Rahhhz-berries & Smoked Salmon

Thanks to ZipCar, we are now upwardly mobile in the most literal sense. With our rented VW Jetta, we braved the BQE to go the Red Hook Fairway (most of you know my love of Fairway), the brand new Red Hook Ikea (which is only about three blocks away from said Fairway), and the real revelation of the day… Costco.

I had never been to a Costco, and never gave it much thought. But the economy being what it is, and prices rising everywhere for everything, a tub-o-mustard for $5 sounded mighty good. I am so glad we went. I knew to expect the 24 rolls of toilet paper, the beach chairs, more mayo than you could eat in a lifetime and all the other random and yet oddly necessary items you never knew you always wanted, however, what really surprised me was not only the sheer quantity of the food available, but the quality.

My husband, who was used to this, having been a Costco-er from way back told me about the fresh veggies, TV’s, and amazing smoked salmon... wait what? Smoked Salmon? In fact, and to his credit because there no way in hell I would have picked up Smoked Salmon at Costco without him making me, the Kirkland brand (Kirkland being Costco’s in house brand), Smoked Salmon did NOT disappoint. First off you get about 2 feet worth of Smoked Salmon for $17. Normally, this would not bode well for taste or quality, but I was so happy to be proven wrong. We had it last night, and the texture was firm and not mealy like some cheaper Smoked Salmons can be, it wasn’t too oily or too salty, and the smokiness was perfect. I mean really perfect – very Little Red Riding Hood (just right). I am a Costco convert if for no other reason than the Smoked Salmon, and really what a divine reason…

Speaking of divinity, did I mention the Rahhhz-berries (for the phonetically challenged, that’s Raspberries said the way God intended, like an English Drag Queen). Rahhhz-berries are some of my favorite fruits. In fact, most berries are, but there is something so silly and girly about Rahhhz-berries, that I can’t help but favor them -- the pinky-red color, the silly little thimble shape, it all makes for a fairytale-like foodie experience. I suspect this why one very rarely see’s men gobbling Rahhhz-berries the way one see’s girls (ok THIS girl) greedily scarf them down. All that being said, the unfortunate reality about the berry is that are incredibly expensive. I suspect this has to do with the labor and care needed to cultivate and collect them, but who knows? So picture my stupid grin when I saw a 3 pint box of Rahhhz-berries for $4.95. No, that’s not a typo. That was $4.95 for 3 a pint box of Mother’s Nature’s Tinkerbell fruit.

Fast forward to the very night we got back from our jaunt, and you would have found me, with my 3 pints in bed, greedily hording and gulping down my prize. My husband, lovingly smirked at me whilst my fingers turned that happy Rahhz-berry pink.

Beyond the Salmon and fruit, the vast array of wonderful looking meats (not to mention veggies, fruits, poultry, wheels of cheese etc) was dizzying. The only thing really stopping me from buying some of the freshest most ruby-red looking beef tenderloin I’ve ever seen, was that nagging voice in my head going “yes it’s only $20 for these two massive logs of loin, but when exactly are you going to be eating all that meat” of course the before mentioned conversation was rationalized much to the chagrin of my hubby.

Of course Costco is nothing new. It’s not as if I’ve discovered the next great Taco Truck, but I wonder how many foodies are aware of the gem that is Costco? Maybe more than I think? Whatever the case may be, I’m a convert. And if you’re coming over anytime soon for a dinner party, I can guarantee, that the Salmon Fume Salad, Herb Crusted Tenderloin, and Rahhz-berry Tart, were all thanks to Costco!

PS. Although I didn’t buy my tub-o-mustard, I did get a two pack of Dijon for $3.69. Can you even get one jar of Dijon for that?