Healthy Thanksgiving tips, from market to table
In the kitchen
Set a timetable. Create a game plan for the day, and know exactly how long it takes to prep and cook each item. Consider when the dishes will be in and out of the oven, and determine whether you have enough room for everything, Callahan says. If you’re cooking several items in one oven, keep pans spaced so that none touch. Doing so maintains the airflow inside the oven required to ensure thorough cooking, Bone says.
Assess your gear. Gather your china, silverware, glasses, and linens at least five days in advance. You want to be sure you have enough plates and glasses, the silver is polished, and you have time to launder linens if needed. Know what you’ll be using: the oven, the stove, the microwave? Will you need a roasting pan? Make sure ahead of time the one you get fits in your oven. What about a meat thermometer for testing doneness? It’s smart to keep a running list of equipment you need — that way, you can know just what to buy or borrow.
Know your serving sizes. “Keep track of how much food you’re making,” Bone says. “Usually a pie or cake serves 10 to 16 people. You may decide you only need to make one dessert.” If you’re hosting only a couple of guests, you can adjust the presentation. “For instance, if your cake makes two layers, frost only one, and then you can freeze the other for another occasion.”
Look for nutritional opportunities. Many foods we eat during the holidays are healthier than you think, containing nutrients that may help prevent disease. For example, one baked sweet potato contains nearly 500 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A and almost 50 percent of your vitamin C. “There’s an added benefit to obtaining these vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals from a variety of foods, since they work synergistically to create positive health effects,” says Melissa Ohlson, R.D., a spokesperson for the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
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November 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptWelcome to Nutrition Frenzy, where you’ll find information, news and updates about foods, nutrition and exercise and how they impact your life. There is a wealth of information in the world today, sometimes it can be overwhelming. … [...]
November 30th, 2008 at 12:18 am
[...] Healthy Thanksgiving tips, from market to table … disease. For example, one baked sweet potato contains nearly 500 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A and almost 50 percent of your vitamin C. “There’s an added benefit to obtaining these vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals from a variety of foods, since they work synergistically … [...]