Farm Fresh Chicken Ramen - The new comfort food

I am all about comfort,

In my home, in my wardrobe and especially in my food.

There is nothing better than cozying up to a meal that makes you feel nostalgic, happy and loved.

Now more than ever, we are comforted to know where our food comes from 

and how it was raised or cultivated.
When it's fresh, local and vibrant it always makes for a festive meal...

I recently attended a beautiful lunch hosted by Foster Farms, where we discussed
the New Comfort Food Movement, and how the way we eat, and what we eat has changed.
Traditionally comfort food meant heavier meals like lasagna and fried chicken.
Now we want simple, visual, more health minded meals,
that you feel good making, eating and even admiring.
(food selfies, anyone?)

The flavors we crave have also changed.
They are now bolder, influenced by international flavors
or may be created to be paired with a craft beer or exotic wine.
Our lives have evolved and so has comfort food.

Almost everyone and every ethnic group eats chicken.  

More recipe pins on Pinterest contain the word chicken than eggs, peanut butter and beef combined.

Chicken is the key ingredient to many comfort meals.

 Foster Farm's Simply Raised Chicken, 

is antibiotic free, locally raised, fresh and natural.  

Since 1939, Foster Farms has been committed to producing only the highest-quality poultry.

I started to think about what is comforting to me, not only to eat but to cook.

I realized it is a combination of farm fresh food,  interesting flavors, 

locally grown vegetables and herbs and products I can buy at the grocery store that I can trust.

A trip to our local farmer's market is one of the highlights of my week.

Not only is everything fresh, seasonal and local
but the pride each farmer takes in their bounty always inspires me.

I love how pretty the produce is and I'm always anxious to try something new...

One of my favorite local farmers, is my teenage son! 

He has provided us with a plethora of tomatoes all summer long.  

There is nothing better than needing something for a meal and being able to go outside and pick it.

And snipping herbs from the garden always makes me smile...

I combined fresh vegetables, herbs, Simply Raised Chicken 

and ramen noodles 

for a comforting bowl of goodness.

All of the nostalgic flavors of chicken noodle soup, 

slightly modernized into a festive ramen dish...

I think every night should be new comfort food night!

Farm Fresh Chicken Ramen
Serves 4

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup sliced carrots

1 cup sliced celery

2 cloves minced garlic

2 chopped spring onions

1/2 cup sliced cherry tomatoes

handful of spinach leaves

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

1 tablespoon fresh oregano

48 ounces of chicken stock

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

2 packages of ramen noodles      

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add carrots, celery, garlic and onion.  Cook for about 5 minutes, or until veggies are fragrant and start to soften slightly.  Add stock and bring to a boil over high heat.  Then lower heat and simmer, adding chicken and noodles and cooking 5-7 minutes until noodles are cooked. Divide into 4 bowls and top with herbs, spinach and tomatoes.

For more New Comfort Food inspiration go to the Foster Farms Website here.

Thank you to Foster Farms for sponsoring this post.  All opinions and content are my own.