Holiday Food Safety

Repost from July 4, 2011... it is all still true.

This bad boy is E.coli 0157:H7 sometimes called the hamburger bug and you may get it or any of many other nice buggies if you're not careful out there this weekend. The above E.coli can cause renal failure and even death. Not just a little stomach upset but death. Yes, I'm trying to get your attention.


Click to Read More and Get Recipe

Kitchen Cheat Sheets

Don't know the safe temperature for that ground chicken or what to substitute for buttermilk, I have your back. I now have a special place for you. Check out the new Kitchen Cheat Sheets page. You will find cooking references for most of your everyday kitchen needs.

For the shape eyed visitors, you may have noticed this page appear and disappear a few minutes later many times as I worked on the HTML. This has been a work in progress for months and I finally have a good start. And make no mistake, there is more to come.

Updated

April 25 2013

Dan Mikesell

Recipe Index Update

A new and improved recipe index in now online. It includes all posts from the beginning of this site has a more complete listing of categories of recipes.

The previous had a 25 post listing per category limit and cut off a lot of early posts.

Give it a look.

PS. For you bloggers out there, new instructions for an automatic updating recipe index are on my Blog Within A Blog 

Updated

March 31 2013

Dan Mikesell

Google Plus

Many of you use Google Plus so I'm "coming out of the closet" with my real name. I have been hiding behind DrDan for 3 years now.  I haven't been very hidden since it was buried at the bottom of each post anyways. So this is for you Google+ people. I will try to be social.

I will continue to use DrDan since I like that name from one of my favorite children's book .

Updated

February 24 2013

DrDan

Super (Bowl) Food 2013 edition

What to do??? What to do??? Everyone wants something special for their Superbowl. After all it is about food and commercials. Some people actually watch the game. But it really is about the food. So what self respecting food blog doesn't have some ideas.  It's "Man Ball" time so I'm offering meat only suggestions. I have some great pizzas and other recipes, but we are talking football here.

 Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

A great finger food for that "bring a dish" party. What could go wrong with bacon, sugar and spices? Nothing. Cubes of chicken wrapped with bacon and coated with brown sugar, chili powder and cumin. Baked until crispy. A skill level of 3/10 (easy). Plus it is easy to double or triple if needed.

BBQ Shredded Pork Loin in the Oven   

An easy mass cooking that you can do ahead. Scale to any size and not much work for great return.

Chicken for a hundred 

This will take a few hours on the day of the event. But you can produce a lot of great food fast.

Oven Baked Kansas City BBQ Beef Brisket 

My all time favorite... it is almost no work with great results. Cook ahead and pop it in the oven to reheat.

Easiest Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

An easy cook ahead mass cooking. Add BBQ sauce and have a BBQ chicken fest.

Well that is a good start. Have a great Super Bowl Sunday. 

 

Updated

Febuary 1 2013

DrDan

A Giveaway - and Thank You for the visits

As a special thank you to all of you and in celebration of 2,000,000 page views, I'm giving away a cookbook. The obvious choice is America's Test Kitchen's Cooking for Two 2012. It just seems appropriate don't you think.

I know the 2,000,000 is just the blogger count and not the most accurate. See widget lower left.

The rules and how to enter:

There are always rules in life.
1) The giveaway is open to USA and Canadian residents. The Canadians seem to always be left out due to customs issues. Well we Michiganders will not stand for it I say (this time at least). Since I'm buying the book from Amazon and directly shipping to you (read lazy me), I can order from Amazon.ca if needed (I hope).
2) You must be 18 years of age or older.
3) Enter through the Rafflecopter giveaway widget below. This is a must along with the required comment to enter.
4) Leave a comment on this post of 20 words or more with seasons greetings and what is your favorite recipe/food that makes you think of the holiday season. Remember to also so the Rafflecoper widget. Just commenting is not entering.
5) Only one entry per person/email. Duplicates will result in all being deleted.
6) Any post/entry with a link to anything other than a food blog or a recipe will be deleted and not eligible for the giveaway. Bah humbug to you...

