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. 

Postcards from home - best views of the Golden Gate

Thank you to Coca-Cola for sponsoring this post.  All opinions and content are my own. #IworkwithCoke

It is no secret that my family loves where we live.
We are less than an hour south of San Francisco,
 and we take advantage of the city whenever we can.
Our getaways to this city, where we left our hearts, could be for just a few hours or overnight.
Great restaurants, exciting sporting events, inspiring museums, dynamic concerts...
San Francisco has it all,
 but there is one thing that leaves me breathless every time we venture north -
The Golden Gate Bridge!
This vibrant, majestic icon gives me a feeling of hometown pride every time I see it.

Our latest San Francisco adventure was all about the bridge.
During a fun lunch at Red Robin, on our drive up to the city ,we plotted our course.
Armed with their infamous Onion Rings and lots of Gold Peak Tea,
we debated on the best ways to see the Golden Gate.

We started in the Marina, at Crissy Field...

If you look to the right, you'll see Alcatraz...

I highly recommend doing a tour of "The Rock", 

it is fascinating and the views of the city are incredible.

Look behind you and you'll see the Presidio...

It is one of the nation's oldest and most beautiful military posts. 

The stately buildings now host cultural gems 

such as the Officers' Club, Walt Disney Family Museum 

and George Lucas's Industrial Lights and Magic.  

The grounds have fog-shrouded forests, beautiful fields 

and even weekly Food Truck festivals all with amazing views of the bridge.

But one of my favorite ways to enjoy the bay is strolling

the Crissy Field path on to Fort Point.

Summers in San Francisco can be colder than the winter,

 so often a quick stop at 

The Warming Hut is mandatory.

It is full of treats and gifts and a welcome cozy atmosphere along the way...

In typical Bay Area style, you never quite know what you will see.

For some, it is still the summer of peace and love in a festive VW Bus...

Before you know it, 

you are at the base of the bridge.

As you look toward Marin, the bay is on your right and the mighty Pacific Ocean to your left.

No trip to Fort Point is complete with out touching Hopper's Hands. 
Legend has it that a GGB iron worker named Hopper, 
noticed that visitors were ritually tapping the fence as they turned around.  
He made the infamous sign so everyone could slap the hand as they reached the end of the trail.
(and I am convinced it is good luck!)

There is nothing better than refueling your mind and spirit with a day on the bay.

Afterward, we relaxed on the Crissy Field Beach, took in the view and sipped on Gold Peak Tea.

It's home brewed taste is crisp, refreshing and comforting just like the city we love.

Enjoying life's simple pleasures is what it's all about...

and finding those special "golden" moments with family and friends is priceless.

Don't forget to drink it all in!

(view from Land's End, another favorite vantage point)

The ultimate steak dinner

Our family loves a classic steak dinner.
A juicy cut of meat, a crisp wedge salad, a comforting baked potato...
My kids wouldn't think about any other beverage to have with it than milk.
They say it's the perfect pairing, so I've partnered with Got Milk?,
to try it for myself.
After a decadent meal, guzzled down with milk -
it is unanimous, steak dinners really do love milk!

After numerous bites and deep analysis,

 there are a combination of reasons why it all goes together so well.

The savoriness of the steak, the tanginess of the salad 

and the starchy, salty, creaminess of the loaded potato 

are all a perfect complimented to milk. 

It ties it all together like the perfect, delicious storm.

You could go out to a steak house but it is so easy to do at home. 

(and you have unlimited refills of milk!)

How I cook steaks:

Let steak sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Coat bottom of cast iron skillet with olive oil and place in oven for at least 10 minutes.

Rub both sides of steaks with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Remove skillet from oven and put on burner set to medium high 

(you may need to add a little more olive oil)

Place steaks in pipping hot skillet and cook about 5 minutes on each side. Depending on how you like your steak cooked and the thickness, cooking times will vary. 

You can check with a meat thermometer : 

Medium Rare should be 130 degrees, Medium 140 and Well Done 160

Let the steaks rest for 10 minutes before serving.  

As they rest, I like to top with herbs like fresh thyme and rosemary,  

and then my top secret ingredient...

I squeeze just a touch of lemon over the top, 

the combo of the herbs and lemon add so much brightness and doesn't taste "lemony" at all.

Wedges of crisp, cold iceberg lettuce, topped with blue cheese dressing, 

diced tomatoes and crumbled blue cheese are next on the menu.  

The tanginess pairs perfectly with the savory steak and creamy milk. 

There are many great bottled dressings in the refrigerated produce section of most grocery stores,

 but homemade is always better and a cinch to make...

My Favorite Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

Whisk together:

 2 Tablespoons finely chopped shallot

3/4 cup sour cream

1/2 cup butter milk

1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar

Then stir in:

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

And a rounding out our meal, a loaded baked potato. 

A spud indulgence, topped with butter, salt, 

sour cream, fresh bacon crumbles and chives...

Next time you have a hankering for hanger, covet chuck or fancy a flank,

make sure you've Got Milk...

it doesn't discriminate, 

it is amazing with any type of steak.

Brought to you by Got Milk?  Food loves milk.

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Home is only a sip away! The Iced Tea Conversation

My daughter was born in the South.

We only lived there briefly before returning to California,
but it seems that the roots run deep.

She loves all things southern, 

the hospitality, the food, the scenery,  the lifestyle and most of all 

the sweet tea!

She's a Junior in high school and in just two short years she'll be leaving for college. 

During a recent lunch at California Pizza Kitchen,
we had a powwow about where she's thinking of going.

I came prepared with a map and college guide book and braced myself...

While sipping Gold Peak Teas and enjoying a BBQ Chicken Pizza, 

we talked about all of the great schools in the West...

heading to my alma mater in the Rockies...

and the intrigue and allure of the East Coast...

There are many steps to take and lots of looking to do 

but she confessed that she may be leaning toward 

the simple and sweet South.

A place with so many wonderful colleges,
where the people are friendly, life is a little simpler
 and the sweet tea flows freely...

Until then, she can enjoy a little taste of the South with Gold Peak Teas
 right here in California.

They are crisp, refreshing and especially for Carolyn, bring a unique sense of comfort. 
It is always her beverage of choice.
You should see her face light up when we go a restaurant like CPK 
and she sees their teas on the menu.
But make no mistake she's a "Sweet Tea Girl" all the way.

I grew up in California and had never heard of sweet tea until we moved to Georgia.

So I prefer unsweetened iced tea, it reminds me of how my Grandma used to make it.

Evidently our time in the south didn't influence me!

I love to enjoy its home brewed taste with just a touch of fresh mint,

and when I am feeling really festive, I serve it in heart shapes.

They are so fun and easy to make -

paired with Gold Peak Tea, they just make you smile.

Slip a large fresh mint leaf into a clean heart paper punch...

press down...

and they are ready...

So cheers to the future, to special conversations over iced tea 

and to the taste that brings you home.

I'm curious, 

are you sweet or unsweet?

Thank you to my friends at Coca Cola or sponsoring this post.  All opinions and love of Gold Peak Teas are entirely my own. #IworkwithCoke #sponsored