Recipes

Isaiah lives in the big city of Chicago, but connects with our farm regularly through weekly visits, virtually or in person. His main professional focus is to develop strong connections between our farm and a large variety of people throughout Illinois. You can find him on the weekends most likely selling our meat at a farmers market, currently scheduled weekly at the Green City indoor market on Rockwell Ave. Our connection to Isaiah began around a decade ago. He was maybe 12 years old, and walked up to our booth with as much confidence as a grown man. He asked if we needed any help, and your farmer Lou Ann being a mother of 4 kids, was no stranger to delegating tasks. From then on, a long lasting connection was built and now Isaiah works for our farm full-time while still living in Chicago. He has a massive passion for great food, whether eating or preparing it. I can only imagine being a young cook, in my 20s, never afraid to try diverse flavors or shy away from a little work in and out of the kitchen, sounds lovely doesn’t it? As he was watching football, he had some back ribs thawing in his refrigerator and knew they’d make the perfect snack when it came to the fourth quarter.   A simple approach to ribs, makes the whole process less intimidating to easily enjoy one of the most flavorful pork ribs straight from the farm on a lazy Sunday.

My 4 kids and husband look for a good meal at home to close-out most days.  I created this dish on a school night, while kids were out enjoying the fresh snow.  I wanted to make a meal that was customizable to each of us, but offered only healthy, balanced options for a good amount of protein and nutrients. Grass-fed lamb is a new product from the farm.  All of us really loved the flavor, it added a hearty aspect to the bowl of fresh veggies.  Feel free to season to taste - as almost all of the time, that is how I am cooking in the kitchen. You can watch a short video from my kitchen here: https://youtube.com/shorts/nffd5O3pqGQ?feature=share

Why Hams are Easy to Prepare: Whether you're hosting a large family gathering or keeping it simple, cooking a holiday ham is one of the easiest ways to make your meal special. Just thaw, bake, and enjoy! With minimal prep and simple cooking guidelines, a delicious, tender ham can take center stage at your holiday table.

The first thing to remember when cooking your turkey for Thanksgiving is this rule: DO NOT PANIC! Roasting a turkey is one of the easiest things in the world to do, I’m a professional chef and I swear that it’s true! If you follow my simple guidelines I can guarantee you’ll come out with a well-prepared main course for your holiday table. - Bill Nolan, Nolan Hospitality

Looking for an easy dinner after a long day? This easy Taco Casserole is perfect! With just a handful of simple ingredients, including Jake’s Country Meats chorizo, this dish comes together quickly. Just layer, bake, and enjoy a delicious meal that's sure to please everyone at the table.

Savor the simplicity of our Pork Cutlet Hoagie, crafted with care using tender slices of pork loin from Jake’s Country Meats. These thin, boneless cutlets offer quick cooking and outstanding flavor. Seasoned simply and grilled gently, they complement a tangy slaw, all nestled in a soft hoagie bun. It’s a humble yet satisfying dish, highlighting the quality of our pasture-raised pork.

Pork Steak is one of the most underrated cuts of our pasture-raised pigs. It is a must try to experience the perfect marbling and tenderness of the pork shoulder. These steaks are bone-in too, locking in all the flavor.

Sweet Lou has spent years perfecting her chili recipe, adjusting it with care and patience. In this simple video and recipe, she shares some of her cherished tips and secrets, inviting you into her kitchen where every ingredient is chosen with care and every flavor is savored with delight. At Jake's, "Homestyle" means you measure spices with your heart and taste.

Years ago, our friend Bill Nolan used to create recipes for us, and his culinary skills still inspires us today. We often look back at his creations for simple yet versatile dishes, like these Ginger-Soy Pork Kebobs. With quality ingredients and straightforward techniques, Bill's recipes are always a hit.

Savor the delicious simplicity of oven-baked Walleye complemented by the vibrant flavors of lemon, onions, and capers in this easy-to-make recipe. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe promises to deliver a delightful seafood experience that's perfect for any occasion.

Discover a hidden gem of the culinary world – Pork Cheeks. Often overlooked, these tender morsels are a treasure waiting to be unlocked. In this recipe, we'll show you how to transform these unsung heroes into your new favorite fall dish.

Welcome to the wonderful world of pork steaks, a flavorful and versatile cut sourced from the pork shoulder. These tasty cuts are known for their marbling and tenderness, making them perfect for a variety of cooking methods. In our recipe, we slow-grill these delightful pork steaks, infusing them with a rich, smoky flavor and making them oh-so-tender. Paired with sweet bacon-glazed Brussels sprouts, this dish strikes a perfect balance of savory and sweet.