At Home with

Compliments of Kowalski’s
October 2013
the joy of good food
At Home with
Kowalski’S
a season of celebration
Our All-Time Favorite
Signature Items
kowalski’s
through
the years
The Kowalski’s 30th
Anniversary Cookbook
special
30 anniversaryissue
th
w w w . ko w a l s k i s . co m
thoughts from the
kowalski’s
Thank You!
There always seems
like so much to say, and yet here the only thing we
really can say is “Thank you!”
Lyndale Market
5327 Lyndale Avenue S.
612-822-2935
[email protected]
Uptown Market & wine shop
2440 Hennepin Avenue
612-377-3448
[email protected]
Mary Anne, Kris and all of us at Kowalski’s Markets!
Parkview Market
5615 Chicago Avenue S.
612-824-2430
[email protected]
www.kowalskis.com
The Kowalski family and the entire staff appreciates
how generous, caring and kind our customers have
been to us through this recent difficult time.
store calendar
White Bear Lake Market
4391 S. Lake Avenue
651-429-5913
[email protected]
Woodbury Market & wine shop
8505 Valley Creek Road
651-578-8800
[email protected]
We could never have guessed what was in store for
us when we opened our first market on Grand Avenue
in the summer of 1983, but we are very thankful for
your loyal business during the intervening years.
You’re not just our customers; you are our neighbors
and our friends, and we thank you sincerely for sharing
these first 30 years with us. We can’t say it enough.
Thank you. It’s been a joy.
KOWALSKI’S HOLIDAY
ENTERTAINING EVENT
Saturday, November 9th at all locations
from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Grand Avenue Market
1261 Grand Avenue
651-698-3366
[email protected]
Eden Prairie Market
16500 W. 78th Street
952-937-9585
[email protected]
9
Stillwater Market
& wine shop
5801 Neal Avenue N.
651-439-9161
[email protected]
KOWALSKI’S HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, December 7th at all locations
from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
EAGAN Market & wine shop
1646 Diffley Road
651-328-8300
[email protected]
through the years
1983 Kowalski’s purchased a 22,000-square-foot market, a former Red Owl store on Grand
Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota
1986 Kowalski’s purchased a 27,000-square-foot market, a former Red Owl store in White Bear
Lake, Minnesota
1991 Kowalski’s opened their Central Bakery and Kitchen in Mahtomedi, Minnesota
1993 Kowalski’s built a freestanding Cub Foods franchise in White Bear
Township, Minnesota
2000 K
owalski’s opened their first freestanding store, built from the ground up, a 48,000-squarefoot market in Woodbury, Minnesota
2002 Kowalski’s acquired GJ’s Supervalu markets in Minneapolis, which included the Hennepin
(18,000 square feet), Lyndale (18,000 square feet) and Parkview (12,000 square feet)
neighborhood markets
2004
Kowalski’s acquired a 16,000-square-foot market in a former Driskill’s New Market in Eden
Prairie, Minnesota
2005 Kowalski’s opened a 40,000-square-foot market in Oak Park Heights/Stillwater, Minnesota
2008 Kowalski’s opened a 36,000-square-foot market in Eagan, Minnesota including the first
Wine Shop and Catering by Kowalski’s
2010
The Wine Shop opened at the Woodbury market
2012
Wine Shops were opened at the Hennepin and Stillwater markets
A special thank you to SuperValu and Kemps for sponsoring
our 30th Anniversary issue of At Home with Kowalski’s.
Page 2
Editor-IN-CHIEF
Rachael Perron
Culinary Director,
Kowalski’s Markets
[email protected]
651-796-6043
proofreader
Rachel Carlson, Kowalski’s Markets
Design & Layout
Hooker & Company
www.hookerandcompany.com
Food Stylist
Maggie Stopera
www.maggiethefoodstylist.com
Printing & Production
Visual Expressions
612-729-1649
Photographer
Phil Aarrestad
www.philaarrestadphoto.com
© Kowalski’s Companies, 2013
All Rights Reserved.
www.kowalskis.com
kowalski’s
There are wines great for everyday drinking, and there
are wines worthy of a celebration. Whether you are
hosting a party or looking for a giftable bottle, these
are our wine picks worth a little splurge, with Brian’s
insights as to what makes them the right choice:
Wine Shops
SPARKLING WINES
S
ince the Kowalskis opened their first Wine Shop in the Eagan
Market in 2008, the now four stores have become destinations
for wine lovers looking for interesting wines and, very importantly,
great counsel on both pairings and information about what makes
each of our wines unique. At the heart of that effort is Kowalski’s
Wine Expert, Brian Mallie.
