Hello foodies, food lovers, and people who like to eat food,

I'm excited to get this week's box from Glacier Farms; eating with the seasons is great. As a chef, the variety of produce during seasons can vary, which forces me to be more creative. It widens the spectrum of recipes for these ingredients and results in limitless possibilities!

Last night I had my first aurora chase of the season. At about ten o'clock I saw a nice band of lights over Anchorage. Adrenaline overtook my body right away. Running into the house scaring my pregnant partner, I yelled "They're out, they're out!" Em said, "Who's out?" "The lights are, the northern lights are out!!!!" She put her boots on as I put the coffee pot on. I then packed the car with all the necessities- boots, jackets, gloves, tripod, music, and of course the camera. Emily and I drove to Hatcher's Pass and met up with my friend Jeremiah to watch the lights. They weren't dancing by the time we got there, but there was plenty of color, stars, and cold air. We made it home by 2:00am with Emily sleeping soundly in the passenger seat. A night of excitement and good old Alaskan winter fun.

So, after that bone cold experience, it's time to make some wintertime food: Turnip and Leek Soup with Croutons; Braised Chicken in a Chipotle Tomato Sauce using Alaskan Onions; and a lunch favorite- Coleslaw with a Honey Mustard Dressing.


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Turnip and Leek Soup
serves 4

2T oil
1ea Turnip, Large peeled and diced
1ea Leeks, medium slice thin and wash well
1.5c Onion, yellow diced
1/2c Celery, chopped
2T Garlic, minced
6c Chicken or Vegetable Stock
tt Salt and Pepper

1. Get a stock pot or sauce pan hot with oil and sweat/saute turnips, leeks, onion, celery and garlic.

2. Add the stock. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

3. After the veggies get soft, put a hand blender in the pot and puree until smooth. You can also use a blender.

4. Season to taste. Turn off the heat and make the croutons.

Croutons
4-6 slices of bread, crust removed and diced small
2-3T butter

1. Place butter in saute pan and melt. Add bread cubes to butter. Lightly stir the bread so all the pieces are evenly coated.

2. Turn the heat to med-high and brown all sides evenly. If it gets too hot, turn it down to medium.

3. Place croutons in soup and eat.

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Chipotle and Tomato Braised Chicken with Alaska Onions
serves 4

3T oil
1ea Whole chicken, broken down into quarters
1/2ea onion, chopped
3ea garlic cloves, chopped
1ea can of dice tomato, regular
1ea, chipotle, canned in adobo sauce
1c chicken stock
tt salt and pepper

1. Heat saute pan with oil until it reaches smoking point. With flame on high to keep the pan hot, place chicken seasoned with salt and pepper skin side down until seared or browned. Flip and do other side.

2. Place chicken aside on a plate. On medium, sautee onions and garlic until aroma, then add diced tomatoes, chipotle and stock to pan and bring to a boil. Be careful with the chipotle. If you want it hot, then let it break up in the sauce. If you want keep it mild, let it boil for about ten minutes and discard.

3. After you reach a boil, add the chicken. Bring to boil again and place in oven for 10-15 minutes until chicken is cooked. Place chicken on plate and reserve.

4. Place all ingredients (except chicken) in a blender and puree. Season to taste. Put the sauce on a plate, place the chicken on top. Eat with rice or tortillas.


Coleslaw with Honey Mustard Dressing
serves 4

1/2ea Cabbage, finely shredded
2ea Carrots, fine shredded
4ea Green onions, chopped fined
2tsp Salt
1/2c Mayonnaise
1T Honey
1T Dijon Mustard
tt Salt and Pepper

1. Combined the finely shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.

2. In a small bowl add mayonnaise, honey, and mustard. Season to taste. If you need more mustard zing, add a little bit at a time, until you like it. If you need it sweeter, add more honey. Its up to you, you're the chef.

3. Combine veggies with dressing and toss.

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Alright, have a great Halloween and eat tons of candy. (Responsibly!)

Remember to Eat, Drink and Be Merry.