Jaymes and I were conversing on eG about this month’s DOTM and she said since she lived so far out, she was just going to go to HEB and see what she could put together. She has a much better HEB out there than I have where I live so I thought about going to Trader Joe’s where I know you could get some interesting meats and cheeses. But I don’t have a TJ’s near me either. Then I remembered the Russian General Store.
They have a huge selection of salamis - maybe 4 dozen varieties or more. They also have numerous bolognas and wieners. After staring at the meat case for about 15 minutes I made some choices. I’ve never explored their salamis much so just took a chance. In the upper left is a variety labeled Hard Coppa Salami. I think the brand was Gernon or something. The pickles are ‘Cucumbers in Low Salted Brine’ - store-made. I always buy some when I go here, if they have any in stock. The meat on the right was labeled Old Kiev Salami. The bologna is not the best I’ve had from there, which wasn’t in stock, but it’s pretty good. And obviously the one I had to have as soon as I saw it, in the lower left, Veal Roll.
I don’t think they make any of their own meats. Their cheese selection is no where near as extensive or even interesting but I thought I had some at home.
The cheese is boursin; the only other cheese I had in house had to be tossed and there’s no place any where near me to get interesting cheeses. The bread is Armenian Matnakash from Phoenicia, one of the best breads I’ve bought there. Aren’t the owners of Phoenicia supposed to be Armenian? The crust is brushed with sweetened tea essence giving it a good color and adding a subtle flavoring.
When the bologna gets all the way to room temp it’s very good but the real smash hit is the veal roll.
So there’s my Russian-Armenian-French-Italian cured plate. I’ll be applying to the city soon for a permit to open my own Salumeria.
