Recipe: Roasted Tomato Salsa with Homemade Chips

ROASTED TOMATO SALSA WITH HOMEMADE CHIPS

Roasting the tomatoes, garlic, onion and jalapenos in this salsa gives it a rich, smoky, concentrated flavor. Perfect with homemade tortilla chips or your favorited Mexican fare.

INGREDIENTS

4 large tomatoes, halved 3 large jalapeños 4 cloves garlic, peeled 1 large onion, cut in 8 wedges 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika, divided 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped 6 corn tortillas

PREPARATION

Position the top oven rack 6 inches below the broiler, and turn broiler on to high.

Place vegetables on a large sheet pan with a rim and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toss to coat, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Broil for 5 minutes, remove pan from the broiler. Turn the vegetables over, and return to broil for about 5 minutes longer. When vegetables are blackened and soft, transfer the pan to a cooling rack. Once vegetables are cool enough to handle, remove stems and seeds from the jalapeños, and place the peppers in a food processor bowl. Add remaining vegetables and juices from the pan, and puree coarsely. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cumin, a halfteaspoon smoked paprika, lime juice and cilantro.

To make the chips, heat the oven to 350°F. Cut each tortilla into 8 wedges, drizzle with remaining olive oil, toss to coat, then sprinkle with remaining salt and paprika and toss again. Spread on two sheet pans and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. When the chips are lightly browned and crisp, cool on pans on racks. Serve chips with the salsa.

A Better Meat, For a Better You!

By: Jennifer Peterson There is something comforting about knowing that the food you put into your body is healthy and of the highest quality. Whether it be your Produce that is free from harmful chemicals or knowing that your eggs are soy free and the chickens were able to roam free on the range, the meat we eat is just as important. Today there are so many healthy options for meat products and the good news is you can find them right here at Ever’man. Sonny is our dedicated Meat Manager at Nine Mile and it was a pleasure getting to know him during this interview.

INTERVIEW WITH SONNY PORTER MEAT MANAGER AT NINE MILE

Please tell me about yourself, your experience in the grocery industry and in your specific department.

I began my career as an apprentice meat cutter in 1979. At this moment in history the industry was transitioning from “hanging meat” to boxed primal beef and boxed primal pork. I was fortunate to learn the different cuts and from where on the animal they originate and how to process them. This was accomplished under the careful supervision of senior meat cutters and market managers. I progressed through the ranks until I was promoted to Market Manager. During my tenure as Market Manager I was recruited by the local community college to teach students in the culinary arts program different cuts of beef, pork, veal, and lamb. I also taught the different flavors and textures of the cuts and introduced them to sausage making. When I joined Ever’man 7 years ago as Manager of the Meat Department, there had never been a Meat/Seafood department prior. I was able to apply all my knowledge, skills, and abilities in a challenging environment to develop and open a brand-new department. A department with the goal of providing excellent customer service and the finest all natural, grass-fed, and organic meat products available.

What makes your products stand out from conventional grocery stores?

All our local beef is grass-fed and is naturally leaner. Making it a much healthier choice over conventional beef that tends to use antibiotics/hormones to fatten up their cows. Our ground beef is processed on site. We have a wide range of sausages that we make in house. We also carry free range natural and organic chickens and turkeys. Customers can also find in our seafood case, wild caught seafood that is sourced out of Alaska by a family operated company that still operates with only hook and line, no net casting. All their fish is processed on the boat and immediately frozen for freshness.

What are your favorite items that you sell in your department and why?

My favorite items that we sell are our made-in-house sausages. We have many flavored sausages to choose from. Not only do we have pork sausage, but we also have chicken. Some of your choices are andouille, bratwurst, mild Italian, and chicken spinach feta sausage. We have several more flavors as well.

What are your best-selling items in your department and why do people choose them?

Grass-fed ground beef and steaks are our best-sellers. More people are looking to change their dietary habits. We also have a lot of Customers purchasing our seafood. Our wild caught salmon fillets that come from the Gulf of Alaska are our biggest sellers in our Seafood Department.

Why should people choose to shop at Ever’man and come see you?

Our staff in the Meat Department are knowledgeable and ready to serve you. We carry the finest of meats that are grass-fed, humanely processed and no antibiotics ever. If you are looking to eat a healthier diet, eating grass-fed and no antibiotics ever meats are a particularly good start in the right direction. Come on in and see us today!

Healthy Valentine Gift Ideas

By: LauraLee Nichols There is an infinite amount of options when it comes to Valentine’s Day gift-giving, but what better gift is there than good health? This year get your significant other something that comes with lifelong benefits. Check out these healthy Valentine’s Day gift ideas.

DARK CHOCOLATE Same sweetness, more benefits. Strengthen his or her heart in more ways than one by replacing your box of milk chocolates with dark chocolates. Dark chocolate is filled with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

FRUIT Heart-shaped candies may be great for sending cute love messages, but that’s about all they’re good for. Replace candy with an organic fruit basket you make to send the same amount of love with more nutrients and less sugar. Add a hand-written love note to send a personal message that a miniature candy never could. SALMON Whether you plan to dine out or cook in, try salmon instead of red meat. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and can reduce your risk of heart disease. Try the Pecan Crusted Coho Salmon from the Ever’man Seafood Department paired with some organic asparagus and wild rice .

GIVE THE GIFT OF SELF-CARE Practicing self-care can help you sleep better, improve focus, and strengthen relationships. That positive daily routine can support a happier, healthier outlook so you can enjoy the good times, too. Ever’man Wellness Department has you covered to help you make a special gift with a variety of options. Choose from Epson Bath Salts, Essential Oils, Patcha Bath Bombs and Himalayan Salt Lamps.

LOCAL FRESH FLOWERS Flowers are Love’s truest language. Flowers help reduce anxiety, stress and boosts morale, energy and give a sense of hope and clarity. Our Produce Department has fresh local cut flowers from Blossom Lane Farms for you to give your Valentine.