This year, Chicken Farmers of Canada has introduced 3 new Brand Ambassadors – wonderful bloggers whom we like to feature and who write things about us, too. By expanding our audience this way, we can reach out to new and enthusiastic readers, just like you!

Here’s one of our great Brand Ambassadors, Wendy (@mapsgirl):

Wendy (also known as mapsgirl) is a mom to two daughters, ages 7 and 5. They are the inspiration of her blog, funny things are everywhere.

funny things are everywhere has grown from a personal journal to a family-oriented blog focusing on topics that are of importance to parents and their children. Child passenger safety is a passion of Wendy's. For the last 5 years, Wendy has had the opportunity to work with several Ontario police services and EMS teams, as a car seat technician. Writing her blog and volunteering in the community happens when she's not working full time as a cartographer for a municipality.

Last month, Wendy shared her top five chicken.ca BBQ recipes with her readers. I must say, she has good taste! http://www.mapsgirl.ca/2012/06/wendys-top-5-bbq-chicken-recipes.html

Thank you, Wendy. We think you’re pretty great!

Stay tuned because this summer, you’ll get to meet all our Brand Ambassadors and they’ll be posting special content for us, too!

Chicken Farmers Support Canada’s Women’s Beach Volleyball Team at the London 2012 Olympic Games

Chicken Farmers of Canada is honoured to support Canada’s Women’s Beach Volleyball team at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Annie Martin and Marie-Andrée Lessard are our Canadian team’s energetic volleyball “chicks” who on July 7^th earned their spots to compete in the London Olympics and we are very excited to see them in action!

“We are tremendously proud of the accomplishments of these women,” said Dave Janzen, Chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada, “Chicken Farmers of Canada is proud to cheer them on as they represent Canada and we’ll be rooting for them loudly as they go for the gold!”

“Canada’s Olympic athletes need our support, both when they’re competing and throughout their training,” Janzen continued, “Not only do they represent our country at a prestigious international level, they show us that, even on a much smaller scale, we can all enjoy a healthy lifestyle and practice good sportsmanship – those are skills that last a lifetime.”

We’ll be closely following the competition and we’ll be featuring a two-part interview with our lovely athletic ladies, which will be featured on our blog so you’ll want to stay tuned!

You can do your part as a Canadian and support our Women’s Beach Volleyball team on its website at www.lessardmartin.com.

Go Canada!

Feel like hosting a pizza party this weekend? Or perhaps you’re just in the mood for a hot slice or two of ‘za tonight? Then why not give your usual pizza a makeover with these healthy and delicious pizza recipes?

Our pizzas are high in protein and use healthy ingredients that will satisfy your craving and keep you feeling fuller for longer, so you can enjoy them without the guilt.

Chicken Cacciatore, Friulano and Goat Cheese Pizza

http://chicken.ca/recipes/view/chicken-cacciatore-friulano--goat-cheese-pizza/#

This recipe makes two pizzas on whole grain prepared crusts of your choice. The pizza is loaded with Mediterranean flavours and contains a mere 280 calories per slice. What’s not to like about that?

Chicken Pizza with Gorgonzola

http://chicken.ca/recipes/view/chicken-pizza-with-gorgonzola/#

This recipe also makes two pizzas and is made healthy by using low-fat mozzarella and fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, olives and sun dried tomatoes which pair perfectly with the gorgonzola cheese.

*note – for picky eaters, like kids, omit the gorgonzola.

Grilled Chicken Pizza Margherita

http://chicken.ca/recipes/view/grilled-chicken-pizza-margherita/

We’ve loaded some juicy chicken onto this classic Italian pizza that is a hit with everyone! We’ve also included a recipe for a healthy whole wheat pizza crust so why not double or triple it up and freeze them until your next pizza day?

Chicken Pesto Pizza

http://chicken.ca/recipes/view/chicken-pesto-pizza/

This pizza takes no time at all to prepare. With only seven ingredients, you can enjoy a warm slice of this Greek inspired ‘za in under 30 minutes! 

Did you know that one chicken leg contains 18% of a woman’s daily recommended intake of zinc?

That’s really good news because zinc is an essential nutrient that boosts our immunity and our mood. Zinc is a trace mineral that is found in every cell of our body and is necessary for growth and reproduction. It also supports wound healing and helps maintain our sense of taste and smell.

Researchers are investigating the role zinc plays in the prevention of osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease. Oysters are the best source of dietary zinc. Other important food sources include wild game, crab, and poultry dark meat.

Are there health benefits in eating dark meat? 