Starts at 12 AM EST 12/18/2012 and ends at 12 AM EST 12/24/2012

Do not forget to do both the comment and the Rafflecopter widget

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and Happy Holidays. Again thanks for the support.

FCC disclaimer: I'm paying for it myself.

A Few of My Favorite Things: Foodie Edition

'Tis the season as they say. Who can't use a few gift suggestions for the foodie in your life or if you're the foodie, a few last minute additions to your list... OR just gift yourself.

Here are a few of my favorite food thingy bobs. 1 to 5 in reverse order but I love them all.

All the links to the products are through my Amazon associate account. All profit from my Amazon account from these products through Dec. 31, 2012 will be donated to DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Also, I will match that amount personally (up to $500). 

 Please Support Your Local Children's Hospital

5. Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned Skillets 

Your foodie will love cooking with cast iron. The original non-stick cooking. Go for the 12 inch if your not sure of the size to buy.

 

4. Victorinox 47521 10-Inch Chef's Knife 

A great bargain for a wonderful knife that comes 8 or 10 inch models (get the 10). This is the knife that American Test Kitchen uses in their kitchen.

 

3. Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board 

These are "grrrreeaaat". They don't seem to dull the knife like glass. And are much safer than wood. You can keep them clean easily. Dishwasher or bleach spray and you're safe. I have 2 of all sizes. The large ones are great over the sink.

 

2. Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind & Brew Thermal 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker 

I love coffee and maybe it doesn't meet your definition of cooking but it's in mine. Have fresh ground coffee every morning without fuss and muss. I wore one out and I'm on my second one.

1. Thermapen - Instant Read Thermometer  

If this is within the budget, it is a MUST HAVE. I know $100 seems like a lot but really a great thermometer. It will make an OK cook into a really good cook. This is really the secret of my success.

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY

Handy Substitutions

With all the holiday cooking to come, we will all be found short of an ingredient or two in the "heat of battle". Here's a live line for you.

The first of my online cooking reference section.

Thanksgivings Help

Thanksgiving is THE food holiday and it hard to just do a routine recipe post. I want to do more so here is some help for the beginner along with suggested recipes. Have a Happy Holiday.

First some turkey help

There are several easy ways to get help with the bird.

First Butterball is again offering their Turkey Talk-Line^® that has been around for 29 years but some of you young ones out there many not have heard of them. They offer LIVE help just a phone call away. Phone number is 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372).  Nov. 1 through Dec. 28, weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST; Thanksgiving Day, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST; Nov. 24 to Dec. 25, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST. Their web link is http://www.butterball.com/tips-how-tos/turkey-experts/overview.

Second The USDA has a excellent web page at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FACTSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp . In addition there is the Meat and Poultry hotline at  that is at (888) 674-6854 from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. It is closed weekends and holidays, except Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving hours are 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Remember that the safe internal temperature for all poultry is 165. This MUST be check with a thermometer.

Other miscellaneous but interesting hotlines

• Reynolds Turkey Tips Line(800) 745-4000 Open through December 31, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I guess if you need help with your foil... HA HA... I'm sure they are helpful but it's hard to resist.
• For pumpkin pie help Libby Consumer Hot Line: 1-800-854-0374
• Crisco Pie Hotline (877) 367-7438 toll-free. 

Don't forget my post on food safety  Holiday Food Safety

Suggested Recipes:

Turkey posts

Cider Brined, Herb Buttered Martha Roasted Turkey - The Full Monte

How to Brine a Turkey

Butter Turkey Tenderloin - Pan Seared Oven Roasted with Gravy

Grilled Brown Sugar Rubbed Turkey Breast

Favorite Sides

Clark Family Sweet Potato Casserole

Fresh Broccoli Salad

Sausage-Bread Turkey Stuffing

Updated

November 17 2012

DrDan

Musing

I have been on vacation so no cooking for a while but I do have a couple of posts in the works.

