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Turkey 101: The Basics of Cooking a Thanksgiving Turkey

November 19, 2015 by

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the whole family, you want to make sure that the turkey comes out perfectly. It may take a bit of effort, but cooking a browned, flavorful turkey is possible if you adhere to a few strict guidelines. Here are some basic instructions for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey.

  1. Buy the right size bird. Allot 1 to 1.5 pounds for each dinner guest. For example, if you’re hosting 10 family members for dinner, a 12-pound turkey should be just the right amount.
  2. Thaw completely. Cooking a turkey that is still frozen inside is one of the most common turkey mishaps, so be sure to let your turkey thaw for at least one full day for every four pounds. If it’s still frozen on the day of, soak it in cold water for 30 minutes for each pound of meat.
  3. Remove the neck and giblets. This is the most unpleasant step of the process, but it will be much more unpleasant if you forget to do it.
  4. Roast. You should roast a 12-pound turkey for about 3 to 3.5 hours, less time for a smaller bird and more time for a larger one. Test the turkey’s doneness by using a food thermometer. Once the inside meat reaches 180 degrees F and the stuffing reaches 165 degrees F, it’s completely done.

Cooking Questions: Thanksgiving [AllRecipes]
How to Cook a Turkey Perfectly [How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey]
How to Roast a Turkey [Martha Stewart]
How To Cook a Turkey: The Simplest, Easiest Method [The Kitchn]

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Party Safe: Tips for Serving a Safe Food Buffet

September 18, 2014 by

When you have a large group of people over for dinner, serving food buffet-style ensures that everyone gets exactly what they want. But how can you be sure that everything stays fresh, from appetizers to dessert? Here are a few tips for serving a safe food buffet.

  1. Buy foods at the proper temperature. Things like fried chicken, casseroles, and ice cream should be kept at the same temperature from the store to the buffet table, as changing their temperatures too much can cause food to spoil.
  2. Know the proper temperatures. Hot food should be kept between 140° and 165° Fahrenheit, while cold food should be kept at 40° Fahrenheit and lower.
  3. Don’t leave food out for longer than two hours. Be sure to include preparation and serving in your count.
  4. Use the proper tools. To ensure that food is kept at the proper temperature, use things like slow cookers, warming trays, and nesting dishes in bowls of ice. To prevent guests from mixing foods, make sure that you provide a separate spoon, spatula, or tongs in each dish. Also provide individual bowls for dips to discourage guests from double-dipping.

Serving Up Safe Buffets [FDA]
Serving Prepared Foods Safely [Whole Foods]
Holiday or Party Buffets [USDA]

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How to Prepare Asparagus Like a Trained Chef

September 4, 2014 by

Asparagus likely isn’t at the top of your list of favorite food indulgences, but if prepared correctly this nutrient-rich vegetable can be quite tasty. Here are 4 simple tips for cooking asparagus that will make you excited to eat your veggies.

  1. Peel thick asparagus before cooking. Thin asparagus can be prepared as-is, but thick asparagus contains hard, wood-like areas on the exterior that must first be peeled off. Use a standard vegetable peeler and start from about 2 inches from the bottom of the stem.
  2. Cut off the hard base. If you’ve ever bitten into the hard, sour base of the asparagus, you understand why this step is so important. Before cooking, take a sharp knife and chop off an inch or so of the bottom of each piece.
  3. Choose a cooking style. Roasting asparagus with olive oil creates a crunchy exterior and tender interior, while steaming it or simmering it creates a softer texture that’s also a bit lower in fat. No matter which cooking technique you choose, be sure to add simple herbs and spices for added flavor.
  4. Add a topping or sauce. If you prefer even more flavor on your asparagus, there are a number of different sauces or toppings for every type of meal. A sweet chili sauce perfectly complements the earthy taste of the asparagus, while a creamy Hollandaise is ideal with fish, chicken or even your morning eggs.