White meat is by far the most popular type of chicken sold in the country, but if you’ve been avoiding dark meat because of nutritional concerns, here are some nutrition facts:

• Dark meat does not contain as much fat as you might think. A 2.5 ounce serving of skinless chicken thigh, baked or grilled, has only 5 grams of fat compared to 2 grams in the same serving of skinless chicken breast.
• It is recommended that we have 2 servings of protein per day and that each serving be less than 10 grams of fat from meat. Eating one chicken thigh (even two) is well within the recommended range of fat we should consume for a meal. 
• A 100g serving of chicken breast contains 33% of our recommended daily intake of Vitamin B6 and 86% of our recommended daily intake of niacin. As good as this seems, dark meat is richer in nutrients than white meat and contains more iron and zinc.

If you have a houseful of people who love dark meat, don’t hesitate to buy family-size value packs of chicken legs or thighs. Thighs can now be purchased boneless and/or skinless and are often more economical than chicken breasts. These cuts, as opposed to a whole bird, also reduce prep work and waste, freeze well and provide your family with essential nutrients.

If you love dark meat or have children who do, then you will surely appreciate this easy recipe called Chicken Legs with Scrumptious Spicy Sauce.

This recipe is low in saturated fat, and is high in potassium, iron, zinc and vitamins A, C, and B12. Visit www.chicken.ca for hundreds of dark meat recipes like this.

If you are curious to learn more about the dietary benefits of dark meat chicken or would like to compare its nutrients with other meats, visit Chicken Farmers of Canada’s new health portal at www.chicken.ca/health.

As you may know, this past spring, Chicken Farmers of Canada ran the Everyone Wins With Canadian Chicken contest among Members of Parliament, with the help of Maple Leaf Foods, The Hill Times newspaper and Food Banks Canada.

Thanks to all of you for helping this campaign become so successful.  A whopping 72 entries were received. Such delicious recipes to choose from!

On June 12, 2012, Minister Toews’ Pesto Chicken Philly-Melt was awarded 1st place in the Everyone Wins with Canadian Chicken and was able to divide the $10,100 first place prize between the local food banks in Provencher.

On July 11th, Minister Toews presented their cheques to the food banks at a ceremony in New Bothwell.

The prizes have been divided on a per capita basis, based on the size of the area that each of the food banks service. The five food banks located in the riding of Provencher are:

• South East Helping Hands $5050
• Morris Food Bank $1262.50
• Lorette Food Bank $1262.50
• Springfield Food Bank $1262.50
• Lac du Bonnet and area Food Bank $1262.50

“This contest has done a wonderful job of raising the profile of local food banks during what is often a slow time for donations,” said Toews. “I am honoured that my Provencher Pesto Chicken Philly-Melt was judged to be the best of the recipes submitted by Members of Parliament from across Canada and I urge Canadians to consider making a donation to their local food bank.”

Minister Toews’ winning entry includes a home-grown featured ingredient, 2 year old Bothwell cheddar. A local Manitoba success story, Bothwell Cheese has been manufacturing a wide variety of cheeses since 1936 using only the freshest locally-produced milk.

 “While Canada’s economy is on the right track for recovery, there are families that access their local food banks for a helping hand,” said Toews. “I am thrilled to have been able to participate in an event that supports such a good cause.”

Many thanks to Minister Toews and all the MPs who entered the Everyone Wins with Canadian Chicken contest.

Using fresh herbs is one of the best ways to enhance the flavour and add a personal touch to your cooking. I grow fresh herbs in my garden every summer, usually in pots unless I can find a decent spot for them in the soil.

This year, I’m growing basil, dill, cilantro, thyme, oregano and parsley. We do a lot of Mexican-style cooking in my house so we’re always using fresh cilantro. We also eat a lot of tomatoes which are perfectly paired with basil. I rather enjoy them with some freshly sliced basil, a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

The main thing when using fresh herbs is to know how to use them in cooking. For instance, many Italian and Greek dishes make use of oregano. Dill is perfect when cooking salmon or making a simple potato salad.

You can also use fresh herbs to create your own marinades and salad dressings.  Just add them to a mixture of oil and vinegar or find a good recipe on-line.

For a list of popular herbs and how to use them, check out this link to Better Homes and Gardens http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/herb/

We all know that chicken can take a lot of flavour so why not experiment a little starting with a few of our recipes that use fresh herbs?

Chicken Insalata Caprese Party Picks

Chicken Udon Noodle Salad with Fresh Mint

Rosemary Chicken Tapas Platter with Pita Garlic Yogurt Dippers

 Did you know that beer is the world’s most widely-consumed alcoholic beverage?  There’s good reason for it, too.  Variety abounds – there’s a beer for just about every occasion.  And it’s not just a “guy’s” drink anymore – more and more women are enjoying the incredible selection and flavours available.

