A New Take on Turkey

(Family Features) There are more ways to enjoy turkey than as part of the traditional mashed-potatoes-and-stuffing feast you’ve grown up with. That’s why Carlos Rodriguez, executive chef of Orinoco in Boston, reinterpreted a Latin American favorite to put a new spin on the season’s favorite dish.

“It’s turkey like you’ve never had it before,” Rodriguez said. “Barbecue meets Latin fusion, meets the best turkey sandwich you’ve ever had.”

Rodriguez’s inspiration comes from El Salvador. His Slow Roasted Turkey Con Pan with Sundried Tomato and Apricot Jam is based on a tender, savory Salvadoran favorite called “Panes con Pavo.”

This turkey is perfect for a crowd and serves 12, which is why Rodriguez uses the generously sized Culinario Series 16-quart Deep Roaster from Princess House to braise four full-sized turkey breasts.

“Not every roaster works for braising,” Rodriguez said, “but this one is perfect because of its depth, even heat distribution and glass lid.”

For other holiday cooking tips and a video of the recipe, visit princesshouse.com.

Slow Roasted Turkey Con Pan

• 6          tablespoons olive oil
  
• 4          teaspoons black peppercorns
  
• 4          teaspoons sesame seeds
  
• 2          teaspoons dried oregano
  
• 1/2       can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  
• 10        cloves garlic
  
• 8          dried bay leaves
  
• 8          dry guajillo peppers
  
• 4          cups water, divided
  
• 6          bottles Latin beer
  
• Culinario Series Healthy 16-quart Roaster with rack
  
• 4          large turkey breasts (about 8 pounds each), halved lengthwise
  
• salt, to taste
  
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  
• 6          medium tomatoes, cored and chopped
  
• 1          small yellow onion, chopped
  
• 2          green bell peppers, cored, seeded and chopped
  
• 12        crusty Italian bread loaves (6 inches each), ends trimmed, halved lengthwise
  
• 1          small yellow onion, thinly sliced
  
• 2          bunches watercress
  
• Sundried Tomato and Apricot Jam (recipe below)

1. In blender, puree oil, peppercorns, sesame seeds, oregano, chipotle peppers, garlic, bay leaves, guajillo peppers and 1 cup water.
2. In roaster, combine puree and beer. Add rack and enough water so that sauce just covers the top of the rack. Bring to a boil. Season turkey with salt and pepper and add to roaster on top of rack. Reduce heat to simmer, then cover and braise until turkey is tender, about 2 hours.
3. In blender, puree tomatoes, chopped onion, bell peppers and 1 cup water. Transfer turkey to plate (leave sauce in pot); let cool.
4. Add puree to sauce in pot; simmer over medium-high heat, stirring often, until thickened, about 45 minutes.
5. Discard skin from turkey; tear meat into thick pieces. Stir turkey into sauce, reduce heat to low and cook 5 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Divide stew between loaves; garnish with sliced onions, watercress and jam.

Sundried Tomato and Apricot Jam

• 3          medium onions, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
  
• 3          tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 1/3       cup sugar
  
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
  
• 1/4       teaspoon black pepper
  
• 1/2       can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  
• 2          cups dry white wine
  
• 1          cup sherry vinegar
  
• 1/2       cup packed dried apricots, thinly sliced
  
• 1          cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1. In medium saucepan, cook onions, butter, sugar, salt, pepper and chipotle peppers, covered, over low heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and pale golden, about 30 minutes.
2. Add wine, vinegar, apricots and tomatoes and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally until thick, 20-30 minutes. Serve with turkey.

Note: Jam can be made in advance and stored in refrigerator.

SOURCE:
Princess House

Prepare a Delicious Meal in Minutes

(Family Features) With busy family schedules, it can be difficult to find time to prepare a homemade dinner. Instead of reaching into the freezer or grabbing a burger on the run, you can prepare a delicious meal in minutes to satisfy the whole family with a few simple steps.

