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#1 – Swedish Meatballs

Who doesn’t love this tried-and-true favorite? Make them ahead and then add the gravy and simmer when it’s party time. Add to a plate and grab a toothpick — you won’t have leftovers of this meaty deliciousness.

#2 – Deviled Eggs with Bacon

This party favorite screams “it’s the holidays!” but who doesn’t love deviled eggs all year?! We love the addition of bacon crumbles to make it extra. These are also great to make ahead so you’re not stressed when it’s “go time”.

#3 – Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Sausage, cheese, breadcrumbs, butter… the makings of a perfect bite of food. Stuff it into a mushroom and you get your veggies, too! Another perfect finger food for the party table.

#4 – Cheesy Beef Empanadas

We love these little pockets of beefy cheesiness. You can make these ahead and then pop them in the oven before your guests arrive. Don’t forget the salsa and sour cream for dipping!

#5 – Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ah, buffalo chicken. Make this one for the holiday party, your football-watching party, or your summer picnic. No matter the occasion, this one is sure to please. Use shredded rotisserie chicken if you don’t have time to bake or cook chicken in a crockpot the day before.

#6 – Greek Lamb Sliders

Ground lamb is one of our favorites. Mix and form the patties and make the sauce the day before so all you have to do is grill and assemble before the party. These are delish!

#7 – Jalapeno Popper Pigs in a Blanket

This is a brilliant idea… marrying two of your favorite apps – pigs in a blanket and jalapeno poppers – to make an amazing new app! These might be the talk of the party table.

#8 – Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce

Another favorite we couldn’t leave off the list. Thread the skewers ahead of time and make the sauce, so all you have to do is grill these (with the lamb burgers) before guests arrive. We love the addition of lime wedges for an added zip – and it makes the dish look even more delicious.

#9 – Bacon Pastry Twists

Bacon + Pastry = yes, please! This recipe calls for a side of beer cheese for dipping and we think it’s a MUST. Your guests will ask for this recipe.

#10 – Turkey Taco Bites

These little guys are easy and you can make a large amount with just a pound of ground turkey meat and phyllo dough shells. Keep it simple with a cheese topping and salsa/sour cream for dipping or add some diced tomatoes and green onions on top to make it even more festive. Queso for dipping would be ah-mazing, too.

#11 – Cheesy BBQ Pulled Pork Dip

Oh pulled pork – how we love thee. Cook and shred your pork the day before to save time on party day. Pro Tip: save some pulled pork for the next day when you’re craving a delicious sandwich but don’t want to move from the couch.

#12 – Little Smokies

All you need for this easy app is a 14 oz. package of cocktail weenies, 12 strips bacon, and 3/4 cup of brown sugar (packed). Cut bacon strips into thirds and wrap each weenie. Secure with a toothpick and place seam down. Load them into a dish tightly and coat with brown sugar. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, remove, baste with the mixture from the bottom of the pan and bake for another 15 minutes. Then they’re ready for prime-time.

Best of luck with the party! Thanks for helping us #MakeitGAP when you cook. For more recipe inspiration, check out our Recipes page. If you’re holiday shopping, check out our “Food Gifts That Matter” blog highlighting G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified partners who offer gift boxes for the season. New to our program and want to learn more about G.A.P. certification and what it means? Check out our website. Happy entertaining!

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Canadian Thanksgiving

We wish all of our Canadian fans celebrating Thanksgiving a beautiful fall day filled with changing leaves, apple picking, pumpkin patch visits, and family time. We’ve hunted down some traditional Thanksgiving Recipes in the section below if you’re ready to host a big gathering with a turkey as the star and lots of accompanying side dishes. But if you’re in more of a non-traditional mood just looking for a nice family meal without turkey, we’ve got you covered as well. Especially if you have young kids, remember that enjoying a meal around a table with family and friends is what matters most – not that you’re a Michelin-Star chef. We hope this recipe round-up helps you strike a nice balance between what you envision for your table with what you have time for. Either way, give thanks on this day and reflect upon that for which you are grateful.

Pork and Chicken Recipe Ideas (mouth-watering photos below):

Pork Loin with Braised Mushrooms & Wine

Whole Roasted Chicken

Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables

American Thanksgiving

Don’t forget the Sides!

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We’re a big fan of cooking a whole protein (like chicken or ham) and finding lots of ways to add it to lunches and dinners the rest of the week. We’ve also come up with a few casserole ideas, slow-cooker go-to’s, and some new muffin pan favorites. We hope you find lots of recipes to save and make over the next few crazy weeks.

