Hi and welcome to the second of our regular Vineleaves newsletters.
This month Vineleaves is passing on information about Chicken.
I know you are all saying "BORING" but wait there's some interesting info in this lot.

I personally enjoy eating free range chicken and cooking with it is a dream.
I suppose you are asking "Why FREE RANGE?"
Well its simple, it has more flavour and it gives you a good feeling to know that the free range chicken isn't caged up and had food shoved down its throat even if it wasn't hungry. Even better tasting than free range chook is Organic.

Now for those of you saying "Where do I get an Organic chicken?"
The only place in Perth that I have seen and bought one from is Fresh Provisions in Mt Lawley.
Now it wasn't cheap but man it was tasty!

My personal belief is that we are putting far too many preservatives into our bodies and it's time to stand up and take note and read those labels. We didn't have preservatives in our food back in the early times before processed food and organic, as a word, never needed to be used because EVERYTHING WAS ORGANIC!
If more people eat organic chicken the companies get bigger and give it to you at a better price. Look at Mt Barker chicken. It's very reasonable against industrial chicken on the supermarket shelves.

Anyway it's just some 'FOOD' for thought!
I'd be very happy to hear your comments on free range / organic chicken.
Anyone for a chat in the forum?

This month I have a revised recipe for great Apricot Chicken.
So enjoy it and if someone has a better Chicken recipe out there let me see it!
I'll be selecting the best recipe and the winner will get to come with a friend to my cooking class on the 17th of July.
Email your recipes to peter@vineleaves.com.au
Of course, the competition applies only to local Perth folks unless you can get here on the date. Even if you're not local and you have a great recipe send it anyway, I'd love to see it!!

Well everyone, the competition has started so don't procrastinate!!!!
Get your recipes in by the 10th of July and win a free cooking lesson.

Oh by the way my first Video Podcast is now live on the site in which I show you how easy it is to cook a piece of fish. This is the start to a great series of cooking adventures and recipes from around the state. There are a few hiccups in the first couple but you'll see them ironed out in episodes to come.
It's great so enjoy it !!!

To finish some behind the scenes pictures of The 5 Chefs dinner will be up also only with Vineleaves do you get to see these exclusive photos of all these great masters at work.
~ Peter Manifis and the Vineleaves Team

Recipe: Apricot Mt Barker Chicken
Mt Barker Free Range Chicken produces the best tasting chicken in Western Australia.
The clean, green and traditional production of Mt Barker Free Range chicken produces a full-flavoured chicken that is lower in fat and incredibly succulent and tender.

click here for recipe

Article: Chicken at Its Best and Worst
It has only been since the 1960s that chicken has become a "cheap meat". Before then, roast chickens were saved for special occasions and families would gather around to enjoy their rich flavour. The industry has evolved from "the backyard" to a major food category. Within this broad category there are three distinct segments of chicken available to Australian consumers today.
click here for full article

Cooking Classes: Mezze, Antipasto & Tapas
Are you entertaining guests and don't want to spend the whole night in the kitchen, or maybe you want to do something a little different with a Mediterranean flavour?
Join Peter Manifis at the Urban Pantry and learn how to impress your guests.
click here for class details

Podcast: Vineleaves Cooking Vidcast - Episode 1
We're pleased to announce the pilot episode in a series of Cooking Video Podcasts or Vidcasts. In the first episode renowned Western Australian chef, Peter Manifis takes you through the often overlooked basics of cooking a perfect piece of fish, every time!.
click here for video podcast episode 1