When life gives you lemons, I highly recommend making meringues... with pastured eggs from happy chickens.

Dear Friends,

Thanks to all who have been advocating, supporting, and encouraging the launch of Alive kitchen. 

Anyone who has started a business knows that there are ups and downs, starts and stops, highs and lows. Alive kitchen has been basking in some great successes over the last few months with a growing client base, awesome press and really positive client feedback. 

But this week, Ane (my chef partner in Alive kitchen) was offered a wonderful full-time job opportunity that makes her continued participation in the weekly food service of Alive kitchen pretty difficult. 

So I've decided to take a few weeks to re-think and re-callibrate the ways that Alive kitchen can remain a viable part of my well4good business. For those who don't know about well4good, it is a model for health and well-being that includes food, movement, meditation and alternative healing modalities/education. My homeopathic practice is the cornerstone of well4good, and the addition of Alive kitchen was intended to bring an extra service to my clients and to the community.

In the meantime, Alive kitchen will continue to provide menu consulting services, custom wellness programs and cooking classes as well as individual consultation via well4good and my homeopathic practice. Keep checking (or subscribe to) the Alive kitchen blog for updates and information.

I've also been asked to head up a Philadelphia-based satellite school for The Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy (the hands-down best professional training program in the US) and if we can satisfy our enrollment criteria, we'll begin teaching here in April or May (if you are interested, please contact me). 

Thank you again for your continued support and I look forward to your feedback and suggestions as to how Alive kitchen can be a part of your kitchen.

All the best,

Denise

Alive kitchen menu for 1/21/11

This week we are offering our usual bone broths and stocks, granola, oatmeal, and the like... and we've got some really nice wintery braises and hearty fare to grace your dinner table and your lunch thermos. 

Please place your order by end of day Tuesday for pick up/delivery on Friday. See the sidebar (right) for order information. 

In coming weeks we'll be adding more baked goods, fermented foods and snack items. Let us know what you would like to see on the menu... and ways that we can make our service work for you. We look forward to your feedback and suggestions as we make Alive kitchen your kitchen.

Tortilla Española; 4-6 servings: $20 vegetarian, $24 with chorizo.

Ane’s specialty! Enjoy this traditional Spanish style frittata made with thinly sliced potatoes and truly pastured eggs from local chickens that live a happy, healthy, chicken-y lifestyle. These gorgeous, high-quality eggs have the best “fatty acid profile” giving them a 1:1 ratio of Omega 3s and 6s providing great benefit to the nervous system.

Oh, and did we mention that it’s amazingly delicious? Perfect warm, room temp or straight out of the fridge. A great snack any time of day—or a part of a hearty meal when paired with cooked greens or a salad. Travels really well.

This is one of those items that we will never be able to remove from the menu. It’s just that good… thanks Ane.

Velvety squash soup with mineral-packed veggie stock $14/quart

Eating the rainbow is a great way to ensure that the maximum variety of nutrients makes its way into the body. This brilliant orange sunset will brighten any winter afternoon with promises of vitamin c and carotenes (which, by the way have been shown to be protective against many cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes).

Delicious and creamy hubbard squash gets a nutty flavor accented with a dash of nutmeg.

Chili; $20/quart

A meaty quart awaits you. Local, grass fed beef is simmered with black beans, adzuki beans and the usual cast of aromatic vegetables. Adzuki beans are a great source of fiber (like all legumes) and they also provide protein, folic acid, b vitamins and loads of minerals.

Serve this meaty bowl with nutty brown rice, some rich sour cream, and a sprinkle of raw cheddar for more pro-biotics and awesome nutrition. Freezes beautifully and makes a great thermos-filler for a killer hot lunch.

Oxtail Stew; $22/quart

OK, the first question is, “What the heck is oxtail stew?” And the follow up question is, “Why?”

Yes, oxtail is the tail. And because it is a well-exercised muscle from happy, local, grass-fed cows (wag wag) it is nicely-marbled and full of iron-rich marrow. And… it tastes unbelievable. We make it Mediterranean style... sloooooww cooked with loads of veggies and some chickpeas.

Chicken braised in tomato-fennel broth; $22/serves 4

Fennel is Denise’s favorite flavor. Whether used as an aromatic, caramelized with onions, ribboned in salads, or even in toothpaste, it is a beautiful, mellow component that complements just about any flavor profile.

Fennel is often used as a medicinal herb for tummy issues. It is a natural antispasmodic, a gas reliever, and it is considered helpful for monthly “girl” issues… especially during menopause. In Greek mythology, fennel was associated with Dionysus, (Dionysus/Denise??? just sayin') the Greek god of food and wine, and rumor had it that a fennel stalk carried the coal that passed down knowledge from gods to men. 

We’re going to take bone-in chicken, brown it and braise it in an herb-infused tomato-fennel broth. It will melt in your mouth. And then you will make a happy face.

Winter mash; $14/pint

The ultimate comfort food, mashed potatoes make any meal a homey one. We spruce up this family favorite with roasted root vegetables to boost the nutrition—and the flavor.

Serve along with the braised chicken or oxtail stew… add a salad… a robust glass of red wine… light some candles… relax…dinner is ready.

