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Recipes From Our Country KitchenNothing says country living quite like the sights and smells of the country kitchen! Picture a warm made-from-scratch apple pie cooling on the kitchen table or the aroma of chicken sizzling in the pan. These visions and aromas are what most people think of when they think of the country kitchen.
The term country cooking first brings to my mind's eye chicken frying in a large cast-iron skillet on my Grandma's stove. It also brings to mind the fact that until a few hours before, that same chicken had been running around the chicken yard, cluckin' and peckin'! That's the essence of country food, that its fresh, often made from scratch. Whether made from fresh ingredients grown or raised at home or stuff fresh from the super market, its fresh and not from a box. Don't get me wrong; I realize that most folks' lives are usually too busy to always enjoy fresh cooked meals. I also realize that most fast foods and meals from a box, in moderation, are healthy and nutritious. However, a healthy and balanced diet must include some meals prepared with fresh ingredients!
A 2007 survey published by University of North Carolina researchers reported a disproportionate number of people from rural areas (country living?) who were malnourished. Reasons cited were that many people from rural areas lived below the poverty line, and couldn't afford transportation to stores where they could buy nutritious food. They were forced to subsist on convenience store fast food instead of food prepared from healthier fresh ingredients. Contrary to the researcher's conclusions, I firmly believe that if you live in the country and are malnourished, you need to review your lifestyle choices instead of your pocketbook and transportation resources! I feel these folks need to spend more time cooking country food than running to the convenience store! Cooking fresh is actually cheaper in the long run than buying prepared food. Hopefully, you can find some recipes on these pages that will make your life both easier and healthier! You don't have to live in rural America to enjoy a country living lifestyle. No matter where you live, though, eating fresh and healthy is another advantage of country living. These pages will provide you with not only traditional country cooking recipes, but some of our favorites from other countries and other cultures. Virtually every cuisine has its version of country cooking, whether in Italy, France, or Mexico. As I’ve already mentioned, the essence of country food is dishes from scratch (or close to it!) using fresh ingredients. All the better if those fresh ingredients come from your own garden, barn or chicken house. We offer some of our favorite recipes from many cuisines and also invite you to share your favorites with our readers and us. We hope to also provide country kitchen tips and techniques and maybe even some kitchen décor ideas. Enjoy your country kitchen, and Modoc Country Living.com!
Favorite Recipes from our Country Kitchen
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