Ok, out goes the fall menu and in comes the winter menu! If you start thinking more like a chef who works hard to prepare the freshest, most tasty dishes, then you have mastered eating local and in-season.

Why is it we can go to out local/casual fine dining restaurant and find that the chef has sourced the most delicious locally grown and raised ingredients like duck, lamb or roasted butternut squash, beets and turnips.  Why does it seem so easy for them?

Well guess what? We can, too, by slowing down, planning and sourcing seasonal foods, which are still as fresh as ever. We can use parsnips, locally grown sweet potatoes, squash of many kinds, locally grown organic peppers and so much more.

Here is a snippet from freshalicious, to help get you started thinking about all the delicious produce that is waiting for you at your local grocery store. Let these root vegetables and fall fruits become your inspiration for all your winter dishes!

This is a time when comfort dishes are extremely popular. They are so easy to make simply because we can roast almost anything, make delicious soups, stews and chili’s and make fabulous pizzas, lasagnas and pasta dishes!

And let us not forget about locally raised ducks, poultry, beef and free-run eggs off the farm and organic turkey for Christmas. We are in the driver’s seat for making better food choices today more than ever before.

Be wise, and don’t be frugal when it comes to your food. Do not give in to that salesman approach that a chef is cooking for you from a box. Start cooking at home and shorten the gap of years gone by, when mothers and fathers did not take the time to show us how to cook. Toss the convenience out the door and get busy!

Most of all, be that chef who chooses locally grown, locally raised and often organic food to bring to your family’s table this winter for the most delicious meals you will ever make!

Fun winter dish ideas, get freshalicious for Christmas!

‘Tis the season for great food! Enjoy local!

Stacey Fokas

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