Why Organic?

Ok, readers, time for you to jump in. What are your reasons for buying organic produce? Do you only buy organic? Do you think it really make a difference?

I’m new to the organics game. Mostly due to a case of the lazy, the good organic places are no where near my house nor easily on my way home. This is why I went down the delivery route.

Also, on a more personal note, I’d like to say congratulations to my sister on her engagement! I’m so excited for you.

A new leaf

Today I received my first delivery of fresh, organic produce from Door to Door Organics (www.doortodoororganics.com). I was so excited! There are a lot of pros and cons to this kind of service. The cons are that it tends to be fairly pricey and you don’t have exacting control over the produce you receive. However, you do get fresh organic produce delivered to your door weekly. If you are considering Door to Door Organics, email me if you have any questions. A few friends of mine use this company, and they love it!

Right now I will be getting a delivery every other week. Depending upon how quickly I use this up, I may increase that.

This weeks delivery included 3 tangerines, 2 oranges, 1 meyer lemon, 4 apples (2 gala/2 fuji), 1.5 lbs potatos (redskin this time), spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, cucumbers.

Delivery from Door to Door Organics

Each week they also send a recipe that uses some of the ingredients included. This week was a spinach apple salad! It is delicious, I had it for dinner. I did forget to take a picture, but close your eyes and imagine a bed of fresh, vibrant greens, slices apples, and small pieces of sweet onion and raisins.

Spinach Apple Salad (from doortodoororanics.com)

2 tbsp cider vinegar (I used red wine)

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp sugar

1 cup unpeeled chopped apples

1/4 cup sweet onion, sliced thin

1/4 cup raisins (omitted)

2 cups torn romaine lettuce

2 cups torn spinach

Directions:

Mix together the vinegar, oil, salt and sugar.

Cut the apples and onions, add to the dressing. Also add the raisins. Allow to sit for 10 minutes.

Prepare the salad and toss with the dressing. Serve immediately.

Here are a few more pictures of the produce from today!

Organic Spinach

Organic Red Skin Potato

Other Organic Goodies

Panko Chicken Tenders; Sweet Carrots

I’m baaaaack!  Miss me?

I’ve taken a few un-intentional months off. I have been trying to decide the direction of my blog, my cooking, and my life.  Life is good, so let’s get back to the blogging!

Panko Chicken Tenders

Panko Breadcrumbs make great Chicken Tenders!

Ingredients:

2 medium chicken breasts

1/2 cup buttermilk*

1 egg

Salt, cayenne pepper, paprika

1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, usually in the international food aisle

EVOO

Directions

So, Panko bread crumbs are a crispier, Japanese bread crumbs that you can find with the other breadcrumbs/shake and bake or in the international food aisle. They are great for bread-coated foods, though less good for breadcrumbs-as-filler in such dishes as meatloaf.  Also, who has *buttermilk? Seriously?  Here’s a tip. For 1/2 cup buttermilk, take your 1/2 cup measurer and add 1/2 tbsp white vinegar, then fill the cup measurer with milk. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. This will give you the basic consistency and flavor you want from buttermilk! Tada!

To the milk, add the egg and salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Slice the chicken into tenders, then soak in the mixture for about 15 minutes.   During this time, mix the Panko breadcrumbs with more salt, cayenne pepper, and paprika to taste.  Heat the oil in a frying pan until spitting.

Once the chicken is done sitting, pull out one piece at a time and allow the excess to drip off for a second. Then dredge the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, place immediately in the oil. Monitor the chicken closely, you do not want to overcook it. It will take about 3 minutes per side, but use your meat thermometer.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!

Here is an excellent side to accompany your nuggets.

Sweet Carrots

Sweet Carrots on the side!

Ingredients:

3 carrots, peeled and sliced into coins

1 tbsp butter

2 tbsp brown sugar

Boil the carrots until desired softness. Drain, add butter and brown sugar.