T.V. Chef's Rx For The Juiciest Turkey Ever!

                             Recipe For The Perfect Turkey! 

If you're a fan of the Food network, then you're well aware that we (the viewing
public) will be hit with an onslaught of Thanksgiving day recipes and tips
in the next 2 wks.
And if you enjoy these types of shows, then by all means, continue to watch.
But, if you're not a fan or just don't have the time, that's okay as well. 

And if you plan on making turkey, and want a recipe for the "juiciest turkey"
ever, copy this recipe from none other than Food network star, Ree Drummond. 
AKA the "Pioneer Woman" says that brining your turkey first, is the key to a
turkey that's succulent and brimming with flavor. 

What is brining, you ask?
Soaking or saturating the turkey (meat) in a salty solution for a day or two before cooking it.
And the Pioneer woman's best brine for your turkey is...
Ingredients:
3 cups of apple juice or cider (not vinegar)
2 gallons of cold water
2 cups of brown sugar
1 1/2 cup kosher salt
1/4 cups fresh rosemary leaves
3 Tbs. peppercorns
6 cloves of garlic
5 whole bay leaves
the peel of 3 or 4 large oranges and get as pith (the white part)
as you can.
Directions:
Place all of the ingredients in a large pot, turn on the heat and simmer just
until the sugar and salt dissolve. Turn off the heat, and let it cool completely. 
Next,   look for a pan, tub, pail, whatever--something that can 
accommodate a 10, 15, or 20 pound turkey.  Place the turkey into the pot, pan, tub,
plastic bag, whatever, and then the brine, cover and leave in the refrigerator
or if you're lucky enough to live in Alaska, Minnesota or Buffalo N.Y. (colder
environments) place the bird and brine on an outdoor porch or tool shed for a day or two. 
(make sure no wildlife can get to it, cats, dogs, wolves, bears, or Raccoons).
And in a day or two, discard the brine, pat dry the turkey,
add some melted butter or oil, spices and herbs to it and then cook it.
Another great tip: place the turkey on the lowest rack, why?
Heat rises and if it (the turkey)  is at top of the oven it'll cook too fast.
Another great tip: From Wolfgang Puck and Rita Wilson, (Mrs. Tom Hanks)
place the turkey breast-side down. Why? All of the juices flow to the bottom,
which will make the breasts (white meat) much more juicier. 

That's it- a recipe for the "juiciest turkey ever" courtesy of the Pioneer Woman!
And if you want more great tips from some of your favorite chefs, head on over 

to Amazon.com/the kindle store and type, see title to the right
in the search bar and download it.
Learn how chefs-Carla Hall, Michael Symon, Giada DeLaurentiis, Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray may some of your 
Turkey day favorites.

Good Luck!
JGib~
RedCarpetRxs!

Paula Deen's Side Dish Rx For Better Health!

                                 Paula Deen's Favorite Vegetable! 

Paula Deen is on a quest, a quest to get healthy.
If you seen Ms. Deen lately you're well aware of her 35 lb. 
weight loss. One of the foods that Ms. Deen loves to cook and eat are
sweet potatoes, and if you too, like the orange tubers, you're in luck.

Look below for some of the benefits of the sweet potato and then,
copy the recipe for a sweet potato casserole, made by the incomparable
Paula Deen.
The benefits of sweet potatoes:
a) Sidestep Heart Attacks-
S. P's are loaded with antioxidants that lower your risk of heart attacks
by a whopping 55%. Perhaps someone can pass this tip onto Rosie O'Donnell.
Important tip: make sure to leave out all the sugar, eggs, milk and the pie crust, 
or they (S. P's) won't work.
b) Beautiful Skin-
For many women, a trip to get Botox or spending hundreds on creams and
potions and you still look the same. What may work and won't cost a small fortune?
Sweet potatotes and other foods that contain vitamin A. Vitamin A is rarely mentioned, 
but it's the missing link for those seeking more youthful and supple skin.
Other Vit. A rich foods...Butternut squash, pumpkin, carrots, acorn squash and yams.
c) Boost Energy-
Thanks to the amino acids and minerals in sweet potatoes, they help boost energy
and moods.

Now you know some healthful benefits of the sweet potato, here's
a recipe from Paula Deen, eat it this Thanksgiving or for a non-special
occasion like the 10th of December.

Paula Deen's Sweet Potato (or Yam) Casserole!
Ingredients:
2 cups of heavy cream
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
3 to 4 medium sweet potatoes or yams, they should be about
2 1/2 lbs. when peeled and cut them into 1/8" thick rounds, 9 cups.
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
3/4 tsp. dried thyme
1 cup crushed saltine crackers, about 20
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees, Coat a 13 X 9 baking dish with some 
oil or coat with cooking spray.
Next, whisk the heavy cream and toss in the cayenne pepper.
Arrange 1/3 of the S.P's (or Yams)in even layer on bottom of baking
dish. Season with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. of  the pepper and thyme.
Pour in 2/3 cup cream mixture and then repeat for 2 more layers.
In small bowl, combine cracker crumbs, parmesan, pecans and butter.
Stir it up good, so the butter is covering the crackers and pecans. 
Scatter mixture over top of casserole; cover with foil and bake for 15 mins.
And lastly, uncover it and bake another 30 to 40 mins. just until the top is
a golden brown.
This dish should between 8 and 10 people.
Calories per serving- 365
Fat grams- 29
Cholesterol- 83 mg.
Sodium- 590 mg.

Christmas with Paula Deen: Recipes and Stories from My Favorite Holida (Google Affiliate Ad)


That's it- and if you notice it's not a sweet potato dish that's loaded with sugar.
Happy Thanksgiving and be sure to thank Ms. Paula Deen!

Good Luck!
JGib~~
RedCarpetRxs!