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You might buy branded, everyday items in bulk at a discount store. But when it comes to your produce? …
It’s happened to the best of us: You’re shopping at your local store. You make your way through the produce …
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There are twelve basic varieties of meat, and hundreds of various qualities and cuts. From flank steak to deli-sliced ham, there are a ton of options for the most adventurous party platter ideas. And there are benefits to each!
For example, sliced deli meat is more than just a tasty snack. It can reduce your appetite, increase your metabolism, and build stronger bones and muscles.
Tasty, flavorful cheese is a great source of calcium, fat, and protein.
A savory meat and cheese platter is more than just a fantastic party appetizer. It is a great way to feed friends’ appetites for healthy, fun snacks.
Here are some of our favorite party platter ideas.
1. Meat And Cheese Platter
You can’t go wrong with a classic meat and cheese platter. Think rolled cuts of thinly sliced imported prosciutto, or various cuts of hard salami. We have a ton of these varieties at all 3 of our locations!
Aim for a variety of hard and soft cheeses to create a collage of tastes, textures, and colors.
Consider soft brie or camembert as a centerpiece. Other awesome soft cheeses include burrata or fresh mozzarella. Cheddar, parmigiana, or pepper jack look interesting and are delicious hard options.
And lastly, adding a little fruit like grapes, apple slices, dried apricots or strawberries can punch up your platter with color, flavor and sophistication.
2. Melon and Prosciutto Platter
Another classic at parties is melon! Melon adds brightness and juiciness to your plate. You can top with some fresh herbs or tiny banquettes for some variety. Prosciutto is a fantastic pairing for the sweetness of melon and the saltiness of the meat. Or for vegetarians (or not!) pair with fresh berries for a balance of sweet and tartness. For even more textures and sweetness, try adding some watermelon, honeydew, or cantaloupe.
Burrata and mozzarella are great cheeses that bring out the light party flavor. And don’t forget the toothpicks to make grabbing your favorite pairing even easier!
3. Greek Appetizer Plate
An example of a Greek appetizer plate uses nuts, soft-boiled eggs, and feta cheese to add some savory variety. And don’t forget the grape leaves and olive oil for real Mediterranean flare!
We also like freshly made hummus and our fresh olive varieties, which you can find near the cheese at all 3 of our locations.
4. Vegan or Gluten Free Platter
No animal-based foods? No problem! A Vegan platter can serve your friends with nearly any dietary needs in style.
Try Vegan breadsticks combined with dips like olive tapenade or artichoke hummus. Vegan and cauliflower cracker varieties are available at all 3 of our stores, including gluten free and vegan options. Veggies like cauliflower, carrots and broccoli are always great options, especially when they are fresh from Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce!
5. Healthy Platter
Your friends may be meat-eaters, but they may still be health-conscious and be watching their calories. Try using lean turkey, whole wheat crackers, and almonds to keep your guests’ guts and hearts happy. And you can never go wrong with fresh greens like snap peas or broccoli.
And don’t forget healthy berries and grapes to add beautiful color, as well as a few vitamins!
6. Kid-Friendly Meat and Cheese Platter
Got teeny party people in the house? No problem!
Make a kid-friendly platter by cutting up milder cheeses like cheddar and Swiss. Your meats can be more kid-friendly and rolled up for easy munching. Think deli ham, turkey, and chicken skewers. Kids also love to pair items like cornichhons rolled into little logs with cream cheese and turkey. (Adults will want some as well)
Veggies like baby carrots and grape tomatoes are colorful kid favorites. Don’t forget some pretzels or pita chips for a little salty flavor and the ranch dressing for dipping!
7. A Dessert Platter
For a twist or follow up to a great meat and cheese party platter ideas, a great platter can also be the perfect finger food when it’s dessert time. Sliced fruit and dark chocolate work great with chocolate or cream cheese-based dips. You may even want to add some banana or zucchini bread for your health-conscious guests, and some warm dipping chocolate is always fun with fresh fruit like strawberries!
The Best Party Platter Ideas
The best party platter ideas are themed, colorful and flavorful. Your guests will be raving about them and loving your soiree in no time!
For more great party advice, check out our blog today.
According to statistics, between 30 and 50 million Americans are dairy intolerant.
If you are someone who cannot tolerate dairy, you might feel like you are missing out on some of the best dishes! However, nowadays creamy mains, melt-in-your-mouth sauces, and frozen desserts do not have to be off-limits.
