Recipes (Page 4)

Fresh seafood like Alaskan sockeye salmon is one of the best parts about living in the Pacific Northwest. Summer is the sockeye salmon season in Alaska, and it’s easy and delicious to reap the benefits of cooking the seafood. Fresh, high quality ingredients are the bread and butter of a cooked salmon meal —And Tacoma Boys has all the fresh produce and ingredients to get you there.

Alaskan Sockeye Salmon

Compared to other types of salmon, fresh wild Alaskan sockeye salmon is a nice dark pink. It’s sometimes smaller and may have a more intense fish flavor. Salmon filets are commonly prepared with garlic, butter, lemon, and herbs like dill and chives. Salmon is known as a healthy fish because it’s rich in protein and nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B-12, D, and iron. Alaskan sockeye salmon is a great main entree because it’s naturally an excellent source of protein. It’s versatile to prepare and cook and well liked by many seafood lovers. 

The Pacific Northwest specifically is a great place to eat salmon because it is fresh and commonly prepared around the area. People will eat salmon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s often enjoyed with other light and subtly flavored sides like Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice and sauteed vegetables. Or, try the salmon marinated in Stonewall Kitchen Honey Orange Balsamic Dressing and served on salad.

In addition to fresh wild Alaskan sockeye salmon, you can also find canned Henry & Lisa’s Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon at Tacoma Boys. Canned salmon is a great option for camping, quick snacking, and last-minute meals.

Fresh Seafood at Tacoma Boys

Fresh seafood is easy to prepare and delicious to enjoy. There are several ways to enjoy seafood with basic ingredients and fun recipes. Fresh seafood is always available at Tacoma Boys in addition to fresh produce and everything else you need for a seafood dinner. Summer is a good time to enjoy seafood because there is a wide variety available throughout the season. In addition to fresh wild Alaskan sockeye salmon, Tacoma Boys offers a rotating selection of fresh seafood, including:

• Fresh wild red rock snapper filets: These rock snapper filets can be baked, pan-fried, grilled, poached, etc. Season and cook them similar to salmon.
• Wild royal red prawns: Prawns are easy and quick to cook in several methods and recipes.
• Wild ahi tuna medallions: Tuna can be pan-seared or grilled. Season or marinate it however you like!  
• Beer battered cod fillets: Prepared cod fillets make fish and chips or tropical fish tacos a deliciously quick dinner plan.

Check out our weekly specials to stay updated with deals and specials on fresh seafood at Tacoma Boys.

Salmon Recipes

The best thing about cooking salmon recipes is how simple and delicious it is to prepare. All you need is a few fresh, quality ingredients to get started. Some salmon recipes may require marinating the fish or using fresh citrus and herbs for a light and bright flavor. You can also use sauces or make your own to add even more flavor. If you’ve never cooked salmon before, don’t hesitate! It’s actually quite easy and often quick to prepare and cook salmon. All the different methods to cook salmon may seem intimidating, but they are all good for different reasons. 

1. Baked

Baked salmon is easy and convenient, but may take a bit longer than other methods. It’s a good method when using marinades and sauces. Try a mixture of sour cream, garlic, dill, chives, and lemon for a refreshing sauce!

2. Broiled

Similar to baking salmon, you can broil it for a quicker and crispier result. But keep an eye on it! Broiling can easily lead to burning. Simply prepare the salmon with your oil and seasonings and pop it under the broiler for 15-20 minutes.

3. Pan-fried

One of the more common ways to prepare salmon is by pan-frying the fish. You can use lots of salty, buttery, lemony ingredients alongside the salmon filets. Or, make a sauce to go over top. This recipe for a creamy feta garlic sauce by Half Baked Harvest sounds perfect for salmon! 

4. Grilled

Sockeye salmon is a great fish for grilling! Hot and fast, grilled salmon is popular because of the buttery, smoky flavors. Tacoma Boy’s recipe for Citrus Herb Grilled Salmon is one simple and delicious way to cook salmon.

