Planning Meals around Organic and Locally-Sourced Foods

 

 

This post is sponsored by Foster Farms®, the opinions expressed are my own.

Lately we have been trying to add locally-grown vegetables to our recipes and I have been making the trip to our local farm a couple times a month to check out their fresh produce.  I love that the strawberries are picked that day and the vegetables about every two days.  I remember my surprise when the zucchini still had the prickly hairs on them.

 

 

 

They offer a wide range of vegetables and fresh herbs that you can pick right there!  I think that is my daughter’s favorite part of the trip.  She’ll grab a bag and head out into the garden and gathers some fresh herbs for our dinner.  How’s that for fresh?!

I like to have locally-sourced meat if possible and was pleasantly surprised to learn that my sponsor for this post, Foster Farms, delivers chicken fresh from local ranches within California in 48 hours or less. Some chicken brands are trucked from across the country, which could take up to a week to reach the West Coast. Foster Farms has been producing locally grown poultry since its founding 76 years ago. Max and Verda Foster founded the company in 1939 and raised turkeys right off their bedroom so Verda could keep a close eye on the eggs and chicks.

Today, Foster Farms remains a family-owned company led by Max and Verda’s grandson, Ron Foster.  If I have a choice, I like to purchase hormone and antibiotic-free meats and Foster Farms offer a wide range of chicken such as Fresh & Natural, Simply Raised (without antibiotics), and Foster Farms Certified Organic.  I like that all Foster Farms fresh chicken products are American Humane Certified.

I wanted to share our go-to meal that includes fresh vegetables, Simply Raised Foster Farms chicken breast, Hoisin sauce and white rice.  You could definitely use brown rice (it is much healthier) but my daughter absolutely loves white rice. We are working on mixing the two!

Ingredients you will need:

Foster Farms Fresh & Natural, Simply Raised or Organic Chicken Breasts (We get the pre-sliced chicken breasts)

Locally-grown or sourced vegetables.  When we are in a pinch for time, we purchase our favorite mix of pre-cut stir fry vegetables that include: baby bok choy, brown mushrooms, red and green cabbage, carrots, celery, radish, broccoli, cauliflower, red bell peppers and snap peas.  I like to add in more broccoli and spinach to the mix as well.

Favorite marinade.  We like to use a premade sauce but there are a ton of marinades found on Foster Farms website.

White or Brown Rice

Cut the chicken breasts into large cubes.  Marinade at least one hour.  Sautee in large pan in your favorite oil.  Some oils are better than others for sautéing.  I’ve had friends swear by coconut oil, but canola oil is also good for stir-fry. The Chinese tend to use peanut oil which has a high smoke point and a pleasant nutty-flavor but if you want a more neutral flavor try canola or soybean oil.

 

 

 

Put cooked chicken aside.  Next, stir fry your vegetables.  I like to add a little oil, and then a little water once the vegetables have started to sizzle.  Sautee until desired crispiness.  I prefer my vegetables a little crisp.

 

Add in chicken, more of your favorite marinade, and mix together.  Place on top of some rice and you are set!  This is one of our favorite meals and make it about once or twice a week. Enjoy!

This post is sponsored by Foster Farms®, the opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

0