Eckrich® and Murphy-Goode® Partner to Aid Operation Homefront

LISLE, Ill. and HEALDSBURG, Calif., June 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Eckrich and Murphy-Goode, which both support Operation Homefront, have collaborated to develop a special recipe created by Murphy-Goode's "Grill Sergeant" Dirk Yeaton in support of our military families.  To celebrate the partnership and highlight the recipe, Eckrich invited Murphy-Goode and Yeaton to the Sonoma Raceway to cook for "The King" Richard Petty and his No. 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race team sponsored by Eckrich.

Yeaton created the recipe with specialty Grilled Eckrich Smoked Sausage and Murphy-Goode Homefront Red wine.  The recipe combines two quality products that support Operation Homefront through consumer purchases. 

Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization which provides emergency financial and other assistance to military families and wounded warriors.  Eckrich, through their "Operation Inspiration" campaign, has already donated more than half a million dollars to the charity over the past two years. This year, Eckrich is again planning to donate up to $250,000 through the contribution of five cents from each purchase of specially marked products from May 1 through July 4.  With an emphasis on quality winemaking and a commitment to good wine, good fun and good deeds, Murphy-Goode donates fifty cents from every bottle of Homefront Red sold to Operation Homefront. To date, Murphy-Goode has donated over $400,000 to aid military families. Murphy-Goode will continue its partnership with Operation Homefront with the Fall release of its Homefront Red 2012.

Yeaton was proud to bring awareness to military families in need while feeding the No. 43 race team co-owned by Richard Petty and driven by Aric Almirola during Sunday's race.

"It's a great experience to cook for a professional race team and for 'The King' Richard Petty," said Yeaton.  "But, it's more important to let people know that they can make this simple, delicious meal and support our military families at the same time.  Being a veteran myself, I know the sacrifice of our military families and it's an honor to use products that support such a great cause."

Yeaton, who is also a military veteran, joined Murphy-Goode during the summer of 2013.  He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served as a food service specialist from 1984-1987.  Prior to joining Murphy-Goode, Yeaton was the chef and owner of Hogzilla Catering near Portland, Maine and founder, chef, and owner of Blue House Café, a New England restaurant focused on breakfast, lunch and catering.

The following recipe serves four and was served to Petty, Almirola and the team today along with other barbeque favorites and sides:

Grilled Eckrich Smoked Sausage with Murphy-Goode Homefront Red
2 cups Murphy-Goode Homefront Red Wine
1 14oz package Eckrich Smoked Sausage
6 ounces whole grain mustard
4 fresh bakery rolls

Preheat the grill.  In a small pot over low-medium heat, add 1 cup of Murphy-Goode Homefront Red and reduce down to approximately 2 tablespoons. Allow to cool. Add reduced wine to whole grain mustard; mix and set aside for serving. Place the smoked sausage in a sturdy pan. Poke each piece 2 to 3 times with a toothpick and pour the remaining cup of wine over the sausage. Place the pan on the pre-heated grill and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, then roll sausage over in the pan and simmer for another 6 to 8 minutes. Place smoked sausage on the grill and continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, turning often. Serve with your favorite bun and plenty of mustard.

For more information on Operation Inspiration please visit www.eckrich.com/operationinspiration 
www.facebook.com/EckrichMeats.  For more information about Murphy-Goode and Homefront Red please visit www.murphygoodewinery.com or  www.facebook.com/MurphyGoodeWinery.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About John Morrell Food Group 

With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour^®, Eckrich^®, John Morrell^®, Curly's^®, Patrick Cudahy^®, Carando^®, Healthy Ones^®, Margherita^® Kretschmar^® and LunchMakers^®.

About Eckrich  

Founded by Peter Eckrich in 1894, Eckrich has a rich heritage starting from a small meat market in Fort Wayne, Ind. Through it all, Eckrich meats have been recognized for their great taste and supreme quality, craftsmanship, care and pride. For more information, visit www.eckrich.com.

About Murphy-Goode Winery

Located in the beautiful and acclaimed Alexander Valley region of Sonoma County, Murphy-Goode is a family-owned winery known for award-winning California wines spanning Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Founded by Tim Murphy, Dale Goode and David Ready, Sr. in 1985 and now part of Jackson Family Wines, Murphy-Goode believes in great wines and good times with family and friends. The winery is proud to support Operation Homefront and its work with wounded warriors and the families of service members.

About Operation Homefront

A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 2,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront has provided assistance to thousands of military families since its inception in 2002. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity watchdog groups, nationally, 93 percent of total donations to Operation Homefront go directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140622/120391

SOURCE Eckrich