Dinner in a Flash (with ready-to-cook Co-op meat selections!)

By Nick Barrett, Prepared Foods Manager

Folks have been requesting serving suggestions for our new line of ready-to-cook meat entrees, and Nick has answered the call!

You could simply grill (as pictured above), bake, or cook 'em up on the stove top and serve with your favorite side dishes. But for something new, try one of these simple yet delicious dinner suggestions and enjoy a healthy and satisfying home-cooked dinner in a flash.

Bulgogi Cabbage Wraps

25 minutes
Makes 8–12 wraps

INGREDIENTS

2–2.5 pounds Co-op In-house Bulgogi Beef
2 tablespoons Gochujang chili paste
1 head napa cabbage
2–3 cups cooked rice
1 cup shredded carrot
1 cup green onion
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Optional—

sliced cucumber
sliced radish
sliced red onion
kimchi

METHOD

Grill or bake beef and slice into strips.
On a large cabbage leaf, smear chili paste (to taste) and then layer rice, beef, carrot, green onion, sesame seeds, and optional ingredients as desired.
Wrap and enjoy!

Bulgogi Beef (grilled and served in a salad)

Napa cabbages fresh in the Co-Op's produce department.

Grilled Chimi Summer Salad

25 minutes
Serves 4–6

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds Co-op In-house Chimichurri Chicken
6 cups romaine lettuce
2 avocados, sliced
2 ears corn (or frozen corn, thawed)
2–3 ripe tomatoes, wedged
1 container of grab-and-go fajita vegetables (available in the produce department)
4 radishes, sliced
½ red onion, sliced thin
cooked black beans (optional)
parsley, for garnish

METHOD

Grill chicken until cooked through and slice.
Grill corn on the cob, cool and cut off kernels.
Grill fajita veggies in a foil pack with olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano.
Plate lettuce, add remaining ingredients and drizzle with your favorite dressing. (Nick's favorite is Primal Kitchen Greek Dressing.)

Nick's Salad at Bellingham's Community Food Co Op.

grilled con on the cob kissed by the flame.

Chicken Chimichurri Dinner

This is an easy one!

Co-op In-house Chicken Chimichurri, grilled (approximately 6 ounces per serving)

Serve with—

grilled bell peppers and onions (or use the grab-and-go fajita veggies available in the produce department)
your favorite roasted potato recipe (suggestion: when fresh from the oven, toss with a squeeze of lemon, fresh parsley, and minced garlic)
grilled corn on the cob

Grilled peppers and onions in a cast iron skillet on the grill.

Pan Roasted Ling Cod with Hazelnut Butter

by Paul Manthe, Downtown Deli

February 2017

Bring restaurant flair to your home kitchen with pan roasting—a simple restaurant technique that will elevate your dinner to a whole new level. Just a few simple ingredients and you could be dining on this Pan Roasted Ling Cod for dinner tonight!

There are a few restaurant techniques that lend themselves to use by home cooks, and can greatly ease the task of home cooking. Pan roasting is one such technique that requires no special equipment, other than an oven-going skillet, and doesn’t require hours of preparation either.

If you possess a skillet, a spatula, and a standard kitchen range with an oven, you can pan roast like a professional.

The idea is to quickly sear your food in a hot pan, then turn it over and finish cooking it in the oven, a technique usually applied to meat, but can also work quite well with some vegetables.

In this instance, I’m using a locally available fish with locally sourced hazelnuts to create one of my own favorite applications of pan roasting.

Pan Roasted Ling Cod with Hazelnut Butter

INGREDIENTS

ling cod fillet, one-half pound portion per person
1 stick butter, softened (but not melted)
handful of roasted hazelnuts, crushed (see below)
few sprigs of fresh thyme
salt and pepper
cooking oil

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 350 F. Place one oven rack on the middle rails to center your pan and help fish to cook evenly.
Crush hazelnuts using either the flat of a large knife, the bottom of a bowl, or a food processor. Crumble into a sort of mealy texture with a few larger chunks, not a fine powder.
Strip thyme leaves off the stem, and mince.
In a small bowl, add softened butter, hazelnuts, and thyme leaves. Gently knead the butter to incorporate ingredients; folding it in on itself a few times should do the trick. Form butter into a cylinder, wrap in the paper it came in, and cool in the refrigerator to harden a bit.
Check fillet for pin bones, and remove them with your fingernails or tweezers.
Cut fillet into individual portions. Half pound per person is usual, but use more or less as you like. It’s your meal, after all.