How to Cook Asparagus [Better Homes and Gardens]
Asparagus [BBC Good Food]
How to Cook Asparagus [Asparagus-Lover.com]

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You Might Be Surprised That These Common Foods Are High in Sugar

July 24, 2014 by

Some foods are obviously high in sugar, such as cakes, sodas, and ice cream. But did you know that there are sneaky high-sugar foods that may be sabotaging your diet without you even knowing it? Here are a few foods that are surprisingly high in sugar.

  1. Fat-free yogurts. Sure, fat-free yogurts don’t contain fat, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re low in sugar, too! In fact, the majority of low-fat and fat-free yogurts overcompensate by adding quite a bit of sugar to sweeten up the taste. Be sure to check the label on your favorite sweet side, because some 0% yogurts can contain as many as 20 grams of sugar.
  2. Marinara sauce. Marinara sauce is often viewed as a healthy alternative to creamy Alfredo sauces, but this savory pasta topping can be packed full of sugars. Beware of store bought cans and jars especially, as they’re the most common culprits.
  3. Bread. Even supposedly healthy breads, like whole grain and wheat, can contain about three grams of sugar per slice. Processed breads are usually much higher in sugars than freshly baked options, so opt for a loaf from the bakery or a sprouted wheat bread from the health food store.

6 Surprising Sources of Sugar [Eating Well]
6 Hidden Sugar Mines in Your Diet [Next Avenue]
Sugar: Five Foods Surprisingly High in Sugar [BBC]

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Think Beyond the Salsa With These Cilantro-Centric Recipes

June 19, 2014 by

When you think of salsa, you likely think of the zesty flavor added by cilantro. Cilantro is also a great addition to many other dishes, however, even those outside of Mexican cuisine. These three recipes will have you rethinking the way you view cilantro in the most delicious ways possible!

Asian Noodle Salad with Chicken and Cilantro
Instead of the usual Southwestern cuisines, try cilantro in an Asian-cuisine-inspired dish for a change. This noodle salad requires no cooking at all to create a fresh, interesting meal with a traditional Vietnamese sauce. Top it with cucumber and cilantro for a bit of added flavor.

Miso-Maple Sweet Potato Tacos with Coconut-Cilantro Sauce
There are so many delicious flavors in this taco dish, your taste buds will hardly know where to begin. Tender sweet potatoes covered in a miso and maple syrup glaze take the place of the usual taco meat, and avocado, cilantro, and toasted pepitas make a tasty garnish. The cilantro comes in at the end, when it’s blended with coconut to create a uniquely flavorful sauce for topping.

Zesty Quinoa Salad
If you want to eat healthily without sacrificing taste, you’ll absolutely love this quinoa salad. Fresh vegetables and black beans make it bright and nutritious, while cilantro and black pepper add major flavor.

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Three Great Salad Recipe Websites

April 17, 2014 by

You might know how to prepare a basic Greek salad or a classic Caesar salad, but what about one with fried garbanzo beans? Have you ever thought of adding quinoa to your salad? If your salads need a bit of updating, these creative recipe websites can help.

Oprah.com
Oprah’s wonderful website is packed full of delicious recipes, but the salad tips are truly one-of-a-kind. Browse 45 fresh and healthy salad recipes for every occasion, from hearty, main course salad dishes to appetizer salads for summer gatherings. The Shaved Fennel and Grapefruit Salad is tangy and tart, while the salad with prosciutto and goat cheese perfectly complements Italian food.

101 Cookbooks
This stylish website offers a number of unique salad recipes for inspired lunches or dinners. The Avocado Salad doesn’t seem like much of a salad at all, with sliced, buttery avocados arranged over a bed of lentils, but its abundance of nutrients and low calorie content make it just as healthy. 101 Cookbooks features a variety of other bowls, dinner salads and side salads with ingredients that are much more creative than your usual lettuce.

Better Homes and Gardens
If you’re looking for modern updates to your favorite salad recipes, Better Homes and Gardens is just the place to look. They feature the very best ways to prepare herb salads, pasta salads and steak salads, and they’re so delicious that they might even feel new again.

Public Domain/Public Domain
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