From Chef Tiffany and the Texas Beef Council
Servings
Serves 4
Prep Time
10 minutes
Refrigerate
6 hours to overnight
Cook Time
10 minutes
Cooking Methods
Broiling
Grilling
Beef Type
Round
Ingredients
* 1 beef top round steak, cut 3/4 inch thick (about 1 lb.)
* 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
* 2 cups thinly sliced carrots
* 3 cups fresh pea pods, strings removed
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* salt and black pepper
* 3 cups hot cooked jasmine rice, prepared without butter or salt
* chopped fresh cilantro
Marinade
* 1/2 cup prepared plum sauce
* 2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
* 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
* 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
* 2 Tbsp. ketchup
* 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
* 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
* 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
Instructions
Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place beef steak and 1/2 cup marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steak to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 6 hours or as long as overnight, turning occasionally. Cover and reserve remaining marinade in refrigerator.
Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Place steak on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, 8 to 9 minutes for medium rare doneness, turning occasionally and basting with some of the reserved marinade during last 2 to 3 minutes of grilling. Remove; keep warm.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add carrots; stir-fry 5 minutes. Add pea pods and garlic; stir-fry 2 minutes.
Carve steak into thin slices. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired. Place remaining marinade in small saucepan; heat until warm. Serve with steak, vegetables and rice. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.
Suggestions
To broil, place steak on rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 2 to 3 inches from heat. Broil 12 to 13 minutes for medium rare doneness, turning once. To easily remove pea pod strings, slightly cut corner of pod with pairing knife and peel back string.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition information per serving: 496 calories; 9 g fat (2 g saturated fat; 4 g monounsaturated fat); 61mg cholesterol; 531 mg sodium; 66 g carbohydrate; 6.2 g fiber; 36 g protein; 8.4 mg niacin; 0.8 mg vitamin B6; 1.5 mcg vitamin B12; 6.9 mg iron; 43.0 mcg selenium; 6.1 mg zinc.
Lisa Starr was in today for today for Wet Nose Wednesday (your chance to adopt a dog or cat from the Austin Humane Society) and she brought along these great tips and I just wanted to pass them along!Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pets
Halloween is a time of fun and excitement for children, adults and even pets. However, for many family pets it is also a time filled with stress, fear and anxiety. While dressing up is fun for people, sometimes dogs and cats can become scared by face make-up and costumes, causing them to react in a frightened manner. To ensure a safe and fun Halloween for your pets, family, and your trick-or-treaters, the Austin Humane Society recommends the following options for Halloween pet safety:
Prior to the arrival of trick-o-treaters:Take Your Dog for a Walk: By doing so, your dog will burn off some extra energy and feel slightly more relaxed before the evening begins.
During and After Halloween events:
Contain the dog and cat inside the house. Crate the dog and put the cat/kitten is a safe place with the door closed: Dogs need to feel secure while also protecting their domain. To ensure a safe evening for your family and trick-or-treaters, consider crating your dog with his favorite blanket and soft chew toys. Place your cat in a separate room, with the door closed. With the front door opening and closing frequently to trick or treaters, a cat and/or small dog can easily run out the front door. Be sure to leave plenty of food, water and toys to keep your dog or cat occupied and re-assure them often by visiting the room.
Backyard: We strongly recommend your dog not be permitted to roam through the backyard as this may disturb or frighten trick-o-treaters approaching your home. Additionally, the dog may become highly frustrated and anxious as the number of individuals entering your premises and, unfortunately, in rare cases, the dog may suffer injury or harm as they may try to dig under or jump the fence.
Place All Candy Out of Reach: Because chocolate can be fatal to dogs and cats, move all candy out of their reach. Additionally, be sure all candy wrappers and foil are discarded properly as wrappers and foil can result in intestinal blockage or suffocation if your pet consumes it. If you suspect your pet ate any amount of candy or digested wrappers, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Decorations: Because dogs can be overly excitable during the Halloween events, it is highly recommended that all Halloween decorations be removed from any area in which the dog may come in contact. Of particular concern are items which the dog may hit with a wagging tail or candles which may have been lit through the night.
