You don’t have to be a master chef to come up with your own tasty chicken burgers recipes.   By using some of your favourite seasonings and ingredients, you can create a low-fat burger that will have you enjoying our short-lived Canadian BBQ season.

I like to experiment with different toppings and seasonings when I make my burgers, then when I find a favourite, I add it to my recipe repertoire.  This weekend, I’m going to get creative by using seasonings like curry or tarragon, or maybe I’ll create a Hawaiian chicken burger using grilled slices of pineapple.  The possibilities are endless!

Here’s my take on a Mediterranean flavoured burger which is not only delicious but reheats well so make plenty to have for leftovers the next day.

Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers

• 2 lbs ground chicken
• 1 cup chopped cooked spinach, well drained
• 1 large shallot finely minced
• 1/3 cup feta, crumbled
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Toppings: Hummus and grilled vegetables like zucchini, red pepper and portabella mushrooms.

Whether you top your burger the classic way or add your own pizzazz, chicken burgers are always a delicious meal choice!

Need more chicken burger ideas?  Here are a few from our recipe database at www.chicken.ca

Saucy Mozzarella Chicken Burgers 

Easy BBQ Chicken and Bean Burgers

What’s your favourite chicken burger recipe?  Let us know in the comments.

Summer is just around the corner and many Canadians are already experiencing the heat. With temperatures soon to approach 30 degrees Celsius and above, it’s time to think about preventing dehydration and heat-related illnesses.

Being outdoors in the sun – mobile and active – and getting Vitamin D from the rays are some of the great benefits of summer. But sadly, the season many of us longed for by mid-March can put us at risk for heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and in rare and extreme cases, death.

Without taking proper precautions, all Canadians are vulnerable to heat-related accidents and illnesses. There are, however, groups within our population who are particularly vulnerable and could be monitored more closely. They are:

• Older adults
• Infants and children
• Outdoor workers
• People who exercise daily,and
• Individuals with chronic illness (such as those with asthma, breathing difficulties or heart disease)

When you’re out this summer – whether you are filling up your basket at a U-Pick, enjoying theatre in the park, or biking with the kids – it’s important to keep an eye on your family and others for the signs and symptoms of dehydration:

• dry lips and tongue
• headache
• weakness, dizziness, or extreme fatigue
• concentrated urine that appears dark
• nausea

Tips to stay cool this summer:

When planning a day out, research locations for cooling facilities. This way, if you are far away from home, you can easily locate air-conditioned libraries, government buildings, shopping malls or splash-parks.

• Make sure your family is dressed in light-coloured, loose fitting clothing.
• Do not forget sunscreen and hats.  
• When out in the sun, avoid drinks containing caffeine or alcohol. These drinks can induce the production of urine and promote dehydration.
• Take regular breaks in the shade and stay hydrated (drink plenty of water). If you plan to be outdoors most of the day, pack a cooler with refreshing snacks, food, and beverages for a picnic. Be sure to freeze water in empty leak-proof containers to chill your lunch and become part of the meal.

Chicken Farmers of Canada has many light and refreshing salad recipes to help you plan your next picnic on a warm day. Try these recipes to feel cool and energized for a day of fun.

Grilled Chicken, Watermelon and Tomato Salad

Watermelon and tomatoes may seem like an unlikely pairing, but the sweetness of the fruit works perfectly with the slight acidity found in the tomatoes. Toss in crisp slices of romaine lettuce, and you’ve got a meal that not only tastes fresh and light, but looks great on your picnic table.

Chicken Crunch Salad

Grapes, water chestnuts and red pepper add lovely texture to this flavourful salad. It’s a great protein-rich lunch to pack in a cooler for a picnic.

Teriyaki Chicken Garden Salad

This light, refreshing salad is full of flavour thanks to a delicious Teriyaki marinade. Tart cranberries and a sweet raspberry vinaigrette provide mouth-watering contrast in this easy recipe.

Do you love to use fresh fruit and crunchy vegetables in your meals during summer? Share your favourite recipe in our comments.

I am a Canadian Farmer.

I am not Old MacDonald or a factory farmer

And I don’t wear coveralls and rubber boots all the time.

I use a computer, a tractor and a shovel on any given day.

