CT FM 019: January Foods In Season

CT FM 019:

January Foods In Season Brought To You By: RecipeThis.com

Introduction: Here at RecipeThis.com we can’t believe that it is 2017 already and that we are celebrating a brand new year. So without further introduction “happy new year” and we hope you all have an amazing 2017 full of happiness.

We are starting the New Year as a family of 5 and it is so exciting to finally have the family we have dreamed of. It has taken us a while with a lot of fertility issues but we are here and happy and that’s my new years resolution “to be happy” and I recommend the same for you!

One of the things that really makes me happy is FOOD. And cooking foods for my family is so much fun and brings me so much pleasure!

Anyway, this Podcast (our first for 2017) is the start of a special theme that we are having for all our Podcasts this year. It is an awesome theme and one we have been looking forward to doing and we thought it would be great that for the 1st day of each month we celebrate the month ahead.

What I am talking about here is seasonal food. Foods that are in season and are perfect for eating right now. Foods that is cheaper to buy now because they are in season and taste amazing.

Sometimes we all get into habits (well I know I do) I have certain foods that I love more than others and I will eat them all the time rather than exploring what is in season at the time.

I should be enjoying more produce rather than spending all my time eating broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and courgette all year round.

If you’re like me this is your chance too. You can stay in season, you can grab seasonal deals from the supermarket and you can think about how organic what you’re eating right now actually is.

Or you could be a food blogger like me and just want to know when things are in season so that you can cook with those ingredients on your own blog. Either way we look forward to sharing with you our take on seasonal produce.

January Foods In Season – here is a list of the top 10 foods that are in season in January. They focus on a lot of delicious root vegetables with a few other surprises a long the way.

National Food Holidays – Discover what food holidays are happening in January. From the one off national food days, to the monthly traditional food holidays.

The Best Ever Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe – Focusing on a Milner family favourite this recipe is perfect for using in your Instant Pot and a perfect use of the in-season citrus fruit.

Links & Resources Mentioned In Cooking Tips FM 019: Kalyns Kitchen does a delicious job of cooking it in a casserole with sweet potato Cook Eat Paleo that does the honour of adding lots of bacon, honey and mustard Or Tasteful Venture that just spices it up with some delicious ginger! leftover broccoli veggie bakes broccoli au gratin made into a soup Cooks With Cocktails is a perfect example Paleo Greek Lemon Chicken flourless key lime cupcakes our carrot cake with its delicious orange frosting butternut squash and leek soup white bean and leek pasta my creamy parsnip soup parsnip fries over at Well Plated white wine flavoured parsnips air fryer French Fries rosemary roast potatoes grandads fishcakes sweet potato hash Paleo sweet potato and pumpkin stew

sweet potato fries placed in the slow cooker and simply baked butternut squash fritters butternut squash and apple soup Delicious cabbage noodles Hungarian stuffed cabbage pan fried salmon braised chicken and vegetables turnip roasted stacks tray bake featuring a whole chicken and loads of root vegetables Here at RecipeThis.com we can’t believe that it is 2017 already and that we are celebrating a brand new year. So without further introduction “happy new year” and we hope you all have an amazing 2017 full of happiness.

We are starting the New Year as a family of 5 and it is so exciting to finally have the family we have dreamed of. It has taken us a while with a lot of fertility issues but we are here and happy and that’s my new years resolution “to be happy” and I recommend the same for you!

One of the things that really makes me happy is FOOD. And cooking foods for my family is so much fun and brings me so much pleasure!

Anyway, this Podcast (our first for 2017) is the start of a special theme that we are having for all our Podcasts this year. It is an awesome theme and one we have been looking forward to doing and we thought it would be great that for the 1st day of each month we celebrate the month ahead.

What I am talking about here is seasonal food. Foods that are in season and are perfect for eating right now. Foods that is cheaper to buy now because they are in season and taste amazing.

Sometimes we all get into habits (well I know I do) I have certain foods that I love more than others and I will eat them all the time rather than exploring what is in season at the time.

I should be enjoying more produce rather than spending all my time eating broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and courgette all year round.

If you’re like me this is your chance too. You can stay in season, you can grab seasonal deals from the supermarket and you can think about how organic what you’re eating right now actually is.

Or you could be a food blogger like me and just want to know when things are in season so that you can cook with those ingredients on your own blog. Either way we look forward to sharing with you our take on seasonal produce.

January Foods In Season So the first question you’re probably wondering is what is actually in season in January? Well lots and lots and lots. There are also plenty of seasonal vegetables and you’re bound to find at least one that your fussy kids will actually eat.

