come across them. If something's on sale, and we know we'll be using it soon, we pick that up, too. It takes a little more tracking to keep your pantry items straight, but it's ultimately a time and budget saver. We've found that traveling with a shopping list in advance of our meals makes it possible to stop and shop spontaneously when the opportunity arises. Having a cooler in the car is also extremely handy if there's significant time between your shopping trip and your next encounter with a refrigerator or freezer. It's also a must in the dog days of summer when vegetables can wilt in just a few minutes of grid lock traffic.
STANLEY'S
Greek Vinagrette, for salads and
marinades
Assorted
Antipasti (olives, roasted red peppers, giardinara, peppers)
Locally-Made
Fresh Pita Bread, to serve with kebab and hummusBakery-Fresh Ciabatta Bread and Baguette, for all-purpose use
Sun-Dried Tomatoes, non oil-packed
Dried Egg Pastas, for soups and main dishes
Beyond the above, Stanley's is our go-to stop for Fresh Produce of all kinds and in all seasons.
TRADER JOE'S
Bottled Drinks and
Soda Pops, prices that are comparable to Costco
Fresh
Cheeses, the chevre and the mozzarella are particularly good
Chicken Sausages, in a
multitude of flavors
Frozen Vegetables, for all purpose use
Frozen Potato Wedges and Sweet Potato Fries, for a quick side dish
Frozen Potato Wedges and Sweet Potato Fries, for a quick side dish
Nuts, Seeds and Dried
Fruits, for baking, salads and in granola
Olive Oils and Common Vinegars, for all-purpose use
Asian Sauces and Condiments, for stir-fry and teriyaki dishes
Original Hummus for a great appetizer (fresher tasting than Costco brands)
Cage-Free or Free Range Eggs, for all-purpose use
Olive Oils and Common Vinegars, for all-purpose use
Asian Sauces and Condiments, for stir-fry and teriyaki dishes
Original Hummus for a great appetizer (fresher tasting than Costco brands)
Cage-Free or Free Range Eggs, for all-purpose use
WHOLE FOODS
Bulk Stone-Ground Corn Grits for
polenta and cornbread pudding
Bulk Thick-Cut Oats, for baking and for granola
Bulk Lentils and Dried Beans, for soups and stews
Bulk Spices, for all-purpose use
Freshly-Ground Beef or Turkey, for burgers and chilis
Freshly-Ground Chorizo, Italian, Andouille or Breakfast Sausage, for all-purpose use
Rotisserie Chickens, for all-purpose use (look for weekly sales)
Whole Milk Plain Yogurt, hormone-free, 1 gallon tubs for all-purpose use
Ricotta Cheese in a 3-lb bulk tub for stuffed vegetables and pasta dishes
Spring Water Jugs, 2-gallon for drinking water, mixing drinks and making soups
COSTCO
Bulk Thick-Cut Oats, for baking and for granola
Bulk Lentils and Dried Beans, for soups and stews
Bulk Spices, for all-purpose use
Freshly-Ground Beef or Turkey, for burgers and chilis
Freshly-Ground Chorizo, Italian, Andouille or Breakfast Sausage, for all-purpose use
Rotisserie Chickens, for all-purpose use (look for weekly sales)
Whole Milk Plain Yogurt, hormone-free, 1 gallon tubs for all-purpose use
Ricotta Cheese in a 3-lb bulk tub for stuffed vegetables and pasta dishes
Spring Water Jugs, 2-gallon for drinking water, mixing drinks and making soups
COSTCO
BASICS:
Extra-Virgin
Olive Oil for dressing salads and for drizzling on hummus, roasted
veggies and grilled meats
Pure
Olive Oil for all-purpose cooking, sauteing and baking
Sea Salt in a grinder jar for
seasoning
salads and finishing dishes
Sea
Salt in bulk, finely ground, for soups, pasta water and baking
Black Peppercorns in a pepper
grinder
for seasoning salads and finishing dishes
BIG
FLAVORS
Sun-Dried Tomatoes for
salads, pastas,
chicken dishes and starters
Greek Olives for
