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31 Oct

Top Wines That Pair Well With Bacon

Bacon is one of those foods that need to be eaten in moderation,  and there is no reason not to eat this delicious meat. One way to make it more enjoyable to eat is to pair it with a glass of wine.  The good thing is that bacon, with its savory, salt, and smoky flavors, pairs well with multiple wine types. The following are the best wines with bacon:
  • Sparkling Wine
  • Rosé
  • Riesling
  • Pinot Noir
Now, let us dive in to learn more about why these wines are best paired with bacon. 

Sparkling Wine

A sparkling, wine such as Prosecco complements well with saltiness and greasiness of bacon. Also, sparkling wine is the best for a brunch meal because it serves as a palate cleanser and is refreshing. Sparkling wine is ideal with bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches that holds up with mayonnaise.  Additionally, it will not have any problems with the tomato for which a red wine may end up as flat and metallic.  Sparkling wines love foods that are crisp and salty, and who says that the good old bacon and eggs aren't always worthy of opening a bottle of vintage Champagne? If you don't want to get that fancy Prosecco wine would be your go to wine since it is more reasonably priced and pairs will with bacon. Champagne is a perfect match for fresh oysters with topped with crispy bacon.  

Rosé

A refreshing Rosé wine, which is based on the color may have you pondering that it is very sweet, it typically features black fruit and raspberry flavors and is quite dry. This type of wine is best for a brunch meal and would be perfect with a BLT sandwich.  Rose can impose those earthy and sweet bacon flavors. Rosé wine is perfect for french toast with bacon and maple syrup. A perfect Rosé wine for this dish is slightly sweet Moscato. The sweetness of this wine vanishes when you eat the syrupy bread, leaving you with Turkish delight, beautiful rosewater, and flavors swirling around your mouth followed by a salty flavor from the bacon.

Riesling

Riesling with pear and crisp apple-like flavors is a perfect match with ham. For this reason, it can also be ideal with bacon. Without a doubt, you will love how this wine complements the saltiness of the bacon. Therefore, each bit tastes as crisp as the next. Reisling is perfect with bacon-topped pizza or a BLT sandwich.

Pinot Noir

A slightly candied and light Pinot Noir wine pairs excellently with bacon because the wine is earthy and is slightly sweet. Pinot Noir's sweetness is a perfect contrast to the saltiness of the bacon which makes for a refreshing combination. In most red wines, tannins tend to increase the saltiness in food. Thus, a high-tannin Barolo or Cabernet Sauvignon wouldn't be best to pair with bacon. Pinot Noir is an acidic red wine, which means that it's low in tannin. Acidic wines like Pinot Noir becomes refreshing and reinvigorating when paired with salty foods like bacon. For this reason, Pinot Noir and bacon is a perfect match. One can enjoy this wine with bacon in a brunch meal. Moreover, Pinot Noir is pairs well with split pea and bacon soup or bacon-topped pizza.

Takeaway

When experiencing a great meal but don't know what kind of wine to pair it with white wine pairs well with fish and red wine with steak. When it comes to pairing wine and bacon, it is all up to what kind of dish you're eating it with and when you are eating it.  For breakfast or brunch, bacon, sparkling wines, or Rosé wine are ideal. On the other hand, for lunch, bacon, Riesling, and a luscious sparkling Rosé wine are best. Lastly, for the dinner bacon, Pinot Noir and Champagne are perfect.  When pairing, you would want the wine to cut richness and smokey taste, yet complement the food, not only cleansing your palate between bites. Spend time experimenting to get the perfect balance between the saltiness and greasiness of bacon and your preferred wine.    [ ... ]
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21 Oct