Roasted roots and greens; $16/qt

A little sweet maple will kiss these veggies to give a sweet and savory flavor profile guaranteed to make you smile. Perfect next to a main course, over a bowl of your favorite grain, or just as they are for a beautiful lunch.

Sourdough pancakes; $8/doz

A dozen pancakes made from a lovingly-tended sourdough starter… soured and fermented foods are a critical component in maintaining gut flora and these pancakes are a pretty nice way to get it! Have a stack with maple syrup or roll up some honey and a schmear of almond butter. These cakes freeze perfectly and are quickly defrosted in a toaster, toaster oven or on a baking sheet in a 325 oven.

Beef Stock; $12/qt

Slow roasted meaty and marrow-bones, (from the most humanely raised, local, grass grazing cows) are simmered with organic veggies to create a stock that is not just yummy, but is a bowl of absolute necessity. The collagen and natural gelatin in beef stock is essential in gut health and can be sipped through the day for its restorative properties, or added to soups, stews and grain dishes for flavor and nutritional power.

Chicken Stock; $12/qt

Made from the bones and feet of happy, pastured chickens, along with organic vegetables and filtered water. This nutrient dense broth is magic for maintaining strength and gut health.

Vegetable stock; $10/qt

Not your everyday vegetable stock… this is liquid gold… rich in potassium and trace minerals often depleted during cancer therapy or as a side effect of many medications—not to mention everyday stressors!!

Sip a warm cup throughout the day to keep up your strength and replenish your reserves. Also good for making rice and grains to add flavor and boost the nutritional profile. 

Oatmeal; $9/qt

Steel cut oats are soaked and cooked to perfection with a dash of cardamom and cinnamon. Did you know that soaked grains are infinitely more digestible than your straight-up variety? You'll also get a little fermentation kick for added gut health. 

Warm on the stove or in the toaster oven, add a pat of cultured butter, a splash of cream and the A Live Kitchen special nut topping for a special way to start your day. There’s a lot of breakfast in this jar.

Alive kitchen Mixed Nut Topping; $6 ½ pt

A touch of sweet, a zing of protein, and a sprinkling of antioxidants… organic nuts are chopped, toasted and then combined with aromatic spices and a little brown sugar. Sure to make any dish a treat. Especially delicious atop a bowl of our fermented oats.

Alive kitchen Granola; $8/qt

Cultured, organic oats are mixed with a special blend of nuts, seeds and dried fruit for a digestible and nutrient dense meal. 

Poached apples and pears; $8/qt

Locally grown apples and pears are cored and filled with our special Alive kitchen blend of nuts, spices and sweet brown sugar. A healthfully-decadent addition to any breakfast… as a snack… or topped with ice cream…. Because sometimes you need ice cream, right?

Cup o’ Magic; $8/qt 

A healing elixir made with ginger and spices that soothes the tummy and nervous system. It’s like a massage in a delicious cup. Add honey and warm raw milk to fortify any part of the day.

This tea was specially formulated to ease the discomforts of cancer treatments… we highly recommend it for anyone who is under stress, caring for an ailing body, or just looking for a little love.

Alive kitchen featured in Flying Kite...

Check it out... Alive kitchen was featured in Flying Kite... a weekly online magazine featuring news about what's happening in Philly. Thanks to my girl Sue Spolan for making it happen!

Drumroll Please... Alive Kitchen Menu for 1/14/11

It's here! Alive kitchen has loads of awesome food for you to enjoy for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Read through this week's offerings and place your order by Tuesday noon so that we can order the freshest possible local, organic, and sustainable ingredients from our farmers--and alchemically transform those ingredients into everything you were hoping to eat and more!

In a day or so you can check the "notes" section on the sidebar for more information about pick-up and delivery options. And post your comments so that we can do everything possible to make Alive kitchen your kitchen.

Tortilla Española; 4-6 servings: $20 vegetarian, $24 with chorizo

Ane’s specialty! Enjoy this traditional Spanish style frittata made with thinly sliced potatoes and truly pastured eggs from chickens that live a happy, healthy, chicken-y lifestyle. These gorgeous, high-quality eggs have the best “fatty acid profile” giving them a 1:1 ratio of Omega 3s and 6s providing great benefit to the nervous system.

Oh, and did we mention that it’s amazingly delicious? Perfect warm, room temp or straight out of the fridge. A great snack any time of day—or a part of a hearty meal when paired with cooked greens or a salad. Travels really well.

This is one of those items that we will never be able to remove from the menu. It’s just that good… thanks Ane.

French onion soup with beef stock: $14/qt

Our luscious and rich beef stock is simmered with sloooooowwwwly caramelized organic onions bringing a multi-dimensional party to your palate.

Don’t forget that our beef stock is oh-so-good-for-you… thanks to the grass-fed beef bones that bring ultra-nutrition and gut-friendly gelatins to your bowl.

This soup is perfect on its own… but extra special when you upgrade with a slice of toasted baguette and some grated cheese. Add a glass of red wine and you may immediately teleport to a Parisian bistro…

Winter greens and potato soup with cannellini beans; $14/quart

We should call this soup, “A Happy Winter Afternoon.” Hearty, warming, nourishing… simmered in our mineral-packed veggie stock. Tastes even nicer with a little Parmesan cheese grated on top.

