Chef Martin Marez is a well-known figure in Grand Junction, also his hometown, where he works as Executive Chef for Spoons – part of HopeWest. He knows firsthand the importance of snacking on healthy, nutritious cuisine, which he curates for the Spoons menu.

“I don’t buy hardly any pre-packaged foods – we want to keep it fresh and quality,” Marez said. “We look at the ingredients that we use and it makes a difference when its fresh – like the salads, they are full of flavor. We do tout that a lot of our locals provide us with some of the foods that we have.”

Marez notes that thanks to the thriving agricultural community we live in the Grand Valley, it’s not as difficult nor is it as expensive to access staple ingredients that can feed your family healthy meals and do so on a budget.

“It comes with product knowledge and nutrition knowledge,” he said. “People should be listening to their bodies, for one, and people as they age have different requirements for nutrition.”

Chicken and Wild Rice with Almond Milk

• 1T. oil blend
• 1 medium diced onions
• 1/2 cup chopped celery                                                              
  
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1   cups raw wild rice
• 1/2 Tbs. minced garlic
• 4 chicken breasts diced

Heat oil and add these ingredients to cook chicken and sweat vegetables for 5-6 minutes and add;

• 1/2 cup white wine                                                                       
  
• 1 tsp white pepper
• 1 1/2 quarts water with 2 T. chicken base for broth       
  
• 1 qt. almond milk

Add remaining ingredients and let slow simmer for 40 minutes

• 1/2 tsp. thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp. sage
• 1/2 tsp. chopped rosemary
• 1/2 tsp. marjoram
• 1 tsp. salt and pepper mix
• 2 cups whipping cream to finish

Garnish with roasted almonds slices