Delamotte Blanc de Blancs
This small-production Champagne made from
100% Chardonnay grapes is a multilayered,
sophisticated choice.
Chaput Brut
This creamy, mouthfilling Champagne stands up to
the big boys at a fantastic price.
Before coming to Kowalski’s, Brian worked in several well-known
restaurants around town as well as some of the Twin Cities’
largest and most innovative wine retail companies – experiences
which have given Brian an extensive knowledge of both local and
national wine suppliers and their inventories. And while Brian takes
his job very seriously, he admits there are perks to his job.
WHITE WINES
Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
This organically grown Chardonnay excels
balancing California’s power with unrivaled elegance
and nuance.
Emilio Rojo Ribeiro
Spain’s greatest white wine is as compelling as it
is ageable.
Nino Negri Ca’ Brione
This Italian white wine from the Lombardy region is
one of Italy’s shining stars.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
This is the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that started
it all. It’s a must with shellfish.
RED WINES
Raimondi Amarone della Valpolicella
This voluptuous Italian red is as delicious by itself as it
is with a rack of lamb.
Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape Generous and aromatic, this is an absolute textbook
example of a rich southern French red.
Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus
Extraordinarily skilled blending has created
something special and separates this Meritage from
lesser Cabernet blends.
DESSERT WINES
BLUEBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE
SPINACH SALAD
4 oz. log cranberry goat cheese,
crumbled, or more to taste
5 oz. Kowalski’s 50/50 Organic
Spring Mix & Baby Spinach
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 pt. fresh blueberries
- Salad Girl Blueberry Basil Salad
Dressing, to taste
- Kowalski’s Honey Toasted Pecans,
chopped, for garnish
In a large mixing or salad bowl, combine first 4 ingredients. Add dressing;
toss. Garnish with pecans; serve immediately. Serves 8.
Notes:
• Our Wine Expert recommends a dry Riesling, such as Clean Slate, with
this salad.
• Find cranberry goat cheese (or substitute a favorite flavor) in the Imported
Cheese Department.
Selection and availability of products and ingredients vary by market.
Page 3
Isole e Olena Vin Santo
One of Tuscany’s finest dessert wines has flavors that
linger on the palate for what seems like an eternity.
Tuyttens Sauternes
Nothing puts the exclamation point on a great meal
like a glass of Sauternes, the great dessert wine of
Bordeaux.
Visit the Wine Shop in our Woodbury, Stillwater,
Hennepin and Eagan Markets for professional
assistance in selecting wines for any menu or
occasion. For wine pairing suggestions at any time,
please contact our Wine Expert, Brian Mallie,
at 612-418-7043.
www.kowalskis.com
“It’s not unusual to have sampled close to a thousand wines in a
month as I search for quality wines to bring Kowalski’s customers,”
says Brian. “This gives me the chance to select wines in a wide
price range to satisfy the taste and budget of every shopper. This
is my dream job, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
I
getting
Personal
n this special issue of At Home with Kowalski’s, it’s not about me. It’s about a celebration!
And what’s a celebration without a cake? This festive creation is inspired by our Signature
Champagne Cake, the most festive of our offerings, with a praline pecan twist (my favorite flavor
of ice cream – and my recommendation for serving with this recipe,
too!). It’s all made super-easy when you start with a boxed cake mix
and our Family Favorite Icing.
Warmly,
Rachael
www.kowalskis.com
You can reach me at [email protected], find me on
Facebook or follow my tweets. I’m Twittering as @chefRachael.
PRALINE PECAN CARAMEL
CHAMPAGNE CAKE
1 boxed white cake mix with ingredients to make the cake,
substituting Champagne for the water called for in the recipe
3 cups Kowalski’s Family Favorite Caramel Icing, at
room temperature, divided
¼cup Stonewall Kitchen Dulce de Leche Sauce, divided
5 oz. Kowalski’s Honey Toasted Pecans, finely chopped, divided
Prepare cake according to pkg. directions in two 8" round nonstick cake pans (bottoms only lined with parchment). Cool cakes
in pans 30 min. Run a flat spatula around the edge of the pans
and remove cakes (with parchment still attached) to wire racks
to cool completely. Remove parchment from cake layers and
place bottom layer on a cake plate. Spread 1 cup of icing on top
of first layer; sprinkle with ¼ cup nuts. Drizzle with half of the
dulce de leche. Top with the second layer; cover top of cake with
another cup of icing. Ice sides of cake with the remaining icing.