The Difference Between Bratwurst and Sausage

A delicious dish is sausage, a fully meat-oriented food that is very popular around the world. Having a well-prepared sausage is so delicious. The Beginning There are various types of sausages you may find with different ingredients and preparation.  Although they have different taste, all of them are equally delicious and tasty. Bratwurst is a kind of sausage that is well known and relished by many people all around.  What is Sausage? A sausage is a kind of meat preparation usually made from ground meat including pork, beef, chicken or veal. This cylindrical shaped item needs to add salt, spices, herbs, and fat for flavoring. You may mix some other things like garlic, pepper, and wine to get the flavor of your own choice. Most of the sausages need casings made of natural and synthetic materials to get the right shape and perfect preparation. Sausages are mostly sold raw and you can make it fried, boiled or barbecued the way you need it to be.  The three types of sausage are a very popular-dried, smoked, and fresh sausage. Freshly made sausages need to be kept in the refrigerator until you start cooking them. What is Bratwurst? Bratwurst is a kind of sausage which originated from Germany. In German brat means “finely chopped meat” and wurst means “sausage”. Usually, this kind of sausage is prepared with pork, beef and veal are can also be used to prepare this item. It can also be prepared with a mixture of different types of meat. Bratwurst is seasoned with spices like lemon zest, cardamom, nutmeg, coriander, and pepper, ginger, and celery seeds. This spicy kind of sausage is put into a casing and then fried or grilled before serving. There are at least 50 types of bratwurst can be prepared in the different regions of Germany. What is the Difference Between a Bratwurst and a Sausage? Now it is time to find out the differences between a bratwurst and sausage. But before doing that one fact you have to accept that bratwurst is nothing but a kind of sausage which is not too different from the conventional sausage. Still, both have some factors that make them different from each other. They are- Type of Preparation Usually, Bratwurst is cooked or grilled, especially German Bratwurst is  filled with cheese and peppers. You may also get plain Bratwurst and all these are widely used as the main attraction in meals.  On the other hand, sausages are mainly used as dried and smoked in breakfast or as an appetizer in parties served with cheese and crackers. In both cases, you need to own the best meat grinder which can provide you perfectly minced meat to prepare those items. Different Tastes There are different types of bratwursts and sausages. All of them have their own taste and flavor. Some sausages have a tangy taste, but some of the bratwursts have a strong taste of pork what you’ve added while cooking. Seasoning This is a subject that clearly shows the difference between both of these. For example, bratwursts are seasoned with ginger, sage, nutmeg, etc., while the sausages are seasoned with anise and fennel. Preferred By As I said before, Bratwurst is originated from Germany and still, about 50 varieties of this item are widely preferred by different regions of Germany. On the other hand, sausage is popular and greatly loved by the people of many cities in the USA. But in recent times these two delicious foods have broken the barrier and preferred by all. Nutritional Values Usually, you believe that both Bratwurst and the Sausage have no nutritional value but they are taken only to fill your stomach or taste buds. But this is not true. Both of them moderately provide vitamins, minerals, calories, and carbohydrates, although the quantities are not equal. If you consider this factor before taking one of them you can see that the Bratwurst is a little ahead of the Sausage. Conclusion Considering all the facts and differences one thing I must say that having both of them is such a wonderful experience that you wish to have them again and again. So what if they are different in many ways? Don’t choose one over another, just enjoy what comes first to your plate. Enjoy1.       [ ... ]
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08 Oct