5. Poached

Low and slow, salmon can be poached in water or a flavorful sauce. Try this recipe for curry poached salmon featuring coconut milk, curry paste, and fresh garlic and ginger.

Shopping for Salmon

There’s no right way to enjoy your wild Alaskan sockeye salmon — It’s all about eating what you prefer, prepared simply with quality ingredients. Tacoma Boys looks forward to helping you prepare your delicious salmon dinner with fresh produce and specialty food products, too! To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Natural sweeteners are a common alternative to refined sugar, like white sugar. These are simply food products that are sweetened naturally when it is harvested and undergoes very minimal processing. Several can compare to white cane sugar nicely because they evoke a similar sweetness. Many people choose to opt for natural sweeteners because consuming too much added sugar can lead to increased blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes, and more, according to Harvard Heart Health.

Natural Sweeteners

You might be familiar with some natural sweeteners, like stevia, honey, and maple syrup. But have you ever used date syrup, coconut sugar, or monk fruit? Natural sweeteners are an easy way to sweeten a dish without the use of white granulated cane sugar. 

Most people are generally aware of the downsides of using regular sugar. Added sugars like liquid sweeteners, corn syrups and sugar syrups are likely to raise blood sugar and lead to conditions like diabetes and heart disease. That’s why natural sweeteners are a helpful alternative. For more information on how refined sugar impacts your body and health, check out this page by Science Direct explaining the science of it all.

Some sweeteners may appear to be natural, like maple syrup and honey. But they are sometimes modified with additions like corn syrup, which is refined sugar. Next time, be sure to read labels carefully and look out for ingredients that you’d rather avoid.

Pure Maple Syrup 

Pure maple syrup is a go-to natural sweetener in many kitchens. That’s because it’s easily accessible, affordable, and familiar to many people. Just be sure to read the ingredients to ensure it’s pure maple syrup without any additions like corn syrup. In addition to a few other varieties, try one of these pure maple syrups at Tacoma Boys:

• Field Day Organic Maple Syrup
• Coombs Family Farms Organic Maple Syrup
• Stonewall Kitchen Maine Maple Syrup
• Natural Value Organic Maple Syrup

Honey

Believe it or not, all honeys are not created equally! Like maple syrup, some cheap honeys may have been altered with sugar syrup or corn syrup. It’s important to read the ingredients and other labels to make sure you’re getting the right honey for you, like one of these at Tacoma Boys:

• GloryBee Honey
• Bandi Foods Raw Honey
• Oregon Growers Blackberry Honey
• Marie’s Honey Oxymel

Dates and Other Fruit 

Dates are a great alternative to refined sugar because they are naturally sweet with subtle flavor. Any fruit is nicely sweet and can be used as a sweetener. But dates are common because they are generally sold dried and don’t taste too strong in any way. Plus, blending dates can result in a nice, thick, caramel-like substance that is easy to use in place of sugar-loaded caramel. Try these date products and fruit at Tacoma Boys:

• Joolies Organic Date Syrup
• Date Lady Date Sugar
• Delreal Organic Coconut Date Rolls 
• Remlinger Farms Frozen Fruit (berries, apples, peaches)

Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is often used as an alternative to white sugar. Think of it as a sweetener to coffee, replacement to brown sugar, or in baked goods. You can use it at about a 1:1 ratio to white cane sugar. You can find these coconut sugars at Tacoma Boys:

• Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Sugar
• Madhava Organic Coconut Sugar
• GloryBee Organic Coconut Sugar
• Big Tree Organic Brown Coconut Sugar

Sugar Substitutes

Other sugar substitutes can include:

• Monk fruit: Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener and Lakanto Simple Syrup. Monk fruit is a fruit native to Asia that is incredibly sweet when ripe and has no calories.
• Stevia: SweetLeaf Stevia Syrup. The well-known sugar substitute comes from the leaves of the stevia plant and is significantly sweeter than white cane sugar.
• Erythritol: Swerve Sugar Replacement. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is calorie free and measures just like sugar. 