Press ¾ cup nuts into sides of cake. Drizzle top of cake with
remaining dulce de leche; sprinkle with remaining nuts. Let
stand at room temperature 30 min. before serving.
Serves 8.
Notes:
• About ½ hr. before frosting the cake, place cake layers in the
freezer to help keep them from crumbling while you frost them.
• Find Kowalski’s Family Favorite Icing in the Bakery
Department in the Cake Case.
•F
ind Kowalski’s Honey Toasted Pecans in the Bulk
Foods Section.
Page 4
rachael’s HOT list:
What I’m
buying now
Barolo wine
Parsnips
Bartlett pears
Monte Enebro cheese
Baby kale
Kowalski’s Pancake Mix
Frozen brown rice
Veggie chips
Yellow cornmeal
Kowalski’s Yellow Corn
Tortilla Chips
Kowalski’s Bacon
Kowalski’s Chocolate
Chunk Cookies
K
one
call
does it all
owalski’s has been sharing the Joy of Good Food in our markets for 30 years, but our
newest venture is but a few years old. In 2008, Kowalski’s launched Catering by Kowalski’s,
a full-service catering company pairing the same top-quality products and services found in each
of Kowalski’s nine Twin Cities markets with complete, expert event coordination. Whether you’re
planning a simple or simply spectacular corporate gathering, entertaining in your home, planning
a wedding or celebrating one of life’s most special occasions, Kowalski’s can provide everything
you need to make your event easy, tasteful and memorable.
Event planning begins at Kowalski’s, where in a single stop staff can assist clients in coordinating
any event (including linens and other rentals) with an experienced, professionally uniformed
service team. We combine the best of the catering menu with delicious and beautiful party trays,
special-order bakery, flowers from our award-winning floral program and wine from one of our
four Wine Shops.
Our secret recipe is presentation, menu and service, customized for every client and event in
keeping with their unique needs and requests. To place an order or to consult with any of our
event coordinators, contact us at 1-888-972-7890.
The Catering by Kowalski’s menu combines top-notch technique with an appreciation
for fresh, flavorful, healthful foods and a taste for modern style and easy
sophistication. Our chef-crafted menu, designed and overseen by Chef Amy Elliott,
features these flavorful selections that will wow your guests this season:
Mini Pork Shanks
Harissa Beef Skewers
Herbed Goat Cheese Tartlets with Ginger Pear Compote
Gourmet Short Rib Sliders with Guinness Onion Rings
Cajun Tenderloin Bites with Tempura Onion Rings
Scallop Ceviche Served in Mini Martini Glasses
Beef and Boursin Crostini
Roasted Red Pepper and Corn Dip
Stuffed Mushrooms
(Sausage and Gouda or Artichoke and Parmesan)
Jamaican Jerk Rubbed Mini Pork Shanks
Eggnog and White Peppermint Dessert Shooters
Mini Tartlets
(Chocolate Truffle, Bourbon Maple Pecan or Fresh Fruit)
did you know?
All of the unique, specialty and gourmet products
available in our markets are also available through
Catering by Kowalski’s.
Page 5
www.kowalskis.com
menu highlights
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www.kowalskis.com
e’d like to say it surprises us when people claim our Gift Department as their favorite
department in our store, but quite honestly, it’s not a surprise at all. We’re just as
guilty as you of lingering to look when we’ve stopped in for just a few steaks for dinner. Our
homes are filled with tchotchkes both handsome and humorous. We, too, wear scarves and
bracelets and all kinds of fashionable jewelry from our boutique. Mark Wachter, Director of
the Gift and Floral Departments, works closely with local artists and designers as well as local
distributors to search out gifts and housewares that are uniquely beautiful, stylish, whimsical
or even slightly eccentric to offer Kowalski’s customers. It’s a special facet of our business
that makes shopping Kowalski’s all the more fun (as if it could be!) and makes the Gift and
Marketplace selection hard to resist.
