When it comes to holiday leftovers, many of us secretly relish that slice of cold turkey or ham the next morning, and savor how reheating just enriches the flavor of those candied yams. Before you take that first bite, it’s important to remember that proper care can help ensure the leftovers you love stay safe, edible and bacteria-free.

“Leftovers the next day can be a lovely reminder of the meal you shared with loved ones,” says food scientist Kantha Shelke, PhD a spokesperson for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), and principal of Corvus Blue, a Chicago-based food science and research firm. “They’re also a great way to stretch your food budget. Properly handling and storing leftovers can help ensure your family gets the most value and enjoyment out of the food you’ve prepared.”

IFT shares food facts and safety tips for consumers on its website, IFTfoodfacts.org. The organization cites three key areas for handling leftovers safely: proper refrigeration, storage containers and heating.

Shelke offers some tips for managing leftovers:

Refrigeration
Of course you know food needs to be preserved in a refrigerator, but does it need to be cooled off first? Your grandmother probably cooled or chilled cooked foods before refrigerating them for a couple reasons. First, to save energy; hot food would make the fridge work harder. Also, there was a risk of a hot dish breaking when coming in contact with a cold shelf. Modern refrigerators, however, are built to cool hot dishes. Still, chilling food promptly after cooking and then placing in the refrigerator is both safe and energy conscious. The temperature in your refrigerator should be at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) or lower. It’s best to use an appliance thermometer to make sure you have the correct temperature rather than relying on refrigerator controls and displays.

Generally, food can go in the refrigerator when it’s reached a temperature of 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit – the dish should be just warm to the touch. You can chill food in an ice bath or cold water, sit it in front of a fan, or divide it into smaller portions that can be placed into shallow containers. The key is to store leftovers quickly, within two hours of cooking (one hour on hot summer days or in warm climates).

Storing
The debate over dish or disposable wrap is a matter of personal preference. Thin-walled metal, glass or plastic containers that are shallow (no more than 2 inches deep) are ideal for storage. Bags, foil and plastic wrap also work well, especially if you have a piece of food that is large or oddly shaped.

Cooked meat can be stored three to four days in the fridge, while uncooked ground meats, poultry and seafood will last only a day or two. Raw roasts, steaks and chops (beef, veal, lamp or pork) can be refrigerated for three to five days. Casseroles, veggies and similar side dishes, as well as pie, will usually last three to five days.

If you have a lot of leftovers, you may choose to freeze them. Freezing completely halts bacterial activity, so food can stay safe and usable for months in the freezer, versus three to five days in the refrigerator. Most frozen foods will stay safe for several months; recommended storage times are merely for nutritional value and quality. Uncooked meats can last eight to 12 months in the freezer, while frozen cooked meats will begin to lose their flavor after three months. Freezer temperature should be at 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C).

Reheating
When it’s time to serve those leftovers again, a thermometer is the best way to ensure food has been heated to a safe temperature. Most foods, especially meats, should be heated to 165 F in the center. Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a boil. Never reheat leftovers in crock pots, slow cookers or chafing dishes.

It’s safe to leave steak or other whole cuts of beef or lamb a little bit rare when you reheat them, as long as they were initially cooked at a high temperature to sear the outside only and kill  bacteria on the surface of the meat. Whether you use the stove top or microwave to reheat will depend on the type of food. When reheating in a microwave, use a lower power setting to reheat without overcooking.

To learn more about food safety, visit www.IFT.org.

The post Holiday Leftovers? Safely Savor Foods a Second Time Around first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

“Costs and quality don’t necessarily have to compete,” says Melissa d’Arabian, cook and celebrity chef who focuses on creating meals for the family that cost less than $10. “When entertaining, I like to keep things creative, without breaking the bank – especially if you have a big family or a large group of guests. By being savvy and finding creative ways to save, I’ll have extra funds to put towards party essentials or gifts.”

Celebrity chef d’Arabian offers these expert tips to add flair to your next special occasion without letting costs add up:

* Allow eager guests to bring their signature dish, in lieu of bringing a bottle of wine. This will help you to focus on your plates and ensure everyone feels part of the special occasion.

* If kids are attending, set aside a table with fun games like Disney Puzzle Packs, Green Lantern Hot Wheels Set or Music Ink Guitar. Stop by your local Family Dollar store to pick up these games and toys, which are sure to entertain for hours. If kids are young, hire a local teenager for an hour to lead the games, freeing up some adult time.

* My favorite holiday tradition is to use pretty greeting cards and envelopes as place cards, then write a personalized note inside. I love to have my visitors feel like their presence matters as they sit down at our family table.

