Pastured Chicken

A couple of weeks ago I loaded up my big old cooler with ice and drove about thirty minutes away to a farm in Powder Springs.  I think that I have mentioned them before~ Bray Family Farms. They grow delicious produce, grass fed beef, pastured pork and pastured chicken. I ordered five chickens from them. I went to the farm to pick them up. It was a great experience.

There were people waiting when I got there, so I got my cooler out and mosied on over to scope the scene. The chickens had been caught and contained in small crates. They were removed one my one and slipped peacefully into cones. Shortly there after, to spare you the details, they were cleaned and put on ice. When you were next in line your chickens are brought to you and you put them into your own bags and into your own cooler. 

This was my first time ordering and picking up chickens processed straight from the farm. Let me tell you, I will always buy my chicken this way if I have any choice. The chickens lead a happy life on a pasture in a chicken tractor. Their end is peaceful, no commotion. Seriously I saw their eyes in the end and they were content. This is how we should all view our food sometime. Don't worry, my girls never saw the cooler!

So I brought my chicken filled cooler home, cut my chickens in half and put them into the freezer before we went out of town. They lay nice and flat if you cut them in half. I couldn't wait to cook one though. Here she is:

 

Oh my lands!!!! Isn't she a beauty? I have never seen skin so crispy and golden. I made my potato rub and exchanged the dill for marjoram. I also tucked some Thai basil under the skin. Mercy! It was divine. I did nothing to this beautiful bird after I put her into the oven. I think that the secret to the pretty skin is starting off at a high heat, around 425, for twenty minutes or so, then turning down the heat to 375.  Let's have one more look:

I cooked some asparagus to go along with this beauty.

I like my asparagus with lemon pepper and dill. Yum yum.

Dave devoured his meal. So did I. In between bites of chicken he said, "So... tell me about this chicken.... was is raised like ours?" The taste in flavor is so different from store bought chicken. This was the most delicious chicken that I have ever cooked. Dave agreed.

The Bray's have another round of chickens ready to come to the table on July 7th. If you are interested in ordering some, check out this page. You put a deposit down and then pay the rest when you pick them up. Also, it might seem like a high price for one chicken, but think about it. The Bray's get them when they are a day old and care for them in every way until they are ready to go to your table. That means many hours of care as baby chicks, lots of feed, moving the chicken tractors every 2-3 days, catching them and butchering them. And I mean butchering in the nicest way possible because they were the best dressed birds that I have ever seen. Also, these birds eat grass and bugs and they run around! The typical chicken bought from the supermarket may have never seen the sun, ate only grains and most likely barely had room to walk around.

Ok, I'll get off of my soap box now. If you have the chance to try a pastured chicken you'll be hooked. I am going to cook another one soon. My mouth is watering thinking about it.

Shopping In The New Year

I have so wanted to post more frequently this year. So far it just hasn't happened. Let's face it, life is busy even when you intend for it not to be. One of the things that we all have to do is shop to feed our families. It takes up a good deal of time and energy. Can I get an amen?

I took a major shopping trip this week. You know, the one where you end up stocking the pantry a bit unintentionally or slightly intentionally. Ever since the Marietta Farmer's Market has closed for the season I hate going grocery shopping. I truly enjoy knowing where and who our food comes from. It doesn't open again until May. My life might have a few more panic attacks as I have to step into places with florescent lighting and advertisements at every turn. I don't mind Trader Joe's and Harry's so much. It just isn't the same as chatting with the farmer's and enjoying the outdoors.

I guess that I will have to go to my old stand by, Burger's Market. They are family owned and operated. They shop at the big farmer's markets in Atlanta and Asheville. Their stuff always looks great, Is mostly what is in season, has a great price and no advertising. If it is good enough for Alton Brown, it is good enough for me. Just kidding. I don't even watch Alton Brown, but he does shop there.

I think for our meat I am going to try to plan ahead and buy things occasionally from the Bray's. They sell at the Marietta Farmer's Market. Good people. Good food. I have bought from them a lot this year. Their meat is grass fed and delicious. Check out their website. They have photos up from the flooding this summer. They are breathtaking and not in a good way. They may be starting up a CSA this year too. Possibly a meat CSA as well!!

Where do you shop that doesn't begin with a "K", a "P" or a "W"? Do these places give you as much anxiety as they do me? I am curious.