Each of our markets has a unique selection of Gift and Marketplace Departments tailored
to the tastes of the community around it. Department leaders take a role in getting to know
their customers to inform their selection appropriately. Frasier Fir from Thymes has been a
customer favorite for years, and it returns to all markets this month. This perennially favorite
home fragrance collection smells of crisp Siberian fir, heartening cedarwood and relaxing
sandalwood with undertones of floral musk. It’s available in candles, cleaners, hand lotion
and more.
in fall
Bloom
Whether it is an exquisite arrangement customdesigned by our award-winning floral team or
a spontaneous purchase to brighten your day,
Kowalski’s flowers are always an excellent value.
The same care that goes into buying meat, produce,
and great all natural and local products in every
corner of each market also goes into crafting a
seasonal selection that is the freshest in town. Here
are some of our favorite flowers that are in bloom
this season:
Sunflowers are symbols of
strength and vibrancy. These extralarge, long-stemmed beauties in
orange, red, maroon, yellow and
other sunset and harvest colors
are a staple of a classic fall
floral arrangement.
Chrysanthemums can look somewhat daisylike, depending on their variety. They make great
bedding plants, and there are several varieties
of long-stemmed mums that make great filler for
cut arrangements. Mums come in a range of fall
shades, from yellow and gold to deep, rich reds.
Planted outdoors as late as October, pansies will
survive fairly well into temperatures in the 20s.
More of a bedding or planter-box choice, they’re
not well suited to cut arrangements. Pansies are
available in a wide variety of colors.
Dahlias are vibrant, sunny
flowers that fall somewhere
between daisies and carnations.
Some dahlias feature a modern
honeycomb design, which makes
a nice contrast with classic
“smooth” flowers like roses and
tulips. Inexpensive but attention-getting dahlias are
some of the most popular fall flowers for a wedding.
Hardy snapdragon stems prefer cooler weather
and come in a wide variety of colors.
Ornamental kale makes a great bedding plant,
and some varieties also make interesting textural
additions to cut arrangements. They are often
available in various shades of green, white, violet
and dark purple to rosy pink.
did you know?
We consider our customers to be stakeholders, too.
We encourage their feedback and have held consumer
group meetings at every market since 1983.
Page 6
Selection and availability of products and ingredients
vary by market.
in the
kitchen with
kowalski’s
F
amily recipes have been a fundamental element of the
Kowalski’s customer experience and a key point of
difference for Kowalski’s since the very beginning. Recipes for
some of our all-time best-selling and most beloved foods
originated in the kitchens of the Kowalski’s, or in those of our
families and our family of employees. From Grandma Betty’s
Famous Chip Dip and Aunt Nettie’s Potato Salad to Mary Anne’s
Family Favorite Buttercream Icing, we’ve been sharing our best
with you from day one.
The Kowalski’s 30th
Anniversary Cookbook
presents a special celebratory collection of more
than 300 of Kowalski’s best recipes, including several
never-before-published but often-requested recipes
like Kowalski’s Coffee Cake (a la Mary Anne’s), Thai
Peanut Chicken Pasta Salad, Krispy Kale and Craisin
Salad, Veggie Lasagna and many, many more.
In it you’ll also find Kowalski’s Signature recipes,
Good Foods for Good Health recipes, as well as fast
and easy recipes for any meal or occasion.
Loaded with culinary tips, tricks and ideas and some
of the most stunning food photography from
Kowalski’s history, this is a volume every Twin Citian
will want to add to their collection.
did you know?
The Kowalski’s 30th Anniversary Cookbook is the
Kowalski’s first published recipe collection. This limitededition book presents a special celebratory
compilation of some of the best recipes we’ve shared
over the years. It’s our way of saying thank you for
bringing us into your homes and your kitchens over the
past 30 years. We look forward to sharing more
delicious foods and recipe ideas with you
in the years to come.
SMOKED TURKEY AND PEAR QUESADILLAS
8 (10" diameter) Kowalski’s Flour Tortillas
8 oz. thinly sliced smoked turkey
1 Bosc pear, cored and thinly sliced
2 cups shredded or thinly sliced Kowalski’s Havarti Cheese (about 8 oz.)
- pastry brush
- canola oil
Layer one side of each tortilla with an equal amount of turkey, pear
slices and cheese, leaving a ½" border. Fold tortillas in half; press gently.