More Halloween Factors to Consider:
1. People in costumes. Even familiar friends and beloved family members can be frightening to a pet when in costume. Or, your pet may mistake a costume for a toy and tug or jump on you or a child.
2. Costumes for pets. Nothing is cuter than a pup or kitty in costume, but be sure the costumes are safe! Tight fitting costumes (with or without elastic) can be a choking hazard. Loose pieces can be chewed off or swallowed, causing an intestinal obstruction that needs expensive surgery to correct.
3. Open doors. Don't open the door if your pet is nearby and can escape. Even the best behaved pet can become confused or agitated with a lot of children coming and going on Halloween. Make sure your pets are wearing collars with ID tags and current rabies tags -- just in case they make a break for it through an open door.
4. Unusual noises. Laughing trick-or-treaters, people screaming when they get scared -- these can make your pet anxious and unsettled. A frightened dog can snarl or snap at strangers or friends.
5. Candles. Keep an eye on lit candles, especially when your pets are around. A curious cat can burn a paw or tail on a lit candle.
6. Mischief makers. Local troublemakers may be out in full force smashing pumpkins, wrapping houses in toilet paper, tossing eggs at cars or even taunting pets.
How to Protect Yourself Without Dangerous Drugs and VaccinationsAn excerpt from Mercola.com
I have not caught a flu in over two decades, and you can avoid it too, without getting vaccinated, by following these simple guidelines, which will keep your immune system in optimal working order so that you're far less likely to acquire the infection to begin with.
Optimize your vitamin D levels. As I've previously reported, optimizing your vitamin D levels is one of the absolute best strategies for avoiding infections of ALL kinds, and vitamin D deficiency is likely the TRUE culprit behind the seasonality of the flu -- not the flu virus itself.
This is probably the single most important and least expensive action you can take.
Avoid Sugarand Processed Foods. Sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately, and as you likely know, a strong immune system is key to fighting off viruses and other illness. Be aware that sugar is present in foods you may not suspect, like ketchup and fruit juice.
Get Enough Rest. Just like it becomes harder for you to get your daily tasks done if you're tired, if your body is overly fatigued it will be harder for it to fight the flu. Be sure to check out my article Guide to a Good Night's Sleep for some great tips to help you get quality rest.
Have Effective Tools to Address Stress . We all face some stress every day, but if stress becomes overwhelming then your body will be less able to fight off the flu and other illness.
Exercise When you exercise, you increase your circulation and your blood flow throughout your body. The components of your immune system are also better circulated, which means your immune system has a better chance of finding an illness before it spreads.
Take a good source of animal based omega-3 fats. Increase your intake of healthy and essential fats like omega-3, which is crucial for maintaining health. It is also vitally important to avoid damaged omega-6 oils that are trans fats and in processed foods as it will seriously damage your immune response.
Wash Your Hands. Washing your hands will decrease your likelihood of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people. Be sure you don't use antibacterial soap for this -- antibacterial soaps are completely unnecessary, and they cause far more harm than good. Instead, identify a simple chemical-free soap that you can switch your family to.
Eat Garlic Regularly. Garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic against bacteria, virus, and protozoa in the body. And unlike with antibiotics, no resistance can be built up so it is an absolutely safe product to use. However, if you are allergic or don't enjoy garlic it would be best to avoid as it will likely cause more harm than good
Jasper's in the Domain--Good Stuff!
"Big Daddy" Stimulus Package â Jasperâs Introduces Daily Specials to Ease Current Economic Stresses
Margin Mondays and Geithner Gathering Sundays â half price wine bottles up to $150
TARP Tuesdays â half-price dinner menu appetizers
Bailout Wednesdays â half-off regularly priced martinis
Earmark Thursdays â half-price desserts
Jasperâs Eases Austin in and out of tax season with:
Delicious four-course dinner every day for only $35 per person
Happy Hour ALL NIGHT, EVERY DAY with $5 drinks and $5 menu
Mama Fu's Resturant was in and told us about a cool Chicken Wrap Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
vegetable oil 1 tbsp
minced garlic 1 tsp
Chicken Mix (see below)