Just don’t forget to look for the G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified label when you shop and #MakeitGAP! Each purchase rewards producers for raising their animals humanely, brands for sourcing these raw materials, and G.A.P. for developing standards that put the animal first. A big thank you for your support!

Get into gear!

Before we dive into some recipes, it’s time to check your equipment. You probably have a lunchbox for you or your kids, but it’s time to get creative about what’s inside. Have you thought about Bento box containers? A new Thermos? Dishes and portion cups with lids? It’s time. We love cooking casseroles and prepping meals in glass casserole dishes with lids – they make storage a cinch.

Bento Boxes

Who doesn’t love to have their food neatly compartmentalized? We love Bento Box lunchboxes. Here’s a fun full Bento Box lunchbox for teens or adults. And here’s a fun kid version. Already have a lunchbox or lunch bag? Try these fun dishwasher-safe containers to place inside. Need small containers for dips or condiments? Try these inexpensive lidded cups. Make lunchtime more fun with creative ways to pack your Bento.

Meal Prep on Sundays with Whole Proteins

Do you meal prep each week? Grocery shopping and prepping for the week isn’t exactly the most exciting way to spend your Sunday, but it sets you up for a week of ease and efficiency. We love the idea of cooking a large “whole” protein on Sunday and then turning the leftovers into lunches and dinners for the rest of the week. We suggest purchasing a couple of whole chickens, a whole turkey, or a whole ham (G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified, of course) and popping them in the oven on Sunday after your morning coffee. Don’t have that kind of time? Purchase rotisserie chickens from your grocery store or wholesale club. If you’re up for cooking, here’s a Roasted Chicken recipe and Herb Roasted Turkey recipe.

If you decide to cook a whole chicken or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store, here are some quick recipe ideas for turning the leftover chicken into quick and delicious lunches for the week!

Easy California Chicken Salad – This is a healthy, easy next-day lunch with leftover chicken. Thinly slice 1/3 head of iceberg lettuce. Top with 1/4 cup grated Monterey jack cheese, 1/4 cup halved red grapes and a handful of slivered almonds (optional) with 1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken. Top with Easy Lemon Vinaigrette (see below) just before eating. A quick lunch to pack – just keep the dressing separated and remember to pack a fork.

Prep Your Casseroles Ahead

Stretching your dollars? You can’t beat the value of a casserole! We’ve got lots of recipe ideas to add some new dishes to your rotation. Just don’t forget to look for the G.A.P. label when you shop!

 

Casserole Heaven – try these favorites from G.A.P.:

Chorizo Mac & Cheese

Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole

Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Chicken Pot Tater Tot Casserole

The slow-cooker is your weeknight friend

We can’t get enough of our slow cookers in the fall and winter. Here are a few of our favorite recipes with a few tips for making them stretch. Bon Appetit!

Top 4 Slow-Cooker Favorites from the G.A.P. team:

#1.Best Beef Chili

Tips: To stretch this recipe, serve your chili over a bed of spaghetti or other pasta and top with cheese. Also, consider doubling your batch and making chili dogs for lunch or another night for dinner. The classic “Frito Pie” is yet another way to put leftover chili to good use — serve it over a plate of Fritos and top with melted cheese or queso (and pickled jalapenos, for a kick).

Break out your Muffin Tins!

Egg Bites

Mini Meatloaf

We hope you have found our tips and recipes helpful as you embark on your back-to-school / end-of-summer adventures. Here’s to a great school year and work year! Thanks for helping us #MakeitGAP when you cook!

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Start with Breakfast in Bed

Moms and kids – set your alarm clocks and get those eggs crackin’! Brew the coffee, pour the juice, sizzle the bacon, drop in the toast, put it all together, and let the spoiling begin!

Make a homemade card

Store-bought cards are expensive and require a trip to the store. Grab some printer paper and a Sharpie and tell Dad how you really feel. Homemade cards are the ones that get saved and cherished for many years to come.

Get outdoors for some family fun

Have an outdoorsy Dad? Make today’s workout a family affair. Pick a favorite outdoor park for a hike (and picnic lunch or snack) or take a nice bike ride in the neighborhood. Or maybe a dip in the pool or cornhole game in the backyard is Dad’s favorite? No matter what activity you choose, family time is the best.