METHOD

Heat skillet over medium high heat, add a splash of oil. You want the pan hot, but not smoking hot. Just heat until the oil swirls easily around the pan.
Place fillet in the pan, skin side up if it has skin. I prefer the skin left on for this technique since I find it helps retain moisture in the meat. Many people don’t like to bother with skin. To each their own.
Cook just until flesh underneath begins to color, a little bit of brown along the edge is good, not too much. Quickly slide your spatula under the fillet from end to end, not from the middle, as this tends to break it. Carefully turn over the fillet and turn off the burner under the pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and transfer to the middle rack of preheated oven to finish.
Bake approximately 10 minutes per pound of fish.
While the fish is in the oven, remove butter from the refrigerator. Slice off one round of butter, about as thick as your little finger, per portion of fish and set aside. Save the rest of the butter to anoint other future efforts, like steamed vegetables or another piece of fish.
When cooking time is up, check fish for doneness by pressing gently with your finger to make sure it flakes easily. If it begins to break, your fish is done. Top with a round of reserved butter and let stand a minute while the butter melts.
Serve with your favorite sides. I find a little squeeze of lemon compliments the flavors nicely. Enjoy!

The Return of the Turkeys!

Holiday turkeys will be in stores on December 15.

Choose from

Non-GMO free range, $2.49/pound
Certified organic, $3.49/pound

Learn more about Mary's Free Range Turkeys, get cooking tips, and see a video of the farm.

We are pleased to work with Mary’s Free Range Turkey, a third-generation family farm operated by the Pitman family in California’s Central Valley since 1954. Turkeys from Mary’s Turkey Ranch are raised in a humane manner with plenty of open space to roam in a stress-free environment that is four times the size of the average commercial ranch.

No need to pre-order your turkey. Simply stop by and choose from our ample selection. We can store your turkey for you to pick up closer to Thanksgiving Day after it has been selected and paid for.

All the Mary's Turkeys We Sell Are

Fresh, not frozen
Non-GMO Project verified
Raised without added hormones
Gluten free
Preservative free
Receive no antibiotics
Fed an all-vegetarian diet

Get Ready to Gather Around the Thanksgiving Table

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

thanksgiving, gathering, table, community, sharing

The Co-op has everything you need to make your Thanksgiving dinner the best it can be—from decor to dessert!

Thanksgiving is the Olympics of food, family, and traditions. The rituals and foods we eat on Thanksgiving evoke memories of years gone by, and set traditions that future generations will carry forward: laughing and working together in the kitchen, preparing beloved family recipes, savoring the aroma of a favorite entree as it wafts through the house, setting the table for a sit-down dinner with friends or neighbors, or opening a special bottle of wine saved particularly for this holiday celebration.

The Co-op knows how important this meal can be, and we have carefully selected the very best ingredients to help you make this Thanksgiving memorable, and manageable. We’re here to lend a helpful hand with appetizers, side dishes, entrees, desserts, and wine.

Deli

The case will be brimming with delicious salads, stuffings, gravies, side dishes, and even roasted turkey and other entrees. Every item is prepared from scratch in the Co-op kitchens using the highest quality ingredients we can source. Ask to taste a sample of any item in the case.

Deli To Go

Our deli also offers a variety of prepared trays—veggie, fruit, cheese, Mediterranean, meat and cheese, sandwich, or kabobs. Housemade entrees are also available by the pound—spinach lasagna, veggie and bean enchilada, chicken enchilada, or vegetable frittata.

Bakery

Our bakers are at the ready to create the dessert of your dreams. Pies, cakes, and myriad other delights are available to pre-order with 72 hours advance notice. Or just stop by the store to pick up your favorite! Our bakery cases will be full of delectable goodies, including vegan and gluten-free options.

Specialty Cheese

Peruse our carefully curated selection of cheese, charcuterie, jams and jellies, and fancy crackers for all your entertaining purposes, as well as chocolate for holiday baking and decorating. We also have butters, mascarpone, ricotta, crème fraiche, and cream cheese for those mouth-watering holiday recipes.

Meat Department

We are pleased to once again offer a large selection of Mary’s Free Range Turkeys. We’re also happy to suggest other options for folks who would rather forgo the bird.

Produce Department

Revel in the abundant selection of fresh organic produce to make your holiday meal shine. And pick up a beautiful floral bouquet for the table.

Grocery and Bulk

Find all the extras you need to spice up your meal and take it to the next level of deliciousness. Experiment with new spices and ingredients from bulk, and shop for gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and other specialty organic grocery items.

Wine, Beer, and Spirits

Shop the vast selection of the best local, imported, and specialty adult beverages. There is something for every budget, and our wine and beer buyers are happy to make pairing recommendations that will perfectly complement your meal.

