Posts categorized 'General Interest'

Not your ordinary brown bag!

With school back in session...the brown bag sack lunch is back from summer vacation.

Does the thought of bringing your lunch make you frown? Not looking forward to a less than average sandwich with chips and juice pack 5 days out of the week? Look no further, Central Market Chef Prepared department has limitless lunch options to turn your brown bag lunch into something special. Choose from box lunches complete with sandwich, hand cut fruit salad, fresh baked cookie & pasta salad for under $9 each.

Or want something simple for the kids, chose a box lunch kit. Each lunch comes with a sandwich (choose from peanut butter & jelly, turkey &cheese or ham & cheese) made with fresh baked bakery bread, all natural hand sliced meats & whole milk cheeses. Not to mention a crisp, sweet whole apple, seedless grapes, raisins and baby carrots packaged in a lunchbox complete with handle. 

Speaking of sandwiches, we offer over 10+ different types daily. We hand make our sandwiches every morning on made from scratch artisan breads, all natural meats, whole milk cheeses & crisp lettuce. Try a twist on the classics, choose from a Crossiant Apricot Almond Chicken Salad or Turkey with Havarti Cheese served between two slices of our signature sunflower seed bread or Roast Beef and creamy French Brie.  

Want a light, healthy option? Try a Trio Salad. Each salad contains chicken or tuna salad, crispy hand made crouton rounds, pasta salad & fresh seasonal berries.

And last but not least...our portable Chef Crafted bowls. All you do is pop off the top, heat & eat. A restaurant quality meal for under $7 and served in under 4 minutes. Over 12 different flavors ranging from Asian, Indian & Italian. And do not forget our hand squeezed juices served in 8 ounce portions, yogurt fruit cups, freshly cut fruit & a variety of petite salads.

All of these options turn your lunch into a foodie paradise.

Happy eating! 

 

 

          

 

The Ultimate Hatch Dips, Salsa & Sauces

Hatch is everywhere...up and down the aisles in every Central Market.

But wait...the best Hatch products are available in our Bulk Bar. Try our limited edition,made from scratch Hatch Salsa, Queso, Pesto & Pesto Cream Sauce available now through August 31st.

These exclusive chef crafted recipes feature our signature fire roasted hatch chiles giving these dips and sauces a bit of kick! Our Hatch Salsa & Queso pairs great with Hatch Tortilla Chips or our freshly made Hatch Tortillas from our Bakery (try them while they are still warm!). Even better, serve with fajitas for a unique tex mex treat! 

Try serving the Roasted Hatch Pesto on top of freshly grilled fish or toss with fresh pasta (add roasted corn, diced tomato & fresh cilantro) for a unique meal. Our self service Bulk Bar allows you to grab as much or as little as you wish...try creating your own Hatch Salsa Dip Sampler. Remember...time is running out...scoop up these snack treats before they are gone.

Happy Snacking!      

   

Got Hatch?

Hatch is Back and we are playing BIG in Chef Prepared!

If you are looking for Hatch items...we have it covered! Everything from Hatch fajita wraps, grilled chicken with hatch chile butter, grilled salmon with hatch pesto, assorted hatch sauces, salsas and queso.

Try our Hatch Family Meal available now through August 24th.....a steal at only $14.99 each. Feeds a family for 4 for under $3.99 per person.

A made-from-scratch meal so good you would have thought you cooked it yourself. Each meal contains a Hatch Fire Roasted Chicken, Hatch Twice Baked Potatoes, Hatch Corn Rolls & Romaine and Corn Salsa Salad.

It's a simple dinner solution and a great way to celebrate Hatch! 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Sonata Lilies

We have 3 Stems of Sonata Lilies for $7.99 until Wednesday, August 25th.

What's awesome about these lilies is we are "First to Market" with these amazing flowers.They are a lily crop that was grown exclusively for CM and no other retailer has them. And what a fragrance....one of the varieties smells like cotton candy....Yummmmm. The others also have amazing,  sweet fragrances too.

These lilies have a limited availability. Get them while they last!

Hatch in Austin: Live Music and Hatch this week!

Beers for $2? Honky-tonk? Christian Bale on the big screen while you snack and relax on a blanket? Acoustic guitar? Whatever you fancy, it's likely on the schedule this week.

Check the details below for live entertainment this week at your Austin Central Market stores. Be sure to double check to see if it's happening at Westgate, our south Austin store, or at North Lamar just north of 38th on Lamar.