Break out the old video games

The old Nintendo and Playstation are probably long-gone, but that doesn’t mean your Dad can’t still play some mean Mario Kart. Break out the oldie-but-goodie classics (or download the game codes online for your current gaming console) and Dad will be ready to game. Kids: you’ve been warned.

Try a beer taste test

Yes, it’s cliche, but most Dads love their beer. Moms – buy a few different ones from the store, blindfold Dad, and see if his palate is Top Chef worthy.

Fire up the GRILL

Of course, you can’t have Father’s Day without the grill! We’ve compiled our favorite grilling recipes Dad is sure to love – check out the pictures, click the links, and print out or screenshot your favorites. Just don’t forget to look for the G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified label when you shop, and #MakeitGAP!

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings

Brown Sugar BBQ Pork Butt

Strip Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Cuban Sandwich Burgers

Mediterranean Grilled Lamb Chops with Tomato Mint Quinoa

Wind down with Family Movie Night

What better way to end Dad’s special day than with his favorite movie? With so many streaming options available, you’re sure to find one that’s just right.

We hope your Father’s Day is a perfect day filled with fun, food, and family. Thanks for your continued support of Global Animal Partnership and our G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified partners.

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This year consider giving a food gift that supports farmers, producers, and brands who care about farm animal welfare. Like we always say, when you purchase a G.A.P. Certified meat or egg product, you are voting with your dollars for better farm animal welfare practices. Every purchase makes a difference. We can’t begin to change a food production system overnight; but, slowly, we can make a difference. One purchase at a time.

Many of our G.A.P. partners have created special holiday gift boxes. And many of them have gift certificates and gift cards available on their sites. We’ve curated our “Top 10 list” of G.A.P. partner gifts worth considering. Thank you, in advance, for your support. We wish you and your families a joyful holiday season filled with all the things that make your heart happy.

#1 – Brasstown Beef Gift Boxes

Longtime G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified partner, Brasstown Beef, located in North Carolina, raises Pasture Raised cattle to G.A.P.’s Step 4 standards. You can find their delicious, high quality beef in restaurants across the Southeast as well as many Whole Foods Market locations along the east coast. Their Variety Gift Box (pictured above) contains ribeye steaks, chuck roast, ground beef, sausage, and hot dogs. Choose from hot or mild sausage. Order by 12/13 and 12/14 in time for Christmas. Check out their holiday boxes here (including a NY Strip Lovers Box and a Steak Lovers Box!). Gift certificates are also available. You can even include a personalized Christmas postcard with your gift!

#2 – Cooks Venture Chicken Gift Boxes

Customize a box of delicious chicken from Cooks Venture delivered right to your door! You can customize your box with specific chicken parts, or whole chickens. They also have gift cards. Join their mailing list and get $20 off your first order! Check out their boxes here – you’ll love the taste!

#3 – Rancho Llano Seco Holiday Gift Boxes

Longtime G.A.P. Certified partner, Rancho Llano Seco, located in California, has a fantastic variety of holiday gift boxes. Choose from the holiday box (pictured above) featuring ground pork, porchetta, sausage, bacon, and ham steaks, or browse their other gift boxes including a taco meat sampler, salami sampler, breakfast box, family meat box, and much more. They also offer gift cards for your gifting convenience. Browse their many delicious options on their website here. Bon Appetit!

#4 – Seemore Sausage Variety Packs and Fun Merch

Did someone say “sausage”?! G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified Seemore Meats & Veggies combines delicious G.A.P. Certified meats with veggies in savory combinations like Chicken Chili Verde, Broccoli Melt, Chicken Parm, and Loaded Baked Potato. They also have an awesome merch section in their Store with sausage apparel, calendars, socks, and jewelry for sausage-loving friends and family everywhere. Check out their website and gift away! Gift cards also available.

#5 – Country Natural Beef Gift Boxes 

Another one of our valued G.A.P. Certified partners, Country Natural Beef, based in picturesque Oregon, raises their cattle on pasture to our strict Step 4 / Pasture Raised animal welfare standards. They have long believed in honoring the animals and the land, and the taste of their meat reflects those values. Check out their Butcher Shop to find the gift your beef-lover is dreaming about. Gift cards also available.

