As a trained chef, I like to buy several high-quality ingredients at Costco.James Demmin-De LiseI'm a trained chef who loves grocery shopping for my husband and me at Costco.I stock up on fruit like lemons and cherries to make homemade beverages.The Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano and Foppen Norwegian-smoked-salmon slices feel gourmet.Even though I no longer work in a professional kitchen, my training at the Culinary Institute of America never fails me.My background as a chef means I have an eye for quality, value, and versatility when it comes to ingredients. Luckily, Costco typically has the high-quality items I'm looking for.Though I only shop for two people, I love shopping in bulk at Costco, which is a leading retailer in customer satisfaction.In addition to the staples we rely on, I always find a few new foods to try, too. Here are 11 gourmet-feeling foods I add to my cart when I go to Costco.Prices may vary by location.I love how flavorful the Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter is.The Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter adds a great flavor to baked goods.James Demmin-De LiseAs any chef will tell you, fat has flavor — and this butter is more flavorful than many other brands I've tried.Expectations are high when I'm in the kitchen, so I think it's worth splurging a little to get a high-quality, flavorful ingredient. This 2-pound box easily lasts over a month — unless my husband goes on a baking spree.Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter is quite reasonable at Costco, as a package of four 8-ounce bars costs $14.50 at my store. I find this butter also freezes well, so when it's on sale, I like to stock up.We divide and freeze the Kirkland Signature boneless and skinless chicken breasts.The Kirkland Signature boneless and skinless chicken breasts are a staple in my household.James Demmin-De LiseThough we often have vegetarian meals, we still consider these packs of Kirkland Signature boneless and skinless chicken breasts as a staple item.These chicken breasts are often quite large, so we freeze them individually and halve them before cooking to keep portion sizes under control.These versatile chicken breasts are a great value at about $3 per pound at my Costco.The Kirkland Signature organic large cage-free eggs are a go-to protein in our house.The Kirkland Signature organic large cage-free eggs can be used for baking or in frittatas.James Demmin-De LiseThere's an old story about how the ripples on a chef's toque represent the 100 ways a proper chef can cook an egg. However, I'm fairly certain there are many more ways.One of my favorite ways to make eggs is in a large frittata with bits of leftover produce or cheese. It's great to serve at a gathering with friends or keep on hand as an easy, reheatable option for weekday lunches.Each package of eggs is about $7.60 at my Costco.The Foppen Norwegian-smoked-salmon slices easily elevate any brunch.A package of the Foppen Norwegian-smoked-salmon slices includes pepper, traditional, and dill flavors.James Demmin-De LiseExpectations are high when your friends and family know you're a proper chef. So, for an easy brunch, I get this pack of smoked-salmon slices — it comes with pepper, traditional (plain), and dill flavors.I serve smoked salmon with capers, crème fraîche, and chopped dill on rye or pumpernickel for a delicious, refined brunch component. I'd also suggest pairing smoked salmon with rosé and a frittata — but you might have some trouble getting your guests to go back home.A 12-ounce package of smoked salmon is $13.50 at my local Costco. A little squeeze of lemon can go a long way.I use lemons to make my own refreshing beverages.James Demmin-De LiseBesides just looking good in a bowl on the counter, lemons pack a lot of punch. If a meal doesn't taste exactly as you hoped, consider adding a bit of acid — just a little squeeze of lemon can lift and brighten even the most stubborn meal.To me, nothing says summer quite like fresh-squeezed lemonade, and it's pretty easy to make yourself.At my Costco, a 5-pound bag of lemons costs $6.50. I usually get an extra bag, as I crave more lemonade once I make a fresh batch.Cherries are a sweet snack and a fun addition to lemonade.I love how sweet cherries are.James Demmin-De LiseBeyond cherry pies, this fruit is also tasty as a sweet bite after dinner. Three or four cherries can often satisfy my taste for dessert without adding many calories or extra effort to my meal.I also use them in a homemade, elevated lemonade (it's a messy but fun project). I use a chopstick to poke out the pits and add the fruit to a blender with simple syrup and lemon juice. Finally, I pour the beverage through a strainer and serve it over ice or mix it with sparkling water.I pick up a 2-pound box for $6 at my store.The Muga rosado wine offers a great balance of flavors.The Muga rosado wine is absolutely delicious.James Demmin-De LiseThis exceptional wine is well-balanced, elegant, and complex. It has notes of peaches, apricots, and white blossoms. It's also pleasantly dry with a long finish (a fruity aftertaste).This mouthwatering wine is a delightful addition to a summertime picnic or a get-together with friends on the porch.These bottles are a few dollars cheaper than those I've seen at other stores near me. I like to grab several bottles at Costco, priced at about $12 each.If you're looking for something different, I recommend getting a Kirkland Signature frenched rack of lamb.The Kirkland Signature frenched rack of lamb feels very fancy.James Demmin-De LiseWhen we have guests over, I often try to cook a meal that feels a bit fancier. One way to hit that note is to serve lamb — just be careful not to overcook this delicate meat.I cut this frenched lamb into chops, pan-sear the meat, and serve three pieces with greens and potatoes as a flavorful, bold main course. I also like to coat my lamb in a mustard crust when I'm feeling adventurous.At about $13 per pound, Costco keeps my fancy dinner parties affordable.The Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano adds a lot of depth to pasta dishes and frittatas.The Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano adds so much flavor to my meals.James Demmin-De LiseIn my opinion, this Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano is just as good as the stuff you can find at a fancy cheesemonger. Though the size of the blocks can seem overwhelming, when properly stored, they can last quite a while in the refrigerator. We love shaving some with a vegetable peeler over a salad or grating some to serve with pasta or in a frittata. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor to almost any dish.My store sells a block for $11.30 per pound, which seems a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.This Président Brie cheese is best on crusty bread or as part of a fancy appetizer.The Président Brie cheese is flavorful and creamy.James Demmin-De LiseAdmittedly, this isn't Brie de Meaux — a fancy French form of Brie — but it's dependable and flavorful.It's a wonderful crudité (appetizer) or addition to a fancy cheese spread. Your guests probably wouldn't guess you bought it at Costco, either.Leftover Brie also makes a delicious, simple lunch when paired with rustic, crusty bread the next day. At my Costco, each round is just $7.Skip the hot dogs and grill the Aidells smoked chicken-and-apple sausages.The Aidells smoked chicken-and-apple sausages have a sweet yet smoky flavor.James Demmin-De LiseIt's summertime, and, in my book, that means grilling outdoors. Fortunately, an easy and nearly labor-free take on the standard hot dog is delectable and inexpensive.These chicken-and-apple sausages are especially tasty. They have a satisfying texture, a hint of sweetness from the apples, and a lightly smoky flavor that becomes more pronounced the longer you leave them on the grill.I like to serve them on standard hot-dog buns. Add a fun slaw, and you're good to go. A 3-pound package of these sausages is $10.70 at my location.Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.Read the original article on Business Insider
