Careme Recipes

Location: Quality Food Center - Factoria (3550 Factoria Blvd SE)

Herb-Grilled Lamb Chops with Roasted Golden Beets, Charred Asparagus & Crispy Potatoes

A spring-forward dinner for 4 built around herb-marinated grilled lamb chops, creamy roasted golden beets, and charred asparagus with a lemon finish. It feels dinner-party worthy while staying rooted in early-March Washington produce.

Ingredients

  • Simple Truth® Natural Lamb Loin Chops about 2 lb $15.99/lb sale
  • Green Asparagus 2 lb $4.99/lb sale
  • Golden Beets 2 lb $2.69/lb
  • Jumbo Yellow Onions 1 lb $1.49/lb
  • Garlic 1 bulb $1.50 each
  • Parsley 1 bunch $1.69 each
  • Organic Rosemary or rosemary pantry equivalent small amount $2.79 if buying fresh
  • Fresh Organic Lemon or regular lemon 2 lemons $1.69 each organic / bag available
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes 1.5 lb $1.49/lb

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 425°F. Trim and scrub 2 lb golden beets ($2.69/lb). Wrap them loosely in foil with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt; roast 40–50 minutes until tender. At the same time, roast 1.5 lb Yukon gold potatoes ($1.49/lb), cut into chunks, tossed with oil, salt, pepper, and half of 1 sliced yellow onion ($1.49/lb), for 30–35 minutes until browned.
  2. Make a lamb marinade: combine 4 minced garlic cloves (from 1 bulb, $1.50), 2 tbsp chopped parsley ($1.69), 1 tsp chopped rosemary, zest of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tsp salt, and black pepper. Rub over about 2 lb lamb loin chops ($15.99/lb sale) and let sit 20–30 minutes.
  3. Snap woody ends from 2 lb asparagus ($4.99/lb sale). Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a little lemon zest.
  4. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill lamb chops about 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium, depending on thickness. Rest 5–8 minutes.
  5. While lamb rests, grill or sear asparagus 4–6 minutes until lightly charred but still bright. Finish with a squeeze of lemon.
  6. Peel roasted beets and cut into wedges. Toss with a spoonful of olive oil, a little lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. If desired, fold in a spoonful of yogurt or goat cheese from home for a creamier side.
  7. Serve lamb chops with roasted potatoes, warm beet salad, and charred asparagus. Spoon any resting juices from the lamb over the potatoes.

Cook time: 55 minutes

Estimated cost: About $34–$42 + wine

Health notes: Higher-protein, moderately rich. Lamb adds more fat than chicken, balanced by asparagus and beets. About 700–900 calories per serving depending on oil and sides.

Drink pairing: Best with Pinot Noir; Sauvignon Blanc works if you want a brighter table wine.

Lemon-Garlic Roasted Chicken with Mushroom–Spinach Pan Sauce & Smashed Yukon Golds

A polished but easy chicken dinner: lemon-garlic roasted chicken breasts with a savory mushroom-spinach pan sauce, plus buttery smashed potatoes. It reads elegant rather than weeknight-basic and uses ingredients readily available in early spring.

Ingredients

  • Simple Truth® Natural Boneless Skinless Fresh Chicken Breast Family Pack 2 lb $5.49/lb sale
  • Kroger® Whole White Mushrooms or Baby Bella Mushrooms 16 oz $2.79 for 8 oz or $6.00 for 24 oz
  • Simple Truth Organic® Baby Spinach 8 oz $5.00 for 16 oz
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes 2 lb $1.49/lb
  • Jumbo Yellow Onions 1 large $1.49/lb
  • Garlic 1 bulb $1.50 each
  • Simple Truth Organic® Low Sodium Free Range Chicken Broth 1 carton $1.79 sale
  • Parsley 1 bunch $1.69 each
  • Fresh Lemon 2 lemons $1.69 each organic / bag available

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 425°F. Place 2 lb Yukon gold potatoes ($1.49/lb) in salted water and boil 15–18 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and let steam dry.
  2. Season 2 lb chicken breast ($5.49/lb sale) with salt, pepper, lemon zest, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sear in an oven-safe skillet with oil over medium-high for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Transfer skillet to oven and roast 10–15 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F. Rest on a plate.
  3. Meanwhile, smash the cooked potatoes on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil or butter, season with salt and pepper, and roast 20–25 minutes until crisp on the edges.
  4. In the same skillet used for chicken, cook 1 sliced yellow onion ($1.49/lb) in a little oil for 4–5 minutes. Add 16 oz sliced mushrooms ($5.58 if using two 8 oz packs at $2.79) and cook until well browned, 8–10 minutes. Add 2 more minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds.
  5. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth ($1.79/carton) and the juice of 1 lemon. Simmer 2–3 minutes. Stir in 8 oz baby spinach (half the 16 oz bag, $5.00) until wilted. Finish with chopped parsley ($1.69) and, if available, a knob of butter or spoonful of cream from home.
  6. Slice chicken and return any juices to the pan sauce. Serve over the mushroom-spinach mixture with crispy smashed potatoes on the side. Garnish with more parsley and lemon wedges.

Cook time: 50 minutes

Estimated cost: About $22–$30 + wine

Health notes: Lean protein with a richer sauce. About 600–800 calories per serving depending on added butter/oil.