Sugar Alternatives 

Some people are not sure how to use sugar alternatives instead of white sugar. It’s not much different sometimes. But other sugar alternatives don’t quite work the same way, and have to be adjusted. Research whatever kind you’re using to understand how it works as an alternative to white cane sugar. In general, try using your sugar alternatives in:

• Coffee and tea
• Baking
• Oatmeal
• Jams and jellies
• Sauces, dressings, and marinades
• Smoothies, cocktails, and other drinks

Cooking With Natural Sweeteners

Baking and cooking with natural sweeteners is not much different than white sugar. Most natural sweeteners can’t be used as an equal replacement to white sugar. But it comes quite close! For example, some people recommend using maple syrup instead of sugar in a 0.75:1 ratio in baked goods. That means that for every 1 cup of sugar used in a recipe, you should use ¾ cup of pure maple syrup. To get an idea of how to go about cooking with natural sweeteners, check out these refined sugar free recipes:

• Tacoma Boys’ own Overnight Oats Parfaits.
• Honey Shallot Vinaigrette by The Peppermill with honey.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies by No Sweat Vegan with coconut sugar and maple syrup.

Refined Sugar Free Treats at Tacoma Boys

Find these refined sugar free goods, plus much more, at your local Tacoma Boys market:

• Keto and Co Chocolate Keto Cake Mix: This cake mix and other mixes by this brand include sugar alternatives like monk fruit.
• Eating Evolved Chocolate Bars and Keto Cups.
• Lily’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.

Swing by Tacoma Boys for a selection of natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, monk fruit, dates, and more. And to stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

This time of year, breakfast recipes for the family are in high demand. Kids and parents are scrambling to get ready for school. And making breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday can be a challenge when the kids get back to school! Quick and easy breakfast recipes require just a bit of planning, but can be tasty and healthy for everyone to enjoy. Read on for recipe ideas for healthy and easy breakfasts that the whole family will look forward to.

Breakfast Recipes for the School Year

Breakfast recipes are easier to approach when you have the ample time. But during the school year, it’s all about saving time and energy during those hectic mornings. To get breakfast ready for the kids and yourself, it’s best to plan ahead and do things the night before. Or, meal prep in big batches at once and you’ll end up with a week’s worth of food. In general, try a few recipes like these, which can be prepared ahead of time and finished quickly:

• Overnight Oat Parfaits and chia seed pudding are similar tasty breakfast recipes. Oats or chia seeds are soaked overnight and enjoyed as a protein packed breakfast: They’re best for making ahead of time and enjoying on the go. 
• Tacoma Boys Bagels can be remixed with different spreads and toppings, from cream cheese, to peanut butter, to anything in between (see below: breakfast toast!).
• Scrambled eggs in a jar: This recipe by Women’s Day is a nice make-ahead breakfast that can be customized with whatever add-ins you’d like.

Healthy Recipes

Tasty, healthy recipes for breakfast are important because it starts your day off on a nutritious note. Protein-packed, nutritious breakfast for the whole family can be tasty and easy to prepare, too! Go for fruits, vegetables, starch, and lots of protein. And while some healthy recipes may seem overwhelming and time consuming, there’s plenty of ideas for quick and easy options! Try these to start:

• Breakfast toasts: Mix-and-match different spreads on toast like Sabra Classic Hummus, Earth Balance Coconut & Peanut Spread, or mashed avocado. Top these spreads with proteins or add-ons like sliced vegetables or fruit, cooked eggs, nuts, seeds, meat, cheese, or anything else you’d like.
• Smoothies and smoothie bowls: Blend up some frozen fruit with Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk and Manitoba Harvest Shelled Hemp Seeds for a protein-packed smoothie. If you want to top it with extras like granola and fresh fruit, just dump it in a bowl and customize your toppings!

