When you’re strapped for time on any given day, making meals for the family that is easy to complete yet quick to prepare can really make all the difference. If you’re not the best cook or you’re new to prepping meals, it might come as a bit of a challenge. Below, are a few resources you can look to when trying to find something suitable for your family.
Breakfast
Breakfast is a pretty simple meal time to start with. You can make something as simple as a cheese omelet and toast or something a bit more complex such as a breakfast burrito. Breakfast meals as long as they’re not too intricate can be very easy and quick to prepare. If you’re looking for great breakfast recipes you can easily find them online. One of the best locations to check for the easiest recipes is realsimple.com. They have breakfast recipes that you can check out and even allow the kids to get in the kitchen and help out. You’ll enjoy the ease of the instructions and the quality memories you will share with your little ones.
Lunch
Unless you like cold cuts on the daily basis learning a few simple lunch recipes can really make a big difference. Again, lunch is fairly easy to prepare and there are tons of recipes out there. You can do something as basic as adding grilled chicken to a salad or a bit more complex such as a grilled chicken Panini. Whatever your pleasures are for lunch you can find a great deal of them by checking out spoonful.com which has great lunch recipes for those looking to try something new.
Dinner
In most cases the most time consuming and complex recipes are for dinner. Finding ways to cut corners while still getting all the health benefits you need can sometimes seem impossible. Dinner requires a lot more prep, ingredients, and skill than typical breakfast or lunch might. However, there are great solutions to cutting down on dinner such as making great crockpot dishes. They can be slowly cooking all day so that you don’t have to lift a finger when you get home that night. You can find some great simple yet quick recipes for your crock pot by checking out cookinglight.com as they have over 100 different crock pot recipes for you to try out.
Parties/Special Occasions
There are those times when cooking for a larger crowd can weigh you down. Hosting parties or for those special occasions, you don’t just want to cook what you would prepare on any given day. For those looking for quick and simple recipes to entertain their guests, they can find a lot of recipes by checking out delish.com and find great appetizer recipes that will keep your guests happy.
Cooking does not have to be this long drawn out process if you don’t want it to. While there are times when making everything from scratch and allowing it consume a better part of your day is really soothing, chances are you just don’t have the time to do that on the daily basis. So hopefully these simple recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner will help out.
A spoon containing breakfast cereal flakes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
You have probably witnessed that eating a healthy breakfast can save you from cravings later during the day and can actually assist your effort in losing the excess weight you have been carrying around for some time now. But, as time has lately been considered a luxury not many people have during the day and especially during a busy weekday morning, starting the day off with eating a healthy breakfast is now a lost nutritional practice.
Between battling work problems and prepare ourselves for another demanding day, we have forgotten to pay attention to the most important meal of the day and usually try to find time to squeeze in a cup of milk or in best cases a whole bowl of cereals. The contemporary fast-paced world has directed people to become superheroes, managing double or even triple careers, but forgetting to manage their own daily food intake. If you think that your body is the only instrument you have to continue performing all the tasks you want, perhaps it is time to pay attention to its nutritional needs and fulfill them accordingly.
But it is more convincing to start our argument from the beginning. Millions of people who skip breakfast and have never invested time in researching the consequences of their actions, usually wonder why do experts regard breakfast as the most important meal of the day and how come it is still the most important meal of the day, surpassing the nutritional value of a healthy lunch or even dinner. However, for millions of others who do eat a healthy breakfast, their secret to good health lies within this first day's meal. So, it is vital for you to understand why eating breakfast is crucial for your overall health. While you are sleeping, your body continues to perform its functions and thus consuming resources, but in a lower rate than when you are awake since your metabolism slows down to compensate for the decreased energy needs.
After waking up in the morning, because your body does not have enough time to return to its normal state is still experiencing the decreased metabolism state which can be ceased by eating a healthy breakfast. That is actually why it has this particular name "break" the "fasting" process. Thus, a healthy breakfast will end the calorie conservation period and will allow your metabolism to increase to its normal levels. This is why when you actually eat in the morning you feel that your energy levels have increased and you are ready to begin your day's tasks.
Moreover, for those of you who are dieting in order to lose weight, you should know that skipping breakfast will not save you from the calories you are trying to avoid. By deciding not to begin your day with a healthy intake, you are not allowing your body's metabolism to go back to its normal state and you actually lose a protein called "leptin" that has been discovered to keep your body working efficiently and thus losing weight.
Since now you are familiar with the basics of metabolism and overnight fasting, you should concentrate on what your healthy breakfast should include. Avoid simple carbs and concentrate on consuming complex carbs, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Whole wheat bread, cereals, white meats, eggs, low-fat dairy products, vegetables, and fruits are excellent breakfast choices. Remember to eat small portions throughout the day, but not to exclude breakfast from your daily nutritional plan. Soon you will be grateful for waking up ten minutes earlier but at the end of the day you will have much more energy to spare and you will feel fitter and healthier all day long.