And if they farm, I probably do know Barb or Bill or John from Arnprior

And they are really nice people.

I am an active environmentalist.

I have a kitchen table, not a boardroom table.

I can proudly stamp my flag on food shipped around the world.

I believe in producing safe food.

And more of  it on less land.

The best in the world.

If you ate today, thank me.

I am a Canadian Farmer.

Farm and Food Care Ontario

Chicken is such a versatile protein; It gets chopped, sliced, ground-up, barbecued, sautéed, deep fried, marinated (I could go on and on here) but did you know that it can be cooked-up using some of your favourite cocktail ingredients?

Let’s take a look at some of our boozy chicken recipes that’ll have you feeling satisfied without the buzz or hiccups!

Brandy Chicken with Sage

I remember back in the day when “a wee nip of brandy” was the cure for whatever ails you. That’s not the case anymore but it sure works well in this delicious recipe.

Chicken Pasta with Whisky Cream Sauce

Do you like your whiskey neat or on the rocks? How about tossed up with some chicken and pasta? I wouldn’t suggest asking for your whisky this way at your local bar unless you want some strange looks from your bartender.

Curried Rum Chicken Wings with Grilled Pineapple

Rum and pineapple are a great combination and the curry in this recipe just gives it that extra kick. While you’ve got the rum out, why not make yourself a cool Pina Colada?

Tipsy Teriyaki Barbecue Chicken

In this recipe, the chicken gets tipsy for you, so have as much as you want without feeling hung over the next day!

Gin and Tonic Kabobs with Mint Tabouleh

Here’s a fancy way to grill up your kabobs. Gin and Tonic is no longer considered the drink of the “upper crust” but it could become the marinade of the “upper crust”?

Tequila Marinated Chicken with Rice, Corn and Black Beans

Chicken marinated in tequila? Now that’s a Mexican meal! Olé to that, mi amigos!

Do you have a boozy chicken recipe you’d like to share with us in our comments?

What is celiac disease?

More than 20 million Canadians suffer from digestive disorders every year. Many of these Canadians (1 in 133) have a food intolerance or sensitivity to gluten – a family of proteins found in some grains including wheat, barley and rye. For these individuals, including those with celiac disease (CD), the dietary consumption of gluten can have adverse health effects.

The Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) defines celiac disease as “an autoimmune disease where the surface of the small intestine that absorbs nutrients from food is damaged by a substance called gluten.” The only medically accepted treatment for celiac disease is to maintain a gluten-free diet so that the body can absorb essential nutrients.

What is a gluten-free diet?

A gluten-free diet allows for fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and many dairy products, but excludes foods containing the gluten protein found in wheat (including durum wheat or just “durum,” spelt wheat, & kamut), barley, rye, bulgur, malts and in some food additives which are used for flavoring or thickening often labeled “dextrin.” Fortunately several grains and starches are considered safe in a gluten-free diet. The most commonly used are corn, potatoes, rice and tapioca.

There is a lot of confusing information about what (and what not) to eat when following a gluten-free diet. It is important to know that there are many options available, so that you do not avoid foods and lose out on important nutrients. For a list of foods that are safe, you may find this webpage from the CCA helpful:

http://www.celiac.ca/index.php/about-celiac-disease/

The key to living well with celiac disease is to read food labels carefully and become familiar with the products that are safe. Gluten is commonly used in the production of many processed foods including obvious products (breads, pastas, and most common breakfast cereals) and not so obvious products such as seasonings, sauces, soy sauce, marinades, salad dressings, soups, prepared meats, and flavoured coffees.

The next time you are at the grocer, why not take the time to read the label of a new product or an older product that you have not tried? You may find yourself expanding your meal options and adding new nutrients to your diet. Some products that are not marketed as gluten-free may be gluten-free naturally.

If you are like me, and enjoy preparing healthy meals at home, CFC has dozens of nutritious, gluten-free recipes that even your kids will like. Polenta Chicken Pizza Bites found on www.chicken.ca is an easy, flexible recipe that calls for cornmeal and corn flour instead of wheat. You can change the toppings to suit your preferences. This recipe also works well with leftover roast chicken.

Bon appetit!

