Careme Recipes

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

Slow-Cooker Classic Beef Stew (Winter Veg + Red Potatoes) — Serves 2

Cozy, hands-off slow-cooker beef stew built around winter WA produce (carrots, celery, onion, potatoes) and your sale beef for stew. Rich broth, tender beef, and no seafood/risotto vibe.

Ingredients

  • Beef Choice For Stew Value Pack 1 lb $9.99 sale (was $10.99) per lb
  • Simple Truth Organic® Gourmet Red Potatoes 12 oz, cut into 1-inch chunks $4.99 (24 oz)
  • Organic Carrots Bunch (or Simple Truth Organic® Rainbow Baby Carrots) 2 medium carrots, sliced (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups) $2.99 (bunch) or $2.79 (12 oz)
  • Sleeved Celery 2 ribs, sliced $2.49/lb
  • Organic Jumbo Yellow Onions (or sweet onion) 1/2 medium, diced $2.19/lb (yellow) or $2.49/lb (sweet)
  • Organic Garlic (or Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs) 2 cloves, minced $6.99/lb or $2.79 (3 ct)
  • Pantry: tomato paste (optional) 1 tbsp
  • Pantry: beef broth or stock 2 cups
  • Pantry: Worcestershire sauce (optional) 1 tsp
  • Pantry: flour (or cornstarch) 1 tbsp flour for coating OR 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry to thicken at end
  • Pantry: dried thyme 3/4 tsp
  • Pantry: bay leaf 1
  • Pantry: salt & black pepper to taste
  • Pantry: neutral oil (for browning, optional) 1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Optional browning (better flavor): Season beef with salt and pepper. Toss with 1 tbsp flour. Brown in a hot skillet with 1 tbsp oil for 4–6 minutes total (just to get color).
  2. Load slow cooker: Add potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Add beef (browned or raw).
  3. Add liquids: Stir in broth. If using, whisk in tomato paste and Worcestershire. The ingredients should be just barely covered; add a splash more broth/water only if needed.
  4. Cook: LOW 7–8 hours or HIGH 4–5 hours, until beef is very tender and potatoes are cooked through.
  5. Finish/thicken: Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt/pepper. If you want it thicker, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water) and cook on HIGH 10–15 minutes with the lid on.
  6. Serve (2 portions): Ladle into bowls. Optional pantry toppings: chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon, or a little Dijon stirred in for brightness.

Health notes: Hearty, high-protein meal with lots of vegetables. To lighten: trim visible fat, use low-sodium broth, and keep potato portion moderate.

Drink pairing: Wine: Washington Merlot or Syrah. Beer: brown ale or stout. Non-alcoholic: hot black tea or sparkling water with lemon.

Korean-Style Glazed Tri-Tip with Sautéed Rainbow Chard + Crispy Skillet Red Potatoes

A cozy Korean-inspired bowl without a ton of specialty shopping: juicy, caramelized tri-tip with a quick gochujang-style pan glaze (you can use any chili paste you have), piled over sautéed rainbow chard and a fast skillet of crispy red potatoes. Big flavor, weeknight timing.

