Grateful Foodie: Thank You Valued Partners
We are foodies, and if you’re reading this – chances are you’re one too. So, you know – the holidays are our time to shine. We delight in tender smoked meats, honeyed vegetables, and decadent desserts. Better yet, our time spent in the kitchen is a loving tribute to farmers, friends, and family. Traditions fill our homes and our tables. Plates (and hearts) are full.
In honor of the grateful foodies in our lives, we want to shed some light on the valued partners who stand beside us in our mission towards sustainable smoked meats. Their unending commitment to animal welfare and earth-friendly farming is a shared food philosophy. Invite them into your home for the holidays. Be it serving organic spiral sliced ham for dinner, or pan-frying certified humane country-style breakfast sausages for brunch – being mindful of the products you buy is a great way to give thanks to those leading the better-for-you food movement.
duBreton – Better Choices Change the World
Low & slow smoking, exceptional flavor, and restoring farm to fork values are what we do, but not many people know how we do it. We source our certified humane and organic pork from our parent company, duBreton. Canadian based and only four-short hours from our smokehouse in New Hampshire, this 3rd generation family-owned business leads North America in the supply of sustainably sourced pork. More importantly, their commitment to improving the lives of animals is tangible. With respect to animal welfare, sustainable agriculture initiatives, and their transitory organic farm model, they push beyond modern-day food limits. Their values align with their actions – and well, that’s everything.
Certified Humane Raised & Handled
You’ve probably seen the Certified Raised & Handled logo on our Fruitwood Smoked bacon and all-natural sausage labels. A prominent display of our dedication towards animal welfare and a promise that our farms are continuously audited and meet humanely raised standards by program definition. Their mission is to create a more humane world for farm animals’ and demand for kinder, more responsible farming practices. That’s a worthy endeavor and one we are proud to partner with. The organization gives consumers the power to make a difference by making humanely raised products easily identifiable, so people can vote with their dollars and feel good about the meat they eat. For that, we are truly grateful.
USDA Organic
Many people consider organic foods a non-GMO alternative to traditionally preserved eats and while that’s true, USDA Organic initiatives reach far beyond our plates. The program offers outreach and education to farmers, forestry, and foodies alike – on a journey towards sustainable food alternatives. From conservation to climate solutions, and crop counseling, their committed to making organic food available to everyone. We are honored to represent the USDA organic program on our Applewood Smoked bacon and Polish Style Kielbasa and we are thankful for their support in restoring values to our farm and food systems.
Hearty Meals Put Winter in its Place
There’s something about cold weather that makes a person crave hearty dishes full of savory ingredients and satisfying hunks of flavorful meat. The urge to hunker down and fortify your defense against the cold with a tasty homemade meal is relentless and pressing. You want something simple, but gratifying; a recipe that doesn’t take hours to make or involve too many ingredients.
We have three recipes that you can whip up without much to-do when what you really want is to huddle up by the fireplace after an active winter day. We’re talking slow-smoked, handcrafted, bursting with flavor meats that are certified humane and get-in-my-belly good.
Cheese Fondue With Kielbasa
May we humbly suggest using your favorite North Country Smokehouse sausage as the vehicle for getting warm, melty cheese into your mouth? Consider yourself warned: our organic kielbasa makes moderation seem ridiculous, nay, pointless. Once you’ve prepared the fondue and the savory scent of sizzling sausage has permeated your kitchen, cut the sausage into generous hunks and add in some bread and fruit for variety. Ready? Get your skewer loaded up, and dip with reckless abandon for a cheese-on-your-chin meal that puts winter in its place.
Chili With Sausage
Andouille or Chorizo – we can’t decide, but adding some heat to your chili in the dead of winter is an easy way to spice up a meal that’s pretty much made for cold weather. Our Chorizo’s sweet heat brings south of the border meets Tex-Mex taste to your simmering pot of goodness, while Andouille sausage brings the bayou to you for a gumbo-like experience. For a Paleo version, this recipe provides some inspiration, and if you’re a fan of beans, this recipe hits the spot. We suggest slicing up an NCS sausage and throwing it in the mix to add a major boost of flavor without a ton of work. The longer you can let all the deliciousness simmer, the better, so throw it in the slow cooker and let the flavors mingle all day long. Don’t forget the shredded cheese and jalapeno!
Loaded Baked Potato Bar
Ahhh, the potato. Simple, unassuming, versatile. Laugh in the face of winter as you heap a steaming baked potato with all the things that make you drool. That leftover chili in the fridge? Use it! Chives, sour cream, jalapenos, and shredded cheese? Yes to all of it! And holy blasphemy, don’t forget the bacon. Our Fruitwood Smoked Bacon is thick and meaty, slow-smoked to tender perfection and the ideal companion to top off your loaded potato. It’s fast, it’s easy, and if curling up next to a cozy fireplace had a taste… this would be it. Load it up!
Now that you’ve got your winter recipe-fix, you can spend less time stressing about what to cook and more time doing what matters to you (without ever sacrificing flavor). Integrity, ingredients, and the slow-smoked preparation of the meat that hits your kitchen table—that’s what matters to us.
