ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- For four weeks, Wegmans Food Markets here turned the sampling stations in its stores into showcases for "food from the Orient," integrating many fresh-food items into recipes and product demonstrations in produce and other departments.
for Dinner Tonight recipes are built around foods from the Orient," she wrote in a column published by Wegmans in its customer newsletter and on the chain's web site.
The sampling stations based their activity around the Asian cooking method of stir-frying. "Foods to toss into that wok or skillet include already sliced or diced Stir-Fry Mixed Vegetables (produce department) or Wegmans brand Frozen Stir-Fry Veggies. We'll feature a greatly expanded line of intriguing Asian vegetables like bok choy, gai lan and lotus root as well as fresh ginger and cilantro," Burris stated.
For the first week of the in-store event, the chain focused on Oriental-style microwave-ready fish with stir-fry vegetables in the produce department, gingered fish soup in the seafood department, and turkey and vegetable stir-fry in the meat area.
"For grab-and-go, our Wokery chefs will prepare the Produce Department recipes during these four weeks, made up for you as a 'Take It' dish in the Wokery. Join us where East meets West, at Wegmans," Burris added.
"Our expert for this series is Wegmans' own Jenny Wang (pronounced Wong), manager of our Wokery Departments," she added. "She's been busy lately teaching us all. She passes on tips such as use of corn starch to help retain juiciness of meat or chicken strips and the technique for steaming rice the authentic Chinese way."
The sampling stations were equipped with leaflets, titled Discover the Orient, offering recipes and pictures and descriptions of the Asian vegetables.