Mini turkey meatloaf; $18/ 4 ea. 4oz loaves

Juicy heritage breed turkey is blended with a savory base of onion, carrot and celery with milk-soaked fresh breadcrumbs to give it a luscious texture. A special tomato topping packs added zing, and a little lycopene.

How Denise likes her meatloaf: 2 pieces of hearty whole wheat sourdough bread, one slice buttered, the other with homemade ketchup… put a slice of meatloaf and some crispy lettuce in the middle. It’s the lunch that you pack in the morning—and eat at 11:00 because you just can not wait.

Winter greens and purples; $18/qt

Why we love January: because winter greens such as kale and collards are more flavorful after a frost.

For this simply amazing dish we chiffonade the greens into tender ribbons and sauté them with a little purple cabbage, some garlic and a splash of tamari.

Braised short ribs; $18/serves 4

Grass fed goodness is slow cooked with seasonal vegetables and aromatics for a winter meal that is sure to warm the heart and the belly while making the day just a little happier. Best enjoyed during a snowstorm.

You may be wondering how it is that a “healthy food menu” with its roots in sustainability and ethical food production has so many meat dishes… well, super high quality animal fats and proteins are actually incredibly healthful and much gentler on the planet. Stay tuned to Alive kitchen for more information about healthy ways to live deliciously.

Tamari braised heirloom squash; $14/pt

Every once in a while there’s a dish you can’t stop making… and eating. This would be that dish. Hubbard squash (the big grey-blue ones) and “neck pumpkins” (the heirloom ancestors of the butternut) are cubed and sautéed with a little ginger (great for digestion) and scallions, then braised in an Asian-inspired, veggie stock fueled, tamari flavored glaze. The result: the ultimate umami experience. Umami is the Japanese term for the fifth flavor (sweet, sour, salty, bitter and... “umami”) it means “good taste” or “delciousness” and it really is a savory delight.

Serve this dish along side your braised shortribs, over brown rice or udon noodles, or by itself... perfect, just like that.

Sauce Bolognese; $18/qt

It’s not just meat sauce (although it's meaty). And it’s not just for pasta (but it makes a fine pasta sauce). Bolognese is a slow simmered, complex flavored bomb of grass-fed, lycopene infused, belly satisfying sauce that is a great accompaniment to any form of grain dish, as a lasagna filling, or for gilding the lily as a topping for a nice slab of grass-fed-beef.

Consider freezing small portions of this for when you need a special perk to a meal.

Sourdough pancakes; $8/doz

A dozen pancakes made from a lovingly-tended sourdough starter… soured and fermented foods are a critical component in maintaining gut flora and these pancakes are a pretty nice way to get it. Have a stack with maple syrup or roll up some honey and a schmear of almond butter. These cakes freeze perfectly and are quickly defrosted in a toaster, toaster oven or on a baking sheet in a 325 oven.

Beef Stock; $12/qt

Slow roasted meaty and marrow-bones, (from the most humanely raised, grass grazing cows) are simmered with organic veggies to create a stock that is not just yummy, but is a bowl of absolute necessity. The collagen and natural gelatin in beef stock is essential in gut health and can be sipped through the day for its restorative properties, or added to soups, stews and grain dishes for flavor and nutritional power. GAPS diet approved.

Chicken Stock; $12/qt

Made from the bones and feet of happy, pastured chickens, along with organic vegetables and filtered water. This nutrient dense broth is magic for maintaining strength and gut health. GAPS diet approved.

Vegetable stock; $10/qt

Not your everyday vegetable stock… this is liquid gold… rich in potassium and trace minerals often depleted during cancer therapy or as a side effect of many medications—not to mention day-to-day stressors.

Sip a warm cup throughout the day to keep up your strength and replenish your reserves. Also good for making rice and grains to add flavor and boost the nutritional profile. 

Oatmeal; $9/qt

Steel cut oats are soaked and cooked to perfection with a dash of cardamom and cinnamon. Warm on the stove or in the toaster oven, add a pat of cultured butter, a splash of cream and the Alive kitchen special pecan topping for a special way to start your day. There’s a lot of breakfast in this jar.

Alive kitchen Mixed Nut Topping; $6/ ½ pt

A touch of sweet, a zing of protein, and a sprinkling of antioxidants… organic nuts are toasted, chopped and then combined with aromatic spices and a little brown sugar. Sure to make any dish a treat. Especially delicious atop a bowl of our fermented oats.

Maple Almond Granola; $10/qt

Cultured, organic oats are mixed with a special blend of almonds, seeds and dried fruit for a digestible and nutrient dense meal.

Cup o’ Magic; $8/qt 

A healing elixir made with ginger and spices that soothes the tummy and nervous system. It’s like a massage in a delicious cup. Add honey and warm raw milk to fortify any part of the day.

This tea was specially formulated to ease the discomforts of cancer treatments… we highly recommend it for anyone who is under stress, caring for an ailing body, or just looking for a little love.