Cooking for one doesn’t shouldn’t mean picking up a stack of TV dinners for the week. In fact, cooking for one is a great opportunity to experiment with the ingredients you LOVE and not worry about feeding any picky eaters. It’s also a lot better for your health!

Tips to cooking for one:

Food:

• Load up on meats, breads, frozen/fresh vegetables, pantry items like pastas and canned goods when they’re on sale.
• Wrap meats in individual portions using freezer bags or plastic containers and label them with the date you freeze them. Here’s a great chart that will help you figure out how long chicken cuts can be frozen.

http://chicken.ca/cooking-tips/food_safety_at_home/storage_and_thawing_guide/

• Frozen vegetable are a great alternative to fresh because you can use exactly the amount you need, without any waste. If you are using some fresh vegetables, chop, slice or dice what you need for a recipe ahead of time and store them in the fridge air tight containers until you are ready to use them.
• Leftover canned ingredients should always be stored in plastic or glass containers and keep well in the fridge.
• Freeze half a loaf of bread. You’ll probably only go through half a loaf of bread or less over the course of a week, so freeze what you don’t plan on using.
• Whole grain pasta stores well and you can prepare as much or as little as you want.
• Canned beans, tomato sauces and diced tomatoes are a pantry must have. I keep my pantry stocked with these items. Canned beans are high in fibre and can be used in salads, soups and chilis. Tomato sauce makes a really easy dinner of chicken parmesan and you can use the leftover sauce for pasta.

Cooking:

• Think batch cooking - by preparing a large meal in advance, you can freeze the rest or refrigerate some and have meals that you can enjoy later in the week for lunch or dinner. For big batch meals, I suggest using a recipe that freezes well like one of these from www.chicken.ca

Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken and Vegetables

Easy Chicken Stuffed Peppers

Home-Made Low Sodium Chicken Stock

Stacked Tortilla Bake with Chicken Chili

Creamy Cabbage, Chicken and Egg Noodle Casserole

• Invest in a slow cooker, especially if you have a busy schedule or plan on doing some big batch cooking. By preparing a chili or one of your favourite slow cooker recipes on a lazy weekend, you’ll be set for the week.
• An indoor grill is also a great way to enjoy a single serving of chicken, quesadillas or a grilled Panini style sandwich.
• If you’re trying a recipe for the first time, cut the ingredients by half or less than half. Most recipes serve between 6-8 people so wait to see if you actually like it.
• Think about the types of food you prepare and how you can use leftovers. Chicken chili is great served on its own but it’s also great served in a soft tortilla shell, sprinkled with lettuce and cheese, or use it to make a small batch of nachos with some of your favourite toppings.
• By cooking a whole chicken or a few chicken breasts, you’ll have dinner and leftovers to make a sandwich or salad the next day.

See, cooking for one is easy and you’ll save yourself some money!

What can parents do? Become a positive role model in healthy eating and physical activity.

• Teach your kidsabout food and why they need to eat healthy nutritious foods. Protein is a source of building blocks for strong muscles, bones and tissue. Carbohydrates provide energy needed for daily activity, growth and development. Good fats are essential for hormonal function and brain development. Minerals such as calcium keep bones strong and healthy. Zinc helps build your immune system. For more information on nutrients and health, go to www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Suggested resource “Nutrient Value of Some Common Foods”

• Keep mostly healthy, nutritious foods in the house on a regular basis. Only keep a small amount of high sugar/salty snacks at home to be enjoyed as a treat. If your child wants an unhealthy snack such as chips/chocolate, make sure this is balanced out with a nutritious food; sliced oranges are excellent with a small handful of chips. Better yet, offer a fruit first and then, the option of a less nutritious snack. Chances are, the child will not be hungry or will eat significantly less of the salty/sweet starch.
• Keep washed fruit on the counter, ready to go. If it is at eye level they will reach for it first; quick & easy.
• Always have an assortment of bite size veggies on hand in the fridge; place in a clear container so they are visible. Have a low fat dip prepared to accompany these nutritious morsels.
• Serve lean meats such as chicken. To make chicken even leaner, remove the skin before serving.
• Limit consumption of pop and juice. Encourage your kids to drink plenty of water. A 250 ml serving of juice is approximately 120 calories. This will take a child 30 minutes of running to burn it off. Juice is a nutritious beverage choice but one serving size = 125 ml (1/2 cup) only. Buy juices with no added sugar.