We often write about beer during the most popular times – hockey playoffs, football parties, etc., but you know as well as we do, beer is good anytime.

As we raise our mugs to the summer (when beer is most consumed), we’ve come up with a great selection of our own Chicken Farmers of Canada recipes that involve cooking with beer.  Remember, chicken made with beer is always good served with beer. Just enjoy responsibly.

The Classic – Beer Can Chicken

Beer Can Chicken became popular a few years ago, and remained so with good reason. The steam created by the beer transforms the chicken into a juicy, delectable delicacy. Cans of non-alcoholic beer and soft drinks work just as well in this recipe, with different flavour results. Try it with all sorts of beers – or juices, or whatever!

Burgers for Beer-Nuts – Dad’s Favourite Chicken Sandwich

This prizewinning chicken sandwich, which won our Canada Day Chicken Challenge in 2002, uses beer to marinate the chicken. The toppings of the sandwich are all classic complements to beer, such as old cheddar and horseradish. This is a simple but delicious sandwich that’s well worth adding to your repertoire.

The Picnic Specialty - Grilled Beer & Honey Chicken with Barley & Lentil Salad

This is a wonderful dish to take along with you wherever you go this summer.  It’s a nutritious alternative and the salad is divine!

We try to keep up with as many Canadian food bloggers as we can, and these are just a few of the mouth-watering posts we came across this month. Enjoy!

The Tiffin Box – Michelle Peter-Jones is an Edmonton based foodie who whips up mouth-watering East Indian, British and Canadian inspired recipes like this one for Chicken Chettinad. http://www.thetiffinbox.ca/2012/05/indian-classics-chicken-chettinad.html

Mmm…..is for Mommy – Heather is a stay at home Mom who enjoys cooking, writing and photography. Why not fire up the BBQ this weekend and try Heather’s recipe for Grilled Spinach & Feta Chicken Burgers ? They look soooooo good!

http://www.mmmisformommy.com/2011/06/grilled-spinach-feta-chicken-burgers.html

Six Top – This blog provides links to great places to eat in Halifax, Nova Scotia and in Montreal, Quebec. You’ll also find a good assortment of recipes like this one for Chicken with Ham & Onion Stuffing.

http://sixtop.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/chicken-with-the-ham-and-onion-stuffing/

Movita Beaucoup – this Halifax, Nova Scotia based ballerina/foodie has a great sense of humour! You’ll love her recipes like this one for Chicken & Mint Salad and you’ll find plenty of crafty ideas, along with tutorial videos.

http://movitabeaucoup.com/2011/03/01/chicken-and-mint-salad/

According to Canada’s Heart and Stroke Foundation, heart disease, once considered a ‘man’s disease,’ is the leading cause of illness and death in Canadian women. Reducing the amount of saturated fat in our diet and avoiding trans fats can help lower our cholesterol levels and reduce our risk for heart disease.   

BUT, reducing the amount of fat in our diet doesn’t mean we have to give up our favourite foods. Rich, delicious foods like Butter Chicken can have a makeover and still taste great!

Chicken Farmers of Canada’s Butter Chicken Makeover is a lower-fat, lower-calorie version of the ever-popular North Indian Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) in tomato cream sauce. The butter is reduced, and milk and plain yogurt are used instead of cream. It is delicious and not difficult to prepare. The brown basmati rice boosts the fibre content. To find this delicious AND healthy recipe, click here.

If you are curious to learn more about the dietary benefits of cooking with chicken or would like to compare its nutrients with other meats, visit Chicken Farmers of Canada’s new Health Portal at www.chicken.ca/health/.The Portal is a one-stop-shop for anyone looking to lead a healthier lifestyle. Articles on health, nutrition and exercise provide guidance to those who want an extra bit of help in order to get and stay healthy

As Canadians, we all look forward to BBQ season, the nice weather and spending time outdoors, but when the temperature reaches a sweltering point, the last thing we want to do is BBQ in heat. That’s where a slow cooker comes in handy!

Slow cookers are energy efficient and keep your kitchen cool in the summer, which makes them ideal for cooking on hot days. They’re also great time savers. If you’re on a busy after-work schedule, prepare your ingredients, place them in the slow cooker insert into your fridge the night before. In the morning, take the insert out, set your temperature and you’re on your way to a warm meal from a cool kitchen!

Thai-Style Sweet Chili Chicken

With only seven ingredients, you can have a tender, flavorful, melt-in-your mouth chicken dish. A quick way to enjoy this is with a ready-made salad, which you can find a great variety of at your local grocery store.

Sweet Coconut Clove Chicken

This easy to prepare dish will become a hit with your kids and also makes a great pot-luck meal.

Gypsy Chicken Stew

This super healthy slow cooker recipe is high in fibre and bursting with flavour making it ideal for the health-conscious family.

