The History and Culture of Eastern European Bread You’ve had crusty French bread and Mediterranean flatbreads, but have you ever had bread from Eastern Europe? If you haven’t, you’re missing out on some hearty, delicious options. At NetCost Market, we pride ourselves on introducing our customers to new things, so please allow us to introduce you to Eastern European bread. Darnitsky was first baked in 1930s Leningrad. It’s known as “the black bread”, though the color is closer to grey. It contains a mix of rye and wheat flour, with zakvaska- leaven- instead of yeast. The best quality flour is not advised for Darnitsky, because it’s too soft and fine for such a hearty bread. Zavarnoy is made with a special zavarka, or brew. It originated in monasteries and is made with neither yeast nor leaven. It’s remarkable in that it stays fresh for a long time, and the malt in the recipe lends it a strange, delicate, sour sweet taste. Borodinsky is a Russian bread, much loved across the former Soviet Union. It’s rumored to have first been baked by nuns at a convent, on the very site where Russian and Napoleon’s army fought the Battle of Borodino in 1812. Another story has it first appearing on the scene in 1920s Moscow. Whatever the origin story, the recipe for modern Borodinsky bread was approved at Moscow’s head bakery in 1933. This bread is a special, scalded rye bread, made with flour, yeast, rye malt, molasses, and coriander. It has a unique, sweet flavor and aroma. Duona is a Lithuanian bread. It’s a black rye bread that’s dense and naturally sweet. It’s easily found in Baltic countries and made of very simple ingredients: just rye flour fermented with water. A mainstay of most Lithuanian diets, eaten with butter and salt or white cheese, it’s a deliciously authentic Lithuanian breakfast! Tashkent Lepeshki is a round, fluffy flatbread found in Uzbekistan. It’s deliciously light and airy, and if you’re in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, you can buy it straight out of the tandyr ovens, from bread sellers who wheel it around in old-fashioned baby strollers. With a chewy, glossy crust and an open, airy crumb, this bread is so addictive that it’s easy to polish off 2-4 loaves, eating them plain or dipping them in honey butter. If you’re interested in trying new food such as European bread and other import foods, make NetCost Market your first stop. For over 20 years, we’ve been committed to helping our customers save time and money while offering them the world of food all in one place. We’re a local supermarket with a global reach, providing a selection of everyday food products as well as a variety of culinary delights from around the world. It’s our goal to provide authentic, high-quality food products from local farmers as well as suppliers from around the world. When you shop with NetCost Market, you’ll find everything you need, from a comfortable shopping experience to online shopping and home grocery delivery. How to Store Fresh Produce Fresh produce is delicious and nutritious, but it can easily go bad if stored incorrectly. That’s a waste of time and money, but storing produce is complicated. That’s because all produce is not alike, and even when you break it down to fruits and vegetables, all fruits aren’t stored the same and neither are all vegetables. Here, we break it into some simple tips for you to follow, to keep your produce fresh and tasty. Some things belong on the counter. Most types of fruit do well in a bowl or basket on the counter. Vegetables should not be kept at room temperature, except for tomatoes, which should be kept on the counter, out of direct sunlight. The refrigerator is better for most vegetables. Eggplant, celery, pepper, peas, artichokes, cauliflower, zucchini, and cucumber will stay fresh for about a week in the fridge, while summer squash, yellow squash, green beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, will last 3-5 days, as will mushrooms kept in a paper bag. Ears of corn in the husks last 1-2 days, and asparagus lasts 2 or 3 days, unless you keep it in a glass jar. Trim an inch off the bottom of the stalks, stand them in a jar filled halfway with water, cover with a plastic produce bag, secure with a rubber band, and asparagus will stay fresh for a week or more. Carrots, parsnips, turnips, beets, and radishes will last 2 weeks in a plastic produce bag in the refrigerator. Fruits that should be stored in the refrigerator include berries and grapes. Even prewashed leafy greens should be rinsed when you bring them home. To keep them