Chicken Mix Sauce (see below) 2.5 oz
chopped scallions 2 tbsp
sesame oil 1 tbsp
rice sticks 1 cup
iceberg lettuce cups 6
Dipping Sauce (see below) 2 oz
Procedure
1. Heat wok to high.
2. Coat with oil.
3. Add garlic and Chicken Mix, toss.
4. Add Chicken Mix Sauce, toss and break up bigger pieces of chicken.
5. Add chopped scallions and sesame oil, toss.
6. Toss until heated through; remove from wok.
7. Place over a plate of rice sticks.
8. Serve with lettuce cups and dipping sauce on the side.
Chicken Mix â Ingredients and Procedure
chicken, ground 1 pound
shiitake mushrooms ¼ pound
water chestnuts, sliced ¼ pound
salt and pepper ¼ tsp, each
1. Hydrate mushrooms by soaking in cool water, covered, overnight. Let drain and squeeze
out excess water.
2. Cook ground chicken with salt and pepper; remove from heat.
3. Drain and chop water chestnuts; add to cooked chicken.
4. Chop mushrooms to equal size (about a quarter of an inch square); add to cooked
chicken.
5. Thoroughly mix all ingredients together and remove all excess liquid from mixture.
Chicken Mix Sauce â Ingredients and Procedure
Mix the following ingredients with a whisk; set aside 2 oz for Dipping Sauce:
soy sauce ¼ cup
rice wine ¼ cup
sugar 1 tsp
black pepper ¼ tsp
Dipping Sauce â Ingredients and Procedure
Using 2 oz of Chicken Mix Sauce, mix the following ingredients with a whisk:
mustard powder ½ tsp
hot sauce (sriracha, tobasco, etc) ½ tsp
Mama Fu's Resturant was in and told us about a cool Chicken Wrap Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
vegetable oil 1 tbsp
minced garlic 1 tsp
Chicken Mix (see below)
Chicken Mix Sauce (see below) 2.5 oz
chopped scallions 2 tbsp
sesame oil 1 tbsp
rice sticks 1 cup
iceberg lettuce cups 6
Dipping Sauce (see below) 2 oz
Procedure
1. Heat wok to high.
2. Coat with oil.
3. Add garlic and Chicken Mix, toss.
4. Add Chicken Mix Sauce, toss and break up bigger pieces of chicken.
5. Add chopped scallions and sesame oil, toss.
6. Toss until heated through; remove from wok.
7. Place over a plate of rice sticks.
8. Serve with lettuce cups and dipping sauce on the side.
Chicken Mix â Ingredients and Procedure
chicken, ground 1 pound
shiitake mushrooms ¼ pound
water chestnuts, sliced ¼ pound
salt and pepper ¼ tsp, each
1. Hydrate mushrooms by soaking in cool water, covered, overnight. Let drain and squeeze
out excess water.
2. Cook ground chicken with salt and pepper; remove from heat.
3. Drain and chop water chestnuts; add to cooked chicken.
4. Chop mushrooms to equal size (about a quarter of an inch square); add to cooked
chicken.
5. Thoroughly mix all ingredients together and remove all excess liquid from mixture.
Chicken Mix Sauce â Ingredients and Procedure
Mix the following ingredients with a whisk; set aside 2 oz for Dipping Sauce:
soy sauce ¼ cup
rice wine ¼ cup
sugar 1 tsp
black pepper ¼ tsp
Dipping Sauce â Ingredients and Procedure
Using 2 oz of Chicken Mix Sauce, mix the following ingredients with a whisk:
mustard powder ½ tsp
hot sauce (sriracha, tobasco, etc) ½ tsp
Â
NO CALORIE NOODLES The low-carb craze really broke some hearts in this world because, honestly, who doesn't love pasta?Hearing that pasta goes straight to your waistline turned something fun and delicious into just another thing to feel guilty about.How great would it be if you could eat all the pasta you wanted -- and not gain a pound? It might be possible, if the claims of the makers of the "Miracle Noodle" are true.