Ingredients

  • Angus Beef Tri Tip Steak Family Pack 12 oz (for 2 people) $10.99 sale (was $14.99) per lb
  • Organic Rainbow Chard 8 oz (about half the 16 oz bunch/container) $3.49
  • Simple Truth Organic® Gourmet Red Potatoes 12 oz potatoes $4.99 (24 oz)
  • Organic Jumbo Sweet Onion 1/2 medium, thin-sliced $2.49/lb
  • Organic Garlic (or Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs 3-ct) 2 cloves, minced $6.99/lb or $2.79 (3 ct)
  • Organic Ginger Root 1 tsp grated (optional but great) $5.99/lb
  • Pantry: soy sauce 1 1/2 tbsp
  • Pantry: brown sugar or honey 1 1/2 tsp
  • Pantry: chili paste (gochujang ideal) or sriracha 1–2 tsp
  • Pantry: rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar 2 tsp
  • Pantry: neutral oil 2 tbsp, divided
  • Pantry: butter (optional) 1 tbsp
  • Pantry: salt & black pepper as needed
  • Optional: sesame seeds or sliced scallion for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep: Pat tri-tip dry; season generously with salt and pepper. Thin-slice onion; mince garlic; grate ginger (if using). Wash chard; strip leaves from stems. Slice stems thin; roughly chop leaves. Halve any large potatoes; cut into 3/4-inch chunks.
  2. Cook potatoes (stove): Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add potatoes, season with salt, and cook 4 minutes without stirring to brown. Stir, then cover and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and crisp in spots. If they start to stick, add a splash of water and re-cover for 2 minutes, then uncover to re-crisp. Transfer to a plate; keep warm.
  3. Sear steak (stove): Wipe skillet (or use a second pan). Heat 1 tsp oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add tri-tip and sear 3–4 minutes per side (for medium-rare), or to your preferred doneness. Transfer to a plate to rest 5–8 minutes.
  4. Make quick glaze in pan: Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tsp oil and the sliced onion; cook 2 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook 30 seconds. Stir in soy sauce, sugar/honey, chili paste, and vinegar, plus 2 tbsp water. Simmer 1–2 minutes until glossy. Turn off heat; whisk in butter if using for extra sheen.
  5. Cook chard: In the same pan, add chard stems and a pinch of salt; sauté 2 minutes. Add chard leaves and toss until wilted, 1–2 minutes. If needed, splash in 1 tbsp water to help steam.
  6. Slice & serve: Slice steak thin against the grain. Spoon chard into bowls/plates, top with steak, drizzle with the pan glaze/onions. Serve with the crispy potatoes on the side. Finish with sesame seeds/scallion if you’ve got them.

Health notes: ~820–950 calories/person (depends on potato + glaze amount). High protein; good micronutrients from chard. Moderately high sodium if you use soy/chili paste—balance with extra greens and go easy on added salt.

Drink pairing: Beer: Rainier or Georgetown Bodhizafa IPA. Wine: Washington Syrah (Columbia Valley) if you have it on hand.

Skillet Greek-Style Lamb Loin Chops with Lemon-Oregano Pan Sauce + Zucchini–Tomato Sauté

A weeknight Greek-ish win: skillet-seared lamb loin chops with a punchy oregano-lemon pan sauce, plus a warm sauté of zucchini and grape tomatoes that turns jammy and sweet. Comforting, bright, and very fast.

Ingredients

  • Simple Truth® Natural Lamb Loin Chops 12–14 oz total (2 small chops or 1 larger chop each) $13.49 sale (was $15.99) per lb
  • Organic Zucchini Squash 1 lb (2 medium), half-moons $2.79/lb
  • Simple Truth Organic® Fresh Grape Snacking Tomatoes 10 oz $4.79 (10 oz)
  • Organic Garlic (or Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs 3-ct) 2 cloves, minced $6.99/lb or $2.79 (3 ct)
  • Organic Long English Cucumber (optional quick side salad) 1/2 cucumber, sliced (optional) $3.99
  • Optional: Organic Romaine Hearts A handful (optional, for a simple salad base) $5.49 (12 oz) or $3.49 (7 oz hearts)
  • Pantry: olive oil 2 tbsp, divided
  • Pantry: dried oregano 1 tsp
  • Pantry: lemon 1 (2 tsp zest + 2 tbsp juice)
  • Pantry: Dijon mustard (optional but nice) 1 tsp
  • Pantry: butter 1 tbsp (optional for sauce)
  • Pantry: salt & black pepper as needed
  • Optional: feta + olives for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep: Pat lamb chops dry; season both sides with salt, pepper, and half the oregano. Zest and juice the lemon. Slice zucchini into half-moons; keep tomatoes whole. Mince garlic.
  2. Sear lamb (stove): Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear lamb 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium (cook time depends on thickness). Transfer to a plate to rest.
  3. Cook the vegetables (stove): Lower heat to medium. Add another 1/2–1 tbsp olive oil if the pan is dry. Add zucchini with a pinch of salt; cook 4–5 minutes until browned and tender. Add tomatoes and cook 2–3 minutes until they blister and start to collapse. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
  4. Make the pan sauce: Add lemon juice, remaining oregano, and 2 tbsp water; scrape up browned bits. Stir in Dijon if using. Turn off heat; swirl in butter for a silky sauce if you like. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.
  5. Serve: Plate zucchini-tomato sauté, top with lamb chops, and spoon pan sauce over. Optional: serve with a quick cucumber-romaine salad dressed with lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper (and feta/olives if you have them).