You just need to have the right recipes up your sleeve!
If you want to whip up some incredibly delicious dairy-free recipes that are simple and easy to make—read on. Because we are about to share with you 4 lactose-free recipes that you won’t believe don’t have dairy.
1. No-Bake Cheesecake
Cheesecake. One of the dishes missed most by those who have dairy intolerances.
Fortunately, there are many dairy-free cheesecake recipes that you can try. One of them is this no-bake cheesecake from Minimalist Baker.
To make the crust, place 1 cup pitted dates in a food processor and blend until you can make a ball with the mix. Remove and place 1 cup raw walnuts into the food processor. Blend into a meal.
Then add the dates back and process until a dough forms.
Grease a muffin pan and press 1 tbsp of crust into each depression.
Then combine 1 1/2 cups raw cashews (flash soaked in hot water), juice of one large lemon, 1/3 cup melted coconut oil, 2/3 cup full-fat coconut milk, and 1/2 cup agave nectar in a blender. Blend until smooth. And our Tacoma Boys raw nuts come in bulk, so you can toss them into other recipes as well!
Next, simply scoop the filling into your muffin pan. At this stage, you can add any toppings/flavoring of your choice, such as fresh blueberries, or caramel sauce.
Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 4-6 hours.
2. Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce
Having a good dairy-free cheese sauce recipe on hand is invaluable for anybody who is lactose intolerant. Try this simple rendition from Ela Vegan.
To start, combine 3/4 cup coconut milk, 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 2 tbsp tapioca flour, and 1/2 tsp salt in a saucepan. You can also choose to include onion powder, garlic powder, and/or a pinch of smoked paprika for extra flavor.
Bring up to boil and simmer for 1 minute while stirring. Once the sauce is stretchy, voilà!
You can use this cheese sauce as a dip, in dairy-free lasagnas, or even on top of pizzas in place of melted cheese.
3. Creamy Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce
This basic recipe from Simply Whisked can be used on its own with fettuccine pasta, or as a base into which you can add chicken or veggies.
To begin, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp garlic in a skillet and sauté. Add 2 tbsp flour, and stir. Then whisk in 1/2 cup chicken broth.
Lastly, whisk in 3/4 cup cashew cream, 3/4 cup full-fat coconut milk 1/2–1 tsp salt, 1 tsp nutritional yeast, and black pepper to taste. Simmer until thick.
Try These Dairy-Free Recipes With Our Premium Ingredients
Now that you have this list of delicious and indispensable dairy-free recipes, all that you need is some quality ingredients to make them with. We’ve got a wide variety of dairy-free options in store, 24 hours per day. As a specialty grocer, if you can’t find it, we can likely get it!
Here at Tacoma Boys, we pride ourselves stocking only the best and freshest goods every day. Because we know that good cooking starts with the freshest and the highest quality ingredients. Check out our store locations and come and visit us today. You won’t be disappointed.
If you are hungry for more tasty dairy-free recipes, take a look at our this Butter Chicken with Cauliflower Rice recipe!
It’s Christmas for football fans. For just one night each year, millions of fans gather in front of the TV to indulge in Super Bowl food and cheer their team (and boo the 49ers) to the biggest victory of the season.
And while you might not be spending $5,000 on a Super Bowl ticket this year, you will be investing in high quality snacks, drinks and hors d’oeuvres to keep you and your guests happy and sated — even if you don’t care who wins or loses.
Ready to throw an epic Super Bowl party? Don’t leave the food to chance! Stock up on these fan-favorite items to score an automatic touchdown:
Chicken
The quintessential food of football fandom, a Super Bowl party without chicken is like New Orleans without seafood.
There’s a style and flavor for every taste. And since this year’s Super Bowl will be held in Miami, you’ll want to go all-in on muy caliente flavors.
We’re talking buffalo, spicy garlic, habanero, hot barbecue, and maybe even some chili-infused honey! And Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce carries lots of types of sauces and powders to spice up the best smelling and tasting chicken around!
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Grab a pork shoulder and let your slow cooker or pressure cooker get to work! Tender pulled pork is a must-have item for tailgates, thanks to its versatility.
Pile it on mini sliders or sandwich buns, add some barbecue sauce, and you’ve got a complete meal that will win MVP of your party.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Any type of dip you can make in a slow cooker is an instant hit, both for your guests and the person doing all the cleanup. These one-pot wonders eliminate the need to dirty up a ton of dishes, and the slow cooker does all the work once you load the ingredients.