It is often frustrating to attempt to plan meals that are designed for one. Despite this fact, we are seeing more and more recipe books and Internet websites that are dedicated to the act of cooking for one. Divorce and the death of spouses or grown children leaving for college are all reasons that someone accustomed to cooking for more than one would suddenly need to learn how to adjust all the cooking practices utilized before into a streamlined plan of cooking that is more efficient for one person creating less waste.
The mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make cooking for one a challenge rather than a trial. Use this opportunity to try new and exciting cuisines. Perhaps one of the greatest things about cooking for one is the fact that it isn't quite as expensive as cooking for two. This means that you have a little more money in the grocery budget with which to plan and prepare your meals.
One thing you may want to keep in mind, however, is that when cooking for one, if you prepare foods that are freezable. It may save more time (and in the end money) if you cook the full 2-4 servings that most recipes call for and freeze the leftovers in single serving portions for a later point in time. This leaves you with a freezer full of foods for those nights when the thought of cooking just seems beyond your capabilities. This also leaves you with doing the work once and enjoying the fruits of your efforts many times over. This is a great position to be in if you ask me.
We are finding more and more recipes and cookbooks that are designed around the concept of cooking for one. No matter what situation placed you in the position of cooking for one, there is no reason that you shouldn't enjoy great food that is exciting and pleasant simply because you are dining alone. There is no harm in enjoying a fabulous meal with a glass of wine and great music whether you are cooking for one or one hundred.
Remember you are what you eat and if you relegate yourself to boring meals that lack excitement and spice that is what you will become. However, if you decide to reach out and try new and exciting dishes with every meal you prepare when cooking for one, it will show in the way you embrace life in other areas as well. While we should not live to eat, we should also not limit ourselves to eating to live. Enjoy the foods you prepare whether the portions are large or small in size.
If you do not want to invest heavily in cookbooks that relate to cooking for one, it is quite possible that your local public library will have a few from which you can find some excellent recipes tips and resources. While you are there be sure to check out their selection of exotic food cookbooks in order to spice things up a bit. You never know what treasures you may discover on the shelves or your local library. You may even find local resources on classes that center on the idea of cooking for one. If the library proves to be a bust as far as resources go, the Internet is full of recipes, tips, and hints for those who are cooking for one.
Eucalyptus is an aromatic herb that has properties that provide great relief as a decongestant and an expectorant. For centuries Vick's which is made as a Eucalyptus rub is applied to the back and chest of a person who has a common cold or any other respiratory distress. It is known to loosen the mucus in the chest so that it can be coughed up and expelled.
Eucalyptus also has some antibiotic association with it. Eucalyptus has both internal and external uses. Internally it is the leaves that are used for herbal teas that are able to assist people by acting as a diuretic, an anti-diabetic and also has some anti-tumor properties. The Eucalyptus oils are almost never used internally or ingested but on the rare occasion, a doctor might use a minuscule amount of nasal congestion, bronchial disease, and other respiratory problems.
Externally, Eucalyptus is used as a vapor rub and while it is recommended that it be rubbed on the chest and back area it is also good for inhalation in such ways as steam vaporizers. Some even boil water and drop a teaspoon of vapor rub into it so an ill person can breathe in the fumes which will help to break up the congestion in the lungs. Quite often people have used the very same rub for sprains, bruises, and muscle aches and pains.
Never underestimate the power of Eucalyptus oil as it can be beneficial for many reasons. First, it is a very powerful antiseptic, it is used to treat pyorrhea which is a gum disease. It is often used to treat burns too. One thing you can bank on is that insects do not like Eucalyptus so if you mix some with water and put it in a spray bottle you can be sure that bugs will stay away. A small drop on the tip of the tongue is said to take away nausea. Many people will soak a cloth in Eucalyptus and put them in their pantries or closets to fend off bugs and roaches. Another quick tip is a few sniffs of Eucalyptus is said to help someone who has fainted and when mixed with cinnamon is known to alleviate the symptoms of the flu.
Eucalyptus is also commonly used for aromatherapy too because when mixed with other oils it is extremely beneficial. The effects of Eucalyptus are stimulating and balancing and the scent is very woody. For the purposes of aromatherapy, it blends well with Juniper, Lavender, and Marjoram. Eucalyptus, when used in aromatherapy, does the body good as it helps to relieve mental fatigue, improves mental clarity and alertness, sharpens the senses, refreshes and revives, stimulating, energizing.
It also has great effects on the body as it feels cooling; it relieves pain and sore muscles, breaks up congestion and reduces inflammation. Eucalyptus incorporated with aromatherapy offers pure enjoyment. Inhaling the fragrance of Eucalyptus can reduce stress and lessen depression. It makes for an overall sense of better well being. Eucalyptus is great for both bathing and also for massage oils.
Echinacea is an herb that is extremely effective and holds multiple purposes. There are nine different species of Echinacea but the one most commonly used and referred to is the Echinacea purpurea. Many people take Echinacea every day to prevent colds, flu, and any other types of infections that might be running rapidly at the time as Echinacea has been known for strengthening the immune system. Some people also use Echinacea for the treatment of acne and boils. The entire Echinacea plant including the roots is dried and made into teas, juices, and tonics.