Tip: Add water to juice before serving

• Breakfast- Breakfast - Breakfast…It is the most important meal of the day. Parents, be positive role models; sit and enjoy breakfast with your kids.
• Food Game: Tasting different healthy foods, fruits and vegetables as a fun activity. Pick one night a week or month where you all sit down as a family and take turns trying out new healthy foods. Start up a discussion on the flavors, textures; was it good, tasty? Show your kids that foods come in a wide variety.

As if we weren’t excited enough when we launched the Everyone Wins With Canadian Chicken contest on April 23^rd, over the past couple of weeks, the contest has gone gangbusters on Twitter and Facebook.

It just goes to show how important this cause is to Canadians and for good reason. Did you know that 40% of people who use the Food Bank are children?

You can do your part in helping feed Canada’s hungry by getting your local MP to participate in our contest by sharing their favourite chicken breast sandwich recipe here http://contest.chicken.ca and if you need more information on the contest, you can find it here http://appconnected.com/everyonewinswithchicken/

Not sure how to contact your MP? Here’s how:

Email – You can find your MP’s email using this link http://www.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx

Twitter – You can find your MP’s twitter handle using this link.

http://appconnected.com/everyonewinswithchicken/mplisting.php

Facebook – Usually, MPs will have their sites listed on their homepages.  Find their homepage using this link.

http://www.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx

The first prize sandwich will win a $10,000 donation

The second prize sandwich, a $5,000 donation

The third prize sandwich, a $2,500 donation

That’s a lot of food to go around so don’t forget to spread the word!

The winning sandwich will also be served at our Great Canadian Barbecue on Canada Day, so if you happen to be in Ottawa on July 1^st, come by and see us.

In a world of packaged and fast food, it’s more important than ever that everyone, especially young children, know where their food comes from. That’s why we created an interactive educational tool called Fun Farm, where kids can play games, download projects and learn about how their chicken dinner made it to their plates.

On the Fun Farm, kids can play games like the Matching Mania memory game, test their skills at chicken jig-saw puzzles, or design a virtual T-shirt. There are also interactive games, like Build-a-Barn that gives kids a virtual barn that they have to equip with all the right equipment and supplies necessary to raise healthy chickens.

But fun Farm is about more than just fun – it’s about learning. The site also features a Project Corner with downloadable project ideas and a Teacher's Corner that can be used in the classroom to get kids involved in research projects and tests their skills in science, health, reading, writing, critical thinking, and visual arts.

Teachers can use these lesson plans as part of their curriculum or students can explore them on their own and get their parents involved too. It's a great way to learn and afterwards kids have a better understanding of chickens and farming from the gate to the plate.

Fun Farm is a great virtual place for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. We had a lot of fun building it.

If you’re not sure how to entertain your family this weekend, why not have your closest amigos over for a Cinco de Mayo celebration?  After a long work week, this fun celebration full of vibrantly colored decorations is sure to brighten-up everyone’s week.

Here are some tips on hosting a Cinco de Mayo Party.

Decorations

• Keep things colorful with streamers and balloons. These are an inexpensive way to decorate and you can find them at your local dollar store in a wide range of colors.
• Make paper flowers like these and attach then to the streamers or use them to make an inviting wreath for your front door.
• Place a big glass bowl or vase full of limes as table center piece.
• Decorate with small cacti or succulent plants which will also be used as party favours.

Activities

• Have a guacamole or salsa contest. Have your guests bring a bowl of their favourite homemade guacamole or salsa and have them choose a favourite. You can also do a favourite Mexican recipe exchange.
• You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy hitting a piñata but for today, leave it to the kids. It’ll keep them entertained while the adults sit back and relax. Here’ a great video on how to make a piñata.

Don’t forget to dance to some good salsa and mariachi!

Drinks

This recipe for Frozen Margaritas is sure to please your guests.

You can also make these Frozen Virgin Margaritas for the kids and adults can enjoy.