Miracle Noodles are made with special Konjac flour, which come from a plant root similar to a yam. And, best of all, they have no calories because they're pretty much filled with nothing but high soluble plant fiber, which slows down digestion and gives you a long feeling of fullness.
What one food do you wish had zero calories? How much and how often do you think you could eat this food if you had no fear of gaining 600 pounds?
Check It Out: More information about Miracle Noodles can be found here.
The Most Effective Herb Supplements from Men's Health MagazineAn Expanding Midsection and alergies --The remedy: Coleus forskohlii root extract
Why it works: Unlike the stimulant ephedra (now banned by the FDA), this supplement doesn't hot-wire the central nervous system to ignite fat loss. Its active ingredient, forskolin, increases an enzyme that allows stored fat to be burned for fuel.
A recent study in Obesity Research reported that men taking 250 milligrams (mg) of C. forskohlii root extract (with 10 percent forskolin) saw their body-fat percentage drop an average of 4 points over 12 weeks. As a bonus, men in the same study increased their testosterone levels. The pick: Vitamin Shoppe ForsLean ($29 for 120 capsules)
Toxic Intruders-- The remedy:Â milk-thistle extract
Why it works: Whether you're inhaling secondhand smoke, recovering from a night of boozing it up, or popping ibuprofen, your liver is among the initial lines of defense against toxins.
Milk thistle's active ingredient, silybin, modifies existing liver cells to create a protective barrier against these toxins. It also helps form new liver cells. Milk thistle has been shown in various clinical trials to be safe and effective in protecting liver cells from the toxicity of drugs.
Sleepless Nights -- The remedy:Â 5-HTP
Why it works: 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the chemical that tryptophan must convert to in order to boost serotonin, the sleepy-time hormone. Unlike tryptophan, however, 5-HTP has no trouble crossing the blood-brain barrier, so you'll be sawing wood stat. For nearly half a century, 5-HTP has been used clinically to treat insomnia.
The pick: Natrol 5-HTP ($14 for 45 capsules)
For more details pick up the latest Men's Health Magazine--you know the one with the sexy guys showing their 6 pack abs on the cover or here's the link to their website with the 7 best herbal picks.
The Most Effective Herb Supplements from Men's Health MagazineAn Expanding Midsection and alergies --The remedy: Coleus forskohlii root extract
Why it works: Unlike the stimulant ephedra (now banned by the FDA), this supplement doesn't hot-wire the central nervous system to ignite fat loss. Its active ingredient, forskolin, increases an enzyme that allows stored fat to be burned for fuel.
A recent study in Obesity Research reported that men taking 250 milligrams (mg) of C. forskohlii root extract (with 10 percent forskolin) saw their body-fat percentage drop an average of 4 points over 12 weeks. As a bonus, men in the same study increased their testosterone levels. The pick: Vitamin Shoppe ForsLean ($29 for 120 capsules)
Toxic Intruders-- The remedy:Â milk-thistle extract
Why it works: Whether you're inhaling secondhand smoke, recovering from a night of boozing it up, or popping ibuprofen, your liver is among the initial lines of defense against toxins.
Milk thistle's active ingredient, silybin, modifies existing liver cells to create a protective barrier against these toxins. It also helps form new liver cells. Milk thistle has been shown in various clinical trials to be safe and effective in protecting liver cells from the toxicity of drugs.
Sleepless Nights -- The remedy:Â 5-HTP
Why it works: 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the chemical that tryptophan must convert to in order to boost serotonin, the sleepy-time hormone. Unlike tryptophan, however, 5-HTP has no trouble crossing the blood-brain barrier, so you'll be sawing wood stat. For nearly half a century, 5-HTP has been used clinically to treat insomnia.
The pick: Natrol 5-HTP ($14 for 45 capsules)
For more details pick up the latest Men's Health Magazine--you know the one with the sexy guys showing their 6 pack abs on the cover or here's the link to their website with the 7 best herbal picks.
Vintage Kitchen Tips - Tipnut.com These kitchen tips are a collection gathered from a variety of vintage books, cookbooks and magazines from the 1940âs and 1950âs. To keep cheese from getting hard, cut off enough for immediate use and spread the remaining portion with a thin film of butter or margarine. Put it in a cool place. This keeps out the air and prevents the cheese from drying out.
