Warm up with a nice winter soup!

Winter is upon us and what isn't better than a nice hot bowl of soup on a cold and blustery day?

Leeks and potatoes provide the base for this hearty vegetable soup, and butternut squash adds a hint of sweetness. Gruyère toasts add a salty note.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 5 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 2 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled russet potato (about 12 ounces) 
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
• 2 cups sliced leek (about 2 medium)
• 4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 12 ounces baguette, cut into 16 slices
• 3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese 
• 3 tablespoons chopped chives
• Freshly ground black pepper (optional) 

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add squash, potato, salt, and pepper to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Add leek; sauté 1 minute. Stir in broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until potato is tender, stirring occasionally. Place half of potato mixture in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining potato mixture. Stir in half-and-half. Cover and keep warm.
3. Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet; sprinkle evenly with cheese. Broil bread slices 2 minutes or until golden. Ladle 1 cup soup into each of 8 bowls; top each serving with about 1 teaspoon chives. Serve 2 bread slices with each serving. Garnish with freshly ground black pepper, if desired.
4. Wine note: This is one vegetable soup that can easily handle a lighter red wine. Stick with the French theme and look for bargains from Burgundy, like Louis Jadot Pinot Noir 2005 ($20). This wine has pretty red berry fruit, great balance, and gentle tannins that make it ideal for lower-fat dishes. The underlying earthy, leathery flavors bring out the rustic nuances of the potatoes and squash. —Jeffery Lindenmuth 

Reference myrecipes.com



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Election Day Drinks - Red, White & Blue!

It's election day!  What a perfect day to have a few people over and celebrate our right to vote!  Make your drinks fit the occasion!  Here are a few Red, White and Blue ideas for you!

1. All-American Shooter 

To achive the "layered" effect of this patriotic pleaser, place a cherry on the inside edge of the shot glass and slowly pour the curacao and then the vodka over said cherry. This will keep the liquors separate and makes for a nice garnish. 

1. 1/2 Part Grenadine
2. 1 Part Blue Curacao
3. 1 Part Vodka

Layer in a shot glass and enjoy! 

 

2. The Independence Day Margarita

Nothing say "America" like a refreshing frozen margarita. The favorite after-work cocktail of office dwellers everywhere gets a Fourth of July makeover with strawberries, pineapple and blue curacao. This one may take a little extra time but the results are well worth it. For extra flair, use colored sugar to coat the rim instead of plain ol' salt. Click here for the recipe. 

3. The Patriotic Pour - This adventurous drink off sets all of its super sweet ingredients with the spicy kick of muddle jalapeno. Use an upside down spoon to layer the blue over the red and garnish with star fruit for the white. 

1 oz watermelon pucker/schnapps

1 splash of cranberry juice cocktail 

2 slices of jalapeno

1 slice each of lemon and lime

1 1/2 oz silver tequila

splash of blue curacao

1/2 oz simple syrup

Mix the first two ingredients and pour into an ice filled glass. Muddle the jalapenos, lemon and lime in a shaker, add tequila, curacao and simple syrup and shake. Layer over the red and garnish. 

 

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Need a Thanksgtiving centerpiece idea?

Thanksgiving centerpieces are a tradition in celebrating the season and decorating a beautiful holiday table. This year, create one of your own using the materials, colors and themes of fall.