Because it allows you to spend more time at the table than in the kitchen, shrimp is a great choice for weeknight meals. It cooks quickly and can be enjoyed with a variety of different flavors to satisfy even the pickiest palates. The versatility of cooking with shrimp also allows your inner chef to have fun with flavors and preparations – you can grill it with your favorite sauce, bake it with a combination of spices, poach it and toss it on a salad or use it as an ingredient in a pasta dish.

For nights when you are short on time but do not want to forgo a home-cooked meal, here are four quick and easy tips from the experts at Red Lobster for preparing a dish with grilled shrimp.

Step 1: Skewer
Start preparing delicious grilled shrimp using the double-piercing method, which is important as it allows the shrimp to cook evenly and consistently, and provides room for proper saucing.

To double pierce, start by picking up a piece of shrimp and imagining it is the letter “C.” Pierce through the bottom of the shrimp, then the top and slide it to the end of the skewer. Continue this process until your skewer is fully stacked with four to six shrimp.

Step 2: Sauce
After your shrimp are skewered, select sauces to enhance the flavor. You might have a family favorite, or open it up to let everyone pick their favorite sauce, whether it be barbecue, sweet chili or any type of delicious seasoning. Once you’ve decided on your flavors, use a basting brush to coat both sides of each skewer before putting the shrimp on the grill or in a grill pan.

Step 3: Grill
After your shrimp have been basted, it is time to grill. With an outdoor grill or large grill pan, grill shrimp for 1 1/2-2 minutes on each side, using tongs to flip the skewer once. Be careful not to overcook – shrimp will start to curl up and dry out if they stay on the grill too long.

Once the shrimp is cooked, complete the meal by serving the skewers over a starch, such as rice or mashed potatoes, and a fresh seasonal vegetable, like Brussels sprouts.

Step 4: Rely on the Pros
At the end of a long day, quality time with loved ones is where time is best spent. While shrimp is an easy meal to make in minutes, it’s even simpler to leave the cooking to the experts. During Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster, there’s something for everyone – and you can order as much as you want, any way you want. The entire family can try new things, like the Parmesan Peppercorn Shrimp while also enjoying favorites, like Hand-Crafted Shrimp Scampi.

For more inspiration on ways to enjoy shrimp, visit redlobster.com.   

SOURCE:
Red Lobster

Surprising Ways to Get Your Probiotics

(Family Features) Chances are you’ve heard the term probiotics and know that these good bacteria that live in your gut promote healthy digestion. Did you know that probiotics are also key to a healthy immune system and protein absorption?

While researchers are still unraveling exactly how these bacteria accomplish all that they do, it’s understood that probiotics help establish a healthy environment in your digestive tract, which is important considering 70 percent of your body’s immune system resides there. Another thing scientists have found is that probiotic benefits are strain-specific, which means it matters which probiotic is used in the products you buy. The more science reveals about them, the clearer it becomes that probiotics are something you want to consume on a daily basis. Now incorporating them into your diet has become easier than ever before.

For thousands of years, many cultures relied on fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi to obtain probiotics. Then, pasteurization became popular and most of the bacteria in fermented food was killed – even the beneficial kind. Since then, people have relied on supplements to get probiotics, but today an increasing number of food and beverage companies are introducing everyday offerings that include the healthy bacteria and can easily be added to daily routines.  

The secret to these new probiotic foods and beverages is a unique probiotic strain called GanedenBC30, which is one of the only strains that can withstand extreme heat and cold, plus survive extended periods on grocery store shelves, with science and research backing its benefits. This means that you can now get your probiotics from many of your favorite foods and drinks without taking pills.

The next time you’re at the grocery store, take a closer look and you’ll find more than 500 foods and beverages on the shelves with this strain in a variety of surprising categories that your entire family will love. Here are a few unique ways to get those good bacteria:

Baking Products
Finished products often have health benefits, but probiotics can now be found in the ingredients used for baking, as well. From sugar and buttery spreads to baking mixes themselves, a variety of probiotic options can easily be added to your next baking project.

Beverages
Whether you prefer tea and coffee or juices and waters, there are probiotic options on the shelves for cold and hot beverage drinkers alike. Look for well-known brands like Suja or Bigelow that are leading the way in innovative probiotic products. 