8 Ways to Reduce Food Waste

We are always on the hunt to try and cut back on waste – not only to save money, but to help the environment as well! With so much food being wasted around the world (and yet there’s still a large amount of people starving every day) we figured now is a great time to bring up some easy ways that we can all cut back on waste. According to National Geographic, more than one third of our food is wasted. Not only will we save the earth by cutting back, but we’ll be saving time and money as well!
  1. Plan out your meals - It’s easy to overshoot what you’ll actually be eating when you don’t plan. Before stepping foot in the grocery store, plan out what you and your family will be eating for every meal (or at least “ballpark” it!). This will help ensure you don’t get too much – and helps with diets as well!
  2. Know the food you’re buying - A lot of us tend to get food, and then forget about it once it’s in the fridge or pantry… until it goes bad and starts to smell. Make sure you’re putting your food in the right places. For example, tomatoes should be kept at room temperature away from sunlight, and apples should be refrigerated for maximum freshness!
  3. Make a list of what you’re throwing away - Be honest with yourself. How much are you really wasting? Sometimes it’s easier to turn a blind eye to what you’re doing, but by keeping a list of every food item you throw away, cutting back on waste will always be at the front of your mind.
  4. Clean your pantry/fridge - Remember when I said it’s easy to forget about the food you buy when you get home from the grocery store? The more visible you keep your food, the more likely you are to eat it! Cut down on the clutter within your pantry and fridge so that you can tell what food you already have in your home
  5. Use your smartphone! Apps aren’t just useful for keeping your kids busy – there are a ton of tools you can use to cut back on food waste. There are some that help you find recipes based off of the food you already have, and others that show where you can donate leftover food.
  6. Speaking of leftovers: Eat them! When making meals for the whole family, it can be a little hard to pinpoint exactly how much to make (and we’d always rather make too much than too little, right?). Don’t let that extra food go to waste, though! Put it back in your fridge in an airtight container, and have it for lunch the next day!
  7. Still have too much? Donate it! Did you throw a party and have an entire platter full of veggies, fruit, and hamburgers leftover? We’ve all been in this dilemma – there’s so much leftover, we know we won’t be able to eat it all by the time it goes bad. This is a perfect time to donate it to a good cause! Check out the organizations and food banks in your area – they’d love to take the food off of your hands!
  8. Don’t be scared of the expiration or sell-by dates - While we’re not telling you to suck it up and drink the curdled milk, many of the expiration and sell-by dates are based off of quality and not food safety. Go off of your sight and smell rather than the printed dates to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth on the food you’re buying.
We’re all contributing in one way or another to food waste – but sometimes, businesses can be the ones doing the most damage. Big corporations often have to throw out thousands of pounds of food everyday because of quality issues. The best way to support good practices, is to buy local! Shop at your local farmer’s markets to ensure you’re getting quality, delicious products (and supporting your community as well)! [ ... ]
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Back to School Meal & Snack Ideas

August 31, 2019
"School just got back in session and my kids are already getting tired of the snacks and lunches I pack for them!” is something we hear daily! We all know how picky kids can be, so finding something to change up the menu is hard to do. As parents, it can get so boring making the same thing for our kids every single day… and we know they’re getting tired of it too. Make them excited for snack time and lunch! This is supposed to be a time for kids to socialize as well as feed their appetites in an always-buzzing lunch room. That also throws another element into the issue – the food has to be something packable, and something easily consumed (with preferably no messes)! Don’t worry, we’ve come up with a TON of ideas for you to use for lunch time, as well as a genius idea for snack time! LUNCH: Leftovers: These are easy to send off with your kids because you’ve already done the hard work the night before; the actual cooking part! Grab your favorite Circle B Ranch pork products and smoke them the night before for a no-hassle pack for lunch. Soup: Heat and pour into a thermos for your kids to enjoy for an easy lunch – especially when the weather starts to cool down! Mini pizzas: Assemble beforehand and have them pop in the microwave during lunch for a simple meal. Salad: If your kids are older, they’re sure to appreciate this lighter and more sophisticated lunch! Sandwiches: Turn this into an interactive meal by having your kids make it themselves in the morning! This is a great way to make your kids feel involved in the decision of what they’re going to eat (perfect for picky eaters!). Quesadillas: A quick idea you can pop in the oven or quesadilla maker for five minutes to turn out perfectly! DIY “Lunchable”: Have THEM decide how their lunch is going to go by giving them all the ingredients they’d need – but don’t put them together! Hard-boiled eggs: Packed with good protein, this is a great choice for the kids that love breakfast for all meals!   SNACK: While there are a LOT of snacks to choose from at the grocery store, unfortunately, many of them are stuffed with chemicals and ingredients that we don’t want to put in our bodies, much less our kids. I know my kids are so picky about the food that they eat and would much rather reach for a bag of chips than an apple… which led my husband and I to find a healthy alternative. From that search, the snack stick was born! Big John’s Pork Snack Sticks come from the finest cuts of premium pork and a delicious source of protein. Their kid-friendly recipe is free from nitrites, sugar, corn syrup, and gluten! For the ones that are always on the move – (college students, kids in school, and all the parents) this is the perfect grab-and-go snack! [ ... ]
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30 Aug

The Birth of Top Tomato Bloody Mary Mix

Did you ever wonder how John and I came up with the recipe for our prize-winning Top Tomato Bloody Mary Mix??  I know you want to know!! One Sunday afternoon, about 1.5 years ago, I was in the kitchen (as usual) preparing Sunday dinner.  Yes I was making Sunday sauce with Marina's Tomato Sauce, Marina's Gluten Free Meatballs and of course Circle B Ranch Sweet and Hot Italian Sausage.  Yum!!