While many swear by the power and strength of Echinacea there is no scientific backing that gives these claims any validity whatsoever. The Natives used to use Echinacea for many different things including the treatment of poisonous snake bites and insect bites. Back in the 1800's Echinacea played a very large part of United States medicine and then spread to Germany where they too used it for many medical purposes.
It was then used as an antibiotic and continued on until better antibiotics were made available. For years Echinacea sort of lost it's pizzazz but more recently gained back its popularity. Many think the reason for that is because there is still no cure for the common cold.
There are many various parts of the Echinacea plant that are used to make medicine but most often it is the roots that are of the most value. Echinacea can be administered in many different ways such as in a tablets, capsules, juice, tea, extracts, and tinctures. Some are made from the flower in full bloom and others are made from the root itself. Echinacea is also available in a topical solution or cream that many use for creams, lotions, mouthwashes, ointments, skin washes, and toothpaste. Further, it is becoming quite common to add Echinacea to particular cosmetics as an anti-aging remedy but that claim has no validity at all as there is no relationship between anti-aging and Echinacea.
Echinacea is an extremely beneficial herb for helping the body rid itself of microbial infections. When combined with other herbs such as Yarrow and Bearberry it is said to work great combating cystitis, however, Echinacea has yet to be endorsed by the FDA for safety or effectiveness. Those who use Echinacea for the common cold swear by it and it is recommended that for the most effectiveness you should begin taking Echinacea when you notice the very first symptoms of a cold and then stay on it for three weeks and stop taking it for one week.
There are some who would be at risk if they took Echinacea such as people with multiple sclerosis, white blood cell disorders, collagen disorders, HIV/AIDS, autoimmune disorders, or tuberculosis. Heed caution also if you have any plant allergies; take other medications or herbal remedies. Children should not take Echinacea, nor should pregnant women or nursing mothers.
Also, people who are on steroid medicine including betamethasone, cortisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, triamcinolone, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, azathioprine, or other immune system suppressants should avoid the use of Echinacea.
A fruit fly is a small flying insect about 1/8 inch in length with red eyes. The essential element in how to get rid of fruit flies is to locate and eliminate their breeding sources. Although there are several sprays and traps used to kill flies in a home, restaurant or other building, the infestation cannot be completely eradicated without eliminating its source.
Inspecting for fruit flies
When searching for fruit fly breeding sources, remember that the larvae need moist decaying organic matter to survive. The most obvious place to look for these sources is where fruits or vegetables are stored near refrigerators or coolers. Other areas to inspect include recycling bins, garbage cans that are rarely cleaned or used and under and behind large appliances. Be sure to check sink and other drains. Here small flies are often found breeding in the super thin film or layer of debris that naturally accumulates in pipes, traps, and drains.
In commercial and residential structures, tiny amounts of organic debris are often found where the legs or feet of appliances, tables or cabinets touch the floor. These tiny spaces can harbor thousands of fly larvae. All small cracks and crevices at floor level must be inspected and thoroughly cleaned.
Once one breeding spot has been located, keep on looking. Fruit flies easily follow air currents and usually have several breeding places in any structure. Do not assume that all breeding sources are indoors. Fruit flies will fly in from nearby dumpsters, outdoor garbage cans or even damp compost piles where fruits and vegetables are disposed.
Fly elimination products
Here are some ideas on how to get rid of fruit flies. A pyrethrin space spray can be used for a quick kill. It will reduce populations of flying insects. Pyrethrin spray is also used by pest control operators as a crack and crevice tool to spray the tiny areas where fruit flies and other insect pests breed. To monitor the area, use a Gold Stick trap. These traps use a fly sex lure to attract flies to their doom. Every fruit fly caught means one less breeding adult.
Professional fly traps use pheromones combined with powerful ultraviolet bulbs in lighted fly traps. These come in a range of sizes. Different designs offer options for use in public areas, commercial kitchens, hospitals, offices, and homes. Using ultraviolet bulbs increases the numbers of flying insects captured while drastically reducing the need for use of sprays and other pesticides. Use the powerful Fly Trap Professional in commercial kitchens or other areas that are not open to the public or customers. In high profile areas, the Cento Fly Traps and Luralite Fly Traps are less obvious.
If you find a drain that is a breeding ground for fruit flies, the best method for how to get rid of fruit flies is using Drain Gel (Fly Gel) to destroy the film in which the fly eggs and larvae develop. A surface spray is not recommended here unless there are great numbers of flies resting on the surface of trash cans, dumpsters or exterior walls.
Fruit fly traps are another excellent tool for how to get rid of fruit flies. Attach the trap to the inside lid of garbage cans, dumpsters or compost bins to capture adult flies before they breed. Dispose of traps when full of flies or after three months, whichever comes first.
This delicious and easy to make pasta dish is a meal on its own! A cream sauce is the signature of this pasta casserole that is believed to be invented in San Francisco, where it was named after the then-famous opera star Luisa Tetrazzini.