#6 – Butcher Box Subscription

Have you ever looked into a Butcher Box subscription for your family or friend? It’s convenient and shipping is free. Choose from 4 curated boxes or create your own custom box. Then, select a delivery frequency that meets your needs and look forward to receiving your first box at your doorstep. Butcher Box is a certified B-Corp, meeting the highest standards for social and environmental impact. Right now, they have a limited offer of Free Bacon with $100 off… so don’t delay. Grab your deal and sign up for your first box today!  

#7 – Thompson Farms Gift Boxes

What you see in the photo above is Santa’s Favorite Breakfast. Seems about right, doesn’t it?! Santa has a hard job… good thing he gets to relax on Christmas morning with a feast of delicious Thompson Farms sausage links, patties, and bacon. And then it’s time for Santa’s Christmas Day nap. Don’t miss out on your chance to be like Santa. Thompson Farms is a G.A.P. Certified family owned and operated pig farm based in Georgia. You can find Thompson Farms pork in your local Whole Foods Market or visit Thompson Farms’ website to view all of the many product offerings they ship directly. 

#8 – LaQuercia Gift Boxes

Are you entertaining this holiday season? Time for a charcuterie board! G.A.P. Certified partner, LaQuercia, has you covered. They sell a variety of gift boxes perfect for everyone on your list. Go to their website to order today. Free shipping over $50.

#9 – TruBeef Gift Boxes

#10 – Don’t forget your Pets!

Did you know there are many high quality, G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified pet food and treat brands? Why not consider adding G.A.P. Certified treats to your pet’s stocking this year? Most of our pet food partners ship directly and offer different varieties of G.A.P. Certified pet food (for dogs and cats) as well as treats. Shop G.A.P. Certified brands here: Tender & True Pet, Open Farm Pet (get 15% off when you join their mailing list), Canidae Sustain Pet Food, Halo Pet food, Earth Animal Wisdom dog food, Nugget’s Healthy Eats treats, Freshpet, Campfire Treats, Evermore Pet Food, The Honest Kitchen, Rawr Cat Food, and Happy ‘N Healthy treats.

Thank you for shopping (and gifting) G.A.P. Certified brands. As the year winds down, we are thankful for all of our partners, as well as our valued fans and fellow meat lovers, who care about how their food is raised. If you have yet to make a tax-deductible donation this year, we hope you will consider donating to our organization. We can’t continue to impact the lives of farm animals without your support. If you can’t make a donation this year, please follow us on social media and tell a friend about the good work we are doing. Every voice matters. Happy holidays to you and yours!

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We compiled a few recipe suggestions depending on your animal protein of choice. Just check out your Easter meat personality quiz below and start making your grocery list.

What kind of Easter foodie are you?

Team Ham

Steadfast and loyal, you are a traditionalist. You respect your forefathers and foremothers who prepared a whole ham each Easter and made it the star of the table. You are practical and stable. You stick by your people, especially in hard times. Your friends would describe you as dependable and confident. You do have a creative side too, however. After all, you have to figure out what to do with all of that leftover ham every year. Any sacrifice to continue the tradition. You keep your eye on the prize.

After the carving and feasting is complete, we suggest the following leftover G.A.P. Certified ham recipes:

It’s not summer yet, so soup remains a possibility. We suggest this hearty Ham & Potato Chowder to make that ham disappear.

Have kids or just love those irresistible crescent rolls? We get it. These Ham & Cheese Pinwheels are sure to hit the spot.

Longing to incorporate your favorite Easter protein into your breakfast routine? Try this Ham & Broccoli Frittata. Leftover “problem” solved.

Team Lamb

Bold and ambitious, you like to stand out from the crowd. You are passionate and dynamic, always up for trying new things. You’re curious and intellectual – a true explorer. You navigate international cuisine like it’s your job. You feel that life is about discovering the extraordinary. And you’re not settling for anything less.

For you, we suggest the following G.A.P. Certified lamb recipes:

Looking for a special meal for a small number? Try this Lamb Chop with Cipollini Onions recipe. Made with lots of fresh herbs and easy to cook in your skillet.

Looking to celebrate with your recently-vaccinated family? Try this delectable Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb number.

Longing to keep it casual and fire up the grill because it’s technically spring even if the weather is struggling to make it out of the 50’s? Check out these Mediterranean Lamb Kebabs.

Team “Whatevs”

You are spontaneous and non-traditional. You like to keep your options open. Your friends may say you’re non-committal and even a bit indecisive. You don’t like to plan too far ahead because you never know if a better option may come along. You like what you like and you do what you like. Period. Happy and easy-going, you live life on your terms. Nobody is putting you in a box. 

