Thanksgiving Tips From The Pros

November kicks off holiday season with one of the most food focused holidays of the year…Thanksgiving. We have gathered some tips from our pros on how to make your Thanksgiving a success.

THE TURKEY
The right tool really does make all of the difference. For a delicious turkey done right, use a thermometer. If you have typically relied on the plastic pop-up, take the plunge and buy yourself a meat thermometer. You will want to check the temperature of the turkey above the leg in the thickest part of the meat. When the temperature reaches 165°F, the turkey is done. Take it out and let it sit for a few minutes before carving. Once you see success with the turkey, you’ll want to use your thermometer on other meats and dishes you are cooking. You will have far fewer over or undercooked meals.

KEEPING IT SAFE
Food safety is such a top priority for chefs that it becomes an automatic part of what they do. Cooking for a crowd on Thanksgiving means we need to think like chefs for the day. Wash your hands and wash them often. Keep food out of the temperature danger zone of 40-140°F. This means thawing in the refrigerator, never on the counter. It also means putting leftovers in the refrigerator right after the meal. Anything out for more than 4 hours needs to be tossed.

PLANNED-OVERS
Left overs are some people’s favorite part of Thanksgiving. To reduce waste, have a plan. Know how many people you are hosting and prepare accordingly. If you want extra for sandwiches, soup or other weekend favorites, include those amounts in your planning. Make sure you will have space in the refrigerator and containers to store it in. If you want to send your guests home with food, have them bring containers or pick up some extras that you don’t mind sharing. Any leftovers stored in the refrigerator should be used within a few days. If you won’t be able to use them in that time, put them straight into the freezer. When reheating, get out your thermometer and make sure everything gets back to 165°F.

Reference:
Chef tips provided by Chris Aquilino, Corporate Executive Chef.Additional tips and recipes available at stopfoodwasteday.com and balanceittakesyou.com.

Written by Jennifer M. Roberts, MS, RD and Julia Jordan.
NOVEMBER 2018
balanceittakesyou.com

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Holiday Food Safety

Thanksgiving kicks off holiday party season where we gather with friends and family for delicious meals. Following a few key rules can help to keep you and your guests feeling good.

Thaw
Turkey is the main attraction at many Thanksgiving meals. Whether you buy your turkey fresh or frozen, keeping it at the right temperature in the days leading up to cooking is important for preventing foodborne illness. If you plan to thaw in the refrigerator remember that it can take up to six days for a large turkey to thaw. Thawing in cold water is a faster option, but you need to change the water every 30 minutes to make sure it stays cold enough. Turkey and other meats should never be thawed or left on the counter at room temperature.

Cook
Roasting to the right temperature can mean the difference between a delicious turkey and one that is either undercooked or dried out. While many turkeys come with a pop up thermometer, it is a good idea to invest in a separate meat thermometer. You want the internal temperature of your turkey and stuffing to get to 165°F. How long that takes will depend on the size of the turkey.

Store
While it can be tempting to leave party food out to snack on, storing it quickly means that you can enjoy it safely for a few more days. Anything left out at room temperature for longer than two hours should be tossed. Break down large items into smaller containers before putting them in the refrigerator or freezer so that they cool faster. Refrigerated leftovers should be used within 3-4 days. If you need more time, freeze instead. When it is time to reheat, bring the food back to 165°F. For more information on food safety, check out homefoodsafety.org.

REFERENCES: 1. Home Food Safety. Available at homefoodsafety.org.
Written by Jennifer M. Roberts, MS, RD.
November 2016

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HEALTHY HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY HEALTHY THANKSGIVING TIPS

APPETIZERS: Instead of chips and salsa, make a hummus out of roasted butternut squash with toasted pita chips.

GRAVY: Use cornstarch to thicken gravy instead of a heavy roux. Try adding a squeeze of fresh Meyer lemon to your gravy, citrus offers a nice light finish on the palate.

STUFFING: Try using grains such as faro or wild rice rather than bread. Use a turkey or chicken sausage in the mix in place of pork.

SWEET POTATOES: Use a drizzle of local honey to roast with instead of brown sugar and maple syrup. For a healthier sweet potato casserole as opposed to butter and sugar, add evaporated milk and crushed pineapple. Skip the marshmallows on top and opt for meringue .


DESSERTS: When making a pie crust try using equal parts all purpose flour and whole wheat flour. Replace   butter with canola oil and corn syrup with maple syrup.

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Four Tips for Healthy Eating During the Holidays

The holiday season is right around the corner which means lots of celebrating with parties and gatherings accompanied by much to eat and drink, not all being "healthy." First up is Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks, centered around a huge feast. So how do we keep it happy and healthy without weight gain during this joyous season of eating? Here are a few tips on how to have your feast and eat it too without the weight gain.

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Happy Thanksgiving from Dining Services

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Healthy Holiday Recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto

The holiday eating season is a great time of year to harvest squash and pumpkins and much of it is grown locally and used in a variety of your favorite holiday recipes. Many of these orange flesh vegetables, such as pumpkins and butternut, acorn, and delicotta squash, are considered to be healthy super foods. Why use canned pumpkin or butternut squash when with very little extra effort you could be using a fresh and local product! Pumpkin pancakes, breads, soups and other treats are also incredibly easy to make. One of my favorite squash recipes - and one that you can do right in your dorm microwave - is a butternut squash risotto.

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Strategies for Healthy Holiday Eating

The holiday season is here! It is a great time to celebrate and spend time with family and friends. However, if you are not careful this time of year can become a time of over-indulgence and unwanted weight gain. According to the National Institutes of Health, the weight gain seen among adults each year can be the result of weight gain over the holidays. It is important to go into the holiday season with some strategies to avoid gaining those extra pounds.

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