For the simplest buffalo chicken dip recipe, all you need is freshly cooked chicken (which could be cooked in the slow cooker prior to making the dip), buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and ranch dressing.
Add a few green chiles for extra spice, and make sure you have pita bread or chips for dipping.
Oysters
Fresh oysters aren’t hard to find in Washington, and they’re guaranteed to make a statement at your Super Bowl party.
It’s a good idea to order these bad boys ahead of time and pick them up on game day for the freshest flavor. And don’t forget the beer to pair it with!
Game Day Chili
Ask 10 people how to make game day chili and you’ll get 10 different answers. Beans, no beans, spicy, mild, extra cheese, thick and hearty — you name it, chili has you covered. It’s great for kids and adults alike and we’ve got everything you need for your party!
Beer Cheese
What’s a Super Bowl game without “beer” something?
This tasty beer-infused queso is the perfect complement to anything you feel like dipping. Pretzels, chips, and even pigs in blankets will all taste better with a little beer cheese on your Super Bowl food menu. And if simple is your game, try our Tacoma Boys queso salsa with some amazing Tacoma Boys chips!
Stock Up on Super Bowl Food at Tacoma Boys!
We all know the real hero of any tailgate or party is the Super Bowl food! Tacoma Boys has you covered with fresh meats, organic fruits and veggies, and all the specialty fare that will make your home THE place to be.
Take a look at our weekly specials and start planning your Super Bowl party menu today!
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One Pan Chicken
For some recipes, the cleanup can be worse than the cooking itself. Watching those dishes pile up is no fun! Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about a huge cooking mess when it comes to this simple, one pan, chicken recipe.
At your local Tacoma Boys and H & L Produce we have all the fixings for this meal. From our year round supply of fresh vegetables, to our well sourced fresh and frozen chicken.
Just place your Tacoma Boys vegetables of choice on one side of the pan, thickly diced chicken breast in the middle, and diced potatoes on the other side. Then, bake at 425 for 45 minutes.
You can have fun with a one pan chicken recipe by switching up your veggies and seasonings. Here are some of our favorite ways to add a little flavor:
- Use Italian dressing on the chicken
- Season veggies with some garlic powder and olive oil
- Add some olive oil and pepper on your potatoes.
Mediterranean Style Fried Rice
Fried rice is an easy meal. Whether you have access to a rice cooker, a pot with a lid or have some day-old rice that needs to be used up, it’s a meal that most anyone can prepare! But what if you gave it a Greek twist for something new? (more…)
Gluten Free – Butter Chicken With Cauliflower Rice
A tasty crowd-pleaser. This gluten free Chicken Recipe is even dairy-free. Try this tasty recipe tonight! (more…)
MUSHROOM PORK CHOPS
Chicken and beef are a usual rotation for family dinner proteins. But this simple recipe for pork chops is a great way to switch it up while keeping dinner quick, easy, healthy and delicious! (more…)
CRISPY CHEESE CHICKEN
This recipe is a fun twist on your classic breaded chicken – kids will love the cheesy crunch! No shake and bake from a box here; the breading is made with REAL cheese and simple ingredients from your kitchen. (more…)
BLACK FOREST REUBEN SANDWICH
At Tacoma Boys, we are proud to carry the freshest organic ingredients in the South Sound! Fresh, healthy ingredients make these meals possible. And these Rueben sandwiches are some of our favorites.
SHEET PANNED ITALIAN CHICKEN
In a sealable plastic bag add 6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Then add some salt, olive oil and a quick pour of balsamic vinegar (⅓ cup). Add some Italian seasoning, pepper and garlic powder to your preference. (Some folks cheat and use a bottle of Italian dressing, but we think this version is much fresher). If you can refrigerate for 1 hour, that is ideal, but not necessary. (more…)
BRUSCHETTA-TOPPED CHICKEN AND SPAGHETTI
Have a craving for Italian food? Going out to eat at a restaurant is nice for a special occasion. But, with help from Tacoma Boys, you can make a quality Italian meal right at home! From artisan pastas and cheeses to the best quality meat, we have everything you need to turn your favorite Italian dishes into easy weeknight dinners. And, this delicious recipe is ready within 30 minutes!
Click Here For More Easy & Healthy Dinner Recipes