So, for Easter, “do you” and eat whatever you like. Whether it’s beef, chicken, turkey, or goat, there’s a G.A.P. Certified meat for you. Hint: bookmark all of these recipes because we know you’re going to go to the store and buy whatever you think looks good or feels right in that moment. As long as you #MakeitGAP, we won’t judge. 

For you Easter rebels, here’s our recipe line-up:

If you’re feeling like a hearty “meat and potatoes” kind of Easter meal, why not try this Swedish Meatballs treat? It’s just as good the next day for lunch.

Planning to make something nice and easy this Sunday? Try this delicious Chicken Alfredo Casserole. Pro Tip: purchase a G.A.P. Certified rotisserie chicken and make it extra easy. You can also make it ahead of time to pop in the oven when you get home. Because, hey, you may have some awesome plans earlier that day.

Feeling like turkey but no energy for prepping and carving a whole bird? Try this yummy Turkey Tenderloin with brown sugar and whole grain mustard. 

Enjoy your weekend

However you choose to celebrate this Easter, we truly hope it makes you happy. Time with loved ones is the best. Even if you have to have yet another Zoom celebration, remain hopeful that the end of isolation is in sight. From all of us at G.A.P., we wish you a spring of new beginnings and happy times ahead. Cheers!

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How will you be celebrating this year?

Planning to Zoom with grandma? Or have a remote happy-hour with friends across the globe? Your holiday plans will probably look a little different this year, but starting new traditions can be a good thing. For example, have you thought about gathering with family or friends outdoors? Whether you live in Florida or Canada, outdoor gatherings are possible – and fun! If you have kids, just ask them. Moving the eating and activities outside can be a new adventure. Spikeball or tag before dinner? Yes, please. Fire and s’mores after dinner? Even better. It will surely be a holiday to remember.

What will you be serving?

Of course, ham and brisket are staples on many tables for Christmas and Hanukkah. But this might be the year to actually go completely non-traditional! Take a family vote or, better yet, have each family member make a dish so everyone has their favorites. Traditions are wonderful, so if a sense of normalcy is what you crave; by all means, stick to that. But 2020 is not an ordinary year, so feel free to go off the rails with some new ideas. It might create some extra excitement in your household. Of course, you’ll need a plan for what you’re making so you can create your shopping list. We’ve shared a few of our suggestions and recipes below. Just don’t forget to #MakeitGAP!

Beef

If beef is your protein of choice, we recommend either a classic standing rib roast or a beef tenderloin. For the standing rib roast option, allow for 1 rib per 2 people. For example, a three-bone roast will serve six. Ask your butcher to cut the meat from the bone and re-tie the roast. This way you have the benefit of roasting bone-in and carving is easy peasy.  For beef tenderloin, choose smaller filets for 2-4 people or a larger loin roast for more guests. We love this recipe for beef tenderloin with a mushroom cream sauce. Is your mouth watering yet?

Lamb

Not just for spring, lamb is a great option for this time of year too. Roasting a leg of lamb is perfect for a larger family, while a rack of lamb is fast, easy and makes a stunning presentation. Here’s a delicious recipe for roasted rack of lamb with a cranberry mint chutney.

Pork

Cooking a flavorful, juicy pork tenderloin is simple and it’s so versatile. Season with a savory herb rub, or garnish with a tangy sauce, then grill roast or broil. This lean, tender cut of meat never fails to impress. Here’s a fresh, easy marinade for grilled pork tenderloin with a citrus soy glaze.

Ham

A holiday favorite, ham serves any number of people, can be used as a centerpiece on your holiday table, and is great the next day for sandwiches, appetizers and soups – not to mention, when spiral cut, it’s a dream to serve. We love this leftover ham recipe made with crescent roll dough – yum! And who doesn’t like a good cup of chowder? Check out this delicious ham potato chowder recipe, too.

Relax and take it all in

This has been a tough year. We truly hope you can take some time off this month to relax, recharge, and take care of yourself. The pandemic has forced all of us to slow down and take stock. We hope you can do a little of that this holiday season too. Happiest of holidays from our families to yours!

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We’ve enlisted the help of Simone Cormier, Executive Chef and “Spice-ommelier”. Simone sources spices from sustainable partners throughout the world, identifies flavor and food trends, and develops and sells spice-related products for Allegro Spice, and is one of the founders of Vox Spice, a supplier and manufacturer of organic spices for culinary professionals. Simone’s spice journey includes a career as an Executive Chef, Pastry Chef, Kitchen Manager, and Sommelier, and she has travelled to 78 countries exploring regional flavors and sourcing food ingredients. She also served on the Board of Directors of the American Spice Trade Association for 6 years, including her time as President. Suffice it to say, she’s a spice expert.

