Summertime means barbecue, and that means beef, chicken and pork. There are plenty of other good things on sale to go with, too. I like roasting those peeled baby carrots right on the grill. Just make sure you pick out ones that are big enough to not fall through!

Here are this weeks deals:

• Beef Chuck Steak, per pound 
  • Albertson's - $2.99 Boneless
  • Fred Meyer - $2.48 Bone-in
  • Safeway - $1.99 Boneless
• Carrots, baby peeled, 16 oz 
  • Albertson's - $1.00
  • Fred Meyer - $.99
  • Safeway - $1.50 Organic
• Grapes, Assorted Colors, all seedless 
  • Albertson's - $1.99
  • Fred Meyer - $1.48
  • Safeway - $.99
• Chicken, Whole Fryers, per pound 
  • Albertson's - $.99
  • Safeway - $.79 (WA only, sorry OR)
• Pork Chops, Loin, Bone-in 
  • Albertson's - $2.99
  • Fred Meyer - $2.48
  • Safeway - $1.29

Next week should see some big sales for the 4th of July. We'll alert our Facebook fans when the post is up on this blog, so if you haven't fanned us, get on over there!!!!

Just in time for Father's Day, here are some excellent values at PNW grocery stores:

• Cherries, per pound 
  • Albertson's - $3.99
  • Fred Meyer - $2.49
  • Safeway - $1.99
• Chicken Breast, Fresh, Boneless, Skinless, per pound 
  • Albertson's - $1.99
  • Fred Meyer - $2.79
  • Safeway - $2.99
• Doritos Chips, 10-13 oz bags (the big ones) 
  • Albertson's - $3.29
  • Fred Meyer - $1.99
  • Safeway - $2.49
• Corn, Ears, Fresh, each 
  • Albertson's - $.50
  • Fred Meyer - $.40
  • Safeway - $.66
• Salmon, Fresh Sockeye 
  • Albertson's - $14.99
  • Fred Meyer - $11.99
  • Safeway - $9.99

Find even more good savings on our main price pages on ground beef (less than $2 per pound for 80% lean!), chuck roast or steak ($2.49/lb), and many more. Happy Father's Day!!!!

Food price comparisons for this week in the Pacific Northwest, showing that it really DOES make a difference where you shop:

• Bacon, 16 oz package
  • Albertson's - $2.99 - Platter Style
  • Fred Meyer - $2.50 Bar S, Coupon in Ad, Limit 4
  • Safeway - $2.50 - Fletcher's
• Carrots, Mini Peeled, 1 pound package
  • Albertson's - $1.79
  • Fred Meyer - $1.50
  • Safeway - $1.69
• Bell Peppers, Red/Yellow, each
  • Albertson's - $1.99
  • Fred Meyer - $1.25
  • Safeway - $2.00
• Pork Spareribs, per pound
  • Albertson's - $1.99
  • Fred Meyer - $1.79
  • Safeway - $2.49
• Salad, Bagged, Fresh Express, Assorted, 5 to 12 ounce packages
  • Albertson's - $2.50, each
  • Fred Meyer - $2.00
  • Safeway - $2.50
• Smoked Sausage, (Kielbasa, etc) 14 to 16 oz packages
  • Albertson's - $3.50 (Hillshire Farms)
  • Fred Meyer - $2.50 (Hillshire Farms)
  • Safeway - $2.99 (Johnsonville)
• Side Dishes, Healthy Choice, 6.95 to 7.95 oz
  • Albertson's - $2.99
  • Fred Meyer - $3.00
  • Safeway - $2.00 (Must buy 8 mix/match promo)
• Tomatoes, per pound
  • Albertson's - $1.69
  • Fred Meyer - $1.38
  • Safeway - $2.99 (On the vine)

This weeks comparisons for the Pacific Northwest. Make sure you buy your groceries at the RIGHT store!

• Avocado, each 
  • Albertson's - $.68 (medium)
  • Fred Meyer - $1.25 (large)
  • Safeway - $.90 (Buy 1 Get 1 Free)
• Tomatoes, per pound 
  • Albertson's - $1.99 (on-the-vine)
  • Fred Meyer - $.98 (Roma)
  • Safeway - $1.79 (Roma)
• Yogurt, 4-6 oz cups 
  • Albertson's - $.60 (Dannon)
  • Fred Meyer - $.40 (Fred Meyer)
  • Safeway - $.50 (Yoplait)
• Ground Beef 93% lean, per pound 
  • Albertson's - $2.99
  • Fred Meyer - $3.67 (3 lb chub for $11)
• Beef T-Bone Steak Bone in, per pound
  • Albertson's - $8.99
  • Fred Meyer - $6.99
• Cherries, per pound 
  • Albertson's - $3.99
  • Safeway - $2.49
• Salad Shrimp (Little guys, cooked, shelled), per pound
• Fred Meyer - $3.99
• Safeway - $2.99 (I'm buying a bunch of these and freezing in one-pound packages. Thawed and layed out on a block of cream cheese with some wasabi hot cocktail sauce, they're my favorite easy appetizer.)

