Summertime Beach Picnic!
August is beach month.
We are so fortunate to live near both the Pacific and at the Bay. And, really, how often do we take advantage of it? It's time to pack a bag and head to the beach. Whether you prefer to just toss something simple in a backpack and hike in—or are the full cooler, table & chairs, umbrella/shade tent, and badminton set sort—there is something in this issue for you.
Let's begin by construction the perfect sandwich for your beach adventures.
|
The Bread
Semifreddi's Baguette
is the basis for so many delicious sandwiches. They arrive at our store fresh every day and are gobbled up quickly. They come in three varieties: Sweet, Sourdough, and Sourdough Seeded. And, if you can't do gluten, grab a bag of
Against the Grain Gluten-Free Baguettes
in our freezer case. They are the best we have tasted!
The Spread
|
The Main Story
Fresh tomatoes and lettuce are a standard for adding moisture and flavor. You can also try thinly slicing cucumbers lengthwise. And green onions are a welcome change from the more overpowering Bermuda onion.
We love to add
Columbus Thin-Sliced Salami
for its pepperiness. And, for cheese lovers,
Frommage D'Affinoise Triple Cream Cheese
or
Kerrygold Irish Dubliner Cheese
(depending on your mood).
Side Crunch
Sonoma Brinery Pickles
are the best fresh gourmet pickles around. They're crispy, crunchy & perfectly balanced in flavor. We carry just about every variety of
Kettle Brand Potato Chips there is—so pick your pleasure. And, we just got
California Black Plums in the market and they are sweet and juicy!. You don't want to miss their season.
|
Something to drink
Hog Wash California Rosé
is salmon-pink in color with fresh and lively aromas of rose, raspberry and citrus zest.
If you are looking for a refreshing sparkling beverage this summer, we recommend you try
Waterloo Sparkling Water
in Watermelon, Grapefruit, Lime, or Black Cherry. It’s our new favorite!
And for dessert, grab a variety of cookies from the
Pacific Cookie Company
. Some of our favorites are Peanut Butter, Dr. Midnight, and the classic Chocolate Chip. Or pick up a bag of
Tcho Bites in Almond + Sea Salt Dark Chocolate, Mokaccino Milk Chocolate, or Toffee + Sea Salt Milk Chocolate
!
|
A Staff Favorite
Indulge yourself!
Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs pack a solid punch of crunch and flavor—not to mention a pick-me-up of protein not found in other puffs. We find the extra density of the puffs to have a more satisfying tooth than mainstream brands.
Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffsare made from the humble (but mighty) legume and baked into a light and crunchy puff. They contain no peanuts, tree nuts or say and have 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein per 1-ounce serving. Not bad! If you are looking for a salty, crunchy snack that your body will appreciate, Hippeas hit the spot.
We carry these great flavors:
- Himalayan Happinessis made with Himalayan crystal salt and a hint of rosemary.
- Vegan White Cheddaris totally vegan and deliciously cheesy.
Why do they have to be so good?
|
Annual 20% Off Wine Sale!
Piedmont Grocery's annual 20% Off Wine Sale is Wednesday, August 7th. That's right, our entire selection of wine will be on sale for one day only!
So, mark your calendars and be ready to come by the store to stock up on some of your favorites.
|
A Cookbook Recommendation
By
April McKinney
C
elebrate the tradition of packing up your best food and enjoying a meal outdoors.
When most people say they are going out to eat, they usually mean out to a restaurant. But it could mean a front porch brunch with your closest friends; a nighttime concert in the park; a tailgate party at the stadium; a moonlit dinner at the drive-in movie theater; or a picnic at a vineyard.
Whether at a planned event or just an impromptu cookout in the backyard with your friends and neighbors,
The Outdoor Table
is your guide to creating portable dishes that you can prepare ahead of time and serve cold or at room temperature when you get to your destination that your family and friends will love. It’s time to pack a picnic and start making memories.
April McKinneyis an award-winning cook, food writer, and recipe demonstrator. She has cooked with Paula Deen and Claire Robinson, and she has demonstrated her recipes on national television shows such as the
Today Show
and
Better TV,
with regular appearances on
Talk of the Town
in Nashville.
|
From our blog, The Kitchen Table
Beach Bites
Hitting the beach in the summer is awesome…the sun…the surf. There is nothing better than kicking back at the beach and relaxing. And, you’ll need it because as great as a day at the beach can be, the schlepping of all of the stuff you need is not.
I admire those people who can throw everything they need for a day at the beach into a cinch-sac and head out the door. I am not one of those people. I would like to be—but I am not. I require a chair and an umbrella at a minimum. And, of course, a cooler full of tasty food and refreshing drinks.
Of all the things you need for a day at the beach, I think the food it the hardest because it actually takes some preplanning. Because we head to the beach every summer when we go to Tahoe, my sister and I are now a well-oiled machine when it comes to packing lunch for 10 of us.
But
, you better be okay with a sandwich and some chips for lunch. That is just our routine at Tahoe.
