Thanksgiving Countdown: Brined or Grilled

Let's take time today to remember those who have served and observe 11.11.11 with appreciation & gratitude.

Hi Friends. Let's talk turkey! Hands down, my Apple Brined Roasted Turkey Recipe is an all time winner for a moist and flavorful turkey. I've prepared this recipe on my TV show, on Live! with Regis & Kelly, and for my toughest audience, my family. Sure, emails for requests and success stories pour in, but my toughest test was still before me with my family; a group with more food issues and conditions than should ever be under one roof. Somehow, I don't remember my Nana having such a tough group. She cooked. We ate and were happy. 

Need more kitchen? If your oven is all jammed up - take it outdoors and grill-it. Or, make a Thanksgiving turkey challenge. Cook 1 turkey in the oven and 1 on the grill. Yep. Been there, done that. 

Apple Brined Roasted Turkey Recipe

Turkey on The Grill

Knipschildt

The Maitre Chocolatier.

Easter is meant to be enjoyed for grownups too, especially when it comes to sharing good chocolate. Knipschildt chocolate quail eggs are made with more than cleaver packaging, containing exceptional chocolate. Ritz Knipschildt, award winning Maitre Chocolatier was born and raised in Odense, Denmark and his roots run strong in his traditional craft. Fritz creates top quality artisan chocolates and confections using classic recipes delivered with a modern twist. Fritz worked as a chef in Denmark, Spain, France + New York before opening Knipschildt Chocolatier in 1999, creating somewhat of a chocolate cult following.

Fritz tips: do not refrigerate chocolate + chocolate are best eaten at room temperature.

New Kind of Gumbo

A good gumbo takes time, a great gumbo takes longer…

Whether it’s a stew or soup-like, there is nothing more satisfying than a hearty bowl of Gumbo, which reminds me Mardi Gras + Carnival wind down this Tuesday - aka Fat & Shrove Tuesday. 

Gumbo is truely Cajun and the official state dish of Louisiana; one that celebrates their heritage of sustenance off the land. There are numerous ingredients that can be added to a gumbo, but it's really all about utilizing what’s on hand. Chicken, duck + rabbit are the usual meats, along with ham and sausage. A seafood gumbo can contain shrimp, crab and oysters. However, the basics ingredients used in any gumbo are the “holy trinity” consisting of onion, celery and green peppers, thickened with a dark roux.  

Additionally, the make up of a Cajun Gumbo is the use of heritage ingredients such as the African vegetable okra, together with the cooking influences of local Choctaw Indians, French, German and Spanish settlers. The addition of tomatoes is more Creole and not of Cajun influence. I believe the addition of tomatoes with all the other ingredients in the gumbo pot provides a wonderful mix of culture and full flavor. With such a rich culture as Louisiana has it is important to note that the preparing of a gumbo goes far beyond the making of this ‘stew’ and really brings together the community.  

This new kind of gumbo may just be stepping back to the Cajun way - with everyone contributing to the pot for the goodess of the stew. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

For MY GUMBO RECIPE

Punxsutawney Soup

No, I'm not using ground hog in my soup. But, if you are awaiting Punxsutawney Phil's prediction from Gobbler's Knob, you may just be inspired to wait more patiently for spring with a hearty steamy bowl of soup in front of you.

Make a pot of Tuscan Style Soup. It is one of my viewer's favorite requested recipes.

Sweet Spicy Holiday Snack

Need a great snack in about 1 hour? If you are concerned about added holiday fat consumption and don’t want the usual snack mix with butter this is it long time viewer favorite + favorite party snack - my seasoned spiced nuts. Roasted in the oven with egg whites you can omit the butter flavor.

I’ve listed add-on options to mix with the nuts, if you want to put your own holiday snack spin on my classic version. 

Spiced Nuts Recipe | From George Hirsch Living it UP! cookbook and TV series

Sweet Spicy Holiday Snack

Add any of the following to the Spiced Nuts Recipe to make your own Sweet Spicy Holiday Snack: 

1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup white raisins
1 cup Indian nuts, aka pinion, or pine nuts
2 cups mini pretzel sticks
1 cup wasabi nuts
1 cup green & red M & M’s
1 cup chocolate or white chocolate