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

We feature LOCAL products whenever we can here on GroceryBagSavings. Encourage YOUR store to carry local produce, meat and products. We'll all benefit from reduced transport costs, more local jobs and fresher foods!

• Beef, Steak, Top Sirloin
  • Choicemart - $4.99/lb (Local, Grass Fed)
  • Foodland/SnS - $5.99
  • Safeway - $3.99/lb Fam Pack
• Carrots
  • Choicemart - $1.49/lb
  • Foodland/SnS - $1.19/lb
  • KTA - $.99/lb
• Lay's Potato Chips, Assorted, 10.5 - 11 oz
  • Foodland/SnS - $3.00
  • KTA - $3.50
  • Safeway - $3.29
• Onions
  • Choicemart - $2.19/lb Local
  • Foodland/SnS - $3.19/lb Local
  • Safeway - $1.99/lb
• Oranges, Navel
  • Choicemart - $.99/lb
  • KTA - $1.19/lb
  • Safeway - $.75/lb (8 lb pkg $5.99)
• Pork Chops, Bone-in
  • Choicemart - $3.59/lb
  • Foodland/SnS - $2.99/lb
  • KTA - $2.79/lb
• Tomatoes
  • Choicemart - $3.59/lb Local
  • Foodland/SnS - $1.99/lb Local Beefsteak
  • KTA - $1.39/lb Local Roma
  • Safeway - $1.99/lb On the vine

I'll have several of these great buys in the recipes I post later in the week. Come back and see me!

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.

Some more exceptional values for the Big Island this week, based on the GroceryBagSavings.com historical database of prices:

• Yogurt, 32 oz, Yoplait $2 - Foodland/S'nS
• Artichokes, Large, $1.89/ea - Choicemart
• Peanut Butter, Safeway Brand, 18 oz $1.25 - Safeway (coupon, limit 6, so stock up!)
• Salt, 26 oz, Western Family, $.69 - KTA
• Pasta Sauce, 26 oz, Hunt's, $1.00 - KTA

Save!

Choicemart seems to be getting very aggressive in pricing lately and that's good for all of us. Here are just some of this weeks prices for the Big Island of Hawaii:

• Grapes, Seedless, any color
  • Choicemart - $1.99/lb
  • Foodland/S'nS - $1.99/lb
  • KTA - $2.39
  • Safeway - $2.99
• Rice
  • Foodland/S'nS - 20 lbs for $11.99 (Hinode) ($.60/lb)
  • KTA - 20 lbs for $9.99 (Pear Blossom) ($.50/lb)
  • Safeway - 10 lbs for $5.99 (Safeway) ($.60/lb)
• Tomatoes, Fresh, Local
  • Choicemart - $1.39/lb
  • Foodland/S'nS - $2.29/lb
  • Safeway - $1.99/lb
• Frozen Vegies
  • Choicemart - $2.05/lb (Pictsweet 14-16 oz $1.79)
  • Foodland/S'nS - $3.14/lb (C&W 14-16 oz $2.75)
  • KTA - $2.23/lb (Green Giant 12 oz $1.67)
  • Safeway - $3.33/lb (Birdseye 12-16 oz $2.50)

Check the Big Island price pages for more big differences: tri-tip steak, regular sandwich bread, pasta sauce, and boneless/skinless chicken thighs are just a few of the things you could stock up on this week, but make sure you go to the right stores to do it!!!! 

Maybe ethnic food tastes better because people had to work with the ingredients they had at hand in the olden days (no air-freight or barges!), but they also had time to experiment and discover what flavors went well together. At any rate, it's time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo again, and that calls for some ingredients on sale:

• Pork Sirloin Chops, Boneless
  • Choicemart - $2.59
  • Foodland/S'nS - $2.99
  • KTA - $2.79 (Not sirloins, but center cut boneless chops - closest they had)
  • Safeway - $3.49
• Beef Chuck
  • Choicemart - $3.59 (Boneless Steak)
  • Foodland/S'nS - $3.99 (Boneless Steak)
  • KTA - $3.59 (Boneless Roast)
  • Safeway - $1.99 (Bone-in Steak)
• Refried Beans, Canned, 15-16 oz
  • Foodland/S'nS - $1.59 (Old El Paso)
  • KTA - $.99 (Taco Bell - Coupon - Limit 5)
  • Safeway - $1.25 (Rosarita)

I put refried beans on the values list above because they are convenient, but here's a recipe I use that Tori swears are the best beans she ever ate. It takes a while, but it's worth it. 

