Here are some simple, low-cost sides for you to consider the next time you’re looking for something new. Lemon Garlic Broccoli Saute has few ingredients and is quick to make. And my Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese can be used as a dinner side for six, or lunch serving 4. Pass your favorite pepper blend with these at the table and enjoy!

Lemon Garlic Broccoli Saute

1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon dried lemon peel (or 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest)

2 cloves garlic, sliced

2 cups broccoli florets

Heat oil and lemon peel in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and broccoli and cook and stir for 2-3 minutes until crisptender. Note: For extra lemon flavor, try a lemon infused olive oil!

Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese

3 cups fusilli pasta, uncooked

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded Grana Padano cheese (check in your club’s cheese case)

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a separate medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour; mixture will be like a thick paste. Slowly add 2 cups milk and stir and cook until thickened, about 10-12 minutes. Add cheeses; stir until melted. Pour cheese sauce over drained cooked pasta; combine. Note: Both of these cheese are available at the warehouse clubs and freeze nicely. For added convenience, measure cheeses into a one-quart freezer bag and store in the freezer. To save time, I make up several packages at once so there’s always one handy.

I was getting my notes and recipes together, thinking all weekend about blogging. I’ve been trying some great new recipes and reading some inspiring books. I was hoping to blog about them.

But when I sat down at the computer, I quickly became aware of a 5.7 MILLION (yes, million) pound ground beef recall for possible E. coli contamination. As I surfed the web to learn more, I found out that Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. is recalling 440,000 pounds also. According to the press accounts, both of these recalls are for meat sold in over a dozen states and in stores such as Sam’s Club, Trader Joes, Safeway, Albertson’s, etc.

Hopefully you are all aware of this recall by now. If not, I encourage you to check out the links above to see if any products you have purchased are part of this recall.

I also encourage you to purchase a meat thermometer if you have not already done so. If you own a thermometer that you don’t use regularly, please make a point of it now. Ground beef is not safe to eat until it is cooked to 160F degrees. Many digital brands are easy to use and are pre-programmed for beef, chicken, pork, and other food items. What a great gift idea for Father’s Day!

Just another real life example of how incredible the economy of The Warehouse Gourmet can be: A friend of mine is pregnant with twins and, with nausea, fatigue and her general dislike of cooking, is having an increasingly difficult time getting dinner to the table. So she came over yesterday and we prepared some make-ahead meals for her to have on hand.

We made Chicken a la King, Cheese Steaks, Honey Cider Chops, Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs, Sticky Ribs and Sweet and Sour Meatballs. According to the estimations in our book, this would have provided 22 entrees but the way we divided things she got 25 instead. We had a few of the ingredients on hand (curry, salt and pepper, mustard, soy sauce and the freezer bags) but she bought the rest - about $89 at Costco and another $7 at the grocery store. It only took a few hours including the break we took for lunch. 

Even though I have been doing this for years, I am still impressed at how it works out so well!