salads, roasts and starters
Capers for
salads, pastas and sauces
Roasted Red Peppers
to substitute when fresh are out of season and to add to soups and
sauces
BULK GRAINS
Basmati Rice for curries
Brown Rice for side dishes and
risottos
Whole Grain Pasta for
Italian dishes and pasta salads
Quinoa,
organic, for summer grain salads like tabbouleh and to use in place of
rice for variety
CANNED
GOODS
106oz Italian Plum
Tomatoes for
all-purpose use
Tomato Paste,
for all-purpose use
Black Beans for
soups and Mexican dishes
Dole Pineapple
Chunks, unsweetened,
for all-purpose use
SWEETENERS
Unbleached Raw Sugar (fair-trade if
possible) for baking and for the morning coffee
Agave Nectar for quick mixing in
drinks, fruit salads and dressings
Honey for
cornbread and dressings for winter fruit salads
SOUPS AND STOCKS
Chicken Stock for soups and rice
dishes
Potato Soup Mix for
the base of various chowders and hearty soups
DAIRY
Goat
Cheese for dips and salads
Feta Cheese
for pastas and salads
Queso Fresco for
Mexican dishes
Sharp Cheddar (grated)
for lots of reasons
Fresh Mozzarella
for pizza and
Insalata Caprese
Brown Eggs,
organic18-pack for
all-purpose use
Organic 1% milk for all purpose use
Organic Heavy Cream for egg bakes and desserts
Organic 1% milk for all purpose use
Organic Heavy Cream for egg bakes and desserts
PRODUCE
Mesculin
Greens, organic, for fast
green salads
Baby Spinach,
organic, for mixing into
multiple dishes
Baby Carrots,
organic, for salads,
sautes and soups and for serving with dip
Broccoli Florets for
roasting and using in multiple dishes
MEATS
MEATS
Amy's
Chicken and Apple Sausages for
serving at breakfast
Amy's Chicken
Andouille Sausages for
serving in pasta and soups or on the grill
Han's Chicken,
Spinach and Feta Sausages for serving with pasta and polenta
Chicken Thighs, Organic for roasting
Proscuitto and Culatello for special sandwiches and all purpose use
Coleman's All-Natural Bacon for all purpose use
Pancetta for use in pasta sauces and soups
Chicken Thighs, Organic for roasting
Proscuitto and Culatello for special sandwiches and all purpose use
Coleman's All-Natural Bacon for all purpose use
Pancetta for use in pasta sauces and soups
STARTERS
Yellow
Corn Tortilla Chips, organic,
for serving with salsa or queso dip
Blue Corn Tortilla Chips for dipping
or crumbling into chili or taco salads
Kirkland
Brand Salsa, organic, for dipping or mixing into soups or rice
Hummus for serving with fresh pita
bread, pita chips or crudites
Yogurt Ranch
Dressing for serving with crudites
Stacy's Pita Chips, for dipping
Dried Fruits
Stacy's Pita Chips, for dipping
MISC
Nuts
Ghiradelli Brownie Mix
Chocolate Chips
DRINKS
OJ Concentrate, six-pack
Ghiradelli Brownie Mix
Chocolate Chips
DRINKS
OJ Concentrate, six-pack
Mango Nectar,
bottled
Lemon Juice Concentrate, organic, for mixing lemonade
Italian Sodas, organic
Sparkling water
TABLETOP and COOKING ACCESSORIES
Lemon Juice Concentrate, organic, for mixing lemonade
Italian Sodas, organic
Sparkling water
TABLETOP and COOKING ACCESSORIES
Plastic
Utensils, all-purpose
Napkins
Paper Bowls, for soups and salads
Paper plates, heavy-duty, lunch size
Plastic Cups
Ziplock Bags, to transport pre-portioned goods from your pantry to the shelter
Aluminum Disposable Roasting Pans for marinating, baking and transport
Parchment Paper for baking and rolling out pizza or pastry dough
Paper Bowls, for soups and salads
Paper plates, heavy-duty, lunch size
Plastic Cups
Ziplock Bags, to transport pre-portioned goods from your pantry to the shelter
Aluminum Disposable Roasting Pans for marinating, baking and transport
Parchment Paper for baking and rolling out pizza or pastry dough