For more slow cooker recipes visit us at http://chicken.ca/recipes/category/slow-cooker?c[order_field]=created&c[order_dir]=asc&offset=

Who doesn’t love fried chicken? It is the quintessential southern comfort food and with good reason! Every bite of fried chicken is super moist and juicy and the flaky, crispy golden-brown crust provides the right amount of seasoning and crunch.

Fried chicken is enjoyed all year round and is usually served with a dipping sauce or gravy and a side like mashed potatoes, yams or collard greens. I prefer to serve mine with a healthy salad during the warmer weather.

Here are a few fried chicken recipes from our web site that will have you cooking the perfect fried chicken every time!

Rob’s Original Fried Chicken

Canadian grilling pro, Rob Rainford, shares his recipe and tips for making fried chicken the Rainford way!

Louisiana Fried Chicken

This traditional Louisiana fried chicken recipe includes instructions on how to make an accompanying pepper sauce.

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

We often make reference to letting a piece of meat “rest” once it’s finished cooking. At its simplest, resting simply means letting a piece of meat sit before cutting into it. Any chef will tell you it’s one of the most important steps in cooking meat, but why is it necessary?

When cooking meat, the muscle fibres of the meat contract, forcing out liquid from the spaces between. As the meat cools, the muscle fibres relax and reabsorb the juices within the meat.  Cutting into meat directly out of the oven essentially spills these juices onto a cutting board, taking with it a great deal of the flavour and moisture of the meat.

Secondly, letting meat rest evens out the doneness of the meat as it continues to cook slightly, resulting in a more even temperature. The best way to let meat rest is to place it on a rack or place in a warm (but not hot) place, with a tented piece of vented foil placed over top of it to keep it warm while letting the steam escape.  

For a small piece of meat, 5 – 10 minutes is often sufficient, whereas a larger cut like a roast chicken should rest for at least 10 – 15 minutes.

The Dietitians of Canada’s National Conference held in Toronto June 14 –16 was the ideal forum for Chicken Farmers of Canada to meet face-to-face with over 1,000 registered dietitians from across the country. Dietitians work in all kinds of organizations, in many different settings and are Canadians’ trusted experts for evidence-based food and nutrition information (www.dietitians.ca).

The annual National Conference presents the opportunity for dietitians, other health professionals, and government and industry representatives to stay abreast of nutrition research and to discuss, with colleagues and delegates, issues specific to one’s interest or practice. The Exhibitor Showcase, a full-day event, provides CFC and other representatives from the food and beverage industry the opportunity to showcase their latest products, resources, and services.  

As the science of nutrition is the central focus of the annual Conference, most exhibitors promote the theme of eating for wellness. Chicken Farmers of Canada is no exception. CFC has a vested interest in promoting health and nutrition because, as farmers, we care about what Canadians serve their families. With over 500 nutritious recipes at chicken.ca, many categorized for dietary needs, CFC presented to conference delegates healthy recipe options and information kits about its new Nutrition Factsheet Series.

The Nutrition Factsheet Series, 9 in total, is available on CFC’s new Health Portal. These are useful teaching tools or clinical aids for those looking to change their eating habits and achieve a healthier lifestyle. Registered dietitians and other health professionals have been ordering these patient resources in bulk for nearly a decade. These resources are used in conjunction with professional dietary advice to help patients prevent and/or manage many health conditions, including heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

This year, CFC has freshened-up the look of its Factsheets Series. Series 1–9 are now more visually pleasing and easier to read. Series 1–6 were also revised to update old, and bring forth new and relevant, evidence-based health information. Here are descriptive titles of what the Series contains.

#1) Your Health is For Life: Putting It All Together

#2) Healthy Living for Women: It’s in Your Hands

#3) Diabetes: Making the Right Food Choices

#4) Love That Healthy Heart

#5) Protect Your Health – Get Salt Savvy!

#6) Managing Your Weight

#7) Welcome to the era of feeling young and looking younger! Baby Boomers and Zoomers

#8) Screen or Scream – Are Your Kids Spending Too Much Time With the Tube?

#9) Snack Attack! Keep it Healthy!

A Snack and Beverage Journal and a Weekly Food Journal also accompany this Series. These are handy tracking resources for a growing number of Canadians who take their snacks and meals whenever and wherever they can be wedged into their busy day. Dietitians, many who work in weight management, find the journals beneficial in helping their patients monitor their daily nutritional intake, assess how they eat, and modify their eating patterns to make healthier choices.

Though CFC’s factsheets and journals are most widely used by Canada’s registered dietitians, these are a great tool for all of us. Go to www.chicken.ca/health/ and get the Facts. What are you waiting for?