The Costco Connection - September 2015

Member recipe: Chicken Salad

I AM AN author and food blogger ( letthefeastybegin.blogspot.com). This Kirkland Signature™ recipe is very popular; it’s unique and refreshing. I have made these little sandwich treasures for rehearsal dinners, weddings, birthdays, funerals and anniversaries.—Debra Freeman

Thaw peas in cold water. Meanwhile, open and drain chicken. Place chicken in a large bowl and break up chunks with fingers. Add mayonnaise, mustard and white pepper, and mix together well. Add celery and onion, drain peas well and mix all into chicken salad. Cover and chill overnight. Makes enough for 40 mini sandwiches.

Note: This chicken salad tastes best on potato rolls, party-size for a nice small sandwich, or burger size for a more substantial serving.

;/; cup petite frozen peas

2 ( 12.5-ounce) cans Kirkland Signature Chicken Breast packed in water, drained

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon ground white pepper ;/; cup diced celery ;/; cup sliced green onions

DE BR A F RE EM A N

butter A better

KIRKLAND SIGNATURE LADIES’ Trouser Socks were recently introduced by the buying team based on the success of the men’s socks.

“We felt it was time to give women a high-quality everyday sock that is versatile,” says Costco buyer Kelly Hunt.

The maximum-coverage trouser-length socks (women’s shoe sizes 4 to 10½) feature a soft, extended non-binding cuff with elastic top construction for better fit and stay-up power, a 90-degree-angle fully fashioned reinforced heel and a flat toe seam for greater comfort and long-wearing abrasion resistance.

AFTER SEEING STRONG warehouse sales for an almond butter product, Costco food buyers decided to create a Kirkland Signature rendition, with a richer flavor profile and higher quality. In May 2014, West Coast members were introduced to Kirkland

Signature Almond Butter, which was slowly spread out across the country in late 2014. It has proven to be a member favorite.

Kirkland Signature Almond Butter has a
single ingredient: dry-roasted almonds. It
contains no preservatives or additives. The
almonds are steam pasteurized (not chemi-
cally pasteurized) and then dry roasted before
being ground into butter. “The almonds’ fla-
vor is brought out more the longer they’re
o
Sock it tome!

PURSUIT OF PERFECTION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

roasted. We were after a nice roast level that gives you the taste of almond but doesn’t go so far that it is overcooked,” says assistant foods buyer Troy Kozen.

The almond butter is made in a way that preserves the inherent nutritional value of the almonds. Almonds are high in monounsatu-rated fats (the same kind found in olive oil and avocados), which studies have indicated might help reduce the risk of heart disease and potentially lower cholesterol. Each 2-table- spoon serving of Kirkland Signature Almond Butter has 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. And there is no sodium in this product. Just be sure to store it in the fridge after you crack it open, and give it a good stir before you spread it, as the natural oils will separate.

This creamy butter with exquisite almond taste is delicious on its own—all you need to enjoy it are the jar and a spoon—but it’s also wonderful with sliced bananas on toast, as a peanut butter replacement, in savory sauces and even in baked goods: almond butter chocolate chip cookies, anyone? Item #859695.

—Hana Medina

h
“Similar-quality socks out in the market-
place cost more for a single pair than the price
of our six-pack,” Kelly says. “Our trouser
socks are versatile enough to wear with boots,
booties, flats, clogs or even heels for the fash-
ion-forward woman.”
The sock yarn contains Lenzing Modal,
which is produced with wood pulp from
beech trees, nylon, polyester and spandex.
Modal is an environmentally friendly fabric
that combines the benefits of natural fibers
and the softness, strength and sheen of mod-
ern fibers, making it extremely soft and lus-
trous while offering vibrant colors.

“It also maintains its color after multiple washings,” says Kellie Walejeski, COO of Costco supplier Royal Bermuda LLC.

The four sets of classic colors, such as black, charcoal and dark gray heathers, include a few fun prints.

“It’s a great item that women can wear to work day in and day out,” Walejeski says. “Each pack contains both basic and fashion socks, offering the member a true wardrobe pack.” Item #988670.—Christina Guerrero