John said to me "I am really in the mood for a Bloody Mary."  So that got me thinking and I said "Why not mix a little bit of this and a little bit of that (all Marina's and Big John's products) add a little water, ice and Vodka."  It was a match made in heaven.  We sent it out for FDA testing, came up with a label and starting producing the delicious Bloody Mary Mix that is now available for everyone to purchase.  If you have not tried it yet, give it a try...you will not be disappointed.  On top of it....Top Tomato Bloody Mary Mix is gluten free.

Of course there is also a story behind the name  for the Top Tomato Bloody Mary Mix?  In coming up with the label, John thought that a WWII pin up girl would be great and of course she would be sitting on a large tomato (Top Tomato).  The connection to the military continues with our decision to donate a percentage of our profits to the Wounded Warriors as soon as we begin to make a profit.  We want to THANK YOU so very much for helping us make the goal.

[ ... ]
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Processed Foods 101

July 31, 2019
In this blog, we’re going to answer some commonly asked questions about processed foods, as well as explain the effects they can have on the body. With the recent health kick, more and more people are becoming aware of what they are eating and the potentially harmful ingredients large companies have been adding to their products – which is why we wanted to talk about it! What are processed foods? Processed foods are anything that has been chemically altered (whether that’s to change the flavor or to make the food last longer). While people now have a misconception that ALL processed foods are bad, that’s not necessarily true. Some are healthy – like whole grains, tofu, Greek yogurt, and frozen vegetables. What do they do to the body? Because processed foods normally have a much higher sugar and carbohydrate content, and also contain high-fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients, the body reacts negatively. With the overload of sugar, your metabolism is effected and you’re taking in empty calories. While carbohydrates can be good for the body and can be broken down easily, the refined carbs found in processed foods are much harder to digest and are linked to a lot of chronic illnesses in the long run. How do I know if something has been processed? You can typically tell when looking at the ingredients list of anything at the grocery store if something has been processed – it will have a long list of ingredients you can’t pronounce. Think of it like this; if you couldn’t make it yourself at home, then it’s probably been processed. Low fat foods as well as breakfast cereals are some of the most notorious because they contain a lot of added sugar/salt. What’s the solution? If you’re really trying to cut out bad processed foods from your diet, (or your family’s) we would recommend sticking to foods that have short ingredient lists. Now, there are quite a few brands out there that specialize in making healthier versions that can be found fairly easily – and we’re proud to say that we’re one of them! What about Circle B Ranch products? We do not add hormones or unnecessary antibiotics to any of our products, and you can taste the difference! Our products are made with the consumer in mind – which means fresh ingredients, organic spices, no artificial ingredients, and 100% natural (with a handful of products being gluten-free!)! Ultimately, you are the one in charge of what you put into your body. However, we caution you to check with your favorite brands to make sure they aren’t causing negative effects to your health! If you have any questions about our products, you can always ask by contacting us here. [ ... ]
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30 Jun