fresh longer, rinse them, wrap in a paper towel or tea towel, and refrigerate them in a container or sealed plastic bag. Washing and storing them as soon as you bring them home from the store makes them more convenient to eat. Some veggies do well in a cool, dry place. Onions, garlic, shallots, potatoes, and hard squash all do best in a dark pantry, preferably between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep fruits and vegetables separated. Many fruits produce a gas called ethylene, which can cause nearby fruits and vegetables to ripen. It’s okay for fruit to ripen, but for vegetables, becoming riper just means spoilage. When you’re looking for delicious fresh produce, make Net Cost Market your first stop. For over 20 years, we’ve been committed to helping our customers save time and money while offering them the world of food all in once place. We’re a local supermarket with a global reach, providing a selection of everyday food products as well as a variety of culinary delights from around the world. It’s our goal to provide authentic, high-quality food products from local farmers as well as suppliers from around the world. When you shop with Net Cost Market, you’ll find a comfortable and gratifying shopping experience that even includes online shopping and home delivery. 10 Easy Picnic Food Ideas for a Day at the Beach Summer is here, the beaches have reopened, and you know what that means! It’s time for a picnic on the beach. Sure, the sand will blow everywhere and get in your mouth, but that’s half the fun, right? So, what will you pack for your beach day? We have some suggestions. 1. Sandwiches: What’s better than a turkey and swiss, ham on rye, or a tomato and cheddar sandwich on a hot summer day? Even an old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich is delightful when eaten on a beach. 2. Wraps: Like sandwiches but perhaps easier to hold on a beach, wraps can be made in near-endless varieties. Some of our favorites include chicken salad with cashew, mozzarella with greens, chickpeas and feta, turkey, and honey mustard, and, you guessed it, PB&J. 3. Fried Chicken: There’s a reason why this is the quintessential picnic food. It’s easy to eat with your hands and just as delicious cold as it is hot. 4. Fruit That’s Easy to Eat: You probably don’t want to peel an orange or tangle with a mango on the beach, but apples, bananas, strawberries, and grapes are all great beachy options. Bonus points if you bring slices of watermelon! 5. Precut Veggies: Carrot or celery sticks are great to munch and easy to prepare ahead of time. 6. Pasta or Grain Salads: While it’s not always convenient to break out the bowls and utensils on the beach, some salads are worth it. How about a pesto pasta salad with mozzarella pearls, tomatoes, and cucumbers, or a summer vegetable quinoa salad tossed with vinaigrette? 7. Salads that Won’t Lose Their Crunch: While you have the bowls out, salads that won’t wilt in the heat are great. Try coleslaw, broccoli slaw, or a kale and quinoa salad with dates, almonds, and citrus dressing. 8. Snacks: Nuts, granola bars, and chips are nice and salty for beach eating- just make sure you have plenty of water to keep you hydrated. 9. Desserts You Can Hold in Your Hand: Cookies, Rice Krispy treats, and brownies are perfect for packing in your beach basket. 10. Beverages in Cans: Wine, beer, soda- just about everything comes in easy to tote cans these days. A great picnic starts with a great grocery shopping trip! For over 20 years, Net Cost Market has been committed to helping our customers save time and money while offering them the world of food all in once place. We’re a local supermarket with a global reach, providing a selection of everyday food products as well as a variety of culinary delights from around the world. It’s our goal to provide authentic, high-quality food products from local farmers as well as suppliers from around the world. When you shop with Net Cost Market, you’ll find a comfortable and gratifying shopping experience that even includes online shopping and home delivery. The Best Summer Salad Recipes Summer, when the weather is hot and cooking dinner feels like a lot of work, is a great time for salads. But after a while, it’s easy to run out of salad ideas. If you’re stuck and can’t think beyond salad greens and traditional toppings, consider giving some of these great salads a shot. Salads that Incorporate Berries: Toss strawberries and blueberries with bananas in poppy seed dressing or liven up your coleslaw with some raspberries.