Mercantile Department

Explore our selection of one-of-a-kind goods: kitchenware, tableware, serving dishes, wine glasses, candles, and distinctive decorative items to set the perfect mood.

Other Inspiration

Be on the lookout for tastings and other special events prior to the holiday. We wish you a festive and scrumptious holiday with your loved ones.

Special Orders

Don’t forget that Co-op member-owners can special order items from most any department by the case for a 15 percent (or greater) discount off shelf prices. Just ask at the service desk and learn more about how you can save with special orders.

At the Service Desk

Have questions? Need help finding something? Just ask our friendly service desk staff. They are always happy to help!

Big News! Meat Department Drops Prices on 80-plus Items

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

Come in to check out the new lower prices in our meat department.

We dropped prices by up to 30 percent on more than 80 products, and they are the products that you use the most, including chicken, beef, and pork.

The price drop is yet one more way that the Co-op is working to fulfill our strategic plan goal to make high-quality, nutritious, and affordable food more accessible to all.

you can trust that every item satisfies our meat guarantee

Plus, you can trust that every item satisfies our meat guarantee to be free of added MSG and added nitrites and nitrates (except those naturally occurring in celery and sea salt); free of antibiotics; and free of added hormones and growth promoters.

If you don’t see the particular cut of meat you’re shopping for, ask our knowledgeable meat cutters. They are always happy to make recommendations or place a special order for whatever you need to make your next dinner exceptional.

Stop by the store soon and see for yourself how the Co-op is making changes to better serve you—our member-owners and shoppers.

Dear Nutritionist: Bone Broth

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

Selva Wohlgemuth, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: I have heard a lot about bone broth. Is it really that much better than regular soup stock?

Dear Member: Although there is little scientific evidence to support the health benefits of bone broth, it does not discredit hundreds of years of tradition. What bone broth provides in nutritional quality far outweighs any regular packaged chicken or beef broth found in stores today. It is rich in collagen and an easy-to-absorb protein source, that along with adequate vitamin C, supports joint health and skin, hair, and nail growth. Also, the minerals and vitamins leached from the bones and veggies into the broth makes this an easy to digest and nourishing food, especially during times of heightened stress.

Per the USDA Nutrient Database, one cup of homemade chicken bone broth contains about 90 calories, 6g of protein, 3g of fat, 9g of carbohydrates and some minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and sodium.

If someone cannot tolerate solid foods or is feeling under the weather, nauseous, and fatigued, broth can be very soothing and light enough for the digestive track to manage. However, even if you are not feeling sick, bone broth adds a lot of flavor and nutrition to simple soups and stews.

To make a delicious bone broth, all you need is time—not only for flavor, but also for heightening the medicinal quality of the broth. The longer the bones simmer, the more minerals are transferred to the broth, and the more nutrient dense the broth becomes. If you add a few staple vegetables, the nutritional value increases even further. Even a novice cook can make an excellent broth if the traditional methods are followed.

How to use bone broth? Sip between meals for a savory protein rich beverage, add into soups for heightened flavor and nutrition, mix into sauces or gravies, braise veggies or meats in broth, or freeze for later use.

Are you vegan or vegetarian? Making a slow simmered veggie broth can be just as nourishing. However, you may want to add additional veggies such as leeks, tomatoes, and mushrooms for added flavor, and olive oil to absorb the fat soluble vitamins. Just keep in mind that the protein content will be much lower and you may want to add beans to your final veggie soup.

See Selva's recipe for Easy Slow-Cooker Bone Broth.

Note: If making bone broth at home seems like too much work, the Co-op offers a variety of packaged collagen-rich bone broths from Kettle & Fire and Pacific Foods, and frozen chicken and beef broth by Bonafide Provisions.

Ask the Nutritionist

Have questions? Send them to contact@happybellynutritionist.com. Selva Wohlgemuth is a registered dietitian nutritionist. Learn more about her approach to general health and well-being at her Happy Belly Nutrition website, and see her recipes and other kitchen tips at Poppies and Papayas.

Farm Fund Spotlight: Brittle Barn Farms

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team, and Hannah Coughlin, Brittle Barn Farms

brittle barn farms, local, farm fund, zack tyler, karl prisk,

Karl Prisk (left), Zack Tyler, and Tarquin, Zack’s trusty Australian Shepherd, take a break from tending their free-range turkey flock at Brittle Barn Farms in Ferndale. The farm prides itself in buying local and used a Farm Fund loan to purchase organic, Non-GMO Project Verified feed from Bellingham’s Scratch & Peck Feeds for their poultry flock.

