Don't leave the grill out in the cold this Thanksgiving
That iconic picture of Mom taking the beautifully roasted out of the oven is changing.
Some 70 percent of Americans say they would forgo cooking their turkey in the oven and make it outdoors if given the opportunity, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association.
Even if it's not the turkey on the grill, more than one-third of those surveyed said they intend to cook some part of their Thanksgiving meal outdoors this year.
Besides the incredible flavor that grilling a turkey imparts, you get the benefit of freeing up space in your oven for biscuits, veggie sides and pies.
Says Russ Faulk, grillmaster at Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, "we're being told that (customers) have started to view cooking outdoors as part of a new Thanksgiving tradition, because it is easier and everything tastes better."
Truthfully, I've grilled turkey breast before, but never a whole turkey. If you want to try one this year, check out recipes from Faulk's Web site at kalamazoogourmet.com. You'll find his recipe for Apple Brined Turkey, Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (pictured), and an innovative take on apple pie served in a pumpkin shell.
If you try it, let me know how it turns out.
Appeeling dessert: Here's another interesting Thanksgiving dessert that's sure to please kids of all ages: gourmet caramel apples from Mrs. Prindable's Handmade Confections.
The folks at the suburban Niles workshop dip jumbo Granny Smith apples into gooey caramel then add a gut-busting array of sprinkles like chocolate chips, peanut butter morsels and toasty almonds. The Autumn Wreath Jumbo Apple (pictured) serves eight to 10.
You can find it and other apples in the Mrs. Prindable's line at stores like Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Sak's Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor, or you can order at (888) 215-1100 and pick up at the Niles store, 7425 N. Croname Road. These scrumptious treats cost about $27.
They're also available year-round at mrsprindables.com and can be shipped anywhere in the country. Gift baskets also are available.
This tasty house: It's that time of year again where if you don't like the smell of gingerbread, you'd better stay home.
Restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, park districts and other organizations host gingerbread house workshops and contests.
Here's one to check out if you're a high school or college culinary student (or if you know one). Pastry Chicago's 4th annual student competition takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at the food court at Westfield Old Orchard Mall in Skokie.
The theme for this year's holiday houses is green or eco-friendly living. Space is limited and registration is due Friday, Dec. 4. Find registration details at pastrychicago.org or by calling Lindsay Koriath at (312) 726.2419 ext. 208.
Emeril Live on the radio: I don't know how well his signature "Bam!" will transfer to the airwaves, but that's not stopping Emeril Lagasse from launching "Cooking with Emeril," a live, call-in show on SIRIUS XM's Martha Stewart Living Radio.
Starting the week of Nov. 30, the celebrity chef's one-hour segment will air live 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays on Stewart's satellite radio channel, Martha Stewart Living Radio. The segment will replay at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Emeril will broadcast from wherever in the country he might be, introducing listeners to people, places and food he experiences. He'll take questions from callers and share recipes, tips and fun entertaining ideas.
In addition, Stewart's weekly Sirius XM live call-in show "Ask Martha," which currently broadcasts once a week, will expand to two days a week. Listen for "Ask Martha" live from 3 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays with replays at 6 p.m. both days.
Pose questions for Emeril and Martha when they are on the air at (866) 675-6675 or radio@marthastewart.com.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.kalamazoogourmet.com/recipe06-2.php?recipe=125">Apple-Brined Turkey</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.kalamazoogourmet.com/recipe06-2.php?recipe=124">Sausage and Cranberry Stuffed Sweet Potatoes</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.kalamazoogourmet.com/recipe06-2.php?recipe=69">Smoke Roasted Apple Pie with Pumpkin Crusts</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>