Before we got married and even for some time after, my husband and I used to spend our weekends sailing the bay either on our own or with friends. Our favorite place to stop for lunch was on Angel Island and I always tried to pack something good to eat. Sometimes we hiked around to the south side and ate on the beach there. (We did that once for Fleet Week. The Blue Angels flew right over our heads. It was fantastic.) More often than not though we would find an empty picnic table or sometimes just eat on the boat. It goes without saying that whatever we brought had to be compact. The sailboat wasn’t thatbig. And, if you had to haul your lunch around an island, you didn’t want to bring a big heavy cooler. So I got good at making what I call snacky lunches.
Snacky lunches are basically picnics made up of a bunch different things that when you choose a little of this and a little of that make up a rather lovely lunch. They usually consisted of a fresh baguette, a variety of cheeses, assorted charcuterie, cut veggies, some dips or spreads, fruit, and something bite-size and decadent for dessert. Sometimes, if we had a bigger group I would add on an orzo or tomato salad.
Occasionally I would make Rillettes because it is the perfect picnic food. You can spread it on a fresh baguette or crackers and you store it in a mason jar for easy transport. If you are planning on hitting the beach in the near future, give this a try…
Pork Rillettes
|
From our blog, The Cocktail Post
Sweet Tea is a staple in the Southern kitchen. Usually made in large batches, it's kept chilled in the fridge and consumed but the glassful.
In this recipe, sweet tea is spiked with white wine and flavored with peaches and raspberries. If you have sweet tea on hand, it is so simple to make yet your company will be impressed. Enjoy a glass on a hot summer day!
|
News & Events
August is a great month for a road trip to the beach and boardwalk in Santa Cruz. And, every Friday night there is a free concert! So, pack your bags for a weekend of classic, beach fun including fun food, laser tag, miniature golf, arcade, bowling, shopping and (of course) all the rides!
There are two free shows, at 6:30 and 8:30 PM
Concert series
Aug 2nd Y & T
Aug 9th Living Colour
Aug 16th 10,000 Maniacs
Aug 23rd Journey former lead singer Steve Augeri
Aug 30th Papa Doo Run Run
|
A Staff Favorite
We have been packing Creminelli Fresh Protein Snack Pack in our lunches and couldn't be more pleased. Each pack includes just the right amount of tasty meat, delicious cheese, and a crunchy cracker. And, Creminelli goes along perfectly with a salad or soup for a complete meal.
These snack packs are great to have onboard for car trips and lunches for work, school and summer camp. Or take one with you for after workout.
Right now we are carrying two varieties in the store:
Sopressata, Monterey Jack & Crackers
Uncured Italian salami made with Sangiovese red wine and organic garlic paired with Monterey Jack cheese and sea salt & olive oil crackers.
Prosciutto, Mozzarella & Grissini
Silk thin slices of all-natural pork aged with sea salt paired with aged mozzarella and grissini breadsticks.
|
A Staff Favorite
Sparkling goodness = happiness in a bottle.
Have you tried Lorina? (It's about the best lemonade you can get in a bottle.) A few grams of sugar, fresh lemons, and water from the Vosges sandstone—these are the ingredients of an exquisite lemonade. Imported from France, Lorina Sparkling Lemonade is a unique refresher that originated from 3 generations of Maitres Limonadiers in Munster, a provincial village in the Northeast of France.
Lorina Sparkling Pink Lemonade Soda is free of any food coloring, artificial flavoring, and preservatives. And it comes in a 100% recyclable bottle.
We carry two varieties of this light and refreshing beverage: Artisanal Sparkling Lemonade and Artisanal Sparkling Pink Lemonade
|
What's Happening This Weekend?
If you are looking for something to do this weekend, here are some of our top picks.
Two sensational days of music, food, fun and art in beautiful downtown Oakland. Oakland Art + Soul Festival Jams stage is going to be rockin’ with Oakland bands this weekend! Be sure to check out some fantastic local acts.
Grammy Award-Winning Headliner Acts:
Estelle and
Fantastic Negrito
July 27th and 28th from noon to 6 PM
Downtown Oakland
Enjoy kite-making and kite lessons, and a presentation by Sode-cho Kite-Flying Society of Hamamatsu, Japan, featuring centuries-old kite designs.There's a Giant Creature Kite Expo, Rokkaku (Japanese fighter kites) Battle, team kite-flying; free kite lessons; free candy drop; and food and drink to purchase.
July 27th and 28th from 10 AM to 6 PM
Cesar E. Chavez Park on the Berkeley Marina
The Gilroy Garlic Festival attracts garlic-lovers from around the world for three full days of incredible food and drink, arts & crafts, live music, and cooking competitions.
July 26th through 28th
Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, CA
Take the family for some old-time fun at the California State Fair! Expect all the animals, exhibits, music, rides, and foods you’ve grown to love over the years, along with horse racing, petting zoos, motorcross, and a vast indoor bazaar. Come to the California State Fair and celebrate California’s agriculture, industry, and diverse population.