Using pastry brush, very lightly brush both sides of each tortilla with a
bit of oil. Heat nonstick griddle over medium heat; cook tortillas, 2 or 3
at a time, until cheese melts and tortilla turns golden and lightly crispy,
turning once (about 4 min. total). Let rest 1 min. before cutting each
quesadilla in half.
Serves 8.
Page 7
Selection and availability of products and ingredients vary by market.
www.kowalskis.com
As these “Family Favorite” recipes became popular in every
market and every department, customers began to ask for them
– stopping in, calling or emailing, oftentimes to get a second or
third copy of a favorite Kowalski’s recipe card that they’d held on
to for years and misplaced. The recipe card program has been
a unique facet of the relationship between Kowalski’s and our
customers for years. Card kiosks in each store are often the first
place customers stop to find new favorite recipes to add to their
collections at home. We’ve always been happy to share our best
recipes – on the cards, in At Home with Kowalski’s and in our
electronic newsletter (“In Touch with Kowalski’s”), as well as on
the company website and through various other media.
the joy of good food
30 years
of Kowalski’s Signature Products
S
ignature Items include items which are based on Kowalski’s family recipes and
uniquely developed recipes that have withstood the test of time as well as products
sold under our own label and many, many items available only at Kowalski’s. Among
these are such customer favorites as Kowalski’s 100% Pure Honey, Kowalski’s Fresh
Pasta, Kowalski’s Chicken Noodle Soup and one of our all-time best sellers – Kowalski’s
Pizza Sauce. At Kowalski’s, we’re always on the hunt for products that are of exceptional
quality and taste. We delight in creating Signature Products that we are proud to put our
name on. We love them and are sure that you and your family will love them, too!
kowalski’s favorite
signature items
These are some of our all-time favorite Signature Products:
Grocery
Kowalski’s Coffee
Kowalski’s Sea Salt Caramels
Kowalski’s Cheese Popcorn
Bakery
Kowalski’s Morning Buns
Kowalski’s Family Favorite Cakes
Kowalski’s Signature Homestyle Cookies
Dairy/Frozen
Kowalski’s Organic Eggs
Kowalski’s Cheese
Kowalski’s Hummus
Meat and Seafood
Kowalski’s Kalbi Marinade
Kowalski’s Bacon
Kowalski’s North Woods Grill Seasoning
Produce
Kowalski’s Fresh Cuts, including Mango
Salsa and Cubed Butternut Squash
Kowalski’s Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
Floral
Kowalski’s Signature Seasonal Bouquets
Imported Cheese
Kowalski’s Caseificio di Cavola 993
Parmesan Cheese
Kowalski’s Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
TORTELLONI SKEWERS
9 o z. pkg. Kowalski’s 4 Cheese
Tortelloni, cooked according
to pkg. directions, cooled
1 c up Kowalski’s Italian
Viniagrette
8 o z. Kowalski’s Provolone
Cheese, cubed in about 30 pieces
1 pt. grape tomatoes
8 o z. jar Kowalski’s Kalamata
Olives, drained
8 oz. jar Kowalski’s Queen
Pitted Olives, drained
8 oz. chunk Boar’s Head Salami,
cubed in about 30 pieces
4 oz. chunk Boar’s Head
Pepperoni, cubed or sliced in
about 30 pieces
- Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- freshly ground Kowalski’s
California Sea Salt and Black
Peppercorns
In a large mixing bowl, gently toss tortelloni with dressing; cover
and refrigerate 30 min. to overnight. Alternate marinated pasta
with remaining ingredients on 4-5" bamboo skewers or party
picks. Arrange on a serving platter; drizzle with oil and sprinkle
with salt and pepper.
Makes about 30.
Deli
Kowalski’s Salsa di Parma
Kowalski’s Rotisserie Chicken
Kowalski’s Cashew Chicken Salad
Aunt Nettie’s Potato Salad
Kowalski’s “Keep in Touch” program regularly offers the opportunity for customers to
try Signature items with our compliments via a postcard mailed approximately every six
weeks to the customer’s home. Information on how you can join the “Keep in Touch”
program is available in your local market.
Note:
This is a flexible recipe – alternate the ingredients you like. Other great
ingredients to try include: Kowalski’s Fresh Basil leaves, cubed Parrano®
cheese (in the Imported Cheese Department), pepperoncini, Peppadew®
peppers or marinated mushrooms (on the Olive Bar) and bite-sized fresh
Mozzarella balls (in the Deli Department).