Careme Recipes

Location: Quality Food Center - Bellevue East (1510 145th Pl SE)

Grilled Ginger–Lime Glazed Chicken Thighs + Charred Baby Bok Choy & Clementine–Cucumber Salad

Juicy boneless skinless chicken thighs grilled with a savory-sweet soy–ginger–garlic glaze, served with charred bok choy and a bright clementine–cucumber salad. Thighs stay tender and are less fussy than cutlets.

Ingredients

  • Simple Truth® Natural Boneless Skinless Fresh Chicken Thighs Griller Pack BIG DEAL! 1 lb (use ~12 oz / 3–4 thighs for 2 servings; freeze the rest) $4.49 (sale)
  • Spice World™ Fresh Peeled Ginger Bag 1 tbsp finely grated $3.99 (reg)
  • Garlic 2 cloves, minced or grated $1.50 (reg)
  • Organic limes 1 lime (about 2 tbsp juice) $1.29 each (reg)
  • Soy sauce 2 1/2 tbsp
  • Honey or brown sugar 1 tbsp (helps the glaze lacquer on the grill)
  • Organic baby bok choy 12 oz (3–4 small), halved lengthwise $3.99/lb (reg)
  • Olive oil 1 1/2 tbsp, divided
  • Cuties® Mandarin Clementine Oranges (or any mandarin) 2 (segments for salad; optional 1–2 tbsp juice for dressing)
  • Cucumber 1, thinly sliced $0.99 (reg)
  • Salt 3/4 tsp, divided
  • Black pepper 1/2 tsp, divided
  • Red pepper flakes (optional) Pinch

Instructions

  1. Portion the thighs: From the 1 lb pack, use ~12 oz (3–4 boneless skinless thighs) for 2 servings. Freeze remaining thighs in a labeled bag.
  2. Make the glaze/marinade: In a bowl, whisk 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 grated/minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tbsp honey/brown sugar. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like heat.
  3. Marinate: Add the thighs and turn to coat. Let sit 15–30 minutes (or up to 8 hours refrigerated).
  4. Prep bok choy: Halve bok choy lengthwise. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.
  5. Prep the salad: Slice cucumber thinly. Peel the mandarins and separate into segments. Toss cucumber + mandarin with 1/2 tbsp olive oil, a small squeeze of lime (optional), and a pinch of salt.
  6. Grill the thighs: Preheat grill to medium-high. Oil grates. Grill thighs 5–7 minutes per side, moving to a slightly cooler spot if flare-ups happen, until 165°F internal. During the last 1–2 minutes, brush on a little extra marinade to build a glossy glaze (don’t use marinade that’s been in contact with raw chicken unless it’s boiled first).
  7. Grill the bok choy: Grill cut-side down 2–3 minutes until nicely charred, then flip and grill 1–2 minutes more until tender-crisp.
  8. Rest + serve: Rest chicken 3–5 minutes, then slice. Serve with grilled bok choy and the clementine–cucumber salad.

Health notes: Thighs are higher in fat than breast but still a solid protein choice. Keep it lighter by using just enough glaze to coat and serving extra bok choy + salad.

Drink pairing: Dry Riesling (WA) or Sauvignon Blanc: both handle ginger/garlic and the sweet-salty glaze. A light lager also works well if you’re skipping wine.

Stovetop Crispy-Skin Steelhead with Lemon–Thyme Pan Sauce + Garlicky Rapini & Yukon Golds

A Pacific Northwest weeknight win: tender steelhead with crisp skin, a punchy lemon–thyme pan sauce, and bright, seasonal rapini. Everything comes together fast on the stove but tastes restaurant-level.

Ingredients

  • Fresh steelhead trout fillet 12 oz (for 2 portions) $8.99 (sale)
  • Yukon Gold potatoes 12 oz (about 2 medium), cut into 3/4-inch chunks $1.49/lb (reg)
  • Organic rapini 10–12 oz, tough stems trimmed $3.99 (reg)
  • Garlic 2 cloves, thinly sliced $1.50 (reg)
  • Lemon juice (bottled) 2 tbsp $2.99 (reg)
  • Simple Truth Organic thyme 1 tsp leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme) $2.79 (reg)
  • Olive oil 2 tbsp, divided
  • Butter 1 tbsp
  • Chicken broth 1/3 cup $1.99 (sale, Simple Truth Organic 32 oz)
  • Salt 1 tsp, divided (plus more to taste)
  • Black pepper 1/2 tsp, plus more to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional) Pinch

Instructions

  1. Prep the potatoes: cut 12 oz Yukon Gold potatoes into 3/4-inch chunks; rinse briefly and drain.
  2. Cook the potatoes (stove): add the potato chunks to a saucepan, cover with cold water by 1 inch, and stir in 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer 10–12 minutes until tender. Drain, then toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and a few grinds of black pepper; cover to keep warm.
  3. Prep the fish: pat 12 oz steelhead trout very dry. Season flesh side with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  4. Sear the steelhead (stove): heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil. Place trout skin-side down and press gently for 20 seconds so the skin contacts the pan. Cook 4–5 minutes until the skin is crisp and the color has risen about 2/3 of the way up the sides. Flip and cook 1–2 minutes more (target medium). Transfer to a plate, skin-side up.
  5. Make the lemon–thyme pan sauce: lower heat to medium. Add 1 tbsp butter and 2 sliced garlic cloves to the same skillet; cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Add 1/3 cup chicken broth and scrape up browned bits. Simmer 1–2 minutes, then stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp thyme leaves. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.
  6. Cook the rapini: add 10–12 oz trimmed rapini to the skillet with the sauce. Toss and cook 2–3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if using.
  7. Serve: plate the potatoes and rapini. Set the steelhead on top or alongside and spoon the lemon–thyme pan sauce over the fish (keep skin exposed for maximum crispness).