To thin a small portion of peanut butter, use orange juice. It makes it spread much easier and adds taste appeal
A corner cut from an envelope and pierced at the point makes a good funnel for filling salt and pepper shakers.
Sprinkle pantry shelves, window sills, and door sills with a mixture of red pepper and sage to rid them of ants.
To clean and freshen wooden chopping blocks, counter or rolling pins, sprinkle table salt on these surfaces when they are wet and scrub dry.
When in doubt about an egg, make this test: add 2 tsps. salt to a cup of water and put the egg in it. A fresh egg will sink, a doubtful egg will float.
Lemons will stay fresh longer if you store them in a bowl of cold water in the fridge. Theyâll keep up to 3 months this way.
A little salt sprinkled in the frying pan will keep fat or lard from splattering.
To make peeling hard-cooked eggs easier, butter your thumbs.
This is from the Food and Drug Administration
Search for Peanut Butter Product Recalls
Information current as of 12 PM January 22, 2009
Peanut Butter Product Recall (Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak):
This list includes food products subject to recall in the United States since January 2009 related to peanut butter and peanut paste recalled by Peanut Corporation of America. This list will be updated as new information is received. This information is current as of the date indicated. Once included, all food recalls will remain listed. If we learn that any information is not accurate, we will revise the list as soon as possible.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ARE OK!
Candy Product
Hy-Vee
Landies
South Bend Chocolate Company
Wegmans Swiss Recipe
Cookie Product Recalls
Best Brands Corp.
Classic Breaks
Cub Foods
Evening Rise
Famous Amos
Food Lion Bake Shop
Hy-Vee
Keebler
Lofthouse
Parco Foods Chuck's Chunky
Pastries Plus
WalMart Bakery
Cracker Product Recalls
Austin Quality Foods
Keebler
Little Debbie
Weis Quality
Fruit and Vegetable Product Recalls
Eating Right
H-E-Buddy
Ready Pac Cool Cuts
Trader Joe's
Ice Cream Product Recalls
Perry's
Private Selection
Shurfine
Wegman's
Peanut Butter Product Recalls
GRANDE GOURMET
King Nut
POCO PAC
Parnell's Pride
Peanut Corporation of America or Parnell's Pride
Peanut Paste Product Recalls
Peanut Corporation of America or Parnell's Pride
Pet Food Product Recalls
Great Choice Peanut Corporation of America or Parnell's Pride
For more and an updated list go to the FDA's website at
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov
 THE 5 BEST FRUITS TO EAT DURING WINTER
Believe it or not, this is a perfect time to branch out to some bolder fruits, and some of the best hit their peak just in time to snap our tastebuds out of their winter funk.
In the new Men's Health magazine, chef Theo Roe of the Culinary Institute of America says that "many offer a great combination of sweet flavor with an acidic tang." He adds, "They're refreshing and can provide a nice mental boost during the long cold winter."
Here are five selected both for taste as well as their health-boosting potential:
1. Persimmon. The antioxidants in persimmons can help control diabetes and the cell damage it causes. Serving tip: Serve with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese.
2. Pomegranate. Pomegranate seeds are high in polyphenols, plant chemicals that fight inflammation. Serving tip: Mix the seeds into oatmeal for more flavor and crunch.
3. Kiwi. One kiwi contains about 100 milligrams of immunity-boosting vitamin C. Serving tip: Add kiwi slices to a spinach salad.
4. Guava. One cup of raw guava contains more than 8,500 micrograms of the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent coronary artery disease. Serving tip: Pair it with blue cheese and figs for a snack.
5. Pomelo. Pomelos pack flavanones, a class of antioxidants that have been shown to help prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Serving tip: Include them in a topping for a dessert sorbet.
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We had Sous Chef Kevin Jackson in from Woodland Restaurant (south Congress Ave., next to the Farmer's Market) and he told us how to get the plumpest, juciest Turkey ever. He said it would be so juicy it would squirt you in the eye.