Tori's Favorite Frijoles 

• 1 lb dry pinto beans, sorted, washed and soaked overnight (or you can power soak with hot water for about an hour),
• the water you soaked the beans in
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced, any color
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 whole bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 cups meat stock, any kind, preferably homemade and unsalted
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust if your stock is salted)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Optional - 1 good squirt of ketchup (it's weird, but works)

Put the soaked beans and the 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large, heavy, covered pot and add enough of the soaking water to cover by about an inch. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, until the beans are soft but not fully cooked, about an hour. Make sure they don't run dry! (When they are done enough, the skins will curl up if you remove a spoonful and blow on them.) Drain the beans in a colander, reserving the cooking liquid.

In the same pot cook the onion, bell pepper and garlic in the oil until they're soft and the onion is clear but not browned. Add the bay leaves, thyme, cumin, meat stock, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Add the beans back to the pot and simmer about another hour, adding reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep beans just barely covered. When the beans are fully cooked, add the squirt of ketchup and stir, then correct the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Ladle into bowls to serve. Cornbread goes well with this recipe. 

These beans freeze well, but they tend to break up and take on more of a refried consistency. I like them in burritos after they've been frozen, and you will too.

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. 

Big, big differences in grocery prices this week on BI- and in this post we give you some good examples. You can find the rest on the main BI pricing pages! (And don't forget to check that coupons.com ad for some great brand name coupons, like Cheerios and Betty Crocker Potato mixes!)

Rice, 20 lbs- Safeway: $13.99 (Limit 2, but why???); KTA: $10.99; Foodland/S'nS: $8.99 (Limit 2, for good reason!)

Beef Rib Steak Bone-in- Safeway: $8.99; KTA: $7.99; Foodland/S'nS: $5.99

Cabbage- Safeway: $1.25/lb; Choicemart: $.89/lb; Foodland/S'nS: $.69; KTA: $.59/lb (Local, too!)

Local Tomatoes- Foodland/S'nS: $2.29; Safeway: $1.49/lb; Choicemart: $1.49/lb; KTA: $1.39/lb

Grapes- KTA: $2.49/lb; Foodland/S'nS: $1.99; Safeway: $1.39

It really makes a difference where you buy your stuff!

Hey, I love coleslaw. I bet you do, too. It's easy to make, and goes with all kinds of outside (and inside) recipes. BUT, I was always annoyed at how much the stores charged for coleslaw dressing, so I made up my own very simple recipe, which you can customize as much or as little as you like:

Basic Coleslaw Dressing

About a half cup Mayonnaise- you don't have to measure it, just glop some into the bowl.

1 tablespoon vinegar (I use cider vinegar, but any kind will work)

1 tablespoon sugar (Yep, brown/white, all good. But no sugar substitute, please)

Couple shakes of salt

Couple grinds of pepper

Put it all into a bowl and mix well, taste it. Correct what you want- more sugar, more salt? Mix with about half a head of shredded cabbage. Pouf. Coleslaw. Double recipe for a whole cabbage if you're feeding an army.

Fancy and Optional things you can add (the list is endless):

Got an orange tree? Squeeze a little juice into the finished dressing, and use a little zest, too.

Got a lemon tree? Use lemon juice instead of vinegar. 

Paprika- as much or as little as you like. Adds a nice subtle flavor. Makes it pink, though.

Curry Powder. Some people really like this, some not so much.

Fresh Herbs- finely minced, please, and just a little thyme or savory is good.

Dried herbs- Uhhhh, be careful.

Plain yogurt or sour cream- makes the end product creamy and smooth tasting. I like it, but I don't always have these things in my refer.

Etc.... 

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.