At Tacoma Boys we enjoy the traditions of great food with family and friends.  That’s why we have a one of the largest selections of wursts and sausages in Pierce County, just for your Oktoberfest needs.

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Ketogenics is so popular in the culinary and dietary world, and for good reason. Aside from the science of ketosis, this eating plan challenges you to eat more fat, and cut carbs. So, in essence, you lost the pasta and bread, but you get the bacon and avocados! But there’s more to be enjoyed with keto than a simple two-item menu, and Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce have everything you need.

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You may not know it, but whenever you think of the fresh, juicy flavor of a sweet corn, you’re really just dreaming of Incredible Corn. And this Washington State staple is available at all Tacoma Boys and H & L Produce locations. (more…)

No state in American produces more blueberries than Washington State. And knowing when to find them, how to prepare them, and all the ways you can enjoy them is where we come in! So here’s to the blueberry, and the Washingtonians that love them. (more…)

A raspberry a day just simply isn’t enough raspberries! Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce love Washington raspberries, and we think you should love them too. (more…)

If you spend as much time with produce and perishables as we do, you learn what fresh foods are best to eat year round. So as we enter summer, here’s a quick guide to thinking, shopping, and buying early summer fruits. (more…)

As Mother’s Day approaches, take the celebrated tradition of gifting flowers up a notch by buying Mom a gift that will last and be a talking point for months! Hanging baskets are the way to go for the Mom in your life this year.

Walking through the produce section of a specialty grocer like Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce is an eye opening experience for some. Beyond organic bananas and tomatoes, there is an amazing assortment of fruits and veggies that many people have never heard of! Shallots are one of theses great everyday food items that, for some reason, have remained under the radar for many Americans.

Ever feel a little lost around a little known fruit or vegetable? Fear not, we are here to help! If you are ever unsure of how to prepare a food item, or what it may be for, make sure to ask one of our skilled staff. We love to help our customers.

Shallots are like small, delicious, less pungent, onions. They won’t make you cry – and as you may have guessed are a great alternative to onions in any number of dishes. Once you start using them you may find yourself purchasing them on each trip to your specialty market. Check out our Weekly Specials!

Hints of Garlic and Onion.

Shallots are part of the Allium family of vegetables, which include onions, leeks and garlic. They have a more delicate flavor than onions with a hint of garlic. They even look a bit like large garlic cloves when prepared, but are much easier to eat whole.

Shallots Melt Into Your Meals

Unlike onions, which maintain their shape and texture when cooked, shallots are quicker to break down when cooked. This is a good thing. It means they become part of the meal instead of sitting separate in the mix. The creamy texture of the shallot, when cooked, is pleasant on the palate. This sensation, matched with their  delicate, yet rich, flavor make the shallot an excellent ingredient.

A Great Substitute

Shallots are a great substitute for onions in any number of dishes. Make sure to try them out in your favorite meals and let us know how it goes!

The Easiest of Recipes

Looking for an easy way to prepare your shallots? It’s as simple as rinsing them, with the skins on. Hand place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Heat your oven to 425 degrees. Once the oven is ready, insert the tray of shallots into the oven and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the skins are golden brown and the shallots are tender when probed with a fork or knife. Remove and enjoy!

These roasted beauties are ready to be enjoyed on their own or with any number of dishes. Remember they have a milder flavor than onions or garlic, so you are more likely to eat them on their own.

Olive Oil & Salt

Want to get a little more complicated? Peel the shallots, then toss them in olive oil with a generous amount of salt. Roast these at 425 degrees until tender. If you like you can slice the shallots in half, leaving their inner beauty exposed. This also allows for a shorter cooking time.

Shallots Across The World

It is believed that shallots first came to Europe from the middle east, during the 12^th century. Today there are over 10 varieties available in France. In Indonesia, shallots are often pickled and served with meals. Shallots are well loved in Iran where they are often crushed into yogurt or grilled on kebabs.

Local Specialty Markets Offer Shallots

At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce we are proud to offer our community the freshest and best ingredients for their day to day lives, including shallots! If you’ve never been into one of our South Sound locations, make sure to stop in soon! We have a wide selection of beers and wines, chocolates, canned foods, meats and cheeses and more! Look around our website and check out our social media on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Does eating healthy sound like it’s too expensive for you? Believe it or not, there’s a way you can eat healthy food for less, even for under $1. Here are 3 staple foods that will have you eating healthy on a budget in no time.

Most of us have the best intentions when it comes to our food. We always want the most affordable food that are as good for our bodies as they are our wallets. However, there’s a common misconception that eating healthy on a budget is nearly impossible. In fact, it’s one of the top reasons why many of us eye that fast food cheeseburger over a healthy plate of greens.

But eating well doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. In fact, even if you only have a few dollars you can get the ingredients to make a hearty, healthy, home-cooked meal.

Here are three examples of healthy food you can get for $1 or less.

1. Oats

When it comes to eating a healthy breakfast, you have plenty of options. But to get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to pick up a container of oats.

While cooked oats may not be everyone’s image of an ideal breakfast, there’s no more cost-effective way to start your day. The average serving of oats, which is around 1/3 of a cup, will cost you less than a dollar. Tacoma Boys sells containers of oats at a very affordable price, so you should be able to get a few pounds of oats for less than a couple of dollars in total. That means you’ll have healthy breakfasts for days!

