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May 20.2026
3 Minutes Read

Transforming Your Cooking Experience: Toss These Pantry Items Now!

Colorful pantry items with trash icon for disposal advice.

It's Time for a Pantry Purge: Uncover Hidden Dangers

Your pantry can sometimes be a silent keeper of expired or unhealthy food. So, regularly refreshing and organizing this space is essential for both safety and efficiency. Consider that time when you opened a jar of spices that seemed fine only to be greeted by a stale scent. How many special dishes have been ruined by expired ingredients? Taking proactive steps to clear out your pantry can transform it from a cluttered wilderness into a useful resource.

Understanding Expiration Dates: More Than Just Numbers

Many of us assume that ‘expired’ signals a good time to toss items is a black-and-white matter. However, what this actually means can vary, such as 'sell-by' versus 'best-by', which can complicate the decision-making process. Just because a cereal box has a date marked on it doesn’t mean it’s unsafe to consume—what matters more is the food's quality. Yet, for certain items, like baby formula, it's essential to follow the expiration date to ensure safety. Adopting a mindset that prioritizes quality over visibility will save you from unexpected culinary mistakes.

The Stale Spice Saga: Freshness Is Key

Stale spices could easily become your secret pantry villain. Surprisingly, spices that have overstayed their welcome can often lose potency long before their expiration dates arrive, resulting in lackluster flavors. Experts recommend disposing of any ground spices that have been around for more than a year. That dusty jar of cumin might have once been flavorful, but if you find that your dishes have become monotonous, it might be time for a refresh.

Persistent Pantry Pests: An Invisible Threat

Flour, cornmeal, and similar staples can attract unwanted guests like weevils and mites. Imagine reaching for that bag of flour only to find it crawling with little critters! Prevention is best achieved through good sealing practices and making sure that pantry staples are kept in airtight containers. This also helps in prolonging their shelf life, avoiding waste, and keeping your kitchen free of pests.

The Cooking Oils Conundrum: Staying Fresh

Cooking oils might feel like pantry staples, but once opened, they can sour faster than you think. A rancid odor is a clear indicator that it’s time for disposal. Most oils have a shelf life of 6 months to 1 year after opening, so take this opportunity to smell and inspect your bottles regularly. Throw out those with any signs of rancidity.

Nuts and Seeds: Nutritional Value at Risk

Surprisingly, nuts and seeds can go rancid quicker than expected due to their high fat content. This not only changes their taste but also compromises their nutritional value. Conduct a sniff test before using them, and if they smell musty or sour, it’s best to throw them out. Consider storing them in the freezer to keep them fresher for a longer period.

Decluttering: A Simple Solution for a Safe Pantry

Removing old and unused items is the foundation for creating an efficient pantry. Aim for a space filled only with ingredients you actively use, ensuring they are all in good condition. This doesn’t just create a visually appealing area; it also helps alleviate the overwhelming feeling of clutter, making meal prep more enjoyable.

Embrace Your Pantry’s Potential

As a beautiful space in your home responsible for nourishing you and your family, your pantry should reflect intention and care. By regularly assessing what’s in there, not just for expiration dates but for utility and freshness, you set the stage for delicious meals ahead. Don’t wait for a special occasion to dive into decluttering; make it a monthly ritual to keep that space vibrant and functional.

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06.17.2026

The Truth about BBQ Sauce

Barbecue sauces have a uniquely Southern and Western U.S. history.  Most experts agree that the practice of adding sauce and spices to meat and fish began early in our history, with Native Americans teaching the art to early European settlers.  The natives probably developed the process as part of an attempt to keep meats and fish from spoiling quickly.  Salt played a major role in those early barbecue sauces, and salt is a well-known preservative in the meat curing process.Because the nation's first European arrivals lived on the East Coast of America, that part of the country is credited with spawning the original barbecue sauce styles.  First and foremost, there are the various Carolina barbecue sauces.  The most widely known are East Carolina, Piedmont, and South Carolina varieties.  East Carolina barbecue sauce consists of vinegar, salt, black pepper, and crushed or ground cayenne peppers.  It's a very simple sauce that penetrates the meat nicely for a deep flavor.  Piedmont barbecue sauce only varies from East Carolina in that it often includes molasses or Worcestershire sauce both of which cling to the meat more.  South Carolina sauce is entirely different, using a mustard base instead, producing a much tangier and sharper flavor.Then there is Memphis or Southern style barbecue sauce.  This popular variety is typically more complicated (flavor-wise) and is built around mustard, tomato, and vinegar.  Fans often point to the boldness of these flavor combinations as the hallmark of Memphis barbecue sauce.  A saying often heard among hungry connoisseurs is no two bites alike.Continuing our trek westward, we come to the acknowledged center of the barbecue universe: Kansas City!  Kansas City barbecue sauce is distinguished by its noticeably thicker consistency and emphasis on sweetness.  That's because this style of sauce is built upon thick tomato sauce, chunks of vegetables, and lots of sugar.  Many popular commercial brands are based on this Kansas City recipe.  It's most popular among amateur backyard grillers because of the availability in grocery stores (Kraft, Heinz, K.C.'s Masterpiece, etc.).  And also because the thick sauce can be applied only once, and enough will remain in place to please the happy recipients of the grilled meat.Finally, there are the Texas barbecue sauce styles.  Now, Texas is one big state, and there are several regional varieties within it.  The most common include thick and spicy sauces that are essentially spicier variations on the Kansas City sauces.  These are found mostly in the north and east sections of the state (Dallas).  In western Texas, thinner sauces that feature hot peppers can be found.  These sauces are often added only at the very end of the barbecuing or grilling process.  And then, in southern Texas, the barbecue sauce of choice features an emphasis on Mexican spices and, of course, jalapeno peppers!  Make sure to have a cold beverage handy to put out the fire!For a large selection of barbecue sauces, I find Harmons has a huge selection (see the photo below. There are more on the shelves above and below). They even have two Utah BBQ sauces. Enjoy your barbecue! Next come spices!