Two Ingredient Banana Pancakes

These quick and easy banana pancakes are packed with protein and only require two ingredients. Make sure to combine it all in a blender rather than a bowl to ensure the oats are broken into fine pieces.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1 cup Nature’s Path Organic Old Fashioned Oats
• Toppings: Sliced fruit, granola, whipped cream, butter, pure maple syrup, or our favorite: Tacoma Boys Apple Walnut Butter

Directions

1. Blend the banana and oats in a high speed blender until combined and smooth. If it’s too thick (compared to a standard pancake batter), add 2 tbsp water at a time until the batter is an appropriate consistency.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a bit of oil or butter. Scoop ¼ cup batter into the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, until golden. Flip and continue cooking 2-3 minutes, until cooked through.
3. Continue with remaining batter. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Weekday Breakfast

Weekday breakfast can be tricky. Mornings are the busiest time of day for many people, and making breakfast is a huge reason why! Weekday breakfast is especially a rush as the kids and family get ready for school and work. 

One of the simplest ways to approach weekday breakfast is by planning ahead and meal prepping. Check out this guide to meal prepping if you’re not familiar with the process and want to get started. And bonus: Tacoma Boys also has you covered with recipes for the kids’ school lunch and snacks! 

Make-Ahead Breakfast

If you plan your weekday breakfast ahead of time, you can be sure it’s ready to go when the morning comes around. When meal prepping and pre-planning, consider what ingredients you have and what you usually enjoy. Then, it’s all about getting into the kitchen to make it happen. Here are a few ideas for breakfast recipes that are easy to make ahead of time and heat up and eat in the mornings:

• Breakfast burritos: Customize your burritos with your desired mix of meat or beans, vegetables, eggs, and more. Try them with Tacoma Boys Gourmet Pico de Gallo or  Salsa and Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Simply make a large batch of multiple burritos and toss them in the refrigerator or freezer until breakfast time. Then, microwave in a damp paper towel to heat it up.
• Fruit salad as a snack: You can even use canned or jarred fruit when it’s not in season, like Del Monte SunFresh Mango or Mandarin Oranges.
• Breakfast muffins: Make meat prep easier with a boxed muffin mix to eat alongside fruit or eggs. Try Concord Farms Blueberry Muffin Mix or Namaste Gluten Free Muffin Mix at Tacoma Boys.
• Egg cups: Also known as mini egg bites, quiche, or frittata. Eggs cooked in a muffin tin are a great way to eat convenient portions of the protein-packed snack. Take a peek at this recipe by A Sassy Spoon for a few options on how to make your egg bites for the week.

Breakfast With Tacoma Boys

It’s easy to prepare healthy but simple breakfast recipes with the necessities you’ll find at Tacoma Boys. In addition to a wide selection of goods, Tacoma Boys is happy to help you find what you need and cook tasty food! To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

As summer winds down and the weather begins to cool, it’s time to start thinking about getting back to school. This time of year is a good chance to start fresh with new school supplies, clothes, and of course school lunches. Specifically, this school year means many kids are getting back into the classroom for the first time in several months! If you’re used to sending your child to school with a packed lunch, you may be a bit out of practice. Get ready to get the kids back to school by preparing for simple, healthy lunches throughout the week.

Time to Get Back to School

In general, getting back to school can be a busy time. It can be fun to involve the kids in the process of getting ready for school. From supplies, to transportation, to preparing food, there’s a lot to do! But kid friendly school lunches don’t have to be time consuming or overwhelming.

Start by stocking up on their favorite small bites for snack time. Think fruit, nuts, seeds, granola bars, crackers, cheese, and whatever else they consistently love to snack on. Then, try to take a little bit of time to plan school friendly lunches for the week. It may take some adjusting to get used to the extra meals that need to be made ahead of time. Just keep in mind what food you have and what else you’d like to cook before you go grocery shopping.