In a large frying pan, cook diced chicken in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When cooked all the way through, remove chicken with a slotted spoon leaving juices in the frying pan.
Add 1/4 cup of butter to the frying pan and saute shallots and mushrooms, cooking on medium heat for 5 minutes.
Mix 1/4 cup of flour, chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper then sprinkle over cooked mushrooms and shallots. Add Sherry and water and boil for 5 minutes.
Stir in Heavy Cream then add salt and pepper to taste. Add cooked chicken and noodles then serve hot.
If you read an article about, you’ll know that my first experiences of the dish were of the generic variety which the British invariably cooked and ate when living abroad a few decades ago. You’ll also know that I then discovered “real” Indian cookery and decided that as I couldn’t afford to eat out that much, I needed to learn how to cook the stuff myself.
My first stop then was a local bookshop, where the choice of books on Indian cookery was somewhat limited. However, I struck luckily and discovered a book called Indian Cookery by Madhur Jaffrey - what a find. Written in simple language but with lovely descriptive text and recommendations on what to serve with what, it was just what I had been looking for.
There was a stumbling block, however, which was the endless list of spices, seasonings and flavourings in the front of the book. I didn’t know where to start - I’d heard of quite a lot of them, having watched a few TV programmes on Indian cooking but, “help” I thought, “buying that many all at once is going to cost a fortune”. If you’re thinking the same, don’t panic. Check in your store cupboard. You probably already have some of the items you will need. For example, look for black peppercorns, bay leaves, chilli powder (if you’re already a fan of chilli con carne), ground ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon if you bake cakes or apple pies.
Maybe you’ll find mustard seeds if you do your own pickling and sesame seeds if you make rolls or cook Chinese food. That only leaves a few basic ingredients which appear in a lot of Indian recipes - cumin, coriander, turmeric and cardamom. Often you need ground cumin and coriander but if you buy the whole spices, you can grind them as necessary (and they keep longer that way too).
The other thing I did was to choose a fairly simple recipe to start with and I just bought the spices I needed for that. The next time I want to cook an Indian meal, I chose another recipe with similar ingredients so I had to just buy a couple more things. Soon enough I built up a whole store cupboard of the things I needed and it didn’t have had such a drastic effect on my wallet.
Then there was no stopping me - I even know some recipes by heart now and you can do the same if you want to.
You don’t need special equipment for Indian cookery, although I wouldn’t be without my electric coffee grinder (to grind spices) and it’s nice (but not necessary) to have the traditional dishes to serve your meal in. Other than that, you need a bit of patience and it’s fun to cook with a friend so that you can share the chopping and grinding or have someone read the recipe out to you step by step so you don’t go wrong in the middle.
The flavours are great, a curry evening is really sociable, so go on, give it a try.
Easter is another one of those days that brings friends and family together. There are many great dishes and plans that can be made for Easter dinner depending on where in the world you may be celebrating. Just remember to try to avoid making plans for Easter dinner that are contingent upon the weather to work because it never seems to do exactly the opposite of what you plan for no matter where in the country you may be.
Thousand Island Dressing on a plate of salad.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
With so many dyed eggs around it would be a shame not to incorporate them into the meals that are being prepared for your Easter menu. There are many ways to do that and a favorite in my house is with devilled eggs. In addition to devilled eggs, which are excellent appetizers you can also chop the eggs up and include them in potato salad, egg salad, or chicken salad (which also happens to make excellent finger sandwiches for a light appetizer). You may also use boiled eggs in the making of cornbread dressing and/or giblet gravy, which are both popular Easter dishes in some southern states.
The good news is that there are plenty of dishes that go wonderfully well with eggs. If you like ham this is a great dish to serve with dressing, to make ham salad with later, and to simply have along with your favorite egg recipe. Ham is relatively simple to make as the hard part is often waiting on it to be finished. If you want even more simplicity the only thing you really need to do to have an excellent ham dinner is poor a can of Coca-Cola over the ham, cover it in aluminum foil, and bake it for the necessary duration. It really can't get any easier than that though there are plenty of more complicated ham recipes available.
You will want to offer plenty of side dishes to compliment your main dish. Popular favorites are vegetables, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, dressing, sweet potato casserole, and rolls. These are all relatively simple to prepare, not very time consuming and can also be delegated to guests if you'd like without too terribly much fuss. You'll also want to have a few appetizers on hand for the time before dinner is ready and a couple of desserts for the perfect finish - as if those chocolate bunnies from the Easter basket's are not enough.
For those looking for fare that is a little lighter on Easter I recommend offering salads with low fat dressing, steamed veggies, use diet coke on the ham instead of regular and prepare at least one sugar free dessert as well as offer some fruit and a raw veggie platter with fat free dip along with the appetizers. Easter is a day to celebrate and you shouldn't leave family members who are dieting to dread their lack of healthy eating options. You'll also find yourself surprised by those who, given the option, will eat the healthier foods if they are available.