But the cost isn’t the only reason to incorporate oats into your diet. Each serving contains several grams of soluble fiber to aid digestion and rid your body of bad cholesterol. Plus, you can do a lot of different things with oats. Remember your favorite oatmeal from when you were a kid? Recreate a healthy adult version by adding fresh berries or cinnamon to your cooked oats. Some people even enjoy making their own granola or no-bake energy bites with peanut butter. The options are endless, it just takes a little creativity.

2. Beans

Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart, the more you eat, the more you… save!

Beans are a fantastic option for eating healthy on a budget. They’re an affordable meal that won’t leave you hungry a few hours later. Cooking up a cup or two of beans will help you incorporate more fiber into your diet, as well as some extra protein. For those on a meatless or plant-based diet, beans are key for getting vital nutrients.

There are tons of options to choose from:

• Black beans
• Pinto beans
• Red beans
• Black-eyed peas
• And more!

You can pick up a pound of your favorite legume for about $1 no matter where you shop, making it one of the affordable foods out there. If you have the extra cash, we recommend buying a larger bag, as you’ll ultimately save more that way.

Plus, they’re one of the most versatile foods out there.

3. Eggs

Speaking of versatility, eggs are a common component in thousands of the world’s most beloved dishes. From omelets to frittatas to straight-up scrambled, there are dozens of ways to use a dozen eggs.

In terms of health benefits, eggs contain protein as well as vitamins D and B. Many people look to egg whites as the more nutritious portion of the egg, but there are benefits to both the white and the yolk. Egg whites are fat free, carb free, high in protein and low in calories. However, egg yolks contain vitamins A, E and K along with healthy fats the body needs. Also, compared to the whites, egg yolks are more rich in folate and vitamin B12.

Most stores offer organic eggs for a very low cost per egg, so stock up! You can also look to your community for fresh eggs. Here in the Pacific Northwest, backyard chickens have been gaining popularity in urban neighborhoods. It’s very likely you have a neighbor with chickens who gets fresh eggs every day. If the chickens are productive, they will often have a surplus and sell the eggs locally for great price. Check out your community message boards online to see if you can score some fresh eggs.

You don’t have to give up on taste when eating healthy low-cost foods.

These three foods for eating healthy on a budget will keep your stomach and wallet full, so don’t let a tight budget stop you from eating right. Oats, beans and eggs are staple foods that are best when complimented by fresh fruits and veggies. Use the money you save to stock up on quality organic produce and meats for a well-rounded, budget friendly diet.

At Tacoma Boys, we pride ourselves on offering customers the healthiest foods at the fairest prices. So, stop into one of our three locations today to see just how affordable eating well can be.

Is cooking difficult for you? Don’t worry, it is for a lot of people. Figuring out recipes, shopping for the ingredients, cooking and washing the dishes can be a lot of work! However, no matter how busy you are, there is no need to eat junk food. Here are 4 easy meals you can make, with all ingredients from a Tacoma specialty market.

We know that when life gets hectic it’s hard to eat healthy. You may want to get busy in the kitchen but find yourself exhausted after work. It’s very easy to get in the habit of eating whatever’s fast and convenient.

The good news is that you don’t need to hit the drive-thru or order take-out on those days that seem so tough. With just a few ingredients, you can make simple, quick meals that are healthy, too!

You should be able to find all of these ingredients at a Tacoma specialty market. As a safe bet, hit up Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce which is bound to have these ingredients and more.  And, you know they’ll be fresh and delicious!

Want to know more? Keep reading to learn 4 these easy recipes.

1. 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.

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.

2. Ahi Tuna Salad

Are you looking for something a little more unique? This Asian-inspired salad will do just the trick. Ahi Tuna is a popular dish at a lot of Pacific Northwest restaurants, but it’s actually very easy to cook at home!

You can get Ahi Tuna steaks, avocados, carrots, bell peppers, and cucumbers from your local Tacoma specialty market. Grate your carrots, slice the other veggies, and toss them with a green spring mix to create a salad base.

For cooking the tuna; first, you’ll want to season it to your liking. We recommend using kosher salt, cayenne pepper and whole peppercorns.

Lightly sear the Ahi Tuna by melting butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Gently place the seasoned tuna in the skillet and cook to a desired doneness, 1 1/2 minutes per side for rare.

Place your cooked tuna on top of your salad mix, and voila! You can finish it off with store-bought or home-made ginger sesame dressing.

3. Pot Roast

Now that fall is here and winter is quickly approaching, many are looking for the perfect comfort food to indulge in. For many of us, that can look like a delicious pot roast.

Just stop in to your local Tacoma specialty market for chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery. Season your roast with some rosemary, garlic salt, pepper, and thyme. Place the roast in a slow cooker with your chopped veggies, diced potatoes, and some beef broth. Cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours (for a 3-pound chuck roast).

Plus, you can use any leftover celery for a healthy snack! Just smear on some peanut butter for the ultimate go-to treat. Same goes with extra carrots, just pick your favorite dip and you’ve got plenty of snacks for later.

4. Shrimp Boil

Are you craving something Cajun? We have just the thing! Enjoy a southern shrimp boil with this easy and cheap recipe.

All you need is:

• Shrimp
• Andouille sausage
• Potatoes
• Corn on the cob

Cut your corn into quarters and dice your potatoes.

Throw everything into foil packets with some olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bake for 12 minutes at 425 and voila!

Tacoma Specialty Market Meals

If you need something quick and affordable for dinner this week, look no further than Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce! We are where folks go when looking for a Tacoma specialty market. Click here for a location near you.