What Is Organic Chicken?

We all know about organic fruit and vegetables but did you know that you can now buy organic chicken?

People must have heard about the nasty conditions which broiler chickens -- which are bred for their meat -- are raised in?  These chickens have no more floor space than a sheet of A4 paper.  Chickens are over-fed to reach slaughter weight in six weeks, when it would normally take four months.

Modem intensive systems of poultry production have produced cheap meat for the consumer -- but at a price.  Inside the intensive chicken houses, which are appearing in increasing numbers in the countryside, up to 40,000 birds are crammed, at 2 birds to the square foot, into a single windowless building, with almost continuous low levels of artificial light, they are then given drugs to speed up their rate of growth.  Keeping so many animals packed together in such a stressful environment can only contribute to their rates of infection.  It seems logical that the Chinese flu infections that we were seeing transmitted to humans comes from this same intensive farming.  It isnt necessary to produce food in this way.

Organic farmers do a number of things to ensure that chickens are reared as naturally as possible.  For starters, antibiotic growth promoters cannot be used but sick organic birds must be treated with appropriate veterinary medicine, so they can be given antibiotics if theyre very poorly.  But they cannot be given drugs on a regular and routine basis, something that almost all non-organic poultry have to endure.  Organic poultry is reared on a specially formulated feed containing only cereals, vegetable protein, a small amount of fish meal, and a vitamin/mineral supplement.  These chickens are often guaranteed to be fed on feed which is free from genetically modified feedstuffs (GMOs).  To be fully organic, chickens must be fed a diet containing grain which has been grown organically, without artificial fertilisers or sprays.  Such feed is expensive, and therefore organic chicken is more expensive as well.

Also, on Soil Association registered farms, the number of chickens housed in a single shed is restricted to 1,000.  A non-organic intensive chicken farm may have as many as 40,000 in the same shed.  Organic birds are kept free-range, having continuous daytime access to clean pasture, except in adverse weather.  Non-organic birds are almost always locked up night and day.

In addition, the Soil Association insists on full and clear labeling of processed chicken products.  They are able to trace back to the farm all ingredients used in any Soil Association chicken products.  Their organic certification standards state that food must undergo as little processing as is practical.

Organic standards are legally binding.  All organic businesses must be licensed by law, and are fully inspected at least once a year.  So if you want to see for yourself how organic animals are reared, why not visit an organic farm?

This Thanksgiving, Serve A Turducken And Delight Your Guests

Each year at Thanksgiving, my family discusses what we will make for Thanksgiving dinner.  Some of us are traditionalists, who shudder at the thought of anything but turkey with all the trimmings.  Others are more adventurous -- especially me, since I did not grow up in the United States and I am not beholden to memories of Thanksgiving Past.  I am always ready to try something new, and I believe (much to the fury of the traditionalists) that Thanksgiving is a great time to experiment with the menu.

And so it came to pass, last year, that I won the fight about the Thanksgiving menu, and, with the reluctant approval of the traditional family members, was given a free rein in the kitchen.  And that's how the "turducken" Thanksgiving began.

What's a "turducken" you say?  It was quite a task but well worth the trouble.  I started the Wednesday before Thanksgiving by purchasing a 12 pound organic turkey, a 6 pound duck and a 3 pound fresh chicken.  I carefully boned each one leaving their structure intact.  You must cut carefully, especially the turkey, if it is to look natural.

I made a stuffing from the giblets of all three, adding some sage, thyme, dried apricots, and Grand Marnier.  I had a little Grand Marnier too ... (not recommended if you're under 21!).  The first thing you do is lay the turkey out, skin-side down, open.  You then put down an even layer of the stuffing, careful to not go too close to the edges.  Next, you lay open the duck skin-side down right on top of the layer of stuffing.  It is smaller so you can put a good layer of stuffing on it.  Simply repeat the process with the chicken.

Now, the tricky part ... You carefully wrap the turkey back up into its original shape, tying the drumsticks, breast, and rear together.  You cover it and bake it slow and low until the innermost temperature is 165ºF.  Be sure to baste often and remove fat as well.  The duck is quite fatty.  Leave it covered until the last half hour or so.  You can remove the foil and it will turn a nice golden brown.  Let it rest for a half hour before carving.  You may want to rest a little bit yourself, also.

The big surprise comes at the table when you proudly stand to carve the ''turkey''.  Using a serrated knife you slice through it like a loaf of bread.  Your guests gasp, wondering what has happened.  What is this thing laid before them?  Then, they are treated to a meal that they have never imagined before, and a new Thanksgiving memory that will last a lifetime.  (And maybe become a tradition of its own!)

Healthy Low Fat Chicken Recipe | Andy's Famous Chicken

Anyone concerned with getting fit, staying fit, or fitness in general is usually looking for ways to eat more healthfully.  Chicken breasts are one of the most diet friendly lean protein sources you can find and they do taste pretty good.  Lean protein sources are extremely important for all fitness enthusiasts.  Lean protein builds muscle and helps to burn fat.  Here's a low fat healthy chicken recipe that you can vary to suit your mood.

Andy's Famous Chicken

3lbs. package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts -- still frozen
1 12oz. bottle of fat free salad dressing or Lawry's marinade
1 11 x 14 baking pan

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place frozen chicken breasts in the baking pan.  Pour dressing or marinade over frozen chicken.  Bake chicken at 400 degrees for about 1 to 1½ hours or until chicken is lightly browned on top.

That's it!  That's the whole healthy low fat chicken recipe.  This chicken recipe is dead easy and especially wonderful when you want a nice dinner but you have piles of chores left to do and don't want to be chained to the stove all evening.  Serve Andy's Famous Chicken with side dishes such as steamed veggies and brown rice or other whole grains and you have a fast, healthy meal that actually tastes good.

This healthy low fat chicken recipe is particularly good with fat free Italian dressing.  Any fat free or low fat salad dressing may be used to maximize the flavor variations that are possible with this dish.  Another good choice would be any flavor Lawry's marinade since that brand tends to be lower in fat and calories.

For those folks who are not quite so fitness oriented, regular botled dressing can be used and the resulting dish will be just as tasty.  Another easy way to go would be canned or bottled curry sauce.  It makes a great spicy dish.  Andy's Famous Chicken is a great recipe for week night dinners and would also be nice enough to serve company.