Careme Recipes

Location: Fred Meyer - Bellevue (2041 148Th Ave Ne)

Shrimp, Asparagus, and Lemon Pasta

A quick shrimp pasta with asparagus, garlic, and lemon that fits March in Washington nicely by featuring peak asparagus and bright spring flavors.

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Large Raw Shrimp Peeled & Deveined Tail Off 12 oz $6.99
  • Green Asparagus 1 lb $1.99/lb sale
  • Fresh Organic Lemon 1 $1.29 each
  • Garlic 3 cloves $0.69 each
  • Parsley 2 tbsp chopped $1.29 each
  • dried pasta (pantry) 6-8 oz pantry

Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook 6-8 oz dried pasta from pantry until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Trim 1 lb asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Mince 3 garlic cloves, chop 2 tbsp parsley, and zest and juice 1 lemon.
  3. Pat dry 12 oz shrimp and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until just pink; remove to a plate.
  5. In the same skillet, add asparagus and cook 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  6. Add the drained pasta, cooked shrimp, lemon zest, half the lemon juice, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until glossy and coated.
  7. Finish with chopped parsley and more lemon juice to taste. Serve immediately.

Cook time: 30 minutes

Estimated cost: $10-14 plus pantry pasta

Health notes: Lean protein, moderate calories, and plenty of vegetables; lighter than cream-based pastas.

Drink pairing: Pinot Grigio

Italian Chicken Sausage and Mushroom Pasta

A savory sausage and mushroom pasta with onions and herbs. It uses affordable chicken sausage and March-friendly mushrooms and onions for a hearty but not heavy dinner for two.

Ingredients

  • Simple Truth® Mild Italian Chicken Sausage 12 oz $7.99
  • Kroger® Sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms 8 oz $3.29
  • Jumbo Yellow Onions 1 medium $0.99/lb
  • Garlic 3 cloves $0.69 each
  • Parsley 2 tbsp chopped $1.29 each
  • Fresh Large Hothouse Grown Premium Red Tomato 1 large $2.29/lb
  • dried pasta (pantry) 6-8 oz pantry

Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook 6-8 oz dried pasta from pantry until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Slice 12 oz mild Italian chicken sausage into coins. Slice 1 medium onion, mince 3 garlic cloves, chop 1 large tomato, and slice 8 oz mushrooms if needed.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the sausage for 4-5 minutes; transfer to a plate.
  4. Add onion and mushrooms to the skillet and cook 6-8 minutes until softened and browned. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in chopped tomato, 1/4 cup water, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3-4 minutes until lightly saucy.
  6. Return sausage to the pan, add drained pasta, and toss with a splash of pasta water until combined.
  7. Finish with chopped parsley and serve.

Cook time: 35 minutes

Estimated cost: $9-13 plus pantry pasta

Health notes: Higher protein and moderate fat; choose a smaller pasta portion for a lighter meal.

Drink pairing: Chianti

Ground Pork, Cabbage, and Onion Pasta

A rich but simple pork-and-cabbage pasta inspired by caramelized onion noodles, using budget-friendly pork and in-season cabbage for March in Washington. Savory, cozy, and weeknight-friendly.

Ingredients

  • Ground Pork 1 lb $2.99/lb
  • Green Cabbage 1 lb $0.59/lb sale
  • Jumbo Yellow Onions 1 medium $0.99/lb
  • Garlic 3 cloves $0.69 each
  • Fresh Organic Lemon 1/2 lemon $1.29 each
  • Parsley 2 tbsp chopped $1.29 each
  • dried pasta (pantry) 6-8 oz pantry

Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook 6-8 oz dried pasta from pantry until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Thinly slice 1 lb green cabbage and 1 medium onion. Mince 3 garlic cloves and chop 2 tbsp parsley.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground pork and cook 5-6 minutes, breaking it up, until browned. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate.
  4. In the same skillet, cook onion and cabbage for 8-10 minutes until softened and caramelized at the edges. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  5. Return pork to the skillet with the drained pasta and a splash of pasta water. Toss until well combined and glossy.
  6. Add a squeeze from 1/2 lemon and the chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve.

Cook time: 40 minutes

Estimated cost: $11-15 plus pantry pasta

Health notes: Comforting and filling; cabbage adds fiber and balance to the pork.