Make sure you offer plenty of drink options ranging from bottled water, coffee, tea (sweet and un-sweet if you live in the South), and favorite pop brands of family members as well. If you are hosing Easter dinner at your home in addition to these cooking ideas I also suggest offering a place for your guests to change clothes if necessary. Many people come wearing their Sunday best and while it was great for church services and photo opportunities they don't often fare too well with gravy, butter, or grass stains.
Of course you could skip all the advice above and go for a down home hoe down of a barbecue for the Easter holiday that in some parts of the country signals the approach of Spring. Barbecues are often appealing because it limits a good bit of the mess to the great outdoors and gives the kids involved a great place to run, play, and let off steam.
A push towards a much healthier lifestyle has left many people looking all around for help. There are many different ways to eat, and of course, everyone has their own opinion on which methods are best but how are you really supposed to learn how to properly prepare a new diet? The vast array of dietary choices just makes things further complicated rather than simpler and it can be extremely difficult trying to determine exactly how you should get started as well. The average person also does not have the time to really devote to going to school to learn how to cook either, which is just another complication to the problem as well.
Raw vegan lunch. Spicy seaweed wraps with peanut sauce (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Vegan cooking is not so much a dietary style, but rather an entire way of life. This means it is something that requires just a bit more information and knowledge than simply flipping through a magazine and finding a recipe that looks interesting. Learning to properly prepare and cook a vegan meal requires a really good knowledge of the vegan concepts as well as the exact foods that are impacted. This type of knowledge means that you are going to need to seek out some help and advice in order to create dishes and meals that are not only delicious but also properly nutritious.
Many people who are turning to vegan opt to take a few cooking classes. This is honestly an extremely wise investment not only of your time, but also your health. Due to the large number of foods that you are omitting from your diet it can be very easy to miss out on several key nutrients that you might not even realize you are missing. A good cooking class should teach you how to prepare the meals and cook them properly for maximum flavor but should also devote a bit of time to helping you ensure that you know which foods are critical and how you can make up for missing nutrients.
A couple of cooking classes might seem like a complete waste, but the benefits that you should reap from them makes them very much worthy of the time and effort that you will have to put in. Many people are completely uncertain how they are going to get started when it is time to change to a new dietary style, but typically cooking classes are not necessary. The reason that cooking classes are so helpful for Vegan is due to the fact that it is a change that most people aim to make for life, not just a short diet that they are trying to lose a couple of pounds.
These is a key fact which makes it remarkably different from most other dietary styles and helps to further emphasize the reality that you need to properly know how to prepare meals so that you can stay healthy the entire time you are eating vegan. A few days in a cooking class will pay off and can even serve as a fabulous inspiration of what is possible when you are skilled at vegan cooking and are capable of creating your own truly amazing vegan dishes. The lessons will also allow you to try some new foods in ways you might have never imagined as well, which brings a lot of new dishes to your collection and is certainly an added benefit.
There are many delicious ways to prepare and serve turkey. It might be deep-fried, brined, poached, grilled...to mention just a few methods of preparation. This article, however, will focus strictly on tips and techniques for preparing perfect turkey the old-fashioned way –- oven roasted.
A Thanksgiving turkey that had been soaked for 10 hours in a brine of water, salt, brown sugar, cut and squeezed lemons and oranges, and chopped onion. Roasted in the oven in a roasting pan, for nearly 4 hours. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Basic Technique for Roasting a Turkey...
1. The safest method for thawing a frozen turkey is by allowing the turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Be certain to plan ahead...it will take approximately 3 days for a 20 pound turkey to defrost.
2. Everyone wants to prepare enough turkey for the number of guests they serve, and generally desire to have some turkey left over. To determine the correct turkey size that will be needed, see the section below entitled 'How Much Turkey is Enough?'
3. Cooking time will differ depending on whether the turkey was purchased fresh or frozen. Calculate approximate cooking time in a 350F (175C) oven based on the following: 20 minutes per pound for a defrosted turkey, and 10 to 15 minutes per pound for fresh.
4. A turkey will cook more evenly if it is not densely stuffed. As an alternative, flavor may be added by loosely filling the cavity with aromatic vegetables and/or fruit -- carrots, celery, onions, apples, oranges, kumquats or garlic. Carefully tucking fresh herbs underneath the breast skin will also add flavor.
5. Before roasting, coat the outside of the turkey with vegetable or olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
6. For even roasting, it is best to truss the turkey, and especially so if roasting stuffed poultry. (See 'How to Truss a Turkey' below.)
7. Set the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan to promote maximum air and heat circulation and to ensure that it cooks evenly. To yield moister, juicier white meat, place the turkey 'breast-down' on the rack. This technique will prevent the turkey breast from overcooking and becoming dry.
8. Set the roasting pan on the lowest rack of the oven to keep the turkey away from the top, which is the hottest part of the oven.
9. Once the turkey is cooking in the oven, resist the temptation to 'peek' inside by opening the oven door. Opening and closing the oven door will cause the temperature to fluctuate, which will only increase the likelihood of a dry turkey. Avoid opening the oven door until approximately 45 minutes before the turkey expected to be done.