10 Ideas for School Lunches

Depending on what your child’s school is like, you can prepare hot or cold school lunches. For a cold lunch, pack a lunch box charcuterie-style with fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, crackers, meat, and nuts. Many families make things convenient by using leftovers from dinner the night before as school lunch for the kids. This is easy when you’re already cooking kid friendly food for other meals. Otherwise, try these ideas for school lunches for the kids:

1. Pasta

In addition to Tacoma Boys’ pre-packaged pasta salad, you can find a variety of pasta noodles and sauces. Try Primal Kitchen Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce for a classic sauce. Or, Dave’s Gourmet Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce for something a bit different.

2. Soups

If your child is able to reheat soup at school, this is a great option for a filling lunch. Make your own soup with seasonal vegetables, Eden Organic Beans, and Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Broth. Or, grab a prepared soup mix like Rill Food’s Lentil & Potato Soup.

3. Lunchbox

Make a lunch-box style school lunch with whatever odds and ends you have on hand. Try a combination of protein, vegetables, and grains in the lunch box, like Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese, baby carrots, and Quinn Whole Grain Sea Salt Pretzel Twists.

4. Sandwich Pinwheels

Mix and match your kid’s favorite sliced meat and cheese: Like deli turkey and California Premium Provolone Slices in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and Primal Foods Mayonnaise. Roll it up and cut into individual pinwheels.

5. Mini Egg Frittata Bites

Customize a dozen egg bites with vegetables, meat, cheese, and seasonings in a mini muffin tray. These can be eaten cold or heated up in the microwave.

6. Tuna Pita Pockets

Whip up a batch of tuna salad with Wild Selections Albacore Tuna. Then, stuff it inside of a pita pocket. Top it off with chopped cucumber, tomato, and lettuce.

7. Peanut Butter Banana Roll Ups

Use your favorite nut or seed butter (like SunButter) and a sprinkle of Spice Hunters Cinnamon in a tortilla for a super kid friendly school lunch.

8. Burritos

Anything wrapped in a large tortilla is easy to pack and usually tasty! Make a few burritos your way with your choice of beans, meat, vegetables, and cheese.

9. Grilled Chicken and Vegetables

While it’s still just warm enough to grill outside, prepare a few grilled chicken breasts. Grill some vegetables too, and pack it for lunch. Most kids like the subtle flavor of chicken— Grab their favorite vegetables, like bell peppers, zucchini, and potatoes.

10. Fried Rice

Any fried rice is super easy to make with the vegetables and meat you already have. Steam a batch of rice, then fry up your veggies and meat. Mix it all together and season with soy sauce and a few drops of sesame oil. This dish can be reheated or enjoyed cold.

Kid Friendly Food

Kid friendly food doesn’t have to be complicated nor overly simplistic. Everyone needs snacks and a solid lunch! But kid friendly food is simply food that kids would like to eat. Keep introducing them to new foods and ask them what they like to eat. To start, here are a few ideas for kid friendly food and snacks that are easy to take to school:

• Blue Diamond Nut Thins with Sabra Classic Hummus.
• Hippeas Organic Chickpeas Snacks.
• Northwest Delights offers a variety of tasty snacks, like Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites, Veggie Crisps, and Honey Oat Cranberry Crunch.
• Homemade trail mix with your choice of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and add-ins like chocolate chips and pretzels.
• Munk Pack Protein Cookies.
• Oatmeal Protein Balls.

At the end of the day, the important thing is making sure your children are happy and healthy. Sometimes, it can be as simple as asking your kid what they want to eat! Otherwise, just aim to keep things tasty and enjoyable for the whole family.

To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Around this time of year, most people are looking for no cook recipes to beat the heat. When hot weather hits the Pacific Northwest in the summer, it can be challenging to find the motivation to cook. Many people do not have air conditioning, and cooking means slaving over a hot stove. But there are certainly several alternatives! You can easily prepare and eat a week’s worth of food with little or minimal cooking. All it takes is a little innovation, fresh ingredients, and preparation: Think fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and meat or other protein. 