Health notes: ~650–800 kcal per serving (depends on potato + oil). High-protein, rich in omega-3s; rapini adds fiber and micronutrients. Keep it lighter by using less butter and a smaller potato portion.

Drink pairing: Look for zippy whites that match citrus + bitter greens: WA is a treasure trove. Best: a crisp WA Sauvignon Blanc (gooseberry/citrus) or a WA dry Riesling (lime/stone fruit) to echo the lemon and tame rapini’s pleasant bitterness. Local picks to hunt: Chateau Ste. Michelle (Columbia Valley Riesling) or Goose Ridge (Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc).

Slow Cooker Herby Pork & Winter Veg Stew with Yukon Golds, Carrots, Celery + Optional Kale Finish

All the comfort of a long-simmered dinner—without babysitting. These saucy Italian-style turkey-ish vibes (but with sale-priced ground pork) hug tender potatoes, carrots, and celery in a light broth that turns glossy and rich as it cooks.

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Ground Pork 12 oz (3/4 lb) $3.99 (sale)
  • Jumbo yellow onions 1/2 lb (about 1/2 large), diced $1.29/lb (sale)
  • Carrots 8 oz, sliced into 1/2-inch coins $1.69/lb (reg)
  • Celery sticks (or celery hearts) 6 oz, sliced $2.99/lb (reg)
  • Yukon Gold potatoes 12–14 oz, cut into 3/4-inch chunks $1.49/lb (reg)
  • Chicken broth 3 cups $1.99 (sale, Simple Truth Organic 32 oz)
  • Garlic 2 cloves, minced $1.50 (reg)
  • Olive oil 1 tbsp
  • Dried Italian seasoning 2 tsp
  • Bay leaf 1
  • Salt 1 tsp, plus more to taste
  • Black pepper 1/2 tsp
  • Kale (bagged chopped kale salad) Optional: 2 packed cups chopped kale, stirred in at the end

Instructions

  1. Prep: dice 1/2 lb onion, slice 8 oz carrots and 6 oz celery, mince 2 garlic cloves, and cut 12–14 oz Yukon Gold potatoes into 3/4-inch chunks.
  2. Brown the pork (stove): heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz ground pork, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook 6–8 minutes, breaking it up, until well-browned. Add the diced onion and cook 2 minutes more. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds.
  3. Build the slow cooker: add browned pork-onion mixture to the slow cooker. Add sliced carrots, sliced celery, and the potato chunks. Sprinkle in 2 tsp Italian seasoning and add 1 bay leaf.
  4. Add broth: pour in 3 cups chicken broth. Stir, scraping any browned bits from the skillet in with a splash of broth if needed.
  5. Cook: cover and cook on HIGH 3–4 hours or LOW 5–6 hours, until potatoes are tender.
  6. Finish: taste and adjust salt/pepper. If using kale, stir in 2 packed cups chopped kale, cover, and cook 5 minutes until just wilted. Remove bay leaf.
  7. Serve: ladle into bowls. If you have Parmesan or a squeeze of lemon at home, both are excellent on top.

Health notes: ~700–900 kcal per serving. Balanced protein + veg + starch. To lighten: use leaner ground meat if desired, skim any excess fat after browning, and increase veggies vs. potatoes.

Drink pairing: This is tomato-free, herb-forward comfort—great with medium-bodied, savory reds. Go for WA Merlot (plum, herbs) or WA Syrah (peppery, meaty) if you want more depth. Local picks: Columbia Crest (Merlot) or Charles Smith (Syrah).

Shopping list
  • Simple Truth® Natural Boneless Skinless Fresh Chicken Thighs Griller Pack BIG DEAL! 1 lb (use ~12 oz / 3–4 thighs for 2 servings; freeze the rest)
  • Spice World™ Fresh Peeled Ginger Bag 1 tbsp finely grated
  • Garlic 2 cloves, minced or grated, 2 cloves, thinly sliced, 2 cloves, minced
  • Organic limes 1 lime (about 2 tbsp juice)
  • Soy sauce 2 1/2 tbsp
  • Honey or brown sugar 1 tbsp (helps the glaze lacquer on the grill)
  • Organic baby bok choy 12 oz (3–4 small), halved lengthwise
  • Olive oil 1 1/2 tbsp, divided, 2 tbsp, divided, 1 tbsp
  • Cuties® Mandarin Clementine Oranges (or any mandarin) 2 (segments for salad; optional 1–2 tbsp juice for dressing)
  • Cucumber 1, thinly sliced
  • Salt 3/4 tsp, divided, 1 tsp, divided (plus more to taste), 1 tsp, plus more to taste
  • Black pepper 1/2 tsp, divided, 1/2 tsp, plus more to taste, 1/2 tsp
  • Red pepper flakes (optional) Pinch, Pinch
  • Fresh steelhead trout fillet 12 oz (for 2 portions)
  • Yukon Gold potatoes 12 oz (about 2 medium), cut into 3/4-inch chunks, 12–14 oz, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
  • Organic rapini 10–12 oz, tough stems trimmed
  • Lemon juice (bottled) 2 tbsp
  • Simple Truth Organic thyme 1 tsp leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
  • Butter 1 tbsp
  • Chicken broth 1/3 cup, 3 cups
  • Kroger® Ground Pork 12 oz (3/4 lb)
  • Jumbo yellow onions 1/2 lb (about 1/2 large), diced
  • Carrots 8 oz, sliced into 1/2-inch coins
  • Celery sticks (or celery hearts) 6 oz, sliced
  • Dried Italian seasoning 2 tsp
  • Bay leaf 1
  • Kale (bagged chopped kale salad) Optional: 2 packed cups chopped kale, stirred in at the end

Planned by Careme.