Frozen Foods
In the past, frozen products weren’t a well-known option for probiotics, but these days you can find healthy bacteria added to a variety of items, including breakfast burritos, popsicles and even ice cream.

Snacks
Now, you can also get digestive and immune benefits in a delicious treat. Probiotics are taking over the snacking category, and companies have found ways to add them to options including chocolate, granola, trail mix, nut butters, kale chips, cookies and even Mariani fruit snacks.

For a full list of healthy and convenient everyday probiotic foods and beverages, visit GanedenBC30.com/products.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Ganeden

Eat Healthy at Home

(Family Features) Even if you’ve mastered the art of a smart workday lunch and can pick the most nutritious items on a restaurant menu like a pro, eating healthy at home is an unexpected downfall many people face.

When you find the chance to take a break from the busy pace of life and spend some time at home, it can be easy to slip into an all-indulgence mindset. Just remember that doesn’t have to mean going all-out on junk food.

Enjoy the comforts of home and keep your eating on track with these helpful tips.

When you’re spending time with family
It’s easy to catch a carefree spirit while you’re running the bases in an impromptu game of backyard baseball or being tempted by yet another imaginary dessert from the kiddie kitchen. When playtime winds down for dinner, there’s no reason for the fun to stop. Have kids get hands-on to help assemble a healthy meal everyone can enjoy. Skip the cutting, peeling and mess by using Dole Jarred Fruit to prepare salads, desserts and even main dishes that satisfy the whole family’s sweet tooth.

When you’re tackling chores
From seasonal landscaping to the myriad projects you’ve been putting off, the list of chores around the house may seem never-ending. Remember to stay hydrated, especially if you’re working outdoors, and be sure you make time to eat, even if it’s just a quick bite to keep you fueled. Air-popped crackers and hummus is a smart alternative to chips and dip, or get your pick-me-up from a handful of nuts and a serving of sweet, juicy fruit.

When you want to be a couch potato
When a new TV season begins this fall, keep your guilty pleasure in check with quick, healthy dishes to enjoy as you binge watch your favorite shows. Keep your kitchen stocked with ingredients such as high quality, ready-to-eat Dole Jarred Fruit so you can create quick and easy snacks with a serving of fruit in between episodes or during a commercial break.

Sweet Treats
Tickle your taste buds with these tricks that transform a kitchen staple like jarred fruit into a tasty treat:

• Brighten up bland yogurt or frozen waffles with a serving of jarred fruit, such as sliced peaches or mandarin oranges.
• Dip jarred pineapple chunks in melted chocolate and pop them in the freezer until hardened.
• Top a serving of jarred tropical fruit with coconut flakes for an island escape.

For more recipes you can enjoy at home, visit dolesunshine.com.

Pineapple Parfait
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1

• 1          jar (23.5 ounces) Dole Pineapple Chunks
  
• 2          tablespoons Greek yogurt
  
• 2          vanilla wafers, crushed

1. Measure 1/2 cup drained fruit.
2. Spoon pineapple chunks into dessert glass. Spoon yogurt over pineapple. Sprinkle crushed wafers on top.

Tropical Rum Raisin Dessert
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

• 1          jar (23.5 ounces) Dole Tropical Fruit, drained, juice reserved
  
• 1/2       cup Dole Seedless Raisins
  
• 1/4       cup spiced or coconut rum
  
• 2          cups vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, divided
  
• 4          teaspoons toasted shredded coconut, divided

1. Place fruit in medium bowl and set aside. In small bowl, combine raisins, rum and 1/4 cup reserved juice. Allow raisins to soak at least 20 minutes until plump. Drain off liquid.
2. Combine fruit and rum raisins; spoon into serving bowls. Top each bowl with 1/2 cup scoop of ice cream and top each with 1 teaspoon toasted coconut.

Tip: 1/2 teaspoon rum extract and 1/2 cup reserved juice may be used instead of rum.