Below you’ll find the top 10 fruits and vegetables in season during January along with plenty of recipe ideas of how you could eat them!

Foods In Season #1 – Brussels Sprouts Every Christmas the conversation always starts the same for us. Why do people dislike sprouts and why are they so expensive and hard to come by in Portugal? Well this is like a few of our favourite in season foods, when it is popular in one country and then not so much in another.

We love our sprouts and we just wish we could eat them all the time.

Our teenage son on the other hand thinks they are the devil and he only eats them if we bribe him with an amazing chocolate dessert. Though nowadays we love them so much that we would rather eat them all than give them to someone else that is really not that bothered by them!

Brussel sprouts are also very low in calories at just 43 calories per 100g.

That is of course if you’re serving them without butter or bacon. But I love them on their own with a little salt and pepper alongside a chicken roast.

Brussel Sprouts Recipe Suggestions

For the brussel sprouts fan that wants something different than just butter I have three suggestions. Firstly Kalyns Kitchen does a delicious job of cooking it in a casserole with sweet potato. Then there is Cook Eat Paleo that does the honour of adding lots of bacon, honey and mustard. Or Tasteful Venture that just spices it up with some delicious ginger!

Whichever one you choose to cook first it will certainly be the most amazing side dish.

Foods In Season #2 – Broccoli Next on the agenda is the trusted broccoli. Broccoli is one of those vegetables that has been around forever that the majority of us love to eat. I am one of these people with broccoli being on our shopping list every week all year around. The only difference is that this is when it is really in season and when you will get the best and the cheapest broccoli.

Broccoli is also very high in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B-6 making it perfect for part of your January diet when cold and flu is always rife.

Broccoli Recipe Suggestions

I love my leftover broccoli veggie bakes. They are full of flavour and perfect for using up any of that leftover cheese sauce you have.

Secondly if you love soup you’ll love broccoli au gratin made into a soup.

It can certainly warm you up at this time of the year. The third on the list has to be a delicious broccoli salad. Nowadays broccoli regularly features in a salad and this one by Cooks With Cocktails is a perfect example.

Foods In Season #3 – Citrus Fruits Next on the list is citrus fruits which is also what we are featuring today as our recipe for this Podcast. But first let me say that living in Portugal wouldn’t be the same without the citrus fruits. Everybody has some sort of citrus tree in the garden and there is an endless supply of market traders that by the side of the road sell oranges by the kilo.

We personally have a lemon tree and I am sure one day we will have a lime and an orange tree too. The oranges taste the best during the winter months and have no pips in them at all.

As citrus fruit goes it is very high in vitamin C and makes a great snack for when you are on your new year diets.

Citrus Fruits Recipe Suggestions

For cooking with citrus fruits you’re spoilt for choice and its hard to decide where to start. First up is my Paleo Greek Lemon Chicken which is super healthy yet super lemony. Or second on the list would be my flourless key lime cupcakes that taste so good for something healthy.

Third on the list is our carrot cake with its delicious orange frosting that makes a standard cake really thrive.

Foods In Season #4 – Leeks If there is a root vegetable that you should get into during January it must be leeks. They taste fantastic and are perfect for winter stews and casseroles. I use them a lot when I am cooking in my casserole dish and they also taste amazing with other vegetables in a cheese sauce.

The downside to them is that they take a couple of minutes to wash and give a good clean to but once you have it is well worth the effort.

I call them my all round vegetable just because they are rich in a lot of vitamins and minerals and make them perfect for a proper balanced diet.

Leek Recipe Suggestions

For recipe suggestions it doesn’t get any better than butternut squash and leek soup. It is absolutely delicious and a great low carb alternative to traditional potato and leek soup. Or for a third choice try out this white bean and leek pasta that is the perfect choice for a quick and easy mid week evening meal.

Foods In Season #5 – Parsnips For number #5 we have parsnips. Parsnips to me are my smell of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I just always think of them as the smell that goes through the kitchen and into the entire house when you are preparing your festive meals. So when I get them I often cant help sniffing them and can’t wait to cook with them.

They are also incredibly versatile and you can use them in a whole range of recipes. But I can be rather boring and love them just as they are roasted in the oven or as a mash with loads of butter.

If you’re starting your New Year diet and you are reducing your fibre and vitamin C that you get from other diets, then parsnips are perfect for you as they give you a massive natural boost.

