Artisan Cheese & Cracker Selection
If a 72-lb wheel of cheese seems more likely to end up as a family heirloom than on your dinner plate, consider the more modest portions found in this cheese and cracker selection. Made up of high-quality samples of American and international products, this selection pack includes five different cheeses, two meats and artisan crackers.
This pack makes a fantastic larder stock, and takes up so little space that it’s perfect for those with even a small (or non-existent!) pantry.
Japanese Wagyu New York Strip Loin Roast
Literally translated, “Wagyu” simply means Japanese cow. But behind that simple term is a cut of beef widely regarded as the most tender, most flavorful steak in the world. Japanese cattle ranchers pass down the secrets of care and feeding from one generation to the next, and all Wagyu meat is strictly graded on a 12 point scale before reaching the market. The Wagyu cuts sold at Costco are A5, the highest rating possible.
Of course, very few steaks of this quality hit the market each year, and that means that the cost is dramatically different from a standard steak. At over $90 per pound, this is a gourmet treat best left for special occasions. But serving your guests a Wagyu steak is a rare and wonderful experience. So tune up your grill and break out the fine china, and you’ll have the center-piece of a dinner that will leave your friends talking for years to come.
Plaza Osetra Golden Farmed Sturgeon Caviar
Is there any dish more synonymous with “gourmet” than caviar? Pick up this luxurious Bulgarian treat at your local Costco, or have it vacuum sealed and shipped straight to your door.
Costco rotates their caviar selection, as the best grade varies seasonally, so you can be sure that you’re getting the ideal match for your gourmet cravings. Caviar bundles wonderfully with some of the other items on this list, and its distinctive, glossy shine means it looks great on a homemade serving tray.
D’Artagnan Spanish Mangalica Dry-cured Boneless Ham
This is no ordinary ham! Mangalica pigs are native to the mountainous regions of Hungary, an ornery breed who require an extensive-ranging area and great care to bring to harvestable age. The Spanish farmers of D’Artagnan have perfected their techniques to ensure rich flavor in each and every cut of their signature ham.
This dry-cured specialty can be used in any dish that calls for ham, but excels as a stand-alone appetizer, especially when paired with cheese or sides of equal quality. Sharpen your knives and enjoy a slice of high-end gourmet flavor.
Kirkland Signature Sockeye Salmon
Even gourmet chefs have to improvise on occasion, and that’s a great reason to keep a supply of canned Sockeye Salmon on hand. Tinned fully cooked, this salmon is a wild-caught delicacy straight from the Alaskan wilderness. Because it’s canned, it doesn’t need to be refrigerated until opened and makes for a great stand-by in case of unexpected guests or if another meal plan falls through. Substitute tuna for salmon in these amazing canned tuna recipes!
Delicious right out of the can, it’s a fantastic way to up the overall quality of a simple meal, like turning family dinner night into a gourmet experience with fish tacos served in a hand-crafted maple taco holder.
Bubba’s Q De-Boned Baby Back Pork Rib Steaks
For anyone who thinks that “gourmet” has to mean difficult, look no further than these pre-prepped rib steaks. Bone-free and astonishingly tender, these ribs have already been hand de-boned and cooked in a succulent Carolina sauce before being frozen and vacuum-packed to ensure freshness.
Whether you’ve had a long day, or simply haven’t had a chance to repair a broken grill, these Bubba’s Q rib steaks from Costco are a way to enjoy a quality meal without sweating over a stove.
Rastelli Market Fresh Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
As any foodie can tell you, there are crab cakes, and then there are crab cakes! These Rastelli cakes are the real deal, with high-grade blue crab meat, handmade right here in the USA. The Costco crab cakes are packaged uncooked, vacuum-sealed for freshness and can be stored for up to a year before being prepared.
In true Costco fashion, each package contains twenty cakes, so you’ll have enough to feed an entire gathering. You can also make this classic crab cakes recipe at home.
Fresh Peeled Rainbow Carrots
So far we’ve mostly looked at animal products. But the true gourmet knows that quality ingredients include proper attention to the veggies, as well!