Drink pairing: Pinot Noir

Skillet Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple-Braised Cabbage

Sweet-savory pork tenderloin gets a fast stovetop sear and a glossy pineapple pan sauce, paired with caramelized cabbage and onions. It’s a smart March dinner for Washington using hardy in-season cabbage and one of the best meat deals in the list.

Wine picks:

  • Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling Washington White Wine $8.99 750 ml
  • Erath Pinot Noir Oregon Red Wine $14.99 750 ml

Ingredients

  • Kroger Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin 1 lb $3.49/lb sale
  • Green Cabbage 1 lb $0.59/lb sale
  • Fresh Ripe Whole Pineapple 1/2 pineapple $2.50 sale
  • Jumbo Yellow Onion 1 medium $0.99/lb
  • Garlic 2 cloves $0.69 each
  • Pompeii Lemon Juice 1 tablespoon $2.50 sale
  • Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling Washington White Wine 750 ml $8.99

Instructions

  1. Prep 1 pound pork tenderloin ($3.49/lb sale) by trimming any silver skin if needed, then pat dry. Thinly slice 1 medium jumbo yellow onion ($0.99/lb), shred 1 pound green cabbage ($0.59/lb sale), mince 2 garlic cloves from 1 bulb ($0.69 each), and cut 1/2 fresh pineapple from 1 whole pineapple ($2.50 sale) into small chunks.
  2. Season the 1 pound pork tenderloin with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork for 2 to 3 minutes per side until nicely browned.
  3. Lower the heat to medium, add 1/4 cup water, cover, and cook the 1 pound pork tenderloin for 8 to 10 minutes more, turning once, until it reaches 145°F. Transfer to a plate to rest.
  4. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon oil if needed, then add the sliced 1 medium onion and shredded 1 pound cabbage. Cook over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until wilted and lightly caramelized.
  5. Add the minced 2 garlic cloves and the pineapple chunks from 1/2 pineapple. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice ($2.50 sale bottle) and 2 tablespoons water, scraping up any browned bits to make a quick pan sauce.
  6. Slice the rested 1 pound pork tenderloin. Return the slices briefly to the skillet to coat in the pineapple juices. Serve the pork over the cabbage and onions with the warm pineapple spooned on top.

Cook time: 30 minutes

Estimated cost: $11-15

Health notes: About 500-580 calories per serving. Lean pork tenderloin keeps saturated fat in check, cabbage offers fiber and vitamin C, and pineapple adds brightness without needing much sugar. Serve as is for a lower-carb meal.

Drink pairing: Riesling or Pinot Noir. Riesling balances the pineapple and pork beautifully, while a light Pinot Noir works with the seared edges and sweet cabbage.

Wine picks:

  • Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling Washington White Wine $8.99 750 ml
  • Erath Pinot Noir Oregon Red Wine $14.99 750 ml

Why it works: For lamb foreshank or tri-tip roast for 2, I'd go with one white and one red option depending on the dish direction. Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling is the better fit for skillet pork tenderloin with pineapple-braised cabbage: it's Washington-made, nicely priced for a casual-but-special dinner, and its bright acidity plus slight fruitiness handle the pineapple's sweetness and the cabbage's braised edge. For lamb foreshank or tri-tip roast, Erath Pinot Noir is the stronger match: Oregon Pinot has enough earth and red-fruit lift for lamb, and enough freshness for beef without overpowering either. A 750 ml bottle is the right size for 2 people.

Shopping list
  • Kroger® Large Raw Shrimp Peeled & Deveined Tail Off 12 oz
  • Green Asparagus 1 lb
  • Fresh Organic Lemon 1, 1/2 lemon
  • Garlic 3 cloves, 3 cloves, 3 cloves, 2 cloves
  • Parsley 2 tbsp chopped, 2 tbsp chopped, 2 tbsp chopped
  • dried pasta (pantry) 6-8 oz, 6-8 oz, 6-8 oz
  • Simple Truth® Mild Italian Chicken Sausage 12 oz
  • Kroger® Sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms 8 oz
  • Jumbo Yellow Onions 1 medium, 1 medium
  • Fresh Large Hothouse Grown Premium Red Tomato 1 large
  • Ground Pork 1 lb
  • Green Cabbage 1 lb, 1 lb
  • Kroger Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin 1 lb
  • Fresh Ripe Whole Pineapple 1/2 pineapple
  • Jumbo Yellow Onion 1 medium
  • Pompeii Lemon Juice 1 tablespoon
  • Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling Washington White Wine 750 ml

Planned by Careme.