Memorial Day (this coming Monday) is the traditional kickoff to the outdoor BBQ season no matter where you live. For some, though, BBQ season never ends, either because we are happy to cook outside in the snow or because summer never ends where we live. I've been fortunate to experience both of those, and although the first can be an adventure, the second one is definitely more pleasant. Here are current grocery store price comparisons on the food you will need to get that BBQ season started off right!

• Bacon 12-16 oz
  • Albertson's - $3.99 Oscar Meyer 12-16 oz
  • Fred Meyer - $2.50 Tyson 16 oz Coupon
  • Safeway - $4.49 Oscar Meyer 12-16 oz
• Bushes Baked Beans - 21-28 oz
  • Albertson's - $1.67
  • Fred Meyer - $1.25 Coupon
  • Safeway - $1.34
• Ground Beef Patties 73% Lean
  • Albertson's - $2.59/lb - Moran's 5 lbs Frozen
  • Fred Meyer - $2.33/lb - Kroger 3 lbs Frozen
  • Safeway - $2.80/lb - Butcher's Cut 40 oz Frozen
• Hamburger/Hotdog Buns 8 count
  • Albertson's - $2.50
  • Fred Meyer - $.50 Limit 2
  • Safeway - $.99
• Butter 1 Pound (for the corn, of course, see next item!)
  • Albertson's - $2.99
  • Fred Meyer - $1.67
  • Safeway - $1.99
• Corn, Fresh, Ears, Each
  • Albertson's - $.50
  • Fred Meyer - $.40
  • Safeway - $.25

Now, get out there and grill!

This week with halibut at the top of the list (Fred's price is incredible!). Also, fresh corn, peppers and New York steak, among other things. Shop wisely and save with www.GroceryBagSavings !

• Halibut
  • Albertson's - $14.99/lb (any size)
  • Fred Meyer - $4.99/lb (for a half or whole fish, but they steak or fillet for free!)
• Beef, New York Steak
  • Albertson's - $9.99/lb (Boneless)
  • Fred Meyer - $6.99/lb (Boneless)
  • Safeway - $7.99/lb (Bone-In)
• Carrots
  • Albertson's - $.79/lb
  • Fred Meyer - $1.50/lb (Organic Mini)
  • Safeway - $.99/lb (Mini)
• Cherries
  • Albertson's - $3.99/lb
  • Fred Meyer - $3.98/lb
  • Safeway - $4.99/lb
• Chicken Breast, Boneless/Skinless
  • Albertson's - $3.99/lb
  • Fred Meyer - $2.33/lb (Tenders, 3 lb pkg)
  • Safeway - $2.99/lb
• Corn, Fresh Ears, Each
  • Albertson's - $.50
  • Fred Meyer - $.40
  • Safeway - $.69
• Peppers, Bell
  • Albertson's - $.79/each
  • Fred Meyer - $.68/each
  • Safeway - $1.50/each
• Potatoes
  • Albertson's - $.10/lb (10 lbs for $.98)
  • Fred Meyer - $.33/lb (Bakers)
  • Safeway - $.79/lb

Here are just a few examples of the differences in price between stores this week. Be sure and check YOUR shopping list on www.GroceryBagSavings.com before you buy!

• Apples, Fuji
  • Albertson's - $1.49/lb
  • Fred Meyer - $.98/lb
  • Safeway - $.88/lb
• Beef, Steak, Sirloin
  • Albertson's - $3.00/lb (BOGO)
  • Fred Meyer - $1.99/lb Family Pack
  • Safeway - $3.99/lb Fam Pack
• Chicken, Whole, Cooked
  • Albertson's - $5.99
  • Fred Meyer - $4.88
  • Safeway - $5.99
• Chicken, Breast, Bnls/Skls
  • Albertson's - $2.50/lb BOGO
  • Fred Meyer - $1.99/lb Fam Pack
  • Safeway - $1.69/lb 4 lb pkg, frozen
• Chips, Potato, Lay's Assorted 10.5 - 11 oz
  • Albertson's - $2.99
  • Fred Meyer - $1.67 Limit 3 (Maybe thru the line twice for these!?)
  • Safeway - $2.49
• Mangoes
  • Albertson's - $1.29/ea
  • Fred Meyer - $.50/ea
  • Safeway - $1.25/ea

And don't forget that our advertisers have some of the best coupons around. Click and save - big!

This weeks installment of 'Who Has the Best Value' in the Northwest:

• Avocados, each
  • Albertson's - $.99
  • Fred Meyer - $1.00
  • Safeway - $.50
• Eggs
  • Albertson's - $3.99/dz (Organic Brown, Lge)
  • Fred Meyer - $1.25/dz (Ex Lge)
  • Safeway - $1.25/dz (18 ct for $1.88, Lge)
• Strawberries
  • Albertson's - $1.99/lb (4 Lb Pkg $7.99)
  • Fred Meyer - $1.12/lb (4 lb pkg $4.48)
  • Safeway - $1.50/lb (bulk)
• Tomatoes, Fresh
  • Albertson's - $1.69 (Roma)
  • Fred Meyer - $.98/lb (Roma)
  • Safeway - $2.99 (On the vine)

Check the Washington and Oregon price pages for more big differences on: artichokes, meringue pies (two stores have them for $4.99!), and boneless/skinless chicken breasts.

