Posted on December 20th, 2010
Vermont Cheese
Vermont boasts more artisan cheese makers per capita than any other state, producing about 53 million pounds of cheese each year. It has become known as the Napa Valley of Cheese as it continues to produce new and exciting varieties to match every palate. Additionally, Vermont has the nation’s only comprehensive center devoted to artisan cheese located at the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese at the University of Vermont. The Institute, like other local artisan cheese makers, produces cheese from the expected cow milk, as well as goat milk, sheep milk, and even buffalo milk.
For culinary aficionados of artisan cheese, a cheese tour is available through the Vermont Cheese Trail, which bears resemblance to a winery tour. With 21 farms open to the public, the Vermont Cheese Trail has established the state as the “Napa Valley of Cheese” attracting locals and visitors from all over the country. Most of Vermont’s satiable cheeses are available throughout the United States, so if you can’t make the sojourn look for it at your favorite grocer. Or, if you are in Vermont, stop by the Green Top Market where we have a delectable variety of local artisan cheeses and international cheeses to pair with every meal. Continue reading →
Posted on December 20th, 2010
Mom's Roast Turkey Recipe
Momma’s Roast Turkey Recipe
Mom’s method is to buy the best quality turkey available (organic, free-range, etc.) and cook it breast-side down. She also cooks the turkey stuffing separately, not in the cavity, which makes it easier to cook the turkey more evenly. This method creates the most delicious, succulent turkey you have ever had. Cooking your turkey this way keeps the meat moist, preventing you from having to use gobs of gravy to remedy the usual dry turkey conventionally made. Continue reading →
Posted in Guides, How to, Organic Meat
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Tagged as: christmas turkey, free-range meat, free-range turkey, organic market vermont, organic meat, organic turkey, organic turkey recipe, turkey, turkey recipe
Posted on December 17th, 2010
Compost for your health and the environment
Compost is simply decomposed organic material, it can be plant material or animal matter. The process is as simple as it is natural, often without any assistance from mankind. A good example of compost occurs naturally in the woods, where plants that die at the end of the season are consumed by animals of all sizes, from larger mammals, birds, and rodents and worms, insects, and microscopic organisms. The result of this natural cycle is compost, a combination of digested and undigested food that is left on the forest floor to create rich, sweet-smelling soil. Continue reading →
Posted on December 15th, 2010
Cooking with Wine
Cooking with wine can be a great flavor enhancer but like any sauce should be used appropriately. There is more to choosing wine than using what’s left over from last night and open in the fridge. Wine is a complex beverage and its use in cooking has many implications. Wine has three main uses in the kitchen—as a marinade ingredient, as a cooking liquid, and as a flavoring in a finished dish.
The first and most important rule to cooking with wine is that you should only cook with a wine that you actually drink. Amongst most culinary circles, buying “cooking wine” is generally frowned upon as they tend to be salty and overpriced. Stay away from these wines as they will only take away from your meal. Start your experimentation with a mainstream white or red wine that you plan on drinking with dinner or that you know accompanies the food you are preparing. Continue reading →
Posted on December 10th, 2010
Organic Gardening: Tomatoes
Tomatoes are America’s favorite garden fruit and a common ingredient in every week’s menu. There are literally hundreds of different types of varieties to choose from ranging from bite-size cherry tomatoes to huge beefsteak fruits in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Your geographic location and climate will dictate which tomatoes you can grow, as will your preferences and cooking style.
Tomato plants are vines, and they have two basic ways of growing: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate grow 1 to 3 feet long, and the main stem and side stems produce about three flower clusters each. Once flowers form at the vine tips, the plant stops growing. This means determinate types set fruit over about a two-week period and then stop, which makes them excellent choices for canning. Indeterminate tomatoes have sprawling vines that grow 6 to 20 feet long. Most produce about three flower clusters at every second leaf. They keep growing and producing unless stopped by frost, disease, or lack of nutrients, which means you can keep picking fresh tomatoes the whole season. Pruning is necessary, however, or they will put too much energy into vine production. Continue reading →
Posted in Guides, How to
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Tagged as: butcher stowe, butcher vermont, cured meat, free range, grass fed beef, Green Top Market, grocery store stowe, local butcher, organic beef, organic gardening, organic meat, organic tomatoes
Posted on December 3rd, 2010
Quality Butcher
The following article is adapted from a professional butcher who explains a bit about the profession and the roles of the various aspects of a butcher’s job. The views and opinions reflected are not necessarily those of Green Top Market.
Butcher is a very exciting and multi-faceted profession and not the heartless and gory job that animal rights activists and vegetarians try to convey with their politically motivated propaganda against anyone that direct or remotely is involved in a profession pertaining to animals and the meat trade in particular.
The butcher trade has been a time honored profession, supplying people since the dawn of humankind with nutritious food that has been, and still is, vital to our very existence as living beings. By nature humans are omnivores- meaning we actually need meat in our diet. As omnivores our digestive system and teeth are made to eat and digest a large variety of foods- especially meat. It is this unique trait which has enabled humans to evolve to the very top of the natural food chain and become the dominant species on this planet. Continue reading →
Posted in Organic Meat, Uncategorized
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Tagged as: butcher stowe, butcher vermont, cured meat, free range, grass fed beef, Green Top Market, grocery store stowe, local butcher, organic beef, organic meat
Posted on November 29th, 2010
Health and Holidays
The stresses of the holidays are manageable with a few tips by your friends at Green Top Market. We have scoured the internet for health tips and have thrown in some health food advice to make help you avoid that run down feeling.
Sleep- psychological stressors like stress created from all the holiday bustle may prevent us from falling asleep or keep us awake at night. Dr. Michael J. Breus recommends developing a pre-sleep ritual such as reading, meditating, or a hot bath combined with a period of relaxation to inform the body it is the end of the day. Continue reading →
Posted on November 24th, 2010
A recent study done by the University of Rhode Island has shown that maple syrup may have healthy biological properties. The study identified 20 bioactive phytochemicals in a Canadian Maple Syrup- several of which are known to have anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and anti-diabetic properties. The study shows evidence that in fact the sugary product contains a beneficial class of anti-oxidant compounds called phenolics, which are also found in berries and are known to be high in anti-oxidants.
Maple Syrup Healthy?
The speculation is that the sugar maple secretes phenolics as a defense mechanism when it is tapped for its sap. The sap itself is considered to have low concentrations of the phenolics; however, when boiled down there could be higher levels because syrup is a highly concentrated liquid. Continue reading →
Posted on November 24th, 2010
Gourmet Bread
The holidays are here and to most of us that means entertaining friends and family. At Green Top Market, we feel a great way to keep people occupied and happy is to feed them with the best in quality foods. Our selection of fresh, gourmet, and organic foods such as produce, meats, homemade pies, premade meals, condiments, sides, and wines will keep your family and friends smiling and satiated.
Of notable mention are our artisan cheeses produced locally that are a favorite appetizer. Ask our knowledgeable staff to find you a few organic wines to compliment your selection. Continue reading →