Mexican Chicken Recipes

Avocado, Beet and Chicken Tostadas

These sophisticated tostadas are the perfect treat to enjoy with a frozen margarita.

Chicken Chili

This chicken chili is perfect served in a soft tortilla. Have guest chose their own toppings of lettuce, tomato, grated cheese, guacamole, green onions and cilantro.

Baked Nachos with Tomatillo Salsa

Who doesn’t love nachos?  They are easy to prepare and ready in minutes and they’ll be gobbled-up in no time so double up on the ingredients!

Fab Fajita Sliders

These little gems can also be made into regular sized burgers. Prepare the patties the night before and either grill them on the BBQ or bake them in the oven.

For more recipe ideas visit us at http://chicken.ca/recipes/

What are your plans for Cinco de Mayo? Let us know in the comments.

It’s that time of year where the weather is warming up and people start thinking about home renovations.

A few years ago, I went through a kitchen renovation that took almost 4 weeks to complete. Although I was very pleased with the end result, living without a kitchen for 4 weeks was pretty tough. For one, my oven stood next to the television in my living room, my fridge in the dining room and pots, pans and dishes were stored in plastic bins which were scattered throughout. My microwave sat on my dining room table and was plugged into the wall.

So for the first few days I was a little discouraged and ordered take-out for lunches and dinners until I realized how much money I was spending. One thing people don’t factor in with the cost of renovations is the cost of how often they’ll be eating out or ordering in because living without a kitchen makes it hard to prepare a decent healthy meal, or so I thought. After those few days of take-out I thought to myself, “there’s got to be a better way”.

Here are some tips on eating healthy while having your kitchen restored.

Cooking equipment:

1. Use your BBQ – if the weather permits, a BBQ can be your best friend during a kitchen renovation.
2. If you have an indoor grill, find a spot where it can be plugged in and use it on those days where it’s just too hot to be outside.
3. A microwave ALWAYS comes in handy.
4. You can keep a few small plates out that can easily be washed in a bathroom sink but ideally, I recommend paper plates. You can buy a large amount of recyclable paper plates at your local grocery store or dollar store for little cost. Same goes for utensils.
5. Get your toaster oven out.
6. Your slow-cooker can also be handy but you’ll need to find a spot to wash it. I suggest the laundry basin if you have one.
7. Your electric kettle.

Food:

1. Your refrigerator will be plugged-in so you can make full use of it. Keep plenty of foods that can be easily prepared on your BBQ or indoor grill, like chicken breasts or chicken sausages.
2. Before the renovations start, I suggest preparing foods that can be frozen that way all you have to do is reheat them in a toaster oven or microwave.
3. Buy a rotisserie chicken and prepared salad at your grocery store. A whole pre-cooked chicken can last you a few days. If you have a large family, buy a few. You’ll save money in the long run. Rip bits off the breast meat or dark meat and place between two slices of your favourite whole grain bread; add mayonnaise or hummus and a handful of prepared salad. Or serve the chicken on top of the salad greens with your favourite bottled salad dressing.
4. Frozen vegetables (get the one’s that can be steamed in the bag) are easily prepared in the microwave.
5. Sweet potatoes or potatoes can be washed clean, wrapped in foil and cooked on the BBQ. You can also prepare them in the microwave, minus the tin foil.
6. Grated cheese is always handy to have around. Try placing a few corn chips topped with salsa and grated cheese in your toaster over for a quick snack.
7. Keep plenty of fresh fruit around. Fruit is great for breakfast or for a snack.
8. Buy a box of instant oatmeal and use your electric kettle to boil the water.

Try some of our easy to prepare recipes at www.chicken.ca

Chicken and Vegetable Pockets

These Chicken and Vegetable Pockets are easy to prepare using only 6 ingredients. Keep them in your fridge or freeze them and cook them in your toaster oven when you need a quick meal.

Thai Style Sweet Chili Chicken

This slow cooker recipe uses only 7 ingredients with no chopping required.

Chicken Chili

Chili freezes well and can be thawed in the microwave.  It’s also perfect served on its own, with corn chips, or wrapped in a flour tortilla sprinkled with grated cheddar cheese.

I hope this has taken some of the stress out of planning your kitchen renovation.