Zack Tyler of Brittle Barn Farms, a local free-ranged meat producer, has been interested in animal husbandry for as long as he can remember.

Growing up on a half-acre in Arcata, California, with his younger brother and hobby-farm parents, Zack was inspired by his small community of do-it-yourselfers and small farmers. “Every Saturday I got to see farmers and artisans pour into an empty street and make it come alive with their hard work and passions,” said Zack.

His mom makes her living raising fiber animals (llama, sheep, and goats), spinning, and knitting their wool into wares that she’s sold at the Arcata Farmers Market for over 25 years. His dad taught Zack how to slaughter Thanksgiving turkeys when he was six. “My parents taught me to be respectful and compassionate to our animals from the beginning to the end,” said Zack.

After he moved to Bellingham to realize his dream as a small farmer, Brittle Barn Farms was born.

After he moved to Bellingham to realize his dream as a small farmer, Zack and his partner, Hannah, rented a five-acre plot just outside of Bellingham where Brittle Barn Farms was born. They raised meat chickens, egg layers, goats, ducks, geese, turkeys, and Icelandic sheep.

Zack noted, “Neither of us had any capital to start with—no inheritance, no wealthy relatives, and not much combined income.”

Zack works in the classroom with developmentally disabled or at-risk youth, and Hannah works for a local environmental nonprofit, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities.

“We had to start at square one—on a cheap rental with a falling down barn,” said Zack.

They named their farm after that barn to remind them of the virtue of small beginnings.

In 2014, Brittle Barn Farms moved to Cougar Creek Ranch in Ferndale, a 160-acre original homestead owned by the Prisk Family. “Karl [Prisk] and I have been friends for a long time. After he moved to town to farm his grandfather’s land, it was an obvious partnership,” said Zack. They went into business together and grew Brittle Barn Farms, increasing their overall production, and adding cows and hogs to the farm.

In the spring, the Co-op Farm Fund secured a low-interest loan for Brittle Barn Farms in partnership with Industrial Credit Union.

The farm used the loan to purchase organic feed from Scratch & Peck Feeds.

“It’s important to us to operate locally. That includes where we purchase our feed,” said Zack. Purchasing organic, Non-GMO Project Verified feed upfront from Scratch & Peck enables the farm to better control the price and quality of their free-range poultry, while keeping their money circulating in our local economy.

Zack’s dream is to farm full-time. “I love caring for the animals, being connected to the seasons and natural life cycles, and I love producing an important commodity for my community,” he said.

You can purchase Brittle Barn Farms’ chicken at the Cordata store. All their meats are available at both Bellingham Farmers Markets, Carne, and on the farm.

Learn more about Brittle Barn Farms or contact the farm at 360-610-7740 or brittlebarnfarms@gmail.com.

In-house Sausage Links—Perfect for the Grill

by Matthew Bernstein, Downtown Meat Department

Grilling is Matt’s favorite preparation for the Co-op’s handmade sausage links. All of our in-house sausages are crafted with attention to detail by Co-op meat department staff, using high-quality meats and seasonings.

About a year and a half back, we undertook an exciting new project and started making our own pork sausage links. Our goal: make a bodacious sausage, in-house, from scratch. To accomplish this we cut and grind pork shoulder, mix in seasonings, and then stuff our sausages by hand—a timely process that results in a tasty sausage with great texture.

"Next time you’re looking for something special to bring to a barbeque, give our in-house links a try. You won’t be disappointed."

The star of the show is the pork shoulder from Beeler’s Pure Pork. Beeler’s raises pork that is 100 percent free of antibiotics and growth hormones. The fat content of their pigs lends itself well to making a very juicy and flavorful sausage.

At first we only offered Mild Italian Sausage Links. After overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers and staff alike, we’ve expanded our selection to include Hot Italian Links and Beer Brats. At our Downtown store, we also make an Andouille. For those who prefer a leaner sausage, try our Italian Chicken Links made with organic chicken from Draper Valley Farms.

Although all varieties can be cooked on the grill or the stovetop, grilling tends to bring out the best flavor and texture in our links. Cook all chicken varieties to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and pork varieties to 160 degrees. My favorite sausage to toss on the grill this year has been the Beer Brat. I serve mine on a Breadfarm hoagie roll with Bubbies Saurkraut and whatever mustard I have in the fridge. We use Trumer Pils in our beer brats, so if you enjoy a cold beer with your brat that would be a perfect choice.

