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On Buying Well

     Our studies show that many Busy Home Cooks become expert at the one-dish meal: pasta, or casserole, or salad that has everything in it.
    But what happens when we give a party? We not only have more mouths to feed, we must provide appetizers and dessert as well.
     Don't panic. A nearby grocery or food specialty store can be your friend. The same historical development that has brought us simplicity and deliciousness in home cooking has also brought a number of entrepreneurs with ready prepared items.
     Many of these are of unsatisfactory quality, but among the dross are a few items of genuine gold that can satisfy even the most exacting gourmet, or busy home cook.
     These exceptional items are what we wish to highlight in this section.

Click for: Edamame

Instant Appetizer at Trader Joe’s

Kitty K. wrote July 01:
     We have found what must be the world’s easiest appetizer. This is Edamame from Trader Joe’s. These are little green beans like small lima beans. They are actually frozen shelled soybeans, but they’re not like any soybeans I have ever tasted. You boil them five minutes and that’s it. ($1.69 for 1 pound, Emeryville store, June 01).
     They also make a nice addition to salads, or vegetable mixes such as your Colache.
     As an appetizer, you can stir in a few salted nuts.

Rao's Tomato Sauces at Various Stores

Marty B. wrote some time ago:
You should try Rao's tomato sauce. Don't do anything to it. Just spoon from the bottle onto pasta. It's really something great.
Rao's is the famous old New York restaurant with only a few tables.

Roasted Red Peppers at Trader Joe's

Marty B. wrote July 01:
I have started using roasted red peppers from Trader Joe’s. Most such bottled peppers are too expensive and not always the best quality. These are inexpensive ($1.99 for 12 ounces, Emeryville store, July 01) and just fine. I don’t care for their yellow peppers very much.

Mediterranean White at Cost Plus

Leila B. wrote July 01:
I haven't checked recently but in the past I have bought Mediterranean White at Cost Plus (Oakland). This is inexpensive, but crisp and refreshing and quite marvelous for the price. It was not always available, unfortunately.