Health notes: ~700–850 calories/person. High protein; healthy fats; lots of veg. Keep it lighter by trimming visible fat and using 1 tbsp oil total.

Drink pairing: Wine: Washington Cabernet Franc or Syrah. Beer: Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA or a dry cider from Locust Cider (Seattle).

Shopping list
  • Beef Choice For Stew Value Pack 1 lb
  • Simple Truth Organic® Gourmet Red Potatoes 12 oz, cut into 1-inch chunks, 12 oz potatoes
  • Organic Carrots Bunch (or Simple Truth Organic® Rainbow Baby Carrots) 2 medium carrots, sliced (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups)
  • Sleeved Celery 2 ribs, sliced
  • Organic Jumbo Yellow Onions (or sweet onion) 1/2 medium, diced
  • Organic Garlic (or Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs) 2 cloves, minced
  • Pantry: tomato paste (optional) 1 tbsp
  • Pantry: beef broth or stock 2 cups
  • Pantry: Worcestershire sauce (optional) 1 tsp
  • Pantry: flour (or cornstarch) 1 tbsp flour for coating OR 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry to thicken at end
  • Pantry: dried thyme 3/4 tsp
  • Pantry: bay leaf 1
  • Pantry: salt & black pepper to taste, as needed, as needed
  • Pantry: neutral oil (for browning, optional) 1 tbsp
  • Angus Beef Tri Tip Steak Family Pack 12 oz (for 2 people)
  • Organic Rainbow Chard 8 oz (about half the 16 oz bunch/container)
  • Organic Jumbo Sweet Onion 1/2 medium, thin-sliced
  • Organic Garlic (or Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs 3-ct) 2 cloves, minced, 2 cloves, minced
  • Organic Ginger Root 1 tsp grated (optional but great)
  • Pantry: soy sauce 1 1/2 tbsp
  • Pantry: brown sugar or honey 1 1/2 tsp
  • Pantry: chili paste (gochujang ideal) or sriracha 1–2 tsp
  • Pantry: rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar 2 tsp
  • Pantry: neutral oil 2 tbsp, divided
  • Pantry: butter (optional) 1 tbsp
  • Optional: sesame seeds or sliced scallion for serving
  • Simple Truth® Natural Lamb Loin Chops 12–14 oz total (2 small chops or 1 larger chop each)
  • Organic Zucchini Squash 1 lb (2 medium), half-moons
  • Simple Truth Organic® Fresh Grape Snacking Tomatoes 10 oz
  • Organic Long English Cucumber (optional quick side salad) 1/2 cucumber, sliced (optional)
  • Optional: Organic Romaine Hearts A handful (optional, for a simple salad base)
  • Pantry: olive oil 2 tbsp, divided
  • Pantry: dried oregano 1 tsp
  • Pantry: lemon 1 (2 tsp zest + 2 tbsp juice)
  • Pantry: Dijon mustard (optional but nice) 1 tsp
  • Pantry: butter 1 tbsp (optional for sauce)
  • Optional: feta + olives for serving

Planned by Careme.