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Anchovy & Pear Kimchi Burger

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The perfect blend of two cultures, American and Korean. A classic American burger and a traditional Korean kimchi, with a twist.

Kimchi (or kimchee) also known as gimche is a traditional naturally fermented Korean condiment seasoned with spices and chiles. Interestingly, prior to European contact with Korea, kimchi was much simpler, consisting of cabbage and beef stock. After the chili pepper was introduced to Asia, Koreans began to use it to enhance the flavor of their national dish. In a country as diverse as Korea there are regional and seasonal variations. In northern Korea, kimchi is typically milder than its southern counterpart. Because south Korea is closer to the ocean, recipes include fish sauce or shrimp paste for seasoning and are typically spicier than the northern style. Mara has added yet another level of sophistication to our kimchi by including a touch of sweetness. She uses pears to balance out the sour flavors of fermented foods. Using daikon for bitterness, anchovies for savory, and sea salt, all 5 basic tastes are found in this delicious recipe. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADuring the growing season, the pears are sourced from Ela Family Farms in Hotchkiss, Colorado. The Ela’s have been farming mouthwatering fruits for four generations. They grow peaches, apples, pears, plums, and heirloom tomatoes on Colorado’s fertile western slope. Their land is beautiful anytime of year, but especially so during the spring when the trees are flowering.orchard w_viewMara uses the finest ingredients available, and has created another unique recipe. This is ozuké’s first non-vegan pickled thing. Ozuké’s Anchovy & Pear Kimchi is seasoned with fish sauce, which gives it that rich umami (savory) taste. Besides just eating it straight out of the jar, my family agreed that a grassfed burger was the perfect way to appreciate all those flavors quickly. Plus, it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, perfect for grilling! What follows is a food pairing idea.

Beef Burger recipe:
1 lb of ground beef 100% grassfed
Salt & pepper or WFM Rocky Mountain Pepper Blend to taste

Directions:
Prepare grill. Mix by hand ground beef and seasonings. Form patties. Grill to desired temperature. Prepare additional toppings. Assemble and eat! ground 3cooking1We decided to try different toppings with our Anchovy & Pear Burgers. Avocados on one, cheese and tomatoes on the other. All combinations were delicious. This tasty kimchi has limited availability for the time being. It is available in Boulder at Fresh Thymes Eatery, in Longmont at Lucky’s Market, in Lafayette at Isabelle Farm Stand, in Denver at Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage on Leetsdale, and in Albuquerque, New Mexico at La Montanita Food Coop Valley location.

cheese2 The flavors are so perfectly balanced that it makes a great companion to almost any dinner. Pick up a jar to bring to your Hanukkah celebration and Thanksgiving dinner. And let us know what you think. Gobble Gobble!jar (10)

Ancient Family Recipe with pickled things

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Erika’s ‘ancient family recipe’ wowed my palate at a potluck dinner recently. It was a tender brisket served over gluten free pasta. Although she brought other delicious food, it was the brisket that left a lasting memory. Several of us topped the dish off with some citrus & ginger pickled things. It was divine, and so delicious that I was caught scraping the pan clean with my fingers at the end of the night. I had to have that recipe!

As soon as I got my hands on her ancient family recipe, I thawed my Lasater Grasslands brisket and prepared a feast of my own. Because this beef dish is slow cooked, you should plan ahead.  However, the simplicity of the recipe is a time saving way to prepare a hearty meal for your family or a gathering. In fact, the original recipe recommends preparing it ahead of time, refrigerating, and reheating before serving. Yipee!

Brisket with Citrus & Ginger
Ingredients:

Directions:
Heat over to 350°. Brown brisket on all sides (I actually cheated, and did not do this part) Place meat in a large baking dish, arrange onions on top. Combine chile sauce & water, pour around meat. Bake, covered, allowing about 45 min. per pound. Baste meat occasionally (I didn’t do this part either-call me lazy). About 45 min. before meat is done, add beer, continue to cook until done.
Serve with noodles and top with citrus & ginger pickled things

The recipe calls for chile sauce, and one of the best chile sauces I know is available at The Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon in Springdale, Utah – just outside Zion National Park (available by mail order too). Their chile sauce is a sweet & smoky chipotle pepper ketchup they call ‘Red Chile Ketchup’. The rich tomato taste and zesty undertones make it a great marinade, as well as a satisfying dipping sauce. Visit the Lasater Grasslands Beef website for their monthly sales, and get yourself a case of Red Chile Ketchup so that you too can enjoy Erika’s ancient family recipe!

Tasty Cleanse, Nourished Body

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Guest blog by our beloved Mignon Macias:

I love connecting with people and sharing sincere enthusiasm for current passions. It’s exciting and inspiring. The other day I re-connected with Nicole T. after having not seen her for at least 2 years. Immediately we shared our smartphone snapshots, and exchanged tidbits about our lives that a quick catch-me-up session in a grocery store aisle permits. Within minutes, we realized that there was a reason for our running into each other. As Nicole pointed out, ‘ all things happen for a reason’.

Nicole had just begun a cleanse, and I was there to share with her the benefits of delicious naturally fermented foods from zuke pickled things. Everyday, but especially during a cleanse, fermented foods will improve gut flora which can boost overall health and improve digestion. This age-old process makes nutrients more readily available for absorption and enhances food flavors.

photos by Sugarcurse

Delicious flavors and inventive food combinations are what inspire the creators of Zuke pickled things, Mara and Willow King.  Their citrus ginger blend is a tangy addition to any salad, or as a condiment for fish or shrimp tacos, grilled meats, and steamy risotto. The fresh, organic ingredients (green cabbage, ginger, lemon zest, lemon juice, & sea salt) combined with the high level of lactobacilli in each jar, makes for a mouth watering treat that is rewarding and satisfying. A cleanse becomes more like a celebration, rather than deprivation.

Recently, as a modern culture, we have been re-discovering this traditional process of preserving foods with lactic acid fermentation. Nourished Kitchen explains well the benefits of eating fermented foods, and also shares amazing whole food recipes.

For a simple, quick, nutrient dense dish try this salad as a light meal, or as a side dish.

GREENS W/ CITRUS GINGER PICKLED THINGS:
Swiss chard (thinly sliced)
Purple or lance shaped kale (thinly sliced)
Shredded golden beets
citrus ginger pickled things
Slivered almonds
Chopped pears
Olive oil
Apple cider vinegar
Salt & pepper to taste

 

In addition to its amazing flavor, citrus ginger pickled things is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. Cabbage and lemons are rich in vitamin C, which help the body resist infectious agents. Lemon peel (zest) is high in potassium and calcium. Potassium plays a role in maintaining your heart function, and aiding in digestive capabilities.  Calcium is important for maintaining bones and teeth. It also plays a role in heart rhythm and muscle function. Sea salt is naturally rich in trace minerals, essential for many metabolic functions. And ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body. It can also help with nausea, and aids in digestion.

It’s true, as Nicole said, all things DO happen for a reason. I thank you for your excitement and support. Here’s to a tasty cleanse and a nourished body!

Please send your favorite recipe ideas for our citrus ginger pickled things. We would like to share them.