* Instead of splurging on premade snacks, make your own. Spiced Herbed Nuts is an easy and festive recipe. Sprinkle herbs, spices, a teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt with a bit of butter into a saute pan. Toss in the nuts and cook until fragrant. Serve as an appetizer, garnish a salad or accompany a cheese platter.  Stocking up on these simple ingredients at your local discount retailer like Family Dollar will go a long way for a reasonable price.

* Buying preshaved toppings can be pricey, instead, purchase inexpensive bars of chocolate and use a vegetable peeler to create elegant garnishes, giving a final touch to any dessert dish.

Perusing online and sharing ideas with other cooks is a great way to become an expert host. Family Dollar’s “Dollar Dinners for the Holiday” Contest offers a forum for you to exchange recipes and find special offers. Visit www.familydollar.com to enter for a chance to win a private entertaining consultation with d’Arabian, along with $500 in Family Dollar gift cards for your next family bash.

As you’re focused on creating an unforgettable gathering, don’t lose sight of the most important part. “When you welcome people into your home, it’s about the people. Your guests want to see you more than anything else,” says d’Arabian. “Keep your menu simple so you can give your attention and energy to your guests, not just the food.”

For more value-priced entertaining and gifting ideas, visit www.familydollar.com or check out Family Dollar on Facebook at www.facebook.com/familydollar.

The post Budget-Friendly Tips and Tricks for Easy Holiday Entertaining first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Avoid Peak Travel Dates
You will often find the best prices and lowest numbers of travelers if you fly on the holiday itself instead of the day(s) before. If possible, travel on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and avoid a return flight on the Sunday evening after a holiday weekend. Choose wisely the time of day you travel as well. As a rule, airports are least congested in the mornings and later at night.

Be Flexible and Have a Positive Attitude
The No. 1 rule while traveling over the holidays is to be prepared for the unknown and have back-up plans. It’s always smart to anticipate and plan for delays. Pack extra snacks, a good book, your cellphone charger, games for the kids and try to relax if you are faced with an unplanned event. Do not dread the flight. Children, even babies, pick up on tension, stress and anxiety and react to it. Be prepared and flexible, and take the opportunity to enjoy the journey and teach your kids new things. Point out new sounds, smells, people, scenes and even sizes of airplanes on the runway.

Pack Wisely
Decide well in advance of your flight if you will check or carry on your luggage and plan accordingly. If you decide to carry on, be sure to follow TSA rules about liquids and don’t stuff your bag over its capacity. Kids can unknowingly delay you through security, so remember to always check kids’ carry-on bags for any liquids, gels, etc. before you head out to the airport. If you opt to check luggage, be prepared to pay extra fees and again, pack as light as possible so you can manage your luggage.

Carry on the Essentials
Carry a backpack as your personal item in order to keep your hands free. Make sure it’s filled with essentials for you and your family. The contents of your carry-on should cover hunger, thirst, boredom, spills, sickness, fear, tiredness and medical emergencies. Remember multiple diapers, an extra change of clothes and your little one’s favorite stuffed animal. If you’re traveling with an infant who is nursing, bring the new Boppy Travel Pillow. It’s a full-sized, compact version of the award-winning original Boppy Pillow and is designed so Mom can feed baby comfortably anytime, anywhere. The Travel Boppy Pillow folds into a small and sleek travel bag and even snaps right on to a stroller and therefore is not considered an extra carry-on bag.

Become a Tech Savvy Traveler
Take advantage of technology. Whenever possible, print your boarding passes at home or use check-in kiosks. The earlier you check in, the better seats you will get. Think about doing your holiday shopping online and having your gifts shipped to your destination. This will cut down on luggage and the risk of gifts getting lost. Have the airlines send you an email or call you if your flight is delayed. Or, sign up for a service like Flight Tracker on your phone where you can get flight status updates within minutes. Make sure phones, music players, portable DVD players, etc. are fully charged and pack chargers for use at your destination.

Make Health a Priority
Make sure that you and all family members wash hands, eat well and rest before you travel. Pack healthy snacks, hand sanitizer or wipes, tissues, etc.

Leave Early
Plan your journey to the airport accounting for enough time for long security lines, traffic, full parking lots, etc. and then give yourself an extra 30 minutes to help alleviate stress from any peripheral delays you may encounter.

Practice Makes Perfect
If you’re traveling with children, help to prepare them in advance for the journey by role playing and explaining things like removing shoes, putting all belongings (including blankets or stuffed animals) on the moving security belt, waiting patiently in line, etc.

If you do some planning in advance, you can arrive at your destination with a smile on your face instead of a headache.

The post Tips for Smooth and Successful Holiday Travel first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Here are some common challenges of hosting guests at your home and solutions for getting around them:

Problem: Overcrowding
Sharing space – particularly bathrooms and bedrooms – can cause conflict.
Solution: Organize the chaos by setting out towels and mini bathroom toiletries in guests’ rooms. You can develop a bathroom schedule for the morning so everyone has time to get ready for the day and no one ends up going without a shower.