Next time you’re looking for something special to bring to a barbeque, give our in-house links a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Meat Quality Guarentee

The Co-op Meat department knows you have standards so we have them too. You can shop knowing we have done our homework.

Grass-fed Beef: What Beef Was Meant To Be

by Matt Bernstein, Downtown Meat Assistant Manager

Grass-fed cattle at Matheson Farms in Bellingham enjoy grazing native grasses in open fields. The farm’s philosophy is to “make holistic decisions that are socially, ecologically, and economically sound and balanced—and to help others do the same.”

Cows are ruminant animals, naturally adapted to digest grass, yet most American cattle are fed a supplemental diet of corn and soy. When presented with a grain-fed diet, cattle can face serious health problems, including the development of harmful bacteria. As a result, they are often administered antibiotics, and lots of them. Grass-fed cattle, on the other hand, live a much healthier, more natural life, and are much less likely to experience bacterial infection as they graze on native grasses in open fields that are generally pesticide free.

grass-fed beef is leaner and is much higher in omega-3 fatty acids

Feedlot cows are fed grain and soy in order to develop more marbled fat in their meat. In contrast, grass-fed beef is leaner and is much higher in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to promote better cellular and cardiovascular health, just to name a few of the many health benefits of choosing grass-fed beef. For omnivorous people who are avoiding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), eating grass-fed meat is a great way to go, as the vast majority of feed contains GMO corn and soy.

The Community Food Co-op is proud to carry two excellent local options for grass-fed beef that would be a great addition to your summer grilling line-up.

For a great summer burger try ground beef from Matheson Farms, located on Smith Road in Bellingham. In addition to their delicious ground beef, we also carry a number of steak options from Matheson Farms in our freezer section.

No summer barbecue would be complete without a juicy beef frank. 3 Sisters Family Farms, located on Whidbey Island, has been providing the Co-op with juicy grass-fed beef hot dogs for the last two years. They come in both regular and quarter-pound sizes.

When you light up the grill this summer, remember to do your taste buds, your body, and the environment a favor and go grass fed.

Learn more about the farms at: mathesonfarms.com and 3sistersbeef.com.

How to Charcuterie

New to charcuterie?

Try these simple serving suggestions. Add your favorite mustards or other condiments, but keep it relatively simple to let the flavors of these quality, handcrafted meats shine..

Fra’ Mani sopressata

Genepi Alpine tomme de savoie

hearty ale

Avenue Bread or Breadfarm crusty baguette

Fra’ Mani mortadella

Mama Lil's pickled peppers

Cucina & Amore jarred artichoke quarters

organic olive oil

crusty sweet roll

Creminelli prosciutto cotto

butter

Avenue Bread or Breadfarm crusty baguette

use in any sandwich or recipe calling for ham

Fra’ Mani capicollo

broccoli rabe

Jeff's Naturals pepperoncini peppers

anchovies

garlic

Braise the broccoli rabe in olive oil with anchovies, garlic, and a little salt until tender. Slice focaccia through the middle to create two sides. Toast the bread to medium brown on its cut side. Brush with extra virgin olive oil and rub with garlic. Arrange the broccoli rabe, anchovies, and garlic all over the surface of the bread and top with thinly sliced spicy capicollo and Calabrian peppers. Serve open-faced.

Creminelli Calabrese Italian salami

Milano Italian salami

Coastal cheddar (England)

Fromager D’Affinois brie (France)

Fra’ Mani salame rosa

Mediterranean Organic roasted red and yellow peppers

Wildwood aioli

ciabatta roll

By Nick Barrett, Prepared Foods Manager

Bulgogi Cabbage Wraps

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Grilled Chimi Summer Salad

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Chicken Chimichurri Dinner

Serve with—

by Paul Manthe, Downtown Deli

February 2017

Pan Roasted Ling Cod with Hazelnut Butter

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

METHOD

Holiday turkeys will be in stores on December 15.

Choose from

All the Mary's Turkeys We Sell Are

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

Deli

Deli To Go

Bakery

Specialty Cheese

Meat Department

Produce Department

Grocery and Bulk

Wine, Beer, and Spirits

Mercantile Department

Other Inspiration

Special Orders

At the Service Desk

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

Ask the Nutritionist

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team, and Hannah Coughlin, Brittle Barn Farms

Zack Tyler of Brittle Barn Farms, a local free-ranged meat producer, has been interested in animal husbandry for as long as he can remember.

by Matthew Bernstein, Downtown Meat Department

Meat Quality Guarentee

by Matt Bernstein, Downtown Meat Assistant Manager

New to charcuterie?

enews-sign-up-image