One Chicken – Three (plus) Meals

Last Sunday I cooked one of our large chickens on the smoker. I know that I can always count on our pasture raised chicken to deliver fantastic flavor, but preparing it in the smoker really takes it to the next level. It looks a little dry in the picture, but that is far from the truth! I brine the chicken for 24-28 hours ahead of smoking it, and end up with crispy skin encasing juicy, delicious meat.

That evening we enjoyed smoked chicken and baked potatoes, but even better was putting the leftovers to use throughout the week!

First up was a chef salad. Chunks of smoked chicken breast, along with hard boiled eggs made a simple salad into a satisfying meal.

Saturday evening, I baked chicken pesto pizza’s on naan crusts on the grill. Starting with precooked meat when I grill pizzas make it easier not to burn my crusts. I spread a layer of premade pesto onto a piece of naan bread and topped it with chunks of smoked chicken and fresh mozzarella, then I sprinkled on ground black pepper. It was easy and delicious.

Finally, I took the bones from the chicken and simmered up a small batch of chicken stock. Since I had some extra tomato sauce that Jody had made, I put all the jars into the pressure canner together. Those will become the backbone of future soups or sauces.

I love getting multiple meals out of one cooking project and it fits wonderfully into my philosophy of ‘less meat, better meat’. As much as my family loves meat as a main dish I’m always looking for ways to enjoy the flavor while making the most of my budget.

Humble Hero

Ground beef is an incredibly versatile ingredient that has a key place in our family’s meal planning. Its adaptability makes it a staple in a wide range of dishes, from comfort foods like hamburgers and meatballs to favorites such as tacos, pasta sauce, and chili. The pictures above represent some of our go-to meals. We… Continue Reading

Pork Chili Verdi

Pork Chili Verdi

I recently added pork stew meat to my cutting instructions at the butcher, and I wish I had though of it sooner! The packages are 1 1/2 pounds of pork shoulder roast, cut into one inch chunks. I’ve used it in several crock pot meals, and I like that there is less trimming and prep… Continue Reading

Easy Korean Beef

This simple Korean beef one pan meal comes together so easily and uses ingredients that I always have on hand. That makes it one of my favorite last minute meals. Lately I’ve been LOVING this quick kimchee recipe and it makes a perfect side for this dish. If you’d like to stock up on ground… Continue Reading

Taco Soup

This is a great week night soup. It comes together quickly, and it’s even better the next day! Adjust the spice level to suit your tastes. We like it spicy. The heat can be moderated with some avocado or sour cream. (Ground beef is a regular part of our CSA shares and can also be… Continue Reading

Meatballs

This recipe makes about 70 meatballs. After they cool, I store them in the freezer in a ziplock bag and just remove as needed for quick meals. You can always use them over pasta with a red sauce, but don’t be afraid to branch out with an Asian style sauce and rice noodles, or brown… Continue Reading

Italian Beef

This is an all time favorite! It’s great as a family comfort food meal or double (triple) the amount to serve guests for a casual dinner. (Beef roasts are appear periodically in our CSA Shares and can be ordered as part of our Beef Bundle Packages.) Continue Reading

Chicken & Dumplings

This recipe makes use of the stewing hen that CSA members are getting in their March shares. Stewing hens are an important part of the life cycle of the farm. A stewing hen is a retired egg layer. After several happy years in our free ranging brood, a hen’s egg laying ability naturally slows down,… Continue Reading

Coming up on 20 Years – Are you kidding me?!

Origin Story Beth and Jody were working corporate jobs (Arthur Andersen and Allstate, respectively) and expecting their second child. Jody was working on a testing team trying to break a new system. The new software would allow Allstate to sell online. What can’t we buy on the internet today? Beth was a Professional Skill Trainer… Continue Reading