Healthy Farm-to-Fork Meal Ideas

We absolutely adored these tasty ideas, and we hope you do too. At the bottom of the post, we’ve also added a little bonus recipe of our own to add to your meal plan for the week.

You can view her appearance on Fox 40 here: http://fox40.com/2017/01/03/healthy-farm-to-fork-meal-ideas/

Chef Laura started off with an herbed dip, which is one of the absolute best ways to eat Humboldt Creamery Organic Sour Cream. Plus, it’s super fast and easy! Just mix some sour cream and mayonnaise (or Humboldt Creamery Organic Cottage Cheese for a healthier option) with a touch of lemon juice and lemon zest, then add herbs of your choice for a refreshing, tangy dip. Chef Laura chose to use dill, parsley, and scallions, but you can mix and match with some of your favorites. For an extra boost of protein, stir in smoked salmon or crab fresh from our own Northern California waters. Keep your meal light on the carbs by dipping with sliced veggies instead of crackers. Chef Laura recommended watermelon radishes for a colorful addition to your crudités.

Next up was a delightful family favorite: potato soup. This is a super-simple recipe that pleases just about every palate. Just dice up some potatoes and add Humboldt Creamery Organic Half-and-Half, chicken or vegetable stock, and chopped celery and onions. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the veggies are cooked through. Use a hand-mixer to blend everything to your desired consistency and you’re ready to serve! Top with your choice of cheese, sour cream, scallions, or roasted Romanesco broccoli. Then sit down and enjoy a hearty, nutritious meal. Yum!

And now for the bonus round!

Love macaroni and cheese, but hate the astronomical calorie count? Not a problem if you just make a few tweaks! Opt for a whole wheat pasta (you can go with elbow macaroni or fusilli) and cook together with some broccoli or cauliflower. Preheat your oven to 375F and make sure you have a baking dish all prepped and ready with some cooking spray or a light coat of oil. While the noodles cook, melt a tablespoon or two of Humboldt Creamery Organic Butter and sauté some minced onion, then add a few tablespoons of flour to make a nice roux. Whisk in milk and vegetable broth, then boil and reduce to a simmer until it’s smooth and thick. Season to your liking, turn off the heat, and stir in your favorite local cheese (or cheeses, as the case may be). Combine with your cooked pasta and veggies, pour into the baking dish, and top with breadcrumbs or cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then remove and enjoy your masterpiece. This is always a crowd-pleaser, and the addition of whole-grain, vegetable, and organic ingredients makes this version healthier than the out-of-the-box stuff.

Don’t fear dairy when you’re trying to eat healthy. Study after study shows that incorporating regular dairy into your diet helps you maintain a healthy weight and gives you essential calcium and vitamins. So pick up your favorite Humboldt Creamery organic products today and give these recipes a test drive. You won’t be disappointed!