06.05.2026

Taking Dinner Outdoors? Americans Get Their Grills On - Our first recipe

While nearly everyone in America grills, not everyone is comfortable barbecuing more than the basics. Here's an approach to grilling you can "steak" your reputation on: Neighborhood grocery stores can help make the outdoor cooking experience easier by providing everything a griller needs under one roof. The Great Grilling program at Safeway features recipes, tools and high-quality ingredients for families that want to create delicious meals on the grill, and their Rancher's Reserve beef is guaranteed tender. The recipes were developed in the test kitchens of Sunset magazine to make it easier for shoppers to grill up a meal on the spur of the moment. Whether using a charcoal or gas grill, having the right accessories on hand makes for easy and safe grilling-and even easier cleanup. A wide spatula, extra-long tongs, a long-handled brush and a spray bottle with water are the foundation for a great griller's tool kit. Direct-heat grilling is best for thin cuts of meat that cook quickly. It gets them nicely browned on the outside in the short time they take to get done in the middle. Here's a surefire recipe using direct-heat grilling: Flank Steak with Green Olive-Jalape o Tapenade A Mediterranean-inspired tapenade is a flavorful addition to this tender flank steak. Prep time: About 20 minutes Grill time: 13 to 17 minutes, plus 5 minutes to rest off the grill Makes: 4 servings 1 jar (4.5 oz.) Safeway Select Stuffed Jalape o Olives, drained 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 cup coarsely chopped Italian parsley 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel 1/4 cup Safeway Select Verdi Olive Oil 1 Rancher's Reserve Flank Steak (about 11/2 lb.) Prepare barbecue grill and preheat for direct-heat cooking. For charcoal grill, before you put the grill over the hot coals, brush it with a medium coat of oil; for gas grill, when hot, brush grill with a medium coat of oil.Rinse olives and drain well. Combine olives, garlic, parsley, rosemary, lemon peel and oil in a food processor and pulse until mixture forms a fine paste. Set aside 1/2 cup of the tapenade mixture for seasoning meat; reserve remainder for serving or another use.Rinse flank steak and pat dry. With the tip of a sharp knife, make shallow diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart over one side of steak, then make cuts perpendicular to the first to create a diamond pattern. Repeat on other side of steak.Spread 1/2 cup of the olive mixture on both sides of steak to coat evenly.Lay steak on oiled grill over a solid bed of hot coals or high heat on a gas grill. Keep charcoal grill uncovered; close lid on gas grill. Cook steak until browned on the bottom (lift edge with tongs to check), 8 to 10 minutes. With tongs or a wide spatula, turn steak and continue to cook until done as desired, about 2 minutes longer for rare (red in center; cut to test) or 4 minutes longer for medium-rare (pink in center).Transfer steak to a clean platter or rimmed carving board and let rest about 5 minutes, then cut in thin, slanting slices across the grain to serve. Offer remaining tapenade to add to the meat to taste. Beverage suggestions: A spicy, plummy zinfandel; a hoppy, English-style pale ale; or peppermint iced tea. Tools: Grater (for peel), strainer or colander, measuring cups and spoons, food processor, paper towels, sharp knife, spatula for spreading, heatproof brush for oiling grill, tongs or wide spatula, platter or rimmed carving board. Beverage suggestions: A spicy, plummy zinfandel; a hoppy, English-style pale ale; or peppermint iced tea. Tools: Grater (for peel), strainer or colander, measuring cups and spoons, food processor, paper towels, sharp knife, spatula for spreading, heatproof brush for oiling grill, tongs or wide spatula, platter or rimmed carving board. nearly eWhile nearly everyone in America grills, not everyone is comfortable barbecuing more than the basics. Here's an approach to grilling you can "steak" your reputation on: Neighborhood grocery stores can help make the outdoor cooking experience easier by providing everything a griller needs under one roof. The Great Grilling program at Safeway features recipes, tools and high-quality ingredients for families that want to create delicious meals on the grill, and their Rancher's Reserve beef is guaranteed tender. The recipes were developed in the test kitchens of Sunset magazine to make it easier for shoppers to grill up a meal on the spur of the moment. Whether using a charcoal or gas grill, having the right accessories on hand makes for easy and safe grilling-and even easier cleanup. A wide spatula, extra-long tongs, a long-handled brush and a spray bottle with water are the foundation for a great griller's tool kit. Direct-heat grilling is best for thin cuts of meat that cook quickly. It gets them nicely browned on the outside in the short time they take to get done in the middle. Here's a surefire recipe using direct-heat grilling: veryone in America grills, not everyone is comfortable barbecuing more than the basics. Here's an approach to grilling you can "steak" your reputation on: Neighborhood grocery stores can help make the outdoor cooking experience easier by providing everything a griller needs under one roof. The Great Grilling program at Safeway features recipes, tools and high-quality ingredients for families that want to create delicious meals on the grill, and their Rancher's Reserve beef is guaranteed tender. The recipes were developed in the test kitchens of Sunset magazine to make it easier for shoppers to grill up a meal on the spur of the moment. Whether using a charcoal or gas grill, having the right accessories on hand makes for easy and safe grilling-and even easier cleanup. A wide spatula, extra-long tongs, a long-handled brush and a spray bottle with water are the foundation for a great griller's tool kit. Direct-heat grilling is best for thin cuts of meat that cook quickly. It gets them nicely browned on the outside in the short time they take to get done in the middle. Here's a surefire recipe using direct-heat grilling:

06.02.2026

Grilling Hamburgers and Sittin' on an Old Ice Cream Freezer

Grilling hamburgers is one of my earliest backyard grilling memories. Our Family would get together, usually on the weekends, and have a hamburger and ice cream supper, as we say here in Utah. I can fondly remember sitting on top of the old ice cream freezer while my Dad and Grandpa took turns at spinning the old hand crank attached to the water-soaked wooden ice bucket. It was years before we got a motorized freezer, but you couldn’t sit on that.My dad was one of the first to buy a covered grill that used charcoal bricks. We cooked hamburgers and hot dogs most weekends on the patio. It was some delicious eating. The ice cream would be flavored most of the time with a can of crushed peaches or strawberries. Or, just maybe, someone would have given us some fresh ripe peaches to mash and toss into the vanilla ice cream mixture.Cooking out then was a real big treat for the entire family, always with a lot of laughter, running, and playing.Grilling the hamburgers soon became my responsibility, even though I was only about 14 years old at the time. Carefully building the charcoal fire in that old grill we had was a test of my better Boy Scout skills. Once the charcoal was covered in a fine white ash, the grilling could begin. It sometimes took hours because of the wind.The ice cream was being packed in more ice mixed with a generous amount of rock salt mixture to be allowed to season, while we all ate our terrific-tasting hamburgers always topped with lettuce, red ripe tomatoes, and onions. The catsup bottle would be passed around as everyone would take their turn, shaking or popping the bottom of the bottle to get the thick tomato sauce from the jar. Mustard was always there as well.I remember when Dad got the first gas grill. We were up and grilling in about 5 minutes.My grandpa sometimes would come make ribs, good tender slabs of ribs with the meat falling off the bone, slathered with a generous portion of smoky barbecue sauce. They are quite delicious, giving a nice smoky flavor to your food. And it was finger-lickin’ good!Today we use many things to garnish a hamburger - Guacamole is also a favorite topping with just about any grilled meat, especially beef, pork, or chicken. Creaming those fresh ripe avocados together with diced garden ripe tomatoes, and chopped green onions. Season your delicious concoction with a squeeze of fresh lime juice, toss in some cilantro, salt, and pepper, and call it a meal by itself.Thick juicy T-Bone steaks are a great treat as well as chicken fajitas. Fun to do because everyone gets to pile their own into a large flour tortilla made just to suit them.Yes grilling today is just as much fun today as it was when I was growing up. The old three legged grill has long since been tossed onto the trash heap. Replaced with a big cast iron wood smoker and grill, sure I have a handy gas grill for almost daily use but nothing is better than firing up the old trusty smoker.My great nieces and nephews are now the ones running and playing. They are always beaming with delight as the scoops of homemade fresh peach ice cream is served up with one of "Nana's" homemade cookies.Someday though I think I will pull out the old hand cranked ice cream freezer. After all, they are missing one of the best parts of the family cookout. Sitting on the old freezer, holding it down while their Dad, Uncle and Granddad take turns cranking the old beast.I wonder if they would sit still that long?

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