Page 9 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 11-18-2015

Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter Lifestyle Nov. 18, 2015 • Page 9

Turkey Day Tips

The sight of a beautifully cooked, golden brown bird being
brought to the table is one of the most memorable moments of any
Thanksgiving gathering. Follow these tips to prepare the perfect cen-
terpiece for your holiday meal:

Thawing Your Turkey
• For every 5 pounds in weight, thaw in original wrapper for 24
hours in the refrigerator. Thaw faster by covering with cold water i1n
the sink and soaking approximately 30 minutes per pound.
• Refrigerate as soon as thawed or cook immediately. For best
quality, do not refreeze uncooked turkey.

Roasting the Bird
•Baste with extra virgin olive oil.
•Place breast-side-up on rack in shallow roasting pan. Cook in
325 F oven.
•For an unstuffed turkey, place a stalk or two of celery, seasonings,
a cut-up onion and a handful of parsley in the cavity to keep it moist.
•Lay “tent” of foil loosely over turkey to prevent over-browning.
•Turkey is done when meat thermometer is 180 F or when the red
stem on the pop-up thermometer rises.
•For easier carving, let turkey stand at room temperature for at
least 20 minutes.

More Ways to Make the Perfect Centerpiece
•Grilled: Grill 15-18 minutes per pound. Air in grill must be be-
tween 225-300 F.
•Deep Fat Fried: Cook 3-5 minutes per pound in 350 F oil.
•Smoked: Cook 20-30 minutes per pound. Air in smoker must be
between 225-300 F.
•Microwaved: Cook 9-10 minutes per pound on medium power.
Rotate during cooking.

(Family Features) Food. Friends. Topping: Leave Your Taste Buds Dancing for Joy 4 tablespoons sorghum syrup, di- blended and creamy. Pour filling evenly 1-quart non-stick saucepan, melt but-
Family. Football. Thanksgiving would be 2 tablespoons sugar With rich, creamy, delicious flavors vided over crust in pan. Place pan in center ter over medium heat. Add brown
incomplete without any of them, but the 1 teaspoon cinnamon in every bite, this Sorghum Pecan Praline 6 tablespoons unsalted butter of large baking pan (e.g., roasting pan) sugar and 3 tablespoons sorghum syrup
most important is the holiday feast your 1 cup plain nonfat yogurt Cheesecake will leave everyone at your 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar and pour 1-inch of hot water in large into melted butter and cook 2 to 3
family and friends have gathered to enjoy Heat oven to 350 F. table satisfied. Luscious sorghum syrup, 3 tablespoons heavy cream baking pan, around filled prepared pan. minutes or until blended and heated
while the game plays in the background. In large bowl, mix together gra- which is naturally high in fiber, iron and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or through, stirring constantly. Stir heavy
Serving up a full holiday spread - from ham cracker crumbs, oats, brown sugar, protein, surrounds, captures and comple- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt until center is almost set but slightly cream, vanilla and salt into mixture;
turkey to dessert - that is sure to bring ev- butter and milk. Press into thin layer in ments the decadent cheesecake and pra- Heat oven to 325 F. jiggles. Remove from oven, remove continue stirring constantly until pra-
eryone back for years to come is easy with a 9-by-13-inch pan greased with cook- line pecan topping. Find more satisfying Lightly spray bottom and sides of cheesecake from baking pan and gently line mixture comes to a boil. Simmer
these tips for every stage of the meal. ing spray. Bake for 10 minutes. recipes using sorghum that will keep your 9-inch non-stick springform pan with remove wrapped foil from cheesecake. until slightly thickened, about 3 min-
While crust is baking, in another taste buds tingling all season long, visit removable rim. Place pan over center of Place cheesecake onto wire rack to utes. Stir occasionally. Remove from
Pumpkin Pie Squares with bowl, beat together pumpkin through sorghumcheckoff.com. 3 18-inch sheets heavy-duty foil and se- cool 15 minutes. Run thin, sharp knife heat and let cool.
Cinnamon Sugar Yogurt salt. Pour over crust and bake for 40 curely wrap foil around outside bottom around edge of pan to loosen edges; To serve, remove rim of pan from
Topping minutes or until set. Sprinkle pecans Sorghum Pecan Praline and sides of pan. cool in pan 2-3 hours in refrigerator. cheesecake. Place cheesecake on large
over filling and bake another 10-15 Cheesecake For cheesecake, in small bowl, Meanwhile, prepare pecans. In- round serving plate. Place glazed pe-
Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes minutes or until center is set. Cool combine butter and 2 tablespoons crease oven temperature to 350 F. Line cans flat on top of cheesecake, starting
Servings: 16 slightly in pan. Cheesecake: sorghum syrup. In medium bowl, toss baking sheet with large sheet of parch- at outer edges and ending in center.
Crust: Mix together sugar and cinnamon. 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melt- graham cracker crumbs and sorghum ment paper. In bowl, sprinkle brown Spoon or pour praline topping evenly
1 cup graham cracker crumbs Mix in yogurt. Top each square with 1 ed butter mixture together until crumbs sugar and drizzle 1 tablespoon sorghum over top of cheesecake.
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats tablespoon yogurt topping. 1 1/8 cups sorghum syrup, divided are moistened. Press crumb mixture syrup over pecans. Us-
1/4 cup brown sugar 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs evenly into bottom of prepared pan. ing large spoon, toss to
1/4 cup butter, melted 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream Bake 8 minutes to form crust; remove evenly coat and spread
2 tablespoons low-fat milk cheese, softened from oven and cool 10 minutes over pecans flat over parch-
cooking spray 1/2 cup sour cream wire rack. ment paper-lined pan.
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar In large bowl use electric mixer on Bake pecans 8 min-
Filling: 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour medium speed to beat cream cheese, utes or until lightly
2 cups canned pumpkin 1 cup sorghum syrup sour cream, brown sugar and flour, 3 browned and glazed.
2 eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract minutes, or until well blended and Place pan over wire
3/4 cup sugar 4 large eggs smooth. Gradually add 1 cup sorghum cooling rack, use large
3/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt syrup, vanilla and eggs (one egg at a spoon to separate and
1/2 cup low-fat milk Topping: time) and continue beating 3 minutes evenly coat pecans; let
1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 package (6 ounces) pecan halves longer from low speed increasing to cool 10 minutes.
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice 2 tablespoons packed light brown medium speed, or until mixture is well In heavy duty
1/4 teaspoon salt sugar
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Have Your Sides and Eat Them Too other serving options, such as roasted potatoes, scalloped potatoes or sweet po- •Noodles: Outside of a traditional potato side, many turkey day tables
tatoes, can add variety to a favorite traditional dish. offer pasta-based sides, such as homemade turkey noodles, macaroni and
While the turkey takes center stage on Thanksgiving, surrounding the •Fruits and vegetables: From green bean casserole and cranberry sauce to cheese or pasta salad.
centerpiece with a variety of delicious side dishes can take your turkey day roasted vegetables, corn pudding, candied yams and butternut squash, no table •Bread: No Thanksgiving meal can be complete without cornbread,
to the next level. Here are a few popular sides to round out your table: is full without a variety of fruits and veggies to choose from. rolls or biscuits - which can also be used to make miniature turkey sand-
•Potatoes: While mashed potatoes and gravy are always a holiday hit, wiches after the meal is over - and a holiday classic, stuffing.

Check out this page weekly for fun tips on a variety of topics. Brought to you by these community minded sponsors.

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