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1

• 1/2       cup refrigerated cooked chicken breast strips
  
• 2          Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves
  
• 1/2       cup Dole Mandarin Oranges, drained
  
• 2          teaspoons slivered almonds
  
• 1          tablespoon light Asian salad dressing

1. Divide chicken equally inside two lettuce leaves, making two wraps.
2. Add 1/4 cup of Dole Mandarin Oranges and 1 teaspoon slivered almonds into each wrap.
3. Serve lettuce wraps with light Asian salad dressing for dipping.

Orange Chipotle Avocado Toast
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1

• 1          slice whole wheat bread
  
• 1/2       avocado, diced or smashed
  
• salt
  
• pepper
  
• 1/3       cup Dole Mandarin Oranges, drained
  
• 1/2       teaspoon chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
  
• 1/4       lime

1. Lightly toast whole-wheat bread and top with diced avocado. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
2. In medium bowl, toss oranges with chipotle peppers.
3. Spoon oranges over avocado toast and finish with a squeeze of lime.

Tip: For spicier toast, include pepper seeds. For more mild heat, remove seeds. A sprinkle of chili pepper can also be used to add spice.

SOURCE:
Dole

A Spooktacular Seasonal Treat

(Family Features) Hay rides and pumpkin carving aren’t the only time-honored traditions of fall. This time of year also brings the opportunity to enjoy spooktacular and hair-raising seasonal treats.

Whether served alone in a glass or incorporated in tasty recipes, limited edition TruMoo Orange Scream can help you whip-up festive sips and snacks. Inspired by orange frozen pops with vanilla ice cream and made with no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial growth hormones and no artificial sweeteners, this creamy orange milk is so frightfully delicious and nutritious, it might make you scream with joy.  

And this fall, the colorful milk is getting a makeover. In celebration of DreamWorks’ Trolls, Poppy and Branch – the eternally optimistic troll and her overly cautious counterpart – will make an appearance on specially marked bottles of TruMoo Orange Scream and Chocolate milks.

Kick off this year’s fearsome festivities with recipes inspired by the movie and its beloved characters: Truly Colorful Crepes and Poppy’s Orange Scream Pudding Parfaits. It’ll be no surprise when the whole family asks for more.

For more exciting recipes, visit TruMoo.com, and find TruMoo Milk on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Truly Colorful Crepes
Serves: 6

Crepes

• 2          large eggs
  
• 1 1/4    cups TruMoo Orange Scream milk
  
• 1          cup all-purpose flour
  
• 1/3       cup confectioners’ sugar
  
• 3          tablespoons melted butter
  
• 1          teaspoon orange extract
  
• 1/4       teaspoon salt

Filling

• Frozen yogurt
  
• confectioners’ sugar
  
• 1          tablespoon grated orange peel
  
• blue sprinkles (optional)

1. In large bowl, combine eggs, milk, flour, sugar, melted butter, orange extract and salt. Beat with wire whisk to combine well. Cover and place mixture in refrigerator for 1 hour, or up to 2 days.
2. Stir mixture with spoon. Heat lightly greased 9-inch skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter into center of pan; quickly swirl or spread mixture to fill skillet. Cook each crepe 30 seconds; flip; cook another 10 seconds until lightly browned. Place crepe on large cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining batter. Do not stack crepes on top of each other.
3. To serve, place 2 small scoops of frozen yogurt in center of crepe; fold sides over to close. Sprinkle crepes with confectioners’ sugar, grated orange peel and sprinkles, if desired.

Poppy’s Orange Scream Pudding Parfaits
Serves: 4

• 1          package (16.5 ounces) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
  
• 1          package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding and pie filling
  
• 2          cup TruMoo Orange Scream milk
  
• whipped topping
  
• blue and green sprinkles

1. Prepare cookies as package directs. Set aside.
2. Prepare instant pudding as package directs, using milk.
3. In a glass or parfait dish, crumble 1 cookie; top with large spoonful of pudding. Repeat layering. Dollop with spoonful of whipped topping; top with sprinkles. Repeat to make three more parfaits.

SOURCE:
TruMoo