There is a lot of attitude and personal tastes involved with brining a turkey (it works on any kind of meat, poultry and pork is especially good). The main ingrediant is salt and lots of it, it doesn't however make the meat salty.
Here is one I especially like from Emeril and the Food Network:
Remove the neck, giblets, and liver from the cavity of the turkey and reserve for the gravy. Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold running water.
Soak the turkey in the brine, covered and refrigerated, for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse well under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels, inside and out. Place breast side down in a large, heavy roasting pan, and rub on all sides with the butter. Season lightly inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff the turkey with the onion, orange, celery, carrot, bay leaves, and thyme. Loosely tie the drumsticks together with kitchen string.
For the turkey broth: Heat the oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Add the turkey neck, heart, and gizzard to the pan and saute until just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add the chopped vegetables and bay leaf to the pan and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Pour the stock and 3 cups of water into the pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the stock is reduced to 4 cups, about 1 hour, adding the chopped liver to the pan during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Strain the stock into a clean pot or large measuring cup. Pull the meat off the neck, chop the neck meat and giblets, and set aside.
Roast the turkey, uncovered, breast side down for 1 hour. Remove from the oven, turn, and baste with 1/2 cup stock. Continue roasting with the breast side up until an instant-read meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F when inserted into the largest section of thigh (avoiding the bone), about 2 3/4 to 3 hours total cooking time. Baste the turkey once every hour with 1/2 to 3/4 cup chicken or turkey stock.
Remove from the oven and place on a platter. Tent with aluminum foil and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
For the pan gravy: Pour the reserved turkey pan juices into a glass-measuring cup and skim off the fat. Place the roasting pan on 2 stovetop burners over medium heat add the pan juice and 1 cup turkey broth and the white wine to the pan, and deglaze the pan, stirring to scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the remaining 3 cup of broth and bring to a simmer, then transfer to a measuring cup.
In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium high heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, to make a light roux. Add the hot stock, whisking constantly, then simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Add the reserved neck meat and giblets to the pan and adjust seasoning, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Pour into a gravy boat and serve.
Brine:
1 cup salt
1 cup brown sugar
2 oranges, quartered
2 lemons, quartered
6 sprigs thyme
4 sprigs rosemary
To make the brining solution, dissolve the salt and sugar in 2 gallons of cold water in a non-reactive container (such as a clean bucket or large stockpot, or a clean, heavy-duty, plastic garbage bag.) Add the oranges, lemons, thyme, and rosemary.
Note: if you have a big turkey and need more brine than this, use 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup brown sugar for every gallon of water.
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I'm always looking for great recipes and did I mention easy ones? I tried this recipe over the summer, but instead of a turkey I roasted a chicken and it was fantastic!Â
And this looked like a safer alternative to frying a turkey and setting your house on fire . . ..Â
I found the juicy details on one of my favorite sites: eHOW, it's a place you can learn to do just about anything.
How to Roast a Turkey in a Paper Bag By eHow Food & Drink Editor
Mom always overcooked the holiday bird, so it tasted like a burnt offering to the gods? Then try this recipe, which is best for smaller turkeys or chicken. Serves six to eight people.
Instructions
Difficulty:Easy
Things Youâll Need:
1 10 lb. turkey
2 sliced garlic cloves
2 coarsely chopped onions
3 stalks coarsely chopped celery
3 coarsely chopped carrots
3 bay leaves
2 tbsp. softened unsalted butter
Step1
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Step2
Rinse the turkey with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
Step3
Salt and pepper the neck and main cavity of the turkey. Fill each with your choice of stuffing, packing loosely.
Step4
Seal the cavity with skewers and tuck the turkey wings under the bird's body.
Step5
Soften butter and rub over the turkey.
Step6
Salt and pepper the turkey sparingly.
Step7
Spray the brown bag with water and pour out any excess.
Step8
Place the turkey inside the bag, legs first. Roll up the opening so the bag is sealed.
Step9
Place carrots, celery, onions, garlic and bay leaves in the bottom of the roasting pan.
Step10
Put the giblets in the pan and add chicken stock until it reaches a depth of 1/2 inch.