But I'm announcing two things. First is a series on things that are useful for "cooking for two". This has been suggested many times to me but I have resisted.  It sounds simple but is not. I want to cover the pantry, pots and pans, tools and maybe a cookbook or two. So far it looks like 4-5 posts. If there is something you want covered, please post a comment.

Second, I have started another blog - kind of. Not much of a blog. It is just things I feel like talking about. I was going to make a static page on this site, but it would be hard for others to comment so a second blog was needed. The first real post is up about childhood obesity. Check it out of you want to hear me grump. Link below and in sidebar.

Holiday Food Safety

Repost from July 4, 2011... it is all still true.

This bad boy is E.coli 0157:H7 sometimes called the hamburger bug and you may get it or any of many other nice buggies if you're not careful out there this weekend. The above E.coli can cause renal failure and even death. Not just a little stomach upset but death. Yes, I'm trying to get your attention.

It is up to you to keep your friends, family and children safe from these things. It is not that hard but after every major holiday I see many children with food poisoning. Fortunately most case are self-limiting meaning they get well.  But it is all avoidable.  


There are a lot of safety tips that should obey this weekend but since this is a cooking blog, I will concentrate on the food related ones. This is not a comprehensive list but just some good reminders.

General Facts:

• Unwashed hands and surfaces are a prime cause of foodborne illnesses. Hot soapy water is your friend.
• Cross-contamination is the most common cause of  foodborne illnesses. Keep food prep away from serving areas.
• Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 and 140 °F. 
• Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables. 

Meat handling:

• Thaw meat in the refrigerator not the kitchen counter. About 5 hours per pound so plan ahead.
•  Marinate foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Do not use the marinade for anything else, it is contaminated. If you want to use it on the meat during cooking reserve some separately before adding the food. 
• Wash plates, utensils, and cutting boards that touched raw meat or poultry before using again.

Cooking temperatures: These are the minimum safe temperatures.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT!

Burger and ground meats: 160
Chicken: 165
More safe temperature information at The USDA

Serving safely

• Cold foods: If set out then no longer than 2 hours or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees.  Or you can keep them cooled to 40 degrees or less.
• Hot food should be kept at or above 140°F.
• Refrigerate or freeze leftover foods promptly. If over the time limits then discard.

More food safety information at The FDA.

From "Hill Street Blues" Sergeant Phil Esterhaus: 

Hey, let's be careful out there.

Updated

July 1 2012

DrDan

Pinterest Page

Are you a visual person? If so, I have just completed a project for you. I now have a Pinterest page with pictures of all recipes characterized into folders. While it's just a picture and name... pin away all you pinners.


Updated

May 27 2012

DrDan

What to Take to The Weekend Picnic

So it's a big holiday picnic weekend. You're either going to a party or hosting one. So what to take or make? There is always the bag-o-chips but let's get real... this is a cooking blog. This was the question my wife asked me a few days ago and got me thinking. So I thought I would post a few suggestions.

First Group- For those hosting the party.

I'm a traditionalist so the hot dog, brots, burger and chicken breast on the grill is just great for me. But if you want something different, here are some ideas.

1)  BBQ Shredded Pork Loin in the Oven  

An easy mass cooking that you can do ahead. Scale to any size and not much work for great return.

2) Chicken for a hundred 

This will take a few hours on the day of the event. But you can produce a lot of great food fast.

3) Oven Baked Kansas City BBQ Beef Brisket

My all time favorite... it is almost no work with great results. Cook ahead and pop it in the oven to reheat.

4) Easiest Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

An easy cook ahead mass cooking. Add BBQ sauce and have a BBQ chicken fest.

 

Second Group - Take a dish

I cook meat if you haven't noticed. But I have couple non-meat suggestions. A lot of baked beans and potato salad will be made and I will enjoy yours. I want to be a little different so here are two suggestions. My wife will pick one for me to do this weekend.

1) Waldorf Chicken Salad

Great taste. An easy make ahead. And you will be the only one there with it. Just keep it COLD. I love crispy apple.