Don’t be ashamed to admit that you don’t have the space to host overnight guests in your own home. Your guests will thank you for pointing them in the direction of a comfortable hotel that feels like a home away from home, so they can spread out and have their own space. Consider an all-suites hotel brand like Embassy Suites Hotels, where guests get two-room suites with separate living and sleeping areas, free cooked-to-order breakfast and a free, nightly Manager’s Reception.

Problem: Cabin fever
Guests become bored or restless at your home.
Solution: No matter how much you love your friends and family, being crammed together in one house can make everyone a little stir crazy. If your guests are in town for a few days, consider a planned activity like bowling or visiting a local museum. These activities will offer some variety, as well as promote interaction and conversation among guests. It’s also a good idea to allow your guests some time to explore on their own. Providing maps and brochures on local attractions is a nice touch.

Problem: Meals
Feeding multiple mouths can be a challenge.
Solution: Don’t feel obliged to provide every meal while your guests are in town. It’s a good idea to have easy snacks, beverages and fixings for sandwiches on hand should your guests want something simple and easy. Check with guests in advance to determine if anyone has a food allergy or alternately, a favorite snack you can stock up on.

The post Easing the Stress of Hosting Guests During the Holiday Season first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

1. Add flavor to your recipes
Freshen up your standby recipes by exploring innovative ways to add variety and flavor. If you’ve been serving the same dish for years, why not look for a way to liven it up by incorporating dried fruit? Your guests’ taste buds will be tantalized with these recipes below. They incorporate dried fruit for a boost of flavor that will be a perfect pairing with your holiday meal.

Mango Ginger Sauce
Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple slices in juice
1 (5 ounce) bag Sunsweet Philippine Grown Mangoes, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup mango nectar
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice

Instructions
Drain pineapple juice into a small saucepan. Dice pineapple and add to saucepan with remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Serve warm with ham, roasted pork, poultry or seafood.

Brie with Berry Sauce
Ingredients
1 (5 ounce) bag Sunsweet Antioxidant Blend
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 thin lemon slices
1 cinnamon stick
1 wedge Brie cheese, let sit at room temperature for one hour

Instructions
Stir together Antioxidant Blend, juice, honey, lemon and cinnamon in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes; let cool to warm and remove lemon slices and cinnamon stick. Cut Brie in half, lengthwise, and spoon berry mixture between halves.

2. Time is essential
Keep shopping simple. Grocery stores are crazy during the holidays. There’s no sense in traveling to several stores to find exotic ingredients; plan a menu that takes standard, easy-to-find, but still healthy ingredients, like Sunsweet Plum Amazins, which are perfect for adding to your favorite recipes because the dried plums are already diced!

3. Snack healthier
The aromas of holiday cooking can fill a house, and can also start a symphony of growling stomachs. And let’s face it; your guests won’t be the only ones reaching for a handful of snacks to quell their bellies. To keep the munching healthy, replace bowls of candy with a variety of dried fruit. Sunsweet offers a sweeping portfolio of products from an antioxidant blend to dried apricots and cherries. If you’re craving chocolate, look for PlumSweets; A combo of dried plums and decadent dark chocolate, without the guilt. Searching for more suggestions? Check out Sunsweet’s Facebook page for additional recipes, sweet tips and festive deals this holiday season for a chance to receive free products, cookbooks or a subscription to a cooking magazine.

4. Avoid food allergies
Keep everyone happy. Make sure you check with your guests about possible food allergies and phobias, and then plan a well-rounded menu that keeps everyone happy and not hungry. And while eggnog may be your holiday beverage of choice, make sure to provide multiple options for your guests.

5. Entertaining and having fun
When it comes to preparing your feast, think of things you can do ahead of time to avoid extra stress. Speaking of the day of, don’t forget to be a guest at your own party. The dishes can wait; they will be there when everyone leaves. Surround yourself with good friends and good food, and make sure to set aside time to enjoy them. You worked hard to bring everyone and everything together.

With these tips, you’ll be sure to keep this year’s feast fun and fancy-free.

The post Helpful Tips for Holiday Entertaining, Including a Sweet Surprise first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Since you’ll likely be spending a great deal of time in the kitchen baking cookies and preparing delectable feasts for the holiday season, you’ll want to have the right tools on hand. Why not save precious time and energy with a high-performance blender that can do it all? Entertaining can be easy this season with the Vitamix Professional Series 500.

Featuring three convenient pre-programmed settings for hot soups, smoothies and frozen desserts, the Professional Series 500 makes hundreds of recipes and helps home chefs make gourmet meals like the pros. The machine’s superior pulse feature offers greater control in processing to create a variety of textures, and its full-range, variable speed control allows for flexibility and creativity.