The G.A.P. team recently sat down with Simone and asked for her advice on spice blends and rubs for grilling our favorite meats this summer. As expected, she had lots of great advice.

Plan your meal

Before you choose the spices for your rub or marinade, think about everything that will be on the plate – not just the protein. Simone thinks in terms of global cuisines, and what direction she wants to take her meal. That’s what drives her decision, as every cuisine has go-to spices. So, think in terms of the type of cuisine you’re preparing that evening and build from there.

Using rubs on meats

When Simone grills meats, she recommends taking the meat out of the refrigerator and bringing it down to room temperature before cooking. As soon as you take it out of the fridge, season it all over with the rub, patting it down to adhere to the meat on both sides. The amount of seasoning to apply depends on how much salt is in the rub – the less salt there is, the more liberally you can season the meat. Taste the rub before using it, and let that be your guide. You can always add more seasoning later if you undershot it.

Easy marinades

An easy way to make a marinade for your grilling meats is to take your favorite rub/seasoning blend and add an acidic liquid (vinegar, wine, fruit juice, lemon juice, lime juice, etc.) that is complementary to the flavor profile of the blend, plus a choice of oil. Simone’s rule is 1 part liquid to 1 part oil. If the liquid is very acidic (like vinegar), she recommends using 1 part liquid to 3 parts oil. The more tender the meat (or the thinner the cut), the less time it needs in the marinade. Ziploc bags are your best friend when marinating meats.

Spice Pairings

Generally speaking, these spices go well with poultry, pork, beef, and lamb: garlic, onion, pepper (black, white, green), paprika, chiles, cumin, coriander, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, ginger, mustard, and rosemary.

For poultry, Simone recommends using sage (especially for turkey), lemon peel, and tarragon. Tarragon is particularly nice with chicken as it has an anise-like, sweet herbaceousness. Chicken is so versatile and accepting of spices — there really isn’t a spice that doesn’t work with chicken, in some combination or another. Simone shared her favorite Chipotle BBQ Rub recipe to use with chicken or pork. Check it out here.

Duck pairs best with sweet and potent spices due to its richness – think star anise, clove, cinnamon, ginger, and juniper berries.

Pork’s fatty goodness makes it a great partner for smoked paprika, and potent spices such as fennel seed, juniper, and caraway seed. Fun fact: Many, many pork sausages contain a bit of nutmeg or mace.

Beef equals the hearty MEAT. It can handle pretty much any spice you throw at it. Again, Simone would let your global cuisine compass lead the way, but you can’t go wrong with salt, pepper, thyme, garlic, cayenne, and ground bay leaf for the grill. Ready to mix it up? Try Simone’s Coffee BBQ Rub recipe here.

Lamb is more versatile than most people recognize. So, don’t be intimidated. In addition to the above-mentioned general spices, lamb can handle the delicacy of dill and mint – even lavender, but it can also absorb complex blends heavy on the sweet spices such as cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and allspice. Simone recommends both Baharat and Ras el Hanout spice blends for lamb. They typically have some mix of coriander, cloves, cumin, paprika, and cardamom, but Ras el Hanout often has more ingredients like chile, ginger, dried rose petals, red pepper flakes, and allspice. Simone also shared her favorite Gridiron Lamb Rub recipe with us so click here to view and print. It also goes great with salmon.

We hope we’ve given you some inspiration for your summer grilling menu. We have lots of grilling recipes on our G.A.P. recipe page so be sure to bookmark for your reference. And, if you’re not following us on Facebook and Instagram, please do! We post lots of recipes, promotions, and partner spotlights on our pages every week and we’d love to have you in our community.

Thanks for helping us #MakeitGAP this summer by looking for the G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified label when you shop. Remember, when you purchase products with the G.A.P. label, you are voting with your dollars for better animal welfare practices.  Bon Appetit!

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Gosh, it’s hard to beat well-seasoned, tender, juicy ribs. They’re messy, delicious, and bring out a little of the cave man (and woman) in all of us. It might seem intimidating to grill ribs because of the long amount of time required to get them “just right” – many deem it more of an art than a science. However, because the best method is low and slow, you actually have a greater margin of error because a few minutes extra won’t cost you like it would when cooking a steak on the grill. The key is prepping your ribs well and following a few tips on indirect and direct heat to make you feel like a “seasoned” (pun intended) BBQ legend.