2)  Fresh Broccoli Salad 

Another make ahead easy cook. You will not believe how much better this is compared to the deli version. You will have an "eat this not that" moment.

Also check out my Fourth of July Food Safety post

Have a healthy and safe holiday.
DrDan


Updated

May 25 2012

DrDan

My Top 5 Mexican Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

I love Mexican food, so Cinco de Mayo is a food holiday to me and I think many of us Gringos. Contrary to common believe, it is not Mexico Independence Day (which is September 16th) but according to Mexonline "The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862." Ok, so I learned something.

Now on to the food. This is a top five of my Mexican recipes. Just my choice, I'm not looking at page views nor anything else. Reverse order.

#5 Best Mexican Shredded Pork Loin

#4 Chicken Enchilada Casserole

#3 Beef Steak Fajitas  and  Easy Chicken Fajitas

#2 Spicy Mexican Shredded Pork Tostadas (Tinga)

#1 Spicy Taco Meat Less than 25 Minutes

Special Mention: Kick Tale Taco Soup

I don't include it only because it is "made up" Mexican but a great crock pot recipe.

Happy victory over the French day... I'm sure they have forgiven the defeat considering the wonderful eats...
Updated

May 4 2012

DrDan

Marlowe's of Memphis

So I have been MIA for a while... lots of excuses but I'm thinking of you as I'm setting in my room at The Peabody in Memphis. We came for a pediatric convention but we drove in a little early. Time for some site seeing and I decided a side trip was in order. We went to a famous place on Elvis Presley Boulevard. Go south past Graceland and the Piggy Wiggly and you will find the world famous Marlowe's.

This is the place I wanted to go to in Memphis. I like Elvis music in small doses but my wife does not and starring at stuff from the 50's just is not on my bucket list... but Marlowe's was. Don't get me wrong there is plenty of Elvis here but a quit tolerable amount even for her. She just had to get use to U of M being Memphis and not Michigan. It looks like almost any BBQ place/bar in the country. Come in blue jeans, not your Sunday best... You will get messy because I think eating ribs must be with fingers.

First I made two mistakes. The first was arriving at 2:30 pm. The Memphis app said the hours were noon to 3 am. Wrong, they open at 4 pm. We hadn't eaten for 5-6 hours but we went downtown and checked in at The Peabody and went back.

Second mistake, we ordered the ribs for two at the suggestion of out wonderful waiter. Another mistake... it came with one slab of ribs which is our usual... but it took only 5 minutes to devour that. Not that it was small, it was just that good. We decide to forgo desert and get a second slab. It didn't surprise the waiter at all.

Rating

Absolutely a 5. Very highly recommended. I tend to like my ribs falling off the bones. These pulled off the bone cleanly but did not fall off. Just fine with me. Great taste and just the right amount of smoke.

A note about the sides. I'm a baked bean hater. I goes way back to Campbell's Pork and Beans as a child. I absolutely hated them and have refused anything similar for years. I have tried variations highly recommended by others but really these are the first I enjoyed and  I cleaned my bowl.

My previous Marlowe/Memphis related posts:

Memphis Dry Rub Ribs

Marlowe's of Memphis BBQ Dry Rub

Marlowe's Black Magic Seasoning

Memphis  BBQ Sauce (Not Marlowe's, My recipe)

Updated

March 23 2012

DrDan

Diets, Health and The New Year

Peter Finch as news anchor Howard Beale in Network

I may make this an annual December 31st event.

Last year I heard way too much BS on diets and health going into the New Years holiday. I just couldn't take it anymore so I whipped off an “I’m mad as h_ll, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” post. It felt  so good after and I think it was a great public service announcement.

Well "they" are on their way out from under their rocks again today and for the next week or two so here is the entire post again...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I Call BS

There Are No Silver Bullets Tonto

Happy New Years to All except liars and shysters. A little harsh you say... why you say? It's the season when many of us try to correct our bad habits. And always in the top 5 New Year's resolutions will be get healthier and lose weight.  And I see them coming out from under their rocks.

