Lots of fun for New Year's Eve

I'm not big on New Year's Eve parties. I really enjoy being with close friends at one of our houses and by 10:30 I'm ready for bed!!! But that doesn't mean I can't have a great time and enjoy the night. This New Year's Eve I am making my famous duck recipe. It cooks overnight in the oven at 225 and then the next day we hang it to let all the fat drip out of it and then before it's served I brown in a hot oven for a few minutes. There is NO fat left in the duck when it is served. The sauce is all Cherries- frozen cherries processed in food processor with cherry juice and some Cherry liquor, it simmers for several hours and tastes like dessert!!! It's a great contrast with the duck. I will be making fresh spring rolls too. I got the recipe from Cindy, who does my nails and is from Viet Nam. I had her fresh rolls at a party and they were the best I've tasted. I will post the recipe on my website if they come out great. I hope everyone has a great New Year's! If anyone wants my recipe for the duck please contact me at gloria@mybnl.com
Please check out the new pictures on my website: www.chefgloriab.com These were taken by Joe Pulseo from Marblehead. Radiance Hair salon in Marblehead and Salem hired him to take pictures for their website and they had me model my hair!

Smoked Turkey - The Best way to Make Turkey

The most time consuming recipe in my cookbook Zone Perfect Cooking Made Easy, is the Smoked Turkey with Apple and Onion. It is marinaded a day or two before Thanksgiving and then put on the grill to smoke. It is so moist, flavorful, and delicious you will never have another turkey quite like it. One year we tried brining the turkey because everyone said it was the best, this is far superior! It starts out with lots of garlic (full head) and dry vermouth or dry white wine. The garlic cloves get chopped into small pieces (can use food processor) and put under the skin and into the cavity of the turkey. I also use lots of fresh chopped rosemary underneath the skin and in the cavity. Then using a turkey needle (a large plunging needle) fill with wine and inject into the bird all over shots of wine. I use almost a 1/2 bottle of Dry Vermouth for a large turkey. Then season the bird with sea salt, pepper, Herbamare (Sea salt that has seeped with 12 different organic herbs for a year, available at health food stores). Cover the bird with slices of onion from two onions and stuff the inside of the bird with 1/2 apple and 1/2 onion for added flavor while cooking. Refrigerate until ready to smoke. If you are interested in how to smoke the turkey please email me at Gloria@Mybnl.com or visit my website at www.Mybnl.com

Saving Yourself at Thanksgiving! Some Tips!

Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday of the year. What's not to love, lots of delicious food, family and close friends! However, many people go into food overload and get food hangovers from eating too much! It's difficult not to overeat when there is so much food on the table. I have a few suggestions to have a great holiday and not get sick!

1. When making stuffing, be sure and do it outside of the bird. When the turkey stuffing is put inside the turkey all the fat drippings of the turkey end up in the stuffing. That is pure saturated fat and will create stomach pains!
2. Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast. Starvation creates more hunger and you will end up eating more than your stomach can physically handle. Eating small meals a few hours apart will be much more satisfying and healthful. Start your morning with an egg and steel cut oats with some almonds to keep satisfied for hours or have some low fat cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with fruit and a few almonds.
3. Drink plenty of water. Be sure and keep hydrated, especially if consuming alcoholic beverages.
   
4. Take small tastes of everything that you desire. If Aunt Sarah's sweet potato pie isn't one of your favorites, move on to the things you really enjoy. Ask for a doggie bag if you can't finish everything you desire.
5. Be sure to walk or get some exercise the morning of the holiday.
6. Focus on socializing with the ones you love. Give thanks to be together and enjoy this wonderful holiday.
7. For great holiday recipes that taste delicious and are healthy see my website at www.Mybnl.com or get my book Zone Perfect Cooking Made Easy.
8. If you need help with the holidays email me at Gloria@Mybnl.com