Step11
Place the bag, with the turkey inside, on the vegetables so that the turkey's breast is facing up.
Step12
Roast for 2 1/2 hours.
Step13
Check the temperature of the turkey by carefully rolling back the bag and inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. When the temperature of the turkey is 155 degrees F, tear the paper bag open and increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F.
Step14
Roast turkey 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, until the temperature registers 170 degrees F and the skin is golden brown.
Step15
Place the turkey on a serving dish, and tent with aluminum foil. Let rest 20 minutes. Throw away paper bag.
Step16
Pour the roasting juices that are left in the roasting pan through a sieve and into a small saucepan. Using the back of a wooden spoon, press against any solids stuck in the sieve to extract as much liquid as possible.
Step17
Heat juices over medium heat and cook until the liquid thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step18
Carve turkey and serve with thickened roasting juices.
People in Japan are going bananas over the Morning Banana Diet -- so much so that there are reports of a banana shortage there as eager dieters gobble them up. Banana sales went up 80% in one week compared to the same week last year.
But registered dietician Kerri Glassman said on Friday's Early Show that it's "a recipe for disaster."
Here's how the Morning Banana Diet works:
Breakfast: As many bananas as you want, eaten with warm water. Then nothing until lunch.
Lunch: Anything you want, even say, pizza and fries.
Mid-Afternoon Snack: Whatever you like, it can even be a sweet.
Dinner: Again, anything you want, but it has to be eaten before 8 p.m.
After Dinner: Nothing after dinner, including sweets, and you have to go to bed before midnight.Â
Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez was skeptical, observing, "(You can have) as many bananas as you want (for breakfast)? Maybe the idea is you get so full, you don't want to eat a big lunch, or a big dinner?"Â Â
"That's part of it," Glassman agreed. "Bananas do have fiber, and they're gonna help fill you up to some extent. But still, many people we know, no matter how many bananas you have for breakfast, (if) they're told you can have whatever you want for lunch and dinner -- you could be having a turkey sandwich, trying to lose weight, and then all of a sudden, you switch to pizza and fries -- you're gonna gain weight. It's a recipe for disaster for most people."People are going ape for it!
We talked about "Super Foods" today on the air and I got about 10 emails asking to have the list or could I post the list. We are trying around my house to eat healthier but it's a constant struggle with a 3 and 5 year-old.
When I found this list I thought these are some we could integrate into our weekly menu.The nutrition experts at BestLifeOnline.com make it a bit easier for you to eat healthier with this list of super-healthy foods you should try working into your diet every day:
SPINACH. Spinach is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. It also aids muscle growth and builds strong bones. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked each day.
YOGURT. Loaded with bone-building calcium and protein, yogurt has millions of pro-biotic organisms that strengthen the good bacteria in your body, which boosts your immune system and protects against cancer. Aim for 1 cup per day and make sure the label says "live and active cultures."
TOMATOES. Red tomatoes are best, because they're packed with more of the anti-oxidant lycopene. Processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones and both boost your immune system. A diet rich in lycopene can reduce your risk of coronary artery disease and certain types of cancer. Aim for about 8 red cherry tomatoes or 1 glass of tomato juice a day. You can also pile on the ketchup and tomato sauce!
CARROTS. Most yellow, orange, and red vegetables and fruits are packed with carotenoids -- fat-soluble compounds that may help reduce the risk of many cancers, as well as conditions like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. They also boost your immune system and enhance eyesight. Aim for 1/2 cup a day. (Yes, that can even come from carrot cake!)
BLUEBERRIES. With more anti-oxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes as well as increase immunity. Rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, blueberries also boost cardiovascular health and brain power. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or 1/2 cup dried or frozen.
BLACK BEANS. All beans are good for your heart, but black beans are full of anti-oxidant compounds that improve brain function and muscle growth. A 1/2-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, is low in calories and has zero saturated fat. Use black beans in burritos, pasta dishes and chili.