Parsnip Recipe Suggestions

For me parsnips have to start with my creamy parsnip soup. It is perfect for a big bowl of comfort food during these cold winter months. For second on the list is the parsnip fries over at Well Plated that look truly delicious. Third on the list has to be these white wine flavoured parsnips that look like if I started eating these that I wouldn’t be able to stop!

Foods In Season #6 – White Potatoes I love traditional white potatoes. Whether you have them as jacket potatoes, roast potatoes or just traditional new potatoes in their skins with butter, I am sold on them. As a family we go through about 2 bags of them a week each of them weighing 3 kilos. We then use them for whatever food we are interested in during a particular week.

Sometimes it is down to what recipes we are cooking compared to other times when we are chasing the food we are craving.

While many people frown on eating white potatoes the skin is actually really good for you and full of fibre making it perfect for you when you follow the Whole 30 or similar healthy eating plans.

White Potato Recipe Suggestions

Where should I start? I just love white potatoes so much. Well lets start at the beginning! Early on in our blog history our first popular post was our air fryer French Fries. Made with the air fryer with very little oil it is a favourite for families that want to eat healthy. Second on the list would have to be our rosemary roast potatoes, just because everyone loves roasties. Then third would have to be my grandads fishcakes that are made half with fish and half with potato.

Foods In Season #7 – Sweet Potatoes I have to admit I am a huge sweet potato fan. I just love them and have even been known to eat them for breakfast from time to time as sweet potato breakfast hash.

We get them from a street seller that sells them on the main road about 5km from our front door. She always has a nice mix of seasonal fruit and vegetables that have come directly from her garden. Though, we do seem to see melons, oranges, sweet potatoes and avocadoes the most.

Plus she charges about 30% less of what you pay for them at the supermarket.

Many people that are very strict about eating healthy swear by having sweet potatoes as their better carbohydrate. I like it as an alternative to white potatoes, but also because it gives a lovely sweet flavour to your casseroles.

Sweet Potato Recipe Suggestions

During our time of being 100% Paleo there was nothing better than our sweet potato hash. A good healthy slow cooker meal and also great for breakfast. Next on the agenda would be sweet potato fries just because I LOVE them! Then third would have to be our Paleo sweet potato and pumpkin stew. It is a little sweet and so flavoursome.

Foods In Season #8 – Butternut Squash After sweet potato my next go to carbohydrate has to be the trusted winter squash family and nothing is better than butternut squash. I love to roast it as it is in the oven or slow cooker and it gives a great side dish for dinner. You can also fill it with mince or mash it. Or for the ultimate treat have it in a delicious home cooked soup.

Plus I find that butternut squash always feels really naughty like it is unhealthy or high calorie, but it actually carries less calories than a lot of vegetables that are associated with weight loss.

Butternut Squash Recipe Suggestions

Now butternut squash wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t placed in the slow cooker and simply baked. No need to peel or dice and so good.

Second on the list has to be butternut squash fritters that are perfect for a quick lunch or supper and perfect with some homemade mayonnaise.

Last would have to be butternut squash and apple soup. Because of the sweet apple flavour it makes a brilliant combo.

Foods In Season #9 – Cabbage I thought I better give cabbage a mention especially considering most of us hate it. But I reckon this hate has to come from the way it has been cooked. If you cooked butternut squash or carrots in the same way I am sure we would hate it too. You know the way I am talking about, when you throw it in a pan of boiling water and just add salt and pepper.

Disgusting is what I call it.

But add some nice flavourings, steam or slow cook, then add some meat to it, then you have something delicious to eat.

Cabbage Recipe Suggestions

Here is a great example of how cabbage can be amazing. Delicious cabbage noodles that is full of flavour and the picture says “I want to eat you right now”. Second on the list is this Hungarian stuffed cabbage and is such a yummy way to enjoy some international food and have something different. Third on the list is some pan fried salmon that features a good amount of cabbage that is perfect for a healthy lunch or a romantic night in for two.

Foods In Season #10 – Turnip Living in Portugal the choice of fruit and vegetables can be some what different to what I used to get when I lived in England. For one butternut squash and pineapples are super cheap here. But cauliflower can get expensive and turnips are everywhere. It is like the Portuguese can’t have a stew or a casserole without it.

But it can taste great, so if you’re making casseroles then I thoroughly recommend you use it. It is also lower in calories than broccoli and packs a very high level of vitamin C.

Turnip Recipe Suggestions

For the turnip recipes we are starting with braised chicken and vegetables, featuring baby turnips it is perfect for a seasonal meal.