10. After checking for doneness (see 'When is the Turkey Done?' guidelines below), remove roasting pan from the oven, tent the turkey with foil and let it 'rest' for approximately 15 minutes before carving (see tips on 'How to Carve a Turkey' below). If additional time is needed to prepare gravy, heat up side dishes, etc., the turkey may be allowed to sit at room temperature (covered) for up to an hour without losing too much heat.
11. Refrigerate any leftover turkey within 2 to 3 hours of preparation. Store in airtight, shallow containers to allow adequate circulation of cool air; date and label the containers. Turkey may be safely stored refrigerated for approximately 5 days and frozen for up to 4 months.
How Much Turkey is Enough?
On average, to provide 2 servings of turkey for each guest (and allowing for leftovers), the suggested weights are as follows:
10 pound turkey for 6 people
12 pound turkey for 8 people
15 pound turkey for 10 people
18 pound turkey for 12 people
21 pound turkey for 14 people
24 pound turkey for 16 people
- If you will be serving more than 16 guests (a recommended turkey size of more than 24 pounds), buy two turkeys that equal the total suggested weights.
- If the recommended turkey size is less than 12 pounds, you may wish to buy a turkey breast to roast.
How to Truss a Turkey...
To 'truss' means to secure poultry or meat into a compact shape. Trussing will ensure even roasting. The following technique is recommended when roasting poultry, especially a stuffed turkey.
1. To truss with string, take a piece of butcher's string about three times the length of the turkey. Place the turkey on its back, tail end nearest to you. Slide the string underneath so that it is cradling the turkey in the center of its back.
2. Gently pull the string up the sides...then around the wings. Pull the strings toward you, close to the breast, so that the wings are held against the body.
3. Cross the strings at the base of the breast, then wrap each string around the end of a drumstick.
4. Tie the ends of the string together, cinching it tightly so that the legs cross.
5. Finally, lift the turkey so that the tail end is up and wrap the string around the tail. Tie the string, pulling tightly so that the cavity is covered by the tail.
When is the Turkey Done?
<> You will want to test your instant-read or traditional meat thermometer a few days before preparing the turkey to ensure it is properly calibrated. Place the thermometer in a pot of boiling water. It should register 212F (100C) -- water's boiling point at sea level. If the reading does not reach the desired temperature, you will want to buy a new thermometer.
<> Keep a careful eye on the thermometer during the last half hour of cooking since the internal temperature may rise rapidly toward the end.
<> Using a meat thermometer, test for doneness in the thickest, meatiest parts of the turkey:
Test the widest section of the breast near the wing joint; the temperature should be 165F (73C).
Test the legs at the top of the thigh, near the hip joint; the temperature should be 180 (82C).
If cooking a stuffed turkey, determine the internal temperature of the stuffing as well; it should be at least 165F (73C).
<> If using an instant-read thermometer, insert it deep enough to reach the heat sensor (the indentation about two-inches from the tip).
<> Also examine the juices and oils at the bottom of the pan that are released during cooking. If they have a pinkish tinge, continue roasting; if they are clear, the turkey is probably done. (Try to insert the thermometer as infrequently as possible, to prevent the juices from escaping.)
<> Another way of checking for doneness is to move the leg up and down. The looser it becomes, the closer it is to being done.
How to Carve a Turkey...
To carve a turkey, it is essential that you use a sharp carving knife and a good, heavy-weight fork. The following instructions will make carving a turkey almost effortless.
1. Begin by cutting through the skin where the leg meets the breast. Pull the leg away from the body with the fork and continue to cut down, close to the body, to find the joint where the thigh meets the body. Pull the leg out further and slice right through the joint to remove the leg and thigh.
2. Place the leg skin-side down and locate the line at the joint where the thigh and the drumstick meet. Holding your knife along this line of the thigh, you can slice easily through the joint. If you hit resistance, adjust your angle and try again. Cut down through the line and separate the thigh from the drumstick. Repeat this process with the other leg.
3. Remove the wishbone (actually the collarbone) from the turkey. Removing the bone will prevent it from splintering when you carve the breast meat.
4. Next, run your knife through the skin along one side of the breastbone. Then cut down along the ribs, pulling the meat gently away from the bones in one large piece, leaving behind as little meat as possible.
5. When you reach the wing joint, cut through it and continue to remove the breast from the body. Repeat with the other side.
6. Finally, remove the wings and slice the breast meat before serving. (For even, attractive slices, cut the meat against the grain.)
So, there you have it...everything you need to know about successfully roasting a turkey.
As you can see, preparing a turkey by adhering to the techniques above is not at all difficult. The small amount of effort you invest will be well rewarded when the final product reaches the serving table and your guests rave about how absolutely marvelous it is. Just remember one thing: serving a juicy, flavorful roasted turkey does not have to be reserved solely for the holiday season -- it's wonderful anytime of the year.
The reason for this book is my love of Gourmet Coffee. There are so many countries that produce excellent coffees. I have spent most of my adult life seeking out and trying new countries and new flavors.