WALNUTS. Rich in heart-healthy omega-3s, loaded with anti-inflammatory polyphenols and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut is an awesome snack. A 1-ounce serving of walnuts -- about 7 nuts -- is a great post-workout snack. Sprinkle on salads or grind and mix with olive oil as a marinade for fish or chicken.
OATS. Oats are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Because oats have 10 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy and brain power. Eat granolas and cereals with at least 5 grams of fiber per serving or sprinkle on salads and yogurt.
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Jasper's in the Domain
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
vegetable oil 1 tbsp
minced garlic 1 tsp
Chicken Mix (see below)
Chicken Mix Sauce (see below) 2.5 oz
chopped scallions 2 tbsp
sesame oil 1 tbsp
rice sticks 1 cup
iceberg lettuce cups 6
Dipping Sauce (see below) 2 oz
Procedure
1. Heat wok to high.
2. Coat with oil.
3. Add garlic and Chicken Mix, toss.
4. Add Chicken Mix Sauce, toss and break up bigger pieces of chicken.
5. Add chopped scallions and sesame oil, toss.
6. Toss until heated through; remove from wok.
7. Place over a plate of rice sticks.
8. Serve with lettuce cups and dipping sauce on the side.
Chicken Mix â Ingredients and Procedure
chicken, ground 1 pound
shiitake mushrooms ¼ pound
water chestnuts, sliced ¼ pound
salt and pepper ¼ tsp, each
1. Hydrate mushrooms by soaking in cool water, covered, overnight. Let drain and squeeze
out excess water.
2. Cook ground chicken with salt and pepper; remove from heat.
3. Drain and chop water chestnuts; add to cooked chicken.
4. Chop mushrooms to equal size (about a quarter of an inch square); add to cooked
chicken.
5. Thoroughly mix all ingredients together and remove all excess liquid from mixture.
Chicken Mix Sauce â Ingredients and Procedure
Mix the following ingredients with a whisk; set aside 2 oz for Dipping Sauce:
soy sauce ¼ cup
rice wine ¼ cup
sugar 1 tsp
black pepper ¼ tsp
Dipping Sauce â Ingredients and Procedure
Using 2 oz of Chicken Mix Sauce, mix the following ingredients with a whisk:
mustard powder ½ tsp
hot sauce (sriracha, tobasco, etc) ½ tsp
NO CALORIE NOODLES The low-carb craze really broke some hearts in this world because, honestly, who doesn't love pasta?Hearing th
 THE 5 BEST FRUITS TO EAT DURING WINTER
Believe it or not, this is a perfect time to branch out to some bolder fruits, and some of the best hit their peak just in time to snap our tastebuds out of their winter funk.
In the new Men's Health magazine, chef Theo Roe of the Culinary Institute of America says that "many offer a great combination of sweet flavor with an acidic tang." He adds, "They're refreshing and can provide a nice mental boost during the long cold winter."
Here are five selected both for taste as well as their health-boosting potential:
1. Persimmon. The antioxidants in persimmons can help control diabetes and the cell damage it causes. Serving tip: Serve with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese.
2. Pomegranate. Pomegranate seeds are high in polyphenols, plant chemicals that fight inflammation. Serving tip: Mix the seeds into oatmeal for more flavor and crunch.
3. Kiwi. One kiwi contains about 100 milligrams of immunity-boosting vitamin C. Serving tip: Add kiwi slices to a spinach salad.
4. Guava. One cup of raw guava contains more than 8,500 micrograms of the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent coronary artery disease. Serving tip: Pair it with blue cheese and figs for a snack.
5. Pomelo. Pomelos pack flavanones, a class of antioxidants that have been shown to help prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Serving tip: Include them in a topping for a dessert sorbet.
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We had Sous Chef Kevin Jackson in from Woodland Restaurant (south Congress Ave., next to the Farmer's Market) and he told us how to get the plumpest, juciest Turkey ever. He said it would be so juicy it would squirt you in the eye.
There is a lot of attitude and personal tastes involved with brining a turkey (it works on any kind of meat, poultry and pork is especially good). The main ingrediant is salt and lots of it, it doesn't however make the meat salty.
Here is one I especially like from Emeril and the 
chicken broth