Bock, BBQ, & the Blues: Shawn Pittman
Wednesday, August 18, 6:30 - 9:00 PM WESTGATE
Every Wednesday the Café is offering a recession-proof evening of entertainment. Mouth-watering barbecue café specials, $2.00 Shiner pints, and blues from local legends. Texas-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Shawn Pittman attended the Albert King / Jimmie Vaughan school of blues guitar playing. He's not flashy, and he realizes the spaces between the notes are as important as the notes themselves. Tone and melody are just as important, to Pittman's way of thinking, than fast and flashy runs up and down the guitar neck.
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101X Summer Movie Series: The Dark Knight
Wednesday, August 18, 8:00 - 11:00 PM NORTH LAMAR
Central Market, Round Rock Hyundai, and 101X have teamed up with the Alamo Draught House Cinema to bring you free summer movie fun. The featured movie on the four story Alamo Draught big movie screen will be "The Dark Knight" (2008) Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and directed by Christopher Nolan. Our Cafe will have lots of meals deals and beer specials. Stop by the Blue Moon Cabana and enjoy $3 Blue Moon Pints. No outside food or beverages will be allowed in our park area. Bring your blankets and enjoy! The 101X Summer Cinema is brought to you by Round Rock Hyundai, Gold’s Gym, and Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Que. 
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Live Music: Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces
Thursday, August 19, 6:30 - 9:00 PM WESTGATE
The Austin Cajun Aces has that authentic Cajun dance sound. Sounds of that tough life of the farms and bayous yet that upbeat and happy sound that represents the The Joy of Life –Les Joire de Vivre. Their repertoire consists of many of the older songs of Iry LeJeune, Nathan Abshire, Dewey Balfa, Lawrence Walker, Amadee Ardoin, Canray Fontenot, Andrew Cormier and many other Cajun and Creole Masters. You are sure to “Pass a Good Time” when you come out and enjoy their music.
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Live Music: Lone Star Swing
Friday, August 20, 6:30 - 9:00 PM  WESTGATE
Jazz, blues, and early country music make up the musical style of Long Star Swing. This western swing group has some of the finest musicians in Texas among its ranks. This group holds the mantle high and embodies what is unique and pure about the true Texas sound that came to be known as Western Swing.
 

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Live Music: Porterdavis
Friday, August 20, 6:30 - 9:00 PM NORTH LAMAR
Porterdavis is American roots and blue group featuring slide electric, acoustic guitar, and chicago style harmonica with a unique array of percussion. These three musicians display a wide variety of influences from Townes Van Zandt, to Muddy Waters, to James Brown, and a collective imagination that transcends their individual musical prowess. Porterdavis dishes up some truly original roots music. 

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Live Music: The Lost Pines
Saturday, August 21, 6:30 - 9:00 PM  WESTGATE
The Lost Pines evoke old-timey Americana music with heavy bluegrass, country, and folk influences. These folks have put together a terrific CD called “Middle of the Morning”. Featuring twelve original tunes ranging from the somewhat Bluesy/Bluegrassy Gospel “Bible Down” to the haunting “Valley Forge” featuring some very soulful piano and Talia’s beautiful vocals. A talented group that’ll set your Americana hearts on fire! 
 
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Live Music: Earl Poole Ball & the Cosmic Americans
Saturday, August 21, 6:30 - 9:00 PM NORTH LAMAR
"Mr. Honky-Tonk Piano." Earl Poole Ball has over 20 years of featured appearances on television and in concert as a member of the JOHNNY CASH SHOW to his credit. His years of crowd-pleasing performances at major fairs, venues, and rodeos throughout the United States and Canada has made him a legend. His highly energetically rockin' show presents piano and vocal interpretations of classic Honky-tonk, Country Blues, Delta Rhythm Boogie, Gulf Coast Boogie-woogie, Rockabilly and hard driving Country Rock. "MR. HONKY-TONK PIANO" stirs the pot with an amazing blend of showmanship, mirth, and musical magic.
 
 

 

Veldhuizen Family Farm in Dublin, Texas

Stuart & Connie Veldhuizen and family own and operate Veldhuizen Family Farm. Dairy has always been an important part of Stuart's life. The Veldhuizen's have been in the dairy business for generations. Stuart grew up on a dairy farm in Southwest Minnesota. He farmed alongside his dad, William Veldhuizen. In 1990, the father and son team decided to relocate to the present location in Dublin, Texas.

In 1995, Stuart decided to leave the dairy to try his hand at other things; saying he never wanted to milk another cow in his life. In 1999, He changed his mind! He wanted to get back into dairying, but not the way he had done it before. As a family, they checked into options of value-added dairy operations. Making cheese is a fascinating process that caught Stuart's interest and after much research, they knew this was what they wanted to do.

“Every member of our family is involved in the cheese making process. Tending the cows, milking, making cheese, or helping in the aging room; Wherever you look you will see a Veldhuizen working diligently. The cheese is truly a family labor of love.”

Green’s Creek
Greens Creek is named for a creek and community close to where they live. It is a lovely area for the cows to graze year round. The cows are Jersey-Holstein crosses which give milk with a lovely golden hue, that gives Greens Creek its appealing color naturally. This cheese has a nutty, full flavor. It is aged between 6 months to 1 year. Serving Suggestions: Enjoy this cheese in French onion soup, melted on a sandwich, in a fondue, gratins or a quiche.

Jalapeno Cheddar
A South of the border favorite, jalapeno peppers in a cheddar base. Not too hot, but with a warm after burn. A favorite for Tex-Mex dishes.

Paragon
This is a Veldhuizen Family Farm original. Paragon means "model of excellence", mild, yet flavorful cheese.

