THANK YOU GRILLFRIENDS!

I would just like to extend personal thanks to Christine Ferris (in the foreground) and Erin Van Epps our Market Chef for all their hard work and effort in putting together a great event for Grand River Grocery. Thank you “Grillfriends!”

Posted by Georgia • Wed, August 13, 2008 - 9:48 am

GRILLFRIENDS GRILL DINNER

It was a picture perfect evening Thursday, August 7 where the view overlooking the Thornapple River was only outdone by the culinary genius of Consulting Chef, Christine Ferris and our in market chef Erin Van Epps.

All recipes are posted on our website for the menu below:

Cheese and Antipasto Platter for starters

Grilled Mussels served with Grilled Foccacia with Rosemary and Olives

Grilled Radicchio Salad

Smoked Pork Tenderloin served with Grilled Persian Feta Polenta, topped with Smoked Tomatoes

Grilled Peaches served with Palazollo’s Tahitian Vanilla Gelato

Posted by Georgia • Sat, August 09, 2008 - 6:50 am

SHADOWLAND - THE BEE PEOPLE IN WHITE CLOUD!

Introducing Shadowland, one of our newest Michigan purveyors. Their expertise is in honey, beeswax candles, and trees. Shadowland is very passionate about nature and the benefits nature provides. Did you know that 100% beeswax candles emit negative ions when burned? Pure beeswax candles burn the dust and toxic debris from the air, as the positive and negative ions bind together and drop to the floor to be swept or vacuumed away, so we are not breathing it into our bodies. They are proven to be beneficial for people who have allergies, environmental sensitivities, or just too much stress in their lives. Their line of beeswax candles burn beautifully while doing “good work” in our homes.

We’re also carrying their cedar planks that will give a sweet, smoky flavor when grilling your favorite meats and veggies. Shadowland also hasmoking chips, which give a similar flavor to your grilled meats and vegetables. We carry cherry, apple, and sassafras flavors. Shadowland is also known for planting trees. We have their Tree Seed Kits available that you can plant in memory of someone, in honor of your children (the tree grows as they do!) or just because you love nature too. The trees kits we have available are White Spruce, White Pine, and Tamarack. These make very cool environmentally friendly gifts.

Shadowland also produces a very nice 100% Michigan honey. Some facts about honey that you might not know are…honey is full of vitamins, essential minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, antimicrobial, and it gives you energy! I hope you’ll stop in and see all these wonderful new items and support the purveyors from Michigan!!!

Posted by Connie • Mon, July 21, 2008 - 9:34 pm

DANCING COW? CREAMERY

Well, our good friend and cheesemaker “extraordinaire” Barbara Jenness (from right here in Byron Center) has really outdone herself now … she is making “cow’s milk” cheese. She’s sourcing milk from the happy cows next door at Farmer Jim’s and is making an aged soft cow’s milk cheese called Midnight Moonlite - and I’m here to tell you - it’s OUTSTANDING! Full flavored and reminiscent of a good camembert this cheese will be on my summer menu. She’s also making “feta” cheese and her “Greek Daze”, feta cheese cubes marinated in herb infused olive oil and tomatoes is another winner. We are very, very fortunate to have a cheesemaker of Barbara’s caliber right here in West Michigan - she has studied with some of America’s finest cheesemakers and is bringing that knowledge to our area and we’re the lucky recipients of her culinary talent. Sorry the picture of her packaging is not that great - I had eaten almost 1/2 the wheel before I photographed (well, I shared with my mom)!

Posted by Georgia • Wed, June 04, 2008 - 3:43 pm

GROOVY GADGETS AT GRAND RIVER GROCERY

I love kitchen gadgets and have been after Georgia to put in a gadget section at the market. My persistence has paid off and as of this week we have a new gadget section near our cafe seating area! We’ve got practical everyday items and we’ve got some really fun, unusual gadgets. Stop in and check them out. Got a question on any of them … I’ve been doing my homework and would be glad to help you out! Gadgets also make a great wedding gift. Elizabeth (our Gift Basket Queen) can put together a custom basket with pantry essentials and gadgets - a gift sure to please a new bride and sure to be used!

Posted by Connie • Thu, April 24, 2008 - 3:42 pm