It's getting close to Cinco de Mayo, so some appropriate values this week in the stores:

• Ground beef
  • Albertsons - $2.99/lb (85% lean patties, 3 lb pkg - Moran's; Cheapest they had)
  • Fred's - $1.68/lb (80% lean, 3 lb pkg)
  • Safeway - $1.79/lb (80% lean)
• Tomatoes
  • Albertson's - $1.99/lb (On the vine)
  • Fred's - $.97 (on the vine)
  • Safeway - $1.49/lb (Roma)
• Cheese - store brands
  • Albertson's - $4.49/lb (1 lb brick or shred)
  • Fred's - $1.99/lb (2 lb brick)
  • Safeway - $1.99/lb (2 lb brick)
• Chicken Breast - Boneless/Skinless
  • Albertson's - $3.99/lb
  • Fred's - $2.48/lb
  • Safeway - $2.99/lb

I like tacos, whether they're made with beef, chicken or fish, but those packaged taco seasoning mixes are expensive for the 2 ounces of spice you get. Plus, making your own from scratch tastes much better, and you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want! Here's a simple recipe that I use for ground beef taco filling:

Simple and Cheap Beef Taco Filling

• 1 lb ground beef (I grind my own and it's about 90% lean, but 80% will work just fine, too.)
• 2 or 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin (I like cumin a lot.)
• Big pinch dried oregano
• 8 oz can tomato sauce (or use jarred salsa)
• As much hot pepper sauce as you like - I use Sriracha Rooster Sauce, 1 tablespoon for medium hot
• About a half a cup of water
• 1/4 cup (or more!) fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

Cook ground beef in a saute pan, breaking beef up into small pieces as it browns. When it's almost done, stir in the garlic and onion and cook until the onion is clear and the meat is fully browned. Spoon off excess fat. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, tomato sauce or jarred salsa, hot pepper sauce and water, stirring to mix well. Cover pan and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes to meld flavors. Remove cover. Finish over medium high heat, stirring to allow steam to escape until sauce is thickened, about another 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro just before serving. Makes enough for about 8 generously filled tacos.

Once you've tried this, you'll never buy the packages again! I vary it from time to time by using different salsas, and have had great results using the Safeway brand Peach-Pineapple Medium hot. It's good, and goes on sale regularly. 

This week, just like always, there are big differences between stores on meat and produce. You can make a big difference in your weekly food cost when you BUY STUFF AT THE RIGHT STORE!!!!

Beef Chuck Roast: Fred's: $2.48/lb; Safeway: $1.99; Albies: $1.97

Beef London Broil: Safeway: $3.99/lb; Albies: $3.49/lb; Fred's: $2.99/lb

Chicken, Whole Fryers: Albies: $.99/lb; Safeway: $.99/lb; Fred's: $.79/lb

Cucumber: Albies: $1.99/ea; Safeway: $.99/ea

Grapes: Albies: $2.99/lb; Safeway $1.49/lb

Pork Loin Chops: Albies: $1.99/lb; Fred's: $1.99/lb; Safeway: $1.29/lb

Here's a recipe that uses both the chicken and the grapes on sale, and on a cold spring evening, will make your kitchen smell great:

Easy roast chicken stuffed with grapes

1 whole chicken

1 bunch grapes (any color, but seedless, please, and stem enough of them to stuff the chicken)

a few slices onion

Salt and pepper

Cooking spray or Oil, any kind

Cheap white wine, half a cup for the recipe, more than that for the cook

Optional if you want/grow/have on hand: couple sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme, couple slices lemon

Remove the giblets from the chicken and rinse under cold running water. Salt and pepper the cavity, stuff with the onion and the grapes (and optional herbs/lemon). Tie the drumstick ends together so the cavity is mostly sealed. Salt and pepper the outside of the chicken, put it in a roasting pan on a rack. Pour a little of the white wine into the cavity right before you put it in the oven. Spray the chicken with cooking spray, or rub with oil. (Sometimes, when I'm really, really bad, I use bacon fat....)

Roast at 350, basting occasionally with pan juices, until drumsticks move freely, and juices run clear when you poke the thigh base, about 20-25 minutes per pound.

Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes after you take it out of the oven!

Drain the juices from the pan and skim the fat. Use pan juice as is for a sauce, or thicken with a little cornstarch dissolved in cold water. Cut the chicken into serving pieces and don't forget to serve the grapes and onions from the cavity! They're delicious! (Throw out the lemon and herbs.) Garnish with more grapes, if you like. 

Rice goes well with this. Especially dirty rice.

But that recipe is for another time.