The Professional Series 500 is much more than a blender. It can actually replace several appliances in your kitchen, saving valuable countertop space. This multi-functional kitchen essential is easy to clean and is equipped with a commercial-grade 2+ peak horsepower motor that generates blade speeds up to 240 mph.

It really can be simple to cook for the holidays with very little stress or mess. With a simple and tasty recipe, a festive and scrumptious holiday celebration is within reach with just the flip of a switch.

Holiday Squash Soup
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 5 Cups

Ingredients:
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 buttercup or butternut squash, cooked, peeled or 2 cups cooked squash or pumpkin
1/4 small onion, peeled
1/4 medium apple
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions:
To cook butternut squash easily, split the squash in half vertically, scoop out the seeds and place flesh side down on a lightly greased baking pan. Pierce the skin and bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Cool and scoop out flesh.

Place all ingredients, except the heavy cream, into the high-performance blender in the order listed and secure lid. Blend until smooth. Add in heavy cream and blend an additional 20 seconds.
Note: This recipe can be reduced by half and made in smaller containers.

The post Blend up a No-fuss, Festive Recipe for Holiday Entertaining first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

“A beautiful tablescape doesn’t have to be costly,” says Target Style Expert for Home and HGTV designer Sabrina Soto. “Layering in key holiday trends to your everyday pieces can be a cost-effective way to create a one-of-a-kind dinner table.”

Soto, together with celebrity TV chef and Target culinary partner Giada De Laurentiis, offer the following tips for creating a festive, yet affordable holiday setting.

Set a Beautiful Foundation
Instead of feeling compelled to use traditional red and green hues, any color combination can be the basis for a festive table, says Soto. She favors soft, season-less colors for decorating with added touches of gold and silver, which work with any color scheme and interior aesthetic. You can use everyday dinnerware, but create a holiday feel by adding glamorous metallic chargers, chic beaded placemats or napkin rings.

Add Elegance with a Striking Centerpiece
Centerpieces are the focal point of an elegant table but don’t need to be expensive to be beautiful. A single silver or metallic accessory can increase the glam factor of your centerpiece or try clustering several accessories for a sparkling effect. Polish up grandma’s old silver vases or purchase some inexpensive mercury glass items such as hurricane or votive candle holders – the season’s hottest trend.

A crystal vase for the centerpiece can elevate the table’s elegance quotient. Fresh flowers can be pricey during the holidays; Soto suggests filling the vase with small glass ornaments. Mixing mirrored ornaments with fresh pine cones or seasonal fruit can make for a festive yet sophisticated decorative piece.

Plan a Stress-free Menu
A beautiful table sets the stage for an evening of delicious food and warm conversation. Plan ahead and prepare most of the food in advance, rather than trying to cook everything at once. You’ll feel less stressed and will be able to enjoy the party.

“Try to leave only one item for last minute prep – this brings everyone into the kitchen and sets the tone for a cozy, comfortable evening,” says De Laurentiis. “I prepare most dishes in my Giada De Laurentiis ceramic bake ware because it can go directly from the oven to the table, and still look great.”

To further simplify the menu, De Laurentiis suggests selecting foods that can be served at room temperature. Try a red pepper or basil cheese cake that can be made ahead of time, and will be fine sitting out before the party even begins. While foods like fish or shrimp are delicious, they are hard to keep fresh if you are serving food buffet-style.

By combining beautiful pieces that you love with classic elements, anyone can create an exquisite look for the holidays. For more holiday decorating ideas and affordable design that will add elegance to any table, visit Target.com/Christmas.

The post Chic Holiday Entertaining for Less first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

In the south, cooler temperatures make this a great time of year for gardening and outdoor entertaining. For northerners, winter brings snow sports and indoor activities. Regardless of your region, you can decorate for the approaching holidays by bringing the beauty of the outdoors in. Use natural elements from the yard and garden to create a festive decor to not only recycle nature’s bounty, but also perk up your home for winter entertaining.

Outside
In the north, annuals and perennials are done for the year. But, there are still plenty of other ways to add color and interest to an outdoor space. After removing all the remains of the summer flowers, take a long look at the remaining landscape and add focal points.

Is the front door the main area of interest? Feature a lovely evergreen with a light dusting of snow. Solar landscaping lights in containers work great next to the front door with a spot light angled to accent that beautiful tree. Want the apartment balcony to express a festive spirit? Set the mood and accent the desired focal points by incorporating other creative lighting. Try a string of festive lights across the balcony and evergreens in decorative pots.

Live evergreens of every size and shape are abundantly available in most areas at this time of year. You  can easily plant them in yards in warmer regions, or pop them into a container to be placed on the front steps or along the walkway to welcome guests.

Many types of these evergreens are available in most home improvement stores nationwide. Add your own lights for a personal touch. Create your own topiary form by using