Through July 28th
At the California Expo in Sacramento
|
Picnic Recipes from Our Archives
From
The Kitchen Table
Here's a list of recipes from our archives for dishes that make great traveling companions. When planning your next beach picnic packing fresh, make-ahead goodies can be nicely balanced with ready mades from the store.
Mains
|
Something Fresh
Jumbo Pico Salad
The great thing about this salad is the big chunks of veggies. It has all the flavor of pico de gallo with something you can sink your teeth into.
Condiments and Spreads
This crunchy, smoky salsa is delicious with chips and wonderful served with fish or chicken
Preserved lemons and tomatoes are an addictive combination! This spread is fantastic on sandwiches
Sweets
Coconut Macaroons
If you dip these in bittersweet chocolate, make sure to keep them out of the sun.
|
News & Events
The evening hours are long this time of year. So, why not squeeze a little more out of your day and plan an evening picnic at a local beach?
Just drop by the store and grab some portable supplies. The trick is to make it as quick and easy as possible. Then bundle up and watch the last rays of the evening sun on the water.
- Grab one of our delicious Grab N Go Salads from the Deli department.
- Pick out your favorite Acme baguette.
- Choose some great cheeses from the around the world in our Cheese Department like Parrano, Suprême Brie, Laura Chenel Chèvre, or Marin French Cheese Company's Petite Breakfast.
- Throw in some Salami or Prosciutto.
- Summer stone fruit is at its peak. Try some sweet and juicy peaches or plums or grab some of our ready-cut fruit to make it easy.
- Grab a chilled Rosé or a Sauvignon Blanc or a cold six-pack from our fridge.
- And, for dessert, a bar of Barlovento Chocolate or a package of Kelly's Kookies.
We have so many amazing, Bay Area beaches. Some are closer than others, so save the list for weekend excursions, too. Here are some of our favorite beaches without long hikes to the sand.
|
News & Events
See what's cooking!
Each weekend during the summer months we are hosting an outdoor Barbecue. Come on down to the store and try one of our grilled sandwiches, tri-tip, or a half chicken.
Our menu includes Marinated & Grilled Try-Tip Sandwich, Italian Sausage Sandwich, 1/2 BBQ Chicken, 1/2 Slab Baby Back Ribs, and Grilled Salmon Fillet.
Saturdays and Sundays
From 11 AM to 6 PM
Adjacent the Piedmont Grocery parking lotf
|
From our recipe blog, The Kitchen Table
Corn Off the Cob
Typically at this time every year, I am going crazy for all of the sweet, local corn that is available. And by crazy I mean eating it 2 to 3 time a week. This year, though, we have been relatively corn-free.
My feelings on fresh, sweet corn haven’t changed. I still loveit. My family loves it. When it comes down to it, our lack of corn consumption can be traced to two things: economics and braces. Two of my three kids have braces on their teeth. Those of you who have ever had braces or know anyone who has will agree having braces on your teeth makes biting into an ear of corn a challenge.
The other deterrent to our annual corn-a-palooza would be the cost of having to re-attach a bracket that had been ripped off while biting into an ear of corn. The monthly payments times two are bad enough on their own, thanks. Of course, you cancut the kernels off the cobb to make it easier but then there is the fun of cleaning corn out your braces after. So long story short, we’re not eating a lot of corn this summer.
I am going to have to make an exception for this recipe. It takes one of my favorite street foods and reworks it into a much easier-to-eat form and with enough cheese and other goodness to make the challenge of cleaning out your braces worth it. And, note that doubling the recipe would make it a hit at any large gathering or backyard BBQ.
|
Vendor of the Month
Outstanding Sausage
As summer goes on, grillers seem to keep on bringing out the hot dogs and hamburgers. You can do better with variety and flavor by grilling these delicious Caggiano sausages.
Nothing is easier to grill than sausages. You simply cook them slowly and turn often.And, sausages are fantastic canvases for all kinds of flavors. Petaluma's Caggiano Sausage Company, which supplies only the finest Northern California restaurants and markets, has branched into all kinds of wonderful seasonings in their sausages.
Caggiano boasts about the high-quality meat they use and the absence of preservatives.
Visit our butcher department for some of the finest, local sausages available. The Caggiano Company specializes in fresh sausages made from naturally-raised pork and chicken and always fresh, locally-grown herbs.
Here is what we have in our butcher case: Hot Italian Sausage, Black Olive Sausage, Bratwurst, Smoked Andouille, Lemon Chicken, Curry Chicken, Habanero Tequila Chicken, and Italian Chicken.
|
|
Quick Links
(Download the PDF)
(Download the PDF)
|
We're Open
Seven Days a Week
Monday through
Saturday
9 AM to 8 PM
Sunday
9 AM to 7 PM
|
Free Parking
4038 Piedmont Ave.
Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 653-8181
|
OUR BLOGS
Visit our recipe blog to learn what Amy, our VP and resident foodie, is cooking up in her home kitchen.
|
|