Every country has their own unique flavors. Every degree of roasting, from light to darkest French roast, creates a new taste experience.
Good coffee is like good wine. Savor the bouquet and unique body and flavors. If you drink coffee and you haven't embarked on your own journey you are missing out on a wonderful experience. You owe it to your self to start today.
A natural result of my love for gourmet coffee was using it as an ingredient in cooking. Coffee's rich, smoky flavors can enhance all manner of dishes.
Coffee flavoring is distinctive in most dessert recipes, but when adding to meat dishes, it tends to bring out the meat flavor without an overpowering coffee flavor. Try some of these coffee recipes to perk up your home cooking. The coffee in these recipes may be in brewed, whole bean or granulated form so be sure to read the recipe thoroughly before beginning to be sure you have the proper ingredients.
It is just about that time of year when you get together with those you love and care about the most to express your deepest gratitude and thanks. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that is celebrated by families all around the country. However, it is commonly reported as one of the most stressful holidays of the year. Why? There is a lot of planning and cooking involved for those who host in their homes. Deciding what to cook, how to cook it, and even how much to cook can become so overwhelming. Below, is a bit of help for those looking for a traditional Thanksgiving spread.
Saying grace before carving the turkey at Thanksgiving dinner in the home of Earle Landis in Neffsville, Pennsylvania
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Meats
What is Thanksgiving without the main events? Having plenty of meat is important when cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu. The life of the party of course is going to be the “big bird” on campus. Thanksgiving turkey is number one of the list of traditional spreads. The turkey can be fresh or frozen and thawed and of course it comes in different sizes. Other meats that might be deemed traditional for the holiday include: ham, Cornish hens, and roast beef. If you’re having a huge crowd over, going with a variety of meats is always ideal.
Veggies
This is probably the one time of year where your children won’t give you a hard time about eating their veggies. There is just something about the spice and seasonings found in traditional Thanksgiving veggies that no one can resist their delicious taste. The vegetable that you simply can’t do without would be collard greens. Other veggies to include could be: string beans, cabbage, or salad.
Side Dishes
Of course you have to have something to compliment the veggies for your traditional Thanksgiving spread. Starches are also a must have and seem to complete the meal. One of the main side dishes includes stuffing! This yummy breaded side goes great with gravy and can be found in several different flavors including cornbread, chicken, and turkey flavors. Other sides you might have include: baked mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, or a pasta dish (if you have vegetarians coming to the home a pasta side is ideal).
Everything Else
Other things that are common to have in a Thanksgiving Day dinner menu would include: dinner rolls, cornbread, cranberry sauce, and gravy. These things while small make up a huge portion of the meal and will be missed if they are not there.
Desserts
After eating all that delicious food the only thing left to feast your appetites on is your desserts. Commonly families will have desserts that include: sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie, and apple pie. However, you can also add a cake and some ice cream to the mix so you’re not full on pies only.
Tradition is really about what you make it. However, when you view the above listed sections you will see exactly how much food is involved. You can add a few things to the list to start creating your own traditions that you and your family can enjoy year after year.
Teaching your children to cook can be a great way to bond in the kitchen. Cooking basics are essential tools your children will need throughout life and therefore there is never a good time like the present to begin teaching them. By getting them involved in helping out with meals your children will begin to pick up on skills that will help them as they get older. Of course, everything you teach has to be age appropriate and safety should always come first.
Homeschooled children in the kitchen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Safety First
It is important that no matter what age your child is that you teach them the importance of safety in the kitchen. This means not messing with knives without proper permission, how to properly hold and cut with a knife (if they are old enough), washing their hands before they start cooking, steering clear of the flame on the stove, and also keeping pot handles pointing inwards so as not to cause a hazard. Making sure your children are safe is the first and most important step to basic cooking.
Children Under the Age of 6
Children under the age of 6 are a bit too young to do anything in the kitchen as there are many hazards that they may not be fully able to understand. However, this is a great time to let them watch you in the kitchen. You can begin at this age teaching them about a well balanced meal and how to be safe when in the kitchen.
Children under the age of 6 can help with things such as snapping beans, making hamburger patties, or washing off lettuce. Be sure to monitor them so that they don’t do anything unsafe.
Children Age 7-10
At this age your child is ready to do more to help out in the kitchen and they should be able to follow all the safety rules without a problem. You can teach them cooking basics that would include making salads, sandwiches, and pizzas without too much hassle.
Children Ages 11 and Up
Now they are ready to be your junior chef and you can teach them a few more cooking basics. Some advanced lessons to teach them could be chopping vegetables, stovetop cooking basics, boiling/broiling, grilling, frying, sautéing, and baking.
As your child gets the hang of the basics that you’re teaching you can begin to allow them to have more responsibility in the kitchen. This could include helping you plan meals each week, being your assistant chef a few days out of the week, and depending upon how advanced they are you might even be able to supervise them while they prepare an entire meal!