There will be well meaning (but clueless) experts telling you what to do or eat. I listened to one on the radio this morning. In 20 minutes, she had not one fully true statement. There will be the outright shister wanting you to believe only they have the magic knowledge. There will be compelling stories that are sprinkled with pseudo-scientific BS and if you don't know better, you may believe it. There will be celebrities who you trust making a pitch for this diet plan, that magic supplement or a magic energy bracelet.

Are you really that clueless? Well if you are, I will give you some clues to look for...  

First key phrase that I hate:

• Supports the Immune System - I don't know what this means and I'm a doctor. I call BS anytime you hear this
• Increase your metabolic rate - I call BS
• Burns fat - I call BS
• Loss weight while you sleep- Really?- A major I call BS
• Emerging studies or science reveals- I call BS
• Promotes or Supports whatever - really... then how? prove it sucker - I call BS 99% of the time
• Colon health - again a 99% bogus phrase to fleece you  - I call BS again
• The magic of -I don't believe in magic - I call BS
• Leading experts - you can be sure they aren't - I call BS ever time
• Antioxidants - not a bad thing by it self but almost always BS- just eat your veggies.
• Stem cells - I just saw an ad to "turn on" stem cells in the skin. I see a major cancer risk if true. I call BS again 
• "Detoxifying" What does that mean??? - This one is just plain stupid - I call BS

Other things to watch for:

•  Infomercial - BAD- Always
•  Doctor or Dietitian provided to the local TV station by your hospital system - Usually good
• "Expert" on morning TV- frequently bad- watch for key words. 
• An advertised product - almost always bad - I will say I believe Weigh Watchers is GOOD for adults.
• Your PCP (Primary care provider) - Usually good
• A friend or relative - Almost always wrong. 99.9999%
• You mother - better than you think usually

Some general rules that may help:

1. The middle of the bell shaped curve is usually the correct place to be. This means that the mainstream is more likely to be correct then the extremes.
2. Your local nonprofit hospital system will have you best health in mind.
3. Almost all PCP's are good resources for you.
4. Even your insurance company wants you healthy. Even if yours is a blood sucking leach on society, a healthy you is cheaper than a sick you.
5. Drug companies almost always try to sell inappropriate and expensive drugs.
6. Most of the time when a insurance company doesn't pay of a $200 or a $500 procedure from your marginal care provider, it is of little or no value. The first clue to these providers is that they don't take insurance because they don't want a third party that has some knowledge taking a close look at them. The shyster will ding you over and over. Run the other way and rescue your friends and family.
7. If they tell you that doctors or the AMA doesn't want you to know a secret. I again call 100% BS. Hold on tight to your wallet.
8. NEVER make a major change in your diet or exercise program without consulting you PCP.

Final thoughts:

1.  A pound of fat is about 3500 calories. So a can of pop or 12 oz of juice a day is 20 pounds of weight gain per year.
2. Weight is all about calories in and calories out.
3. Your thyroid is probably fine but your doctor can check. There will always be somebody willing to give you an excuse if you'll pay for it.
4. A low glycemic diet will help you control your appetite. But be careful what is called low glycemic. I just saw a recommendation for a "healthy" low glycemic breakfast of a glass of OJ with a bunch of heavy cream.. NOT healthy nor low glycemic.
5. If it sounds stupid or too good to be true , it probably is stupid or too good to be true.

Special note: I'm changing my comment policy for a while so I don't get slammed. I will be approving all comments for now before publishing. If you want to disagree... Start your own blog and say whatever you want. I will publish comments that I consider scientifically sound but ranting or pseudo-scientific BS will not be published.

Sorry, I stepped on toes but it needed to be said.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The end... Now I feel good... I love musing...

May you all have a Healthy and Happy New Years. Bless you all and may your year be full of joy and happiness.

DrDan


Updated

December 31 2011

DrDan

Seasons Greetings to All

 Wishing you all the happiest and healthiest holiday season and New Year.

DrDan