Dessert Tray
If you have a spare tiered dessert tray, use it to create a beautiful multi-layer centerpiece. Decorate each tier of the tray with small pumpkins, squash, fall leaves, twigs, acorns, apples, in-husk corn and fall flowers. Set one tray in the center of your table or place several in a line. For added light, place small, flameless tea lights in amongst the décor. If you decide to use real candles, make sure they are tall enough for the flame to stand at least one inch above any decorations around it and avoid fire hazards.
Stuffed Pumpkin
Pumpkins aren't just for Halloween. You can easily transform any sized pumpkin into a crafty flower pot perfect for Thanksgiving centerpieces. Simply cut the top off a pumpkin and carve out the inside. Set fall flowers, twigs, small branches with fall leaves and other autumn harvest décor into the pumpkin, which acts a bright, seasonal vase. You can even use the pumpkin as a candle holder, with autumn décor surrounding the candle placed inside. Just be sure the top of the candle is at least several inches above the top of the pumpkin, and is not near any flammable décor.
Lit Leaf Garland
For long, large tables, lit garlands are a beautiful addition. Provide lighting for guests and stylish décor by creating your own leaf garland with small white lights. Wrap a white string of white lights around a leaf garland with lighter colored golden/orange leaves, or a green string of white lights around a garland with darker red, orange and green leaves. The garland looks best when wrapped around the base of a long, rectangular centerpiece, though it can be used as a centerpiece on its own. Simply plug one end into the wall on a side of the table where guests will not trip over it, and enjoy the softly lit leaves across your Thanksgiving dining table.
Corn Husk Candle
Depending on the size of the candle you select, use either corn husks, or a full in-husk ear of corn to create a centerpiece.
For Large Candles: Purchase 5-to-10 in-husk ears of corn, depending on the size of your candle. Stand each corn on end, in a circle around the candle. Secure in place with twine or ribbon. Peel back enough of each husk to reveal the brown, yellow and white shades of the corn beneath.
For Smaller Candles: Peel the husk off several ears of corn and cut pieces to match the height of your candle. Wrap the pieces of husk around the candle itself, or a clear candle holder and secure in place with twine or ribbon.
Hurricane Candleholders
Whether you currently decorate your dining room table with large hurricane candleholders, or wish to purchase some specifically for Thanksgiving, give each a special, seasonal touch by adding several fall décor pieces beneath the candles. Fill the candleholder one quarter to half way full with acorns, fall leaves, uncooked corn kernels or berries. Create varying layers of materials within each candleholder for extra color; just be sure not to move the candleholder after pouring them in.
Thankful Tree
Beautiful, fall branches are a great way to bring fall foliage indoors, and can make gorgeous centerpieces when bundled in tall, clear vases. For a special Thanksgiving touch, have family members write what they are thankful for on small pieces of paper. Tie the papers to the branches in your centerpiece, and create a beautiful and meaningful tree to set in the center of your holiday table.
Harvest Floral Arrangements
If you normally prefer to use flowers as your dining room table centerpiece, Thanksgiving is no exception. Select bright orange, yellow and red flowers with autumn fillers for the perfect holiday floral arrangement. Try using:
Sunflowers
Daises
Mums
Orange and roses
Solidago
Oak leaves
Maple Leaves
Twigs
Bittersweet

Reference myfoxal.com




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How to cook the perfect turkey!

Top 10 Turkey Tips

Whether you're tackling a Thanksgiving turkey for the first or hundredth time, our top 10 tips will ensure your big bird is the best it can be.

1. Thawing a frozen turkey requires patience. The safest method is to thaw turkey in the refrigerator. Be sure to plan ahead — it takes approximately 3 days for a 20 pound turkey to fully defrost.

2. For crisper skin, unwrap the turkey the day before roasting and leave it uncovered in the refrigerator overnight.

3. Cooking times will differ depending on whether your bird was purchased fresh or frozen. Plan on 20 minutes per pound in a 350 degree F oven for a defrosted turkey and 10 to 15 minutes per pound for fresh.

4. A turkey will cook more evenly if it is not densely stuffed. Consider adding flavor by loosely filling the cavity with aromatic vegetables — carrots, celery, onion or garlic work nicely — or by carefully tucking fresh herbs underneath the breast skin. For the stuffing lovers, cook the dressing in a casserole dish on the side.

5. For even roasting, truss your turkey.

6. Before roasting, coat the outside of the turkey with vegetable or olive oil, season with salt and pepper and tightly cover the breast with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning (it will be removed in step 7).

7. Don't be a peeping tom (no pun intended)! Once you get the turkey in the oven, resist the temptation to open the oven door and admire your handiwork. When the oven temperature fluctuates, you're only increasing the likelihood of a dry bird. About 45 minutes before you think the turkey is done, remove the foil from the breast to allow it to brown.

8. Remove the turkey from the oven when the deepest spot between the leg and the breast reads 180 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Check the internal temperature of the stuffing as well; it should be at least 165 degrees.

9. Tent the bird with foil and let rest for about 15 minutes before carving. If you need more time to make gravy, heat up side dishes, etc., you can let the turkey set for up to an hour without losing too much heat.

10. Remember to carve your turkey with a very sharp or electric knife.

Reference Food Network



Posted by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist
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Reap the benefits of Cranberries!

Health Benefits of Cranberries

People are raving about this tart, little berry, and with good reason. Cranberries contain a powerful cocktail of protective phytonutrients, plant chemicals that contain protective, disease-preventing compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids) that act as antioxidants in the body.
Cranberry extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of oral, colon, and prostate cancer cells, in addition to inducing cell death of breast cancer cells. Phytonutrients in cranberries may also be involved in inhibiting the spread of cancer cells throughout the body.
In addition to its anti-cancer properties, cranberries may also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol, inhibiting LDL oxidation (one of the first steps in the progression of coronary artery disease), lowering blood pressure, and inhibiting the formation of blood clots.

Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice been used for decades for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI). Multiple studies suggest that drinking cranberry juice may decrease symptomatic UTIs, especially for women with recurrent UTIs. Cranberry juice may prevent UTIs by inhibiting bacteria from adhering to the cells that line the bladder.
Cranberry juice may also protect against stomach ulcers by preventing the adhesion of the bacteria H. pylori on the stomach wall.



Posted by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist
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