Your child will enjoy every moment of learning to cook with you and getting the basics on how to prepare meals that they love and enjoy. Be sure that while you’re teaching your children the basics that you keep the atmosphere light and stress free. The easier the process is, the more eager they will be to help you out in the future.
Summertime is rapidly approaching. This means it is time to begin preparing meals without heating the house whenever possible. If you haven't considered the value of cooking on the grill in the past, perhaps now is a great time to adjust your way of thinking.
Cooking on the grill is a great way to keep the heat of cooking outside your home as well as to bring the family together for the entire cooking process. Moms read: this is a great way to get dad to help out with meal preparation. While this is said somewhat in jest, there is some truth to the fact that men are much more inclined to slave away over a hot grill than a hot stove. More importantly, most of the mess of cooking on the grill remains outside your kitchen. I don't know about you, but that is a huge bonus for me, when it comes to cooking.
Cooking on the grill is also a great way to get the kids involved in the meal preparation and clean up process. We like to use disposable plates when grill cooking and keep the dining <I>al fresco</I>. If you are hoping for instant family unity over the picnic table you might want to think again but there isn't anything quite like it when it comes to not worrying about spills or dropped food as you can rest fairly certain that the animals will take care of anything that gets left behind.
Even small children can help when cooking on the grill by bringing utensils to the grill, holding plates, and 'setting' the picnic table for your dining experience. If you intend to do a good deal of cooking on the grill you may want to invest in some portable and 'kid friendly' containers for things such as condiments, napkins, plastic ware, and tablecloth holders. Be sure to find containers that can handle a decent gust of wind without flying off too. These may be a little heavier for your little ones to hold but they won't be nearly as difficult to chase when blowing across the lawn.
Cooking on the grill is a great way to enjoy nature after a long day of work. Be careful that you do not reserve this as a weekend event as you will find you miss out on some of the relaxing qualities it can bring to your midweek slump. One thing that can definitely be said about grill cooking is that the selections are almost as limitless as they are when cooking on the stove. You must use your imagination for maximum effect though very few meats and vegetables are truly off limits when it comes to cooking on the grill.
In addition to cooking meats on the grill, it is important to keep in mind that you can also cook all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables on the grill as well. You should also keep in mind the awesome side dishes that go great with grilled foods such as baked beans, potato salad, and nice cool deserts and pies.
Cooking on the grill is a great way to bring family and friends together. The next time you plan to have a get together why not make it a night of cooking on the grill? You can have the best of all worlds with no muss, no fuss clean up and great food with good friends. Cooking on the grill is certainly a great way to get the neighbors out and about. There's nothing on earth that can quite compare to the aroma of meat, fruit, and vegetables grilling over hot charcoal. If you don't remember and your mouth isn't watering just reading about, it's been far too long since your last barbecue experience.
The most important thing to remember about cooking on the grill is that it should be an experience rather than a chore. Most of us truly enjoy the thought of having a good dinner under the sun or stars (whichever applies in your case). If you haven't tried this in a while, it's time to dust off the grill and refresh your memory and your taste buds.
Teaching your children to cook can be a great way to bond in the kitchen. Cooking basics are essential tools your children will need throughout life and therefore there is never a good time like the present to begin teaching them. By getting them involved in helping out with meals your children will begin to pick up on skills that will help them as they get older. Of course, everything you teach has to be age appropriate and safety should always come first.
Homeschooled children in the kitchen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Safety First
It is important that no matter what age your child is that you teach them the importance of safety in the kitchen. This means not messing with knives without proper permission, how to properly hold and cut with a knife (if they are old enough), washing their hands before they start cooking, steering clear of the flame on the stove, and also keeping pot handles pointing inwards so as not to cause a hazard. Making sure your children are safe is the first and most important step to basic cooking.
Children Under the Age of 6
Children under the age of 6 are a bit too young to do anything in the kitchen as there are many hazards that they may not be fully able to understand. However, this is a great time to let them watch you in the kitchen. You can begin at this age teaching them about a well balanced meal and how to be safe when in the kitchen.
Children under the age of 6 can help with things such as snapping beans, making hamburger patties, or washing off lettuce. Be sure to monitor them so that they don’t do anything unsafe.
Children Age 7-10
At this age your child is ready to do more to help out in the kitchen and they should be able to follow all the safety rules without a problem. You can teach them cooking basics that would include making salads, sandwiches, and pizzas without too much hassle.
Children Ages 11 and Up
Now they are ready to be your junior chef and you can teach them a few more cooking basics. Some advanced lessons to teach them could be chopping vegetables, stovetop cooking basics, boiling/broiling, grilling, frying, sautéing, and baking.
As your child gets the hang of the basics that you’re teaching you can begin to allow them to have more responsibility in the kitchen. This could include helping you plan meals each week, being your assistant chef a few days out of the week, and depending upon how advanced they are you might even be able to supervise them while they prepare an entire meal!
Your child will enjoy every moment of learning to cook with you and getting the basics on how to prepare meals that they love and enjoy. Be sure that while you’re teaching your children the basics that you keep the atmosphere light and stress free. The easier the process is, the more eager they will be to help you out in the future.
