February 2009  

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New Product!
 
Delaware County Meats, "Iowa's Best"

We are pleased to welcome the Delaware Co. Meats with their logo, "Iowa's Best". We now carry their pork products at both the Moo Roo and the Outlet store and plan to begin sampling the first part of February.

Delaware Co. meats was founded in 1999 by a group of independent family farms who had a similar dream to make a decent living and preserve a way of life that is eroding away. They draw from a rich history of generations of expertise knowing what it takes to have high quality meats. They feed top quality animals the best grains available striving for lean, yet flavorable, meats.

These farmers are passing on these traditions to their children so they know and can appreciate the hard work it takes to have award-winning hogs. Hogs are hand picked and taken to Edgewood Locker who takes care of their processing and packaging.

Delaware Co. uses gilts (females). We can guarantee that these products are fresh. The cured products are labeled with a use by or freeze by date.

Products we have available are:
Pepper bacon
Iowa chops
Hickory bacon
Smoked ham steak
Cottage bacon
Sirloin ham (pit ham)
Ground pork
Ham portion (bone-in ham)
Ground sausage
Boneless sirloin ends

Please stop in and give them a try. There are many other products that are available, like several varieties of brats, pulled pork, and different cuts. Let us know what you think. We welcome suggestions.


Happy Valentine's Day!
 
February 14th

It's time to pick up something unique for that special person for Valentine's Day. We carry Lillie Mae chocolates from Marshalltown, which come packaged for Valentine's Day.

We also have soy candles which make great gifts. Our soap supply is a bit low after the holidays, but there will be new ones out in the near future.

Bring that someone special to the Moo Roo on February 14th. Buy a sundae of your choice and get one free. Enjoy those sundaes in our pasture decorated for Valentine's Day.


Butter Update
 
Tips for Use and More

Butter Reminder
Our butter is pure and is very hard when left in the refrigerator. It will soften up to spread when it is kept at room temperature. Just remember to keep out what you think you'll need and keep the rest in the refrigerator. Butter can also be frozen. The unsalted butter is kept in the freezer due to there being no salt used as a preservative.

Measuring Butter
If you need a quarter pound, just cut it into 4 sections and you'll have your l/2 cup. As of now there are no plans to package in wrapped sticks--Cost is too high for the return. Other useful conversions
2 cups = 4 sticks = 1 lb = 21 Tbsp
1 cup = 2 sticks = 1/2 lb = 16 Tbsp
1/2 cup = 1 stick = 1/4 lb = 8 Tbsp
1/4 cup = 1/2 stick = 1/8 lb = 4 Tbsp

Making Whipped Butter
Cream slightly softened butter in a mixer or processor at medium speed or with on/off pulses of the processor until light in color and slightly fluffy. Continue mixing at high or process continuously until butter is fluffy.

What is Clarified Butter?
Clarified or drawn butter is clear, melted butter separated from its milk solids and water.
To clarify, melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Remove white froth as it forms on top. When the milk solids separate and settle at the bottom of the pan, carefully pour off the clear,yellow butter and discard the milk solids. Compared to regular butter, clarified butter can be heated to a higher temperature without burning and can be stored longer.
One pound of butter makes 12 ounces of clarified butter.
One pound of Hansen's butter makes 14 ounces of clarified butter.

How to Prevent Butter from Going Rancid
Properly storing butter in the refrigerator or freezer and tightly wrapping butter to minimize its exposure to air help keep butter from going rancid. Exposure to oxygen increases the risk of rancidity. When oxygen comes in contact with the unsaturated fatty acids in butter, off-smelling and off-tasting can develop. Rancid butter is not unsafe to eat.
Note: We do have butter keepers available at the stores which do keep the butter away from the oxygen. This is why we recommend only keeping out what you'll use in a few days at room temperature.

Butter versus Margarine
Margarine has the same amount of calories and fat as butter and does not contain cholesterol. Yet margarine contains trans fats which can increase blood cholesterol levels. Butter is low in trans fats. While butter contains a small amount of cholesterol (about 33 mg per Tablespoon), it is well under the recommended limit of 300 mg per day. Small amounts of butter, margarine, and other fat-containing foods can be included in a low fat diet if total fat intake is kept within recommended limits.

Storing and Handling Butter
To preserve butter's flavor and freshness, refrigerate opened butter in a covered dish in the butter compartment. Unopened, wrapped sealed butter may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Butter can be frozen in its original wrapper for several months. Unsalted butter can be kept frozen for about 5 months at 0 degrees F. Unsalted butter is best kept frozen until ready to use. For longer freezer storage,wrap in foil or plastic. Unsalted butter can be kept frozen for about 6 months at 0 degrees F. Salted butter can be frozen for about 6 - 9 months.

Nutritional information
Butter is a source Vitamin A and certain essential fatty acids. Its caloric content is about 200 calories per tablespoon, which compares similarly to other spreads and fat ingredients. (USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference)
From the National Dairy Council


New Product
 
Cream Cheese

We now have a new cream cheese available. Unlike most other cream cheeses, the American Heritage from Green Bay, Wisc. is made with a higher fat content, making your favorite desserts top notch. Stop in for a sample.


Cow of the Month
 
Introducing Heart!
heart

February's Cow of the Month is Heart, in honor of Valentine's Day. This girl has a good heart in more ways than one: She is a nice cow to work with and has a history of longevity in her family. Heart has had two calves, both heifers, named Hali and Holiday. Heart has an interesting black spot on her head and has passed on her unique markings to both of her offspring, which are white with black speckles. Heart produced 18,500 pounds of milk in her first lactation --- that's 37,000 glasses of milk --- and now she is going strong in her second lactation. She recently became pregnant and is due Oct. 3.







Our goal in creating this newsletter is to keep customers informed of new products, specials, helpful hints, interesting facts, and recipes using our products. If you have any comments, suggestion, ideas, recipes, or general input, email us at [email protected]


Hansen's Farm Fresh Dairy