These farm-fresh carrots come in a rainbow of colors, making an eye-catching display while never surrendering an ounce of flavor. Even better, Costco understands that people don’t love peeling veggies (here’s how to peel carrots if you need some pointers). So these carrots all come pre-peeled and ready for the pot.
Ruta Maya Organic Jiguanà Whole Bean Coffee
There’s nothing better than a hot cup of coffee to get your day off to a caffeinated kick-start. But there’s no reason to settle for just any coffee. Sure, you can grit your teeth and choke down a stale drive-through cup of joe, but why not upgrade your mornings with a mug of gourmet flavor?
Whether you’re an early morning coffee drinker or want a pairing for a decadent dessert, this whole-bean Arabica is a perfect choice. USDA Certified Organic and full of rich taste, this is a great go-to for yourself or for guests. Brew it up at your coffee bar to step up your presentation and impress your guests!
Northwest Fish Wild Red King Crab
Fresh crab is one of the true delicacies of the world, especially if paired with the simple taste of butter. This gourmet treat from Costco is caught wild, plucked from the chill waters of the Bering Sea. It’s then cooked and frozen, capturing its flavor at the height of freshness and mouth-watering taste. Costco buyers then select the largest and most delectable legs and claws, bundling them up and distributing to a store near you.
Balanced Eating Pack
Why settle for just one gourmet treat when you can have seven? The Balanced Eating Pack is loaded with delicious, top grade foods, from main course centerpieces to side dish staples.
Costco offers a number of these gourmet groupings, each one of them with a variety of ingredients that are sure to appeal to your inner foodie. Whether you want chicken breast or salmon steaks for your high-tech grill or a frozen fruit bar for a healthy snack, these balanced food packs are an easy and affordable way to build up a pantry with high-quality food choices. By the way, these are the things you haven’t tried on a grill but should.
Whole Wheel Parmigiano Reggiano, 72 lbs
There’s just something about a full wheel of cheese that gives the room an instant air of artisan legitimacy. Bring a sense of style to your pantry or kitchen with this whopping 72-lb. wheel of parmigiano cheese. And as a bonus, it’s a bit of design flair you can actually eat!
Aged for a minimum of two years before leaving Italy for the Costco warehouses, this wheel of sharp and delicious cheese is a classic complement to a variety of pastas and meats. Or enjoy it on its own, paired with a wine such as Merlot or Pinot Grigio. (And if you realize you’re missing a corkscrew, see this list of six alternate ways to open a bottle of wine.)
Organic Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is a fairly recent addition to the kitchens of health-conscious foodies. Juice the blades to create a stand-alone shot of wellness or blend into a more complex smoothie to moderate the intensity of the flavor.
This large tray of Costco wheatgrass allows you to cultivate it right in your home and enjoy its benefits year-round. Of course, it also makes a fun and whimsical centerpiece for living space decoration.
Mixed Mushrooms
Depending on where you live, there are often options for growing your own high-quality vegetables. But for most people, the process of growing mushrooms remains shrouded in darkness and mystery.
So unless you want to pick up a new hobby, it’s far easier to stop by your local Costco and pick up a selection of gourmet mushrooms. Pictured here is a collection of four types of mushrooms, including King Trumpet, Maitake and both brown and white Shimeji mushrooms. Each of them has unique qualities that make for exquisite pairings with seafood or red meat or prepared as stand-alone treats. Just don’t make these mushroom cooking mistakes.
Live Maine Lobster
There are few things more iconic than Maine fishermen hauling in catches of live lobsters. For decades, live lobster was a delicacy only available to those in the rugged northeast or who had the budget to arrange for the rapid, refrigerated transport of these delicious animals.
But today, companies like Costco have the robust infrastructure to get live lobster to your table. These Maine lobsters are shipped out the same day they reach the docks. Packed in specially insulated boxes, they ship complete with frozen gel packs and instructions for preparation and dining. And as a bonus tip: don’t drop those shells down the garbage disposal!
The post 15 Incredible Gourmet Foods You Can Buy at Costco appeared first on Taste of Home.
Dan Stout