Politics in the Pantry

Produce Inspection

With the Presidential election behind us we just may begin to see some changes in food regulation laws as a result of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) signed into law by President Barak Obama back in January 2011.

Impacting roughly 80% of consumer purchased foods not including meat and poultry, the FSMA is the most dramatic change to food regulation laws in the United States in more than 70 years. The premise of the FSMA is to emphasize prevention rather than punishment by implementing four sets of rules designed to reduce foodborne illnesses which impact some 50,000 Americans each year and result in an average of 3,000 deaths annually.

The goal of the  four regulations associated with the FSMA is to increase monitoring of imported foods, while taking aggressive measures to prevent produce contamination including but not limited to more frequent and thorough inspections of food packaging facilities.

In the summer of 2012, America experienced four major outbreaks linked to FDA-regulated foods. While the cost of increased regulation through the FSMA is steep, falling in the billions of dollars range, a 2010 Pew Trusts study estimates the total ‘costs’ of foodborne illnesses at $152 billion each year.

At Passanante’s Home Food Service we pride ourselves on the safety and quality of foods we provide to hundreds of families each month. We don’t need the federal government to tell us how important food safety is or to implement laws to protect you — we do it on our own and are conscious of it everyday. Passanante’s has always adhered to the strictest of policies and actively looks for opportunities to improve our methods.

We love being the company you can trust for safe organic produce and hormone-free meat delivery and look forward to continuing to impress each of you!

Happy eating! ❤

Cold Weather Recipe: Pork Chop Casserole

This next recipe is a great cold weather meal for all of our meat eaters out there. Who doesn’t love a good casserole in December? This incredibly simple recipe for Pork Chop Casserole is quick to whip up and could be easily adapted for a melt-in-your-mouth crockpot meal.

Think this recipe looks great – but you don’t have 6-8 pork chops handy? Passanante’s is a convenient home food delivery service that provides healthy, clean, and flavorful hormone-free meats and organic veggies delivered right to your door. We put out new recipe’s every week that are sure to make your mouth water, so give us a call at 1-800-772-7786 to get your next shipment of tasty ingredients delivered!

Pork Chop Casserole

What You Need:

  • 6-8 pork chops
  • 4-6 peeled potatoes sliced
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 6-8 slices of american cheese
  • 14 ounces of green beans (can used canned or fresh organic)
  • 1 small onion sliced

How to prepare Pork Chop Casserole:

  1. Brown pork chops in 1/4 cup oil in skillet
  2. Mix potatoes with 3/4 can of cream of mushroom soup
  3. Grease baking dish and layer: potatoes, onion, cheese, green beans, pork chops and the rest of the can of cream of mushroom soup
  4. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1.5 hours
  5. Uncover for the last 1/2 hour to brown

As always, check out our Facebook page for more great recipes from your fellow Passanante’s customers!

Happy Eating!

Recipe: Sweetie Pie

With the holidays just around the corner, we thought you might be in need of a new dessert recipe to spoil friends and family with. Sweetie Pie is simple to prepare, but impossible to forget. This recipe makes two 9-inch pans which may be one more than you need, but this recipe freezes well so you can save it until your next celebration. At Passanante’s Home Food Service, we’re always looking for great recipes to share on our blog. Pop onto our Facebook contest and submit your best creations for a chance to WIN 6 JUMBO Filet Mignons! Don’t forget to tell your friends to vote for your submission!

What you need for Sweetie Pie crust:

  • 10 graham crackers, crumbled (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup butter melted

What you need for Sweetie Pie filling:

  • 1 1/2 cups butter
  • 2 1/4 cups sugar
  • 2 squares unsweetened chocolate
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 pint whipped cream
  • Pecan or almonds for garnish

How to prepare Sweetie Pie:

  1. Combine crust ingredients and press into two 9-inch pans. Let set.
  2. With an electric mixer, beat butter until fluffy, add sugar, and continue to beat.
  3. Add melted chocolate and vanilla; continue to beat.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating 3 minutes after each.
  5. Pour over crust, chill and top with whipped cream.
  6. Sprinkle with nuts and finely shaved sweet chocolate.
  7. Chill thoroughly.
  8. And indulge.

Holiday Referral Promotion

Have a friend that you think might like Passanante’s food delivery as much as you do? Don’t forget about our BIG Holiday Referral Program!

Your referral will get a gift-wrapped reusable cooler containing several pieces of our most popular meats and vegetables with a note announcing that you’ve sent them a gift. There’s absolutely no cost to you and no obligation for your referral.

For each of your referrals that agrees to receive the free sample you’ll get 2 FREE filet mignons on your next order. If a referral decides to become a customer we’ll mail you a $50 Target gift card! Email your referrals to service@homefoodservices.com and we’ll do the rest. 🙂