No Cook Recipes

When you’re exhausted from the heat and busyness of everyday life, no cook recipes are life-savers. You don’t always have to use the stove, oven, or even grill when cooking— and when it’s as hot as this summer, you probably want to stay away from any extra heat. You can cool off and still feel satisfied with your meal easily with no cook recipes like these.

Sandwiches With Variety

Get creative with your usual meal! That means trying something new to you, like a bahn mi or pita wrap. Try to mix and match a variety of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and spreads like:

• Tacoma Boy’s own deli Smoked Turkey Breast
• New York Style Pastrami
• Green bell peppers
• Zucchini
• Microgreens or sprouts
• Avocado
• Tillamook Cream Cheese
• Mustard and Co. Ballpark Black Pepper Mustard

Fresh Cut Vegetables and Dip

Veggies and dip is a healthy and light no cook recipe that is easy to customize to your liking— You could try Simply Organic French Onion Dip Mix or Gnarly Garlic Dip with freshly cut cucumber, carrot, celery, and cherry tomatoes. Serve them with potato chips, too, for an extra salty edge.

Salads

Pasta salad is an especially great no cook recipe! But any type of salad, served cold, can be filling and delicious for a summer go-to dish. And while pasta salads do require a small amount of cooking via boiling water, the payoff is worth it! Pasta salad is generally served cold and can be loaded with vegetables, beans, meat, cheese, and more. Try Great Low Carb Bread Company Orzo as the pasta base. Or for a quick and easy option, Tacoma Boys offers a variety of premade and packaged pasta salad. For other salad ideas, try:

• Garden salad (loaded with vegetables)
• Fruit salad
• Taco salad
• Cucumber radish salad (with a creamy dressing)
• Caprese salad (with fresh heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, and balsamic vinegar)

Tacoma Boy’s Favorite Summer Recipes

Summer recipes are light, refreshing, and utilize the best seasonal produce. Tacoma Boys boasts a wide selection of local fruit and vegetables to choose from. And why not get creative and use the season as a chance to try different tasty recipes? These no cook summer recipes are just right for the weather. 

Zucchini Noodles

Also known as zoodles, zucchini noodles are spiralized zucchinis: Try tossing the zoodles with Napoleon Basil Pesto or Stonewall Kitchen Sundried Tomato Pesto and serve cold for a refreshing dish that is full of summer flavor.

Stuffed Avocados

These are the ultimate hack to a protein packed summer recipe! You could stuff avocado halves with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. Then drizzle it with Delallo Balsamic Glaze for a caprese-style stuffed avocado. Check out this post by Simple Veganista for more inspiration on how to stuff avocados.

Vegetable Spring Rolls With Peanut Sauce

Try Tacoma Boy’s recipe for spring rolls with chicken, shrimp, or tofu, and an abundance of assorted vegetables wrapped in Blue Dragon Spring Roll Wrappers. Serve them with Thai Fusions Peanut Sauce as a dip. Or, whip up a peanut sauce at home with the ratios in the recipe.

How to Stay Cool

It’s important to understand how to stay cool in the summer and year-round. Other than light and refreshing no cook recipes, there are several ways to make sure you’re staying safe in the summer. Mainly, be sure to keep hydrated! Remember to drink plenty of water when it’s hot out and throughout summer activities. Otherwise, get adventurous and head to the lake or beach: Relaxing and having fun in the water is an easy way to stay cool. Pack a cooler full of hydrating foods and tasty drinks to bring along on your summer adventures.

Opt for partially shaded areas if you head to a park or outdoor event, especially if you’re with young kids or older adults. For more tips on how to stay cool and safe in the summer, check out this guide by the CDC. Then, stop by Tacoma Boys for hydrating drinks and ingredients for summer no cook recipes! To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!