Drink pairing: Best with Chardonnay; Pinot Noir also works if you want red.

Grilled Lemon-Parsley Chicken Thighs with Roasted Acorn Squash, Warm Tomato-Pepper Relish & Radish-Cucumber Salad

A generous, colorful dinner-party platter of grilled chicken thighs with a warm tomato-pepper relish, roasted acorn squash, and a crisp radish-cucumber salad. Bright, seasonal, and great for passing around the table.

Wine picks:

  • Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Washington White Wine $7.97 1 x 750 ml
  • Erath Pinot Noir Oregon Red Wine $14.99 1 x 750 ml

Ingredients

  • Simple Truth® Natural Boneless & Skinless Fresh Chicken Thighs Griller Pack 2 lb $4.49/lb sale
  • Green Acorn Squash 2 medium, about 2.5–3 lb total $1.49/lb
  • NatureSweet Cherubs® Fresh Grape Tomatoes or Kroger® Fresh Grape Tomatoes about 20 oz $5.99 for 16.5 oz or $3.99 for 10 oz
  • Kroger® Tri-Color Bell Peppers or Fresh Bell Peppers 2 peppers $4.99 for pack or $1.50–$2.99 each
  • English Cucumber 1 $1.99
  • Green Top Red Radishes 1 bunch $1.89
  • Jumbo Yellow or Red Onion 1 medium $1.49/lb or $2.49/lb
  • Garlic 1 bulb $1.50 each
  • Parsley 1 bunch $1.69 each
  • Fresh lemon 2 $1.69 each organic / bag available
  • Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Washington White Wine 1 x 750 ml $7.97

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 425°F. Halve and seed 2 medium acorn squash ($1.49/lb). Slice into wedges, toss with oil, salt, pepper, and a little chopped onion, then roast 30–35 minutes until browned and tender.
  2. Marinate 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs ($4.49/lb sale) with 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika or chili flakes from pantry. Let sit while squash roasts.
  3. For the relish, toss about 20 oz grape tomatoes ($7.98 if using two 10 oz packs at $3.99), 2 sliced bell peppers (from $4.99 pack or individual peppers), 1/2 sliced onion, olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan. Roast 18–22 minutes until collapsed and jammy. Stir in a little lemon juice and parsley after roasting.
  4. Thinly slice 1 English cucumber ($1.99) and 1 bunch radishes ($1.89). Toss with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley for a crisp salad.
  5. Grill chicken over medium-high heat for about 5–7 minutes per side, until nicely charred and cooked through. Rest 5 minutes, then slice if desired.
  6. Arrange roasted squash on a platter, top with grilled chicken, and spoon over the warm tomato-pepper relish. Serve the radish-cucumber salad alongside for crunch and freshness.

Cook time: 55 minutes

Estimated cost: About $26–$35 + wine

Health notes: Balanced and produce-heavy, with richer dark-meat chicken. About 650–850 calories per serving depending on oil and portion size.

Drink pairing: Best with Sauvignon Blanc; a lighter Pinot Noir also works.

Wine picks:

  • Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Washington White Wine $7.97 1 x 750 ml
  • Erath Pinot Noir Oregon Red Wine $14.99 1 x 750 ml

Why it works: For a nice 4-person dinner, I’d pour two bottles so guests can choose white or red. For the grilled lemon-parsley chicken thighs with roasted acorn squash, warm tomato-pepper relish, and radish-cucumber salad, the best matches are a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a silky Pinot Noir. Sauvignon Blanc handles the lemon, parsley, cucumber, and radish beautifully, while Pinot Noir is flexible enough for the grilled chicken and sweet-savory squash/tomato elements. I prioritized Pacific Northwest value and occasion-appropriate bottles.

Shopping list
  • Simple Truth® Natural Lamb Loin Chops about 2 lb
  • Green Asparagus 2 lb
  • Golden Beets 2 lb
  • Jumbo Yellow Onions 1 lb, 1 large
  • Garlic 1 bulb, 1 bulb, 1 bulb
  • Parsley 1 bunch, 1 bunch, 1 bunch
  • Organic Rosemary or rosemary pantry equivalent small amount
  • Fresh Organic Lemon or regular lemon 2 lemons
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes 1.5 lb, 2 lb
  • Simple Truth® Natural Boneless Skinless Fresh Chicken Breast Family Pack 2 lb
  • Kroger® Whole White Mushrooms or Baby Bella Mushrooms 16 oz
  • Simple Truth Organic® Baby Spinach 8 oz
  • Simple Truth Organic® Low Sodium Free Range Chicken Broth 1 carton
  • Fresh Lemon 2 lemons, 2
  • Simple Truth® Natural Boneless & Skinless Fresh Chicken Thighs Griller Pack 2 lb
  • Green Acorn Squash 2 medium, about 2.5–3 lb total
  • NatureSweet Cherubs® Fresh Grape Tomatoes or Kroger® Fresh Grape Tomatoes about 20 oz
  • Kroger® Tri-Color Bell Peppers or Fresh Bell Peppers 2 peppers
  • English Cucumber 1
  • Green Top Red Radishes 1 bunch
  • Jumbo Yellow or Red Onion 1 medium
  • Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Washington White Wine 1 x 750 ml

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Planned by Careme.