Dr & Mrs gonzi - MaltaRightNow.com

| FOOD |KNOW YOUR TURKEY✁In the run up to Christmasyou would be hard-pressedto find a woman whoisn’t running around like aheadless turkey. Here’s howto banish stress by beingwell organised!This is easier said thanby Gloria Mizzi done, but it always paysto try. This year I’m all setto achieve a stress-freeholiday season by keeping the Christmas menu simple.So let’s try and do this together by deciding the menuahead of time. Are we going to have the traditional fare– chicken soup, timpana, roast turkey and Christmaspudding - or other delicious alternatives? If it’s turkey,the all time favourite, here are a few facts.The turkey came originally from America and wasfirst domesticated by the Aztecs in Mexico. TheSpanish introduced turkeys into Europe; and theysoon became a popular choice in France, Italy andBritain too. When early settlers from Britain, Franceand Holland crossed the Atlantic to North America,the vast flocks of turkey that roamed wild providedthem with sustenance. They were plentiful and so easyto trap or shoot that the older children of the familywere given the responsibility of catching them. Turkeyis a lean source of protein and provides B vitamins,phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron.COMPETITIONWin a meal for two at theWild Thyme restaurant(excluding wine). Answer thequestion, fill in your details,and send to: Wild ThymeCompetition, Life & Style, Media.link Communications Co Ltd,Triq Herbert Ganado, Pieta, HMR 1450Question: What are the herbs necessary forcooking the 'Turkey with Mushrooms' recipe?NAMEAnswer: ......................................................................................................................................................................................................ADDRESS............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................TEL/MOBILE......................................................................................................................................Send in your answers by the 31st December 2007.My Christmas MenuDELICIOUS ALTERNATIVESSmoked Salmon Pâté❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉Tortellini in Chicken Soup❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉Stuffed Turkey Breast❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉Mincemeat Sponge Pudding❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉So if it’s turkey this Christmas here are the roasting times.Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas 4. Calculate the cooking time according tothe weight of the bird (remember to weigh the bird and stuffing separately and addthe two together for total weight). Use the following as a guide to time, checking andbasting regularly during roasting.❉ for birds up to 4.5kgs allow 20 minutes per 450gr plus an extra 20 minutes❉ for birds over 4.5kgs allow 18 minutes per 450gr plus an extra 20 minutes❉ for birds over 6.5kgs allow 15 minutes per 450gr plus an extra 20 minutesPoints to remember:A frozen turkey must be thawed completely before cooking. Unwrap and place on arack in a deep dish so that any liquid that drips from the bird as it thaws runs belowthe rack. Place in the refrigerator and allow two to three days for a 4.5kg bird, andthree to four days for a 6.5kg bird. Never stuff the turkey in advance of cooking.The stuffing can be made in advance, but the turkey should not be stuffed until justbefore it is placed in the oven. Never shorten the cooking time because althoughthe meat may appear cooked, extra time must be allowed to cook the stuffingthoroughly. When the breast is brown, cover with foil and continue cooking. Removefoil for the final 20 minutes of cooking. To check if it is cooked, insert a skewer intothe thickest part of the thigh. If the juices run clear it is cooked. If the juices are pinkand the meat is soft, return to the oven and check again after 20 minutes. Whencooked, remove turkey from oven, cover closely with foil and let it rest for at least 15minutes before carving.'All ingredients used in these recipes have been provided by the courtesy of GalaSupermarket, Testaferrata Street, Msida'L&s | DECEMBER ’07 39