We’re guessing you’ve noticed that all ribs are not created equal. There are three more common types of ribs you can purchase at the store, each with a slightly different texture and flavor. (Pro Tip: don’t forget to look for the G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified label – quality does indeed start with better animal welfare.)

• Baby back ribs – the most common rib at the store. They are smaller, meatier and leaner, and the bones are more curved.

• Spare ribs – these are larger than baby backs with flat bones. They have more connective tissue, which means they’ll meld together and get very tender after cooking them (slow and low) for awhile.

• St. Louis-style ribs – these are spare ribs with the tips removed. If you don’t notice by looking at the bones, check the label. You’ll also notice that these come in a smaller, more rectangular package.

Now let’s get down to business…

Step #1: Prep the meat

Most store-bought ribs have a “silverskin”, a membrane on the underside of the ribs. You need to remove this before you cook. Insert a knife between the membrane and the meat at one end of the ribs (on the side with all of the bones), and work your fingers or the knife under the skin until you can get a hold on a size-able piece of it. (It’s going to be slippery, so you might want to use a paper towel to help get a better grip.) Then, just slowly pull it all the way off. It should peel off cleanly – pretty satisfying if you ask us.

Step #2: Marinate

Pork is tasty as is, but marinating adds so much flavor! Making a marinade is easy. You just combine a few ingredients and spices and let the ribs soak in the mixture overnight. We’ve got a great marinade recipe on our site, so check it out. Place the ribs in a shallow baking dish or deep cookie sheet, and pour about 2/3 of the marinade over the meat before placing in the fridge overnight. If you think about it, flip the ribs before you go to bed so that both sides fully marinate. Keep the rest of the marinade in a container in the fridge to use the next day while you’re grilling.

Step #3: Rub

To really kick things up a notch, add a spice rub to your marinated ribs the next day before grilling. Here’s the link to the marinade recipe that also includes an easy rub recipe at the bottom. Take the ribs out of the fridge and throw away the marinade from the pan. Pat the ribs dry a bit to help the rub stick, then rub the spice mixture over both sides of the ribs, patting it down to help it stick. Use most of the rub on the meaty side and only about ¼ on the side with the bones.

Step #4: Grill

The key is to cook ribs over an indirect flame, to give them time to get tender and juicy. The connective tissue in the rib slowly melts away, which is what makes them so tender. If you cook them over high heat, the meat will turn chewy and tough, so don’t rush them. Cook on a (clean) charcoal grill or gas grill over indirect medium heat and oil the grates of the grill before placing the ribs on. Grill them covered for 30 minutes on each side. After about an hour, move the ribs to direct medium heat and cook 20-30 minutes longer, or until they reach an internal temperature of 190°F. Remember to turn and baste with the reserved marinade (or barbecue sauce, if you prefer) every 5 minutes or so (but only in this last 20 minutes). Warning: if you’re basting, make sure that the caramelized sauce on the outside isn’t burning or turning too dark. You don’t want to ruin your masterpiece at this point!

Note: if you’re cooking ribs on a Big Green Egg, use the plate setter for indirect heat. You will want to heat your Egg to about 275-300F.

Step #5: Test

We’ve all heard the saying: Good ribs should “fall off the bone.” But that’s a tricky statement. If they actually started falling off of the bone while you’re cooking, you’re going to a) lose the precious meat in the bottom of your grill and b) have overcooked the meat until it was so dry that it fell off. Once you start to see the meat begin to pull away from the ends of the bones, they are probably ready. Just pierce the meat with a fork and make sure it glides through the meaty part of the rib easily. Try a meat thermometer too, and make sure they’re at about 190°F. If everything checks out, remove the ribs from the grill and cue the mouth-watering!

Step #6: Rest and enjoy

After letting your ribs rest for 10-15 minutes, carefully cut them into two-bone sections. Make the cuts as close to the bone as possible so there’s a lot of meat on each one.

Serve with your favorite sides, your favorite beer or drink, and a stack of napkins or wet naps. We hope you take the time to enjoy the “meat” of your labor and take a delicious bite out of summer. Happy grilling!

The post Time for some G.A.P. rib-ucation! appeared first on Global Animal Partnership.