Start With What You Know

Buying meat directly from a farm can feel a little intimidating if you have never done it before.

Maybe you don’t know the difference between all the cuts.

Maybe you see something on our website and have no idea how you would cook it.

Maybe you just don’t know what you are supposed to ask.

That’s okay.

You do not need to know everything about meat before ordering from us.

We don’t either.

Someone once asked Kierstyn the best way to cook a certain cut and she honestly didn’t know. Instead of pretending she did, she told them she could ask her Grandma because she knew Grandma would know.

We still Google recipes.

We still call family for input.

Selling meat does not magically make us chefs.

The same goes for the rest of this business. There are things we know well because we have been farming for years, and there are other parts we are still learning as we grow.

We would rather be honest about that than pretend we have every answer.

So if you are new to buying meat directly from a farm, start with something your family already likes.

You don’t need to completely change the way you cook just because your meat came from a farmer.

And if you have a question, ask us.

This week I wrote a new blog about what buying meat directly from Hillview Livestock actually looks like, including how our restocks work, why packages may look different, how ordering works and what you can expect from us.

​Click here to read the blog post​:​

​Buying Meat Directly From a Farmer: What It Really Looks Like​

Not sure what to make this week?

A whole chicken is one of those things that can turn into more than one meal.

Roast it for supper, use the leftovers for another meal or two, and if there is still more than you need, freeze the rest.

Some people look at one of our larger chickens and think it is too much for their household. It does not all have to be eaten at once.

Use what you need while it is fresh, freeze the rest, and pull it out later for soup, wraps, sandwiches, chicken salad or an easy supper.

Nothing fancy. Just good food that can stretch a little farther.

​

Simple Whole Roast Chicken

Our chickens are larger than what you may be used to seeing at the grocery store, which makes them great for feeding a family and still having leftovers.

You’ll need:

• 1 whole chicken
• Butter or oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Potatoes, carrots and onions, optional

Directions:

Heat oven to 375°F.

Pat the chicken dry and place it in a roasting pan.

Rub the outside with butter or oil and season well with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.

If you want to make the whole meal in one pan, add chopped potatoes, carrots and onions around the chicken.

Roast until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F. Because our chickens are often larger birds, cooking time will vary depending on the size. Check the temperature rather than relying only on the clock.

Once cooked let the chicken rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before cutting.

Use the leftovers for sandwiches, wraps, soup, chicken salad or another supper the next day.

Thanks for following us and supporting our farm. If you have questions, give us a shout! Have a wonderful week!

With our appreciation,

Tony, Kierstyn, and Family

Pasture-Raised Meats, Eggs & More—Just a Click Away

We raise every animal with care right here on our family farm. Whether you’re craving pasture-raised beef, fresh eggs, or local pork, it’s all just a click away.

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