Intro to Keto

There are so many diets out there to choose from, and more and more keep popping up. One that has stayed in the limelight for some time now is the Keto diet. In this blog, we’re going to dive into how the diet works, what you can eat during it, and how long you should stay on it for the best results. How does it work? The Keto diet (short for ketogenic) is a high fat and low carb diet that makes the body burn fats instead of carbohydrates. By reducing your carb intake, you put your body into a state called ketosis, which basically means that the fat in your body is being used as energy (normally, the glucose in your body is what is used as energy). Why is it so popular? Many people migrate to this diet because technically, there are no restrictions on the amount of food you eat – just the type of food. Because of this, there is no need to count calories. Studies have shown that following this diet may also benefit specific cancers, Alzheimer’s, and various other diseases. What can you eat during the Keto diet?
  • Bacon (of course this would be the first on our list!)
  • Low-carb vegetables
  • Avocados
  • Cheese
  • Seafood
  • Pork
  • Eggs
  • Nuts
  • Butter
  • Black coffee
  • Basically anything high in fat! 
Counting Macros As we said, the basis of this diet is low carb and high fat. When you're on a strict keto diet there are specific ratios you follow to get into ketosis. The majority of individuals consume roughly 75% of their calories from fat, 20% from protein and 5% or less from carbohydrates. There are many apps and macro calculators online to help you stay on track. How long should you stay on the diet? The length someone should stay on this diet depends on each person. The reality is that you can lose a lot of weight very quickly with this diet, but a strict keto diet is hard to do. After reaching the goal weight most people go to a 'dirty keto' diet where they keep all the same principles without counting the macros (and allowing a few cheat meals here and there!) *We are not doctors and therefore can not recommend any specific diet to someone. Please ask your doctor if you have questions about if this diet is right for you. [ ... ]
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17 Jun

5 Best Strategies to Pork Chop Grilling

5 Best Strategies to Pork Chop Grilling

Everyone deserves a plate full of tender, juicy, tasty, grilled Circle B Ranch pork chop. One bite into this and you will awaken your taste buds to enjoy the best eating experience. If you are already salivating for this, you are about to read great news. Do you know that you do not have to look for a restaurant to dig into perfectly done grilled pork? You can enjoy this meal at home anytime you want. If you would like to know how to do this, read on and take note of the best strategies to simplify the pork grilling process.
  • Use the Right Grill
There is only one way to become a grill master. This is by using a charcoal grill. Sure the gas, electric and pellet grills get the job done. However, nothing compares to the taste you will enjoy with a quality charcoal grill. The tender smokey taste from the charcoal grills is just heavenly. You can even invest in a top-quality portable charcoal grill if you love grilling in different locations. To get the best grill, kindly do some research to identify the brands that get approval from grill enthusiasts.
  • Carefully Select your Cuts
The cuts you place on the grill will determine if the end result will be something to write home about. It is advisable to start with a Circle B Ranch center cut pork chop since it is cut from the loin. The center cut pork chop usually has enough fat that can handle heat well without losing its flavor to become tough and chewy. You also need to pick the right size (about 11/2 inches) that will give you more control as you cook. Whether to get boneless or bone-in chops is a personal decision that will not have much of an effect to what ends up on the plate
  • Brine the Meat Beforehand
This is a stage that you should never miss if you want to make pork grilling a breeze. Soaking your pork in a weak salt solution helps to make your pork chops moist. You can make a simple brine by dissolving a ¼ cup of sugar and salt in 1 L water. To spice things up, boil this water with herbs such as rosemary and thyme, garlic, and any other flavor you like. When this cools, marinate your chops for a minimum of three hours. Remember not to salt the meat after bringing to avoid overdoing it.  
  • Combine both Indirect and Direct Heat Combustion
While grilling your pork, high heat is the best for searing. Before taking the meat out of the grill, switch to lower heat to finish the cooking process. This is the secret ingredient to serving a tender juicy interior and a seared exterior that will leave everyone licking their fingers. When searing, make sure the pork is above the heat source directly and only flip once. After this, put the pork on the side of the grill that is not directly over the coals and close the hood for a while. Place hot coals at the sides of the fire grate, and in a ring around the perimeter or one side of the grill for indirect heat on the grill.
  • Let the Meat Rest
After cooking your meat, do not rush into eating it right away. Cover the meat in foil before slicing it up. Give it at least 5-10 minutes rest time. This is crucial because it allows the juices to redistribute before you start cutting the meat up. A slight reminder is that if you are adding any sauces, use them during the last 5 minutes of cooking. This is something that helps to seal the flavor without burning the sauces. [ ... ]
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