Healthier holiday recipes - Avoid the perils of ordinary store-bought turkey and ham

Monday, November 22, 2010 by: Tony Isaacs
Tags: Thanksgiving, turkey, health news

(NewsTarget) If you enjoy ham and turkey during the holiday, here are two healthier recipes which avoid the perils of ordinary store-bought turkey and ham while delivering mouth-watering tastes that are sure to please. It may take a bit of online searching and some extra dollars to come up with organic ham, turkey and other ingredients, but it will be well worth the time and extra money to have healthier versions of these delicious traditional favorites.

Organic Honey Baked Ham

Ingredients

1/2 (7 lb) of an organic uncured smoked ham - (about 7 lbs. fully cooked)
1/2 cup organic pear juice
1/2 cup organic orange juice
1/2 cup firmly packed organic unrefined brown sugar
1/2 cup raw organic honey
1/4 cup of cloves (optional)

Directions

1)Score ham with a sharp knife in a diagonal pattern. Repeat scoring, diagonally, in the opposite direction to create a crossing pattern. If you opt for the decorative and spicy cloves, insert whole cloves at the crossings.
2)Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
3)Place ham, cut end down, in a large baking pan.
4)Mix pear nectar and orange juice in a bowl.
5)Bake ham for 15 minutes basting frequently with juices.
6)Mix brown sugar and honey together in a small bowl. Brush mixture over ham and bake for another hour or until internal temperature reads 140 degrees F.

For a richer taste use a bit of blackstrap molasses in place of a couple of tablespoons of the honey or, for a wonderful maple taste, substitute organic maple syrup for part of the honey.

Rosemary and Cider Roast Turkey

Ingredients

2 medium organic lemons quartered
2 medium organic yellow onions, peeled and cut into 6 wedges per onion
2 tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Stayman, cut into quarters
3 Tbs. minced organic garlic
2 Tbs. chopped fresh organic rosemary
1 Tbs. chopped fresh organic basil
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt (or more to taste)
1 12 lb. whole organic turkey

Directions

1)Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2)Finely grate 2 tablespoons of zest from the lemon, mix it with half the rosemary and the garlic, basil, black pepper and salt and set aside.
3)Wash the turkey inside and out; pat dry. Remove any large fat deposits. Loosen the skin from the breast by slowly working your fingers between the breast and the skin. Work it loose to the end of the drumstick, being careful not to tear the skin.
4)Using your hand, rub one lemon quarter under the breast skin and down the thigh and leg. Then rub the rest of the entire turkey including the cavity with one to two lemon quarters. Discard the used lemon quarters.
5)Spread the rosemary spice mixture under the breast skin and down the thigh and leg. Rub the remainder of the rosemary mixture over the outside of the breast. Use toothpicks to seal skin over any exposed breast meat
6)Stuff the turkey with the remaining lemon quarters, apples and onions and place it on a rack in a roasting pan. Add about 1/4 inch of water to the bottom of the pan.
7)In a small bowl, combine the apple cider and the remaining rosemary. After the turkey has cooked for one hour, pour half the apple cider mix over the turkey and then continue to baste with the remaining cider mixture and liquid in the pan 3 times each hour.
9)Roast in the preheated oven 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature of the bird reaches 180 degrees.

You can also adjust the ingredient amounts and cooking times of this moist and flavorful recipe for cornish game hens, chicken breasts or roasting chicken.

For more healthier holiday recipes, see:

http://www.tbyil.com/Healthy_Holiday_Recipes...

Sources included:

http://www.tbyil.com/Organic_Honey_Baked_Ham...
http://www.tbyil.com/Rosemary_Roasted_Turkey...
http://www.tbyil.com/Rosemary_Cider_Roast_Ch...

About the author

Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts The Best Years in Life website for those who wish to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and is working on a major book project due to be published later this year. He is also a contributing author for the worldwide advocacy group "S.A N.E.Vax. Inc" which endeavors to uncover the truth about HPV vaccine dangers.
Mr. Isaacs is currently residing in scenic East Texas and frequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country near Austin and San Antonio to give lectures and health seminars. He also hosts the CureZone "Ask Tony Isaacs - featuring Luella May" forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group "Oleander Soup" and he serves as a consultant to the "Utopia Silver Supplement Company".