Secondly are these amazing turnip roasted stacks that are roasted to perfection. For the third recipe is what we eat a lot = a classic tray bake featuring a whole chicken and loads of root vegetables. It is perfect for when it is cold outside and you want your oven to warm up the house!

January Food Holidays As a food blogger you’re always writing about what national food holidays are happening and which ones are next on the horizon so that your content is planned around it. But what I have been surprised about during my hunt is how many different food holidays there are actually are.

Some of them are really silly and daft ones, but we all love some daft humour on social media, so why not get involved?

January Monthly Themes:      

National Hot Tea Month National Oatmeal Month National Slow Cooking Month National Soup Month National Baking Month National Fat Free Living Month

 Fat Free Living Month January Daily Holidays:                                   

National Bloody Mary Day – 1st of January National Buffet Day – 2nd of January National Cream Puff Day – 2nd of January National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day – 3rd of January National Spaghetti Day – 4th of January National Whipped Cream Day – 5th of January National Shortbread Day – 6th of January National Bean Day – 6th of January National Tempura Day – 7th of January National English Toffee Day – 8th of January National Apricot Day – 9th of January National Bittersweet Chocolate Day – 10th of January National Hot Toddy Day – 11th of January National Marzipan Day – 12th of January National Curried Chicken Day – 12th of January National Glazed Doughnut Day – 12th of January National Gluten-Free Day – 13th of January National Peach Melba Day – 13th of January National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day – 14th of January National Strawberry Ice Cream Day – 15th of January National Fig Newton Day – 16th of January International Hot & Spicy Food Day – 16th of January National Hot Buttered Rum Day – 17th of January National Gourmet Coffee Day – 18th of January Peking Duck Day – 18th of January National Popcorn Day – 19th of January National Buttercrunch Day – 20th of January National Cheese Lover’s Day – 20th of January National Granola Bar Day – 21st of January National New England Clam Chowder Day – 21st of January National Blonde Brownie Day – 22nd of January National Southern Food Day – 22nd of January National Pie Day – 23rd of January National Rhubarb Pie Day – 23rd of January National Peanut Butter Day – 24th of January

       

Lobster Thermidor Day – 24th of January National Irish Coffee Day – 25th of January National Peanut Brittle Day – 26th of January National Chocolate Cake Day – 27th of January National Blueberry Pancake Day – 28th of January National Corn Chip Day – 29th of January National Croissant Day – 30th of January National Hot Chocolate Day – 31st of January

The Best Ever Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe Without further a do, here is our recipe for this month’s cooking tips Podcast. We are all about seasonal produce in January and it feels like a perfect opportunity to share with you our simple orange chicken recipe and to show that citrus fruits can be really interesting both for you and for your kids!

Without further a do, here is our recipe for this month’s cooking tips Podcast.

Author: RecipeThis.com Serves: 1

Preparation time: 1 minute Cook time: 4 minutes Ingredients: Instant Pot Duo 1 Chicken Breast 2 Slices Fresh Orange 2Tbsp Seville Marmalade 1Tbsp Soy Sauce 1Tbsp Tomato Ketchup (get our homemade recipe here) 1Tsp Dried Onion & Garlic 1Tsp Worcester Sauce 1Tbsp Honey 1Tsp Red Wine Vinegar 2Tsp Smoked Paprika 2Tsp Mustard Powder 1Tsp Cayenne Pepper Salt & Pepper Method 1. Cut a large piece of silver foil and lay it out on your worktop.

2. Add all your seasonings to it and mix them in with your fingertips.

3. Add your chicken and roll them in it. Give the chicken a good sprinkling of salt and pepper so that it is well seasoned.

4. Cover the chicken with a couple of slices of orange and then seal up your chicken packets.

5. In your Instant pot fill the bottom with 200ml of water.

6. Add your steaming shelf and place your foil packet onto it.

7. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the valve to sealing.

8. Cook for 4 minutes and then allow cooling for another 2 minutes.

9. Chop your chicken in half long ways and remember to check to see if it is fully cooked and completely white (no pink) when serving.

10. Serve with extra sliced orange and salad.

Notes

I love using some fresh oranges in my orange chicken it gives it a lovely flavour.

Remember that orange marmalade is rather strong tasting, so don’t add too much or you might find the taste over powering.

That’s A Wrap Thanks for listening to our Podcast and don’t forget how easy it is to transform your dinner plate to include lots of seasonal produce. It is a great way to get excited about what is in season and to vary what you eat for dinner and to get your kids excited about fresh local food.

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