Redneck Cheddar
A Cheddar with a Texas twist, St Arnold’s dark beer is added before the cheese is pressed. The cheese has a subtle yeastiness to balance out the cheddar flavor.

'Meals in Minutes' Chef Crafted Bowls

Pondering what to serve for dinner... need to grab a quick lunch?

Central Market has the ANSWER!  

Try our Chef Crafted Bowls available in our Chef Prepared Department.

Now through August 17th, all flavors are on sale, for $4.99 each. 

Oh... the variety! Choose from a wide selection of ethnic flavors; Asian, Italian & Indian; over 15 different flavors! Flavors such as Goan Shrimp Curry served on a bed of basmati rice with fresh sprigs of cilantro and lime wedge. Chicken Pho made with a traditional authentic pho broth,tender chicken, thai bird chili, lime wedge, bean sprouts & fresh sprigs of cilantro. 

Or try Penne Pasta with tart goat cheese, oven roasted herb tomatoes, fresh basil & black cured italian olives. The sauce is pure olive oil with a splash of real chicken broth and crushed red pepper flakes.  Authentic rustic flavors, made from scratch while staying true to the original orgin of the dish.      

Spicy Peanut Noodles with Asian Greens, my personal favorite, is a mixture of canton noodles, nappa & red cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts served with a sprig of fresh cilantro. Try it with grilled peanut chicken or shrimp.     

What makes these one dish wonders so amazing is the convenience factor. Just pop off the lid, heat for 3 minutes, stir & eat! You can heat and eat all from the same dish. No dirty pots or pans...no messy cleanup! Even better, each bowl has easy to follow re-heating instructions located on the lid. No need to tip the package over to read the small print.

Remember, this easy meal solution is fast,  convenient,  mess- free and made from scratch using the finest ingredients!  Try one.. two...or even three this week. One bite and you will be hooked!

 

    

    

 

Three Cheeses Want To Join Your Plate

These three cheeses would be an excellent addition to your summer cheese plate. All are very versatile and pleasing to all palates. Try them with your favorite summer fruit or artisan flatbread.

 

Ossau Iraty Grand Reserve 12 Months AOC
A sheep’s milk cheese from the western Pyrenees of France. It has the A.O.C label (Appellation Origine Controlée). Out of the 46 AOC cheeses in France only 2 are made with sheep’s milk; Roquefort being the other one. Aged for 12 months, this cheese is creamy, with a caramel color paste and incredible depth of flavor. A semi firm texture, slightly nutty taste. The finish is long with hints of butterscotch and tyrosine crystals. You just keep going back for more.

Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamy Goat Cheese Spreads
Mild, creamy, fresh goat’s milk flavor. They are versatile, soft and spreadable, perfect on top of bagels. Available in 3 flavors: Classic, Roasted Red Pepper, Olives & Herb.

Prima Donna Extra Aged
Prima Donna maturo (extra matured) does not only have a distinct ruby-red label, its taste is full bodied as a high quality extra matured cheese should be. The Prima Donna is made according to an authentic domestic recipe. Maturing Prima Donna maturo is a trade of its own. Carefully and in a modern way, the trade of maturing cheese is performed to perfection. The cheese gets all time, peace and quiet to mature into a special cheese with a spicy and somewhat sweet flavor, the cheese smells like butterscotch candy and tastes not unlike a slated caramel. Prima Donna is not a Gouda. It lacks the minimum fat content required for that famous Dutch cheese (48 percent fat in dry matter). The cheese is excellent on a sandwich, in soups or sauces.

Veuve Clicquot $39.99 BEST PRICE IN HOUSTON!

Wow!

Incredible deal on our most popular Champagne, Veuve Clicquot  $39.99! Check around town and you'll find our price to be the best, this Friday through Sunday only at our Houston location only! And what is even better, buy 6 bottles and get our 10% off discount! So if you buy 6, that will break down to EVEN LOWER price of $35.99 a bottle!

Hurry up and come down to buy by the 6 pack, 12 pack, whatever! Supplies will go fast! Have a great weekend with bottles of the famous yellow label. Make your favorite mimosa, accompany a plate of oysters, wash down your favorite cheese or get creative and make your favorite Champagne cocktail! 

Abita S.O.S Pilsner Beer for a Cause: Only in Houston!

Exclusively in Houston:

Abita S.O.S. Pilsner is now available now at our Houston store!

Abita S.O.S. (Save Our Shores) announced that it has established ‘SOS – A Charitable Fund’ that will assist with the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals working to keep our coastlines and waterways intact. The fund has pledged that 100% of all money raised will go to the charity.

In addition, the Louisiana Seafood Marketing Board will play an important role in advising where the money can do the most good.

The centerpiece of the fundraising effort is a new charitable beer created by Abita. The brew, called SOS – A Charitable Pilsner, will generate 75¢ for every bottle sold!

This unfiltered Weizen Pils is made with Pilsner and Wheat malts. It is hopped and dry hopped with Sterling and German Perle hops. It has a brilliant gold color, a sweet malt flavor, and a pleasant bitterness and aroma. 

Taste it for yourself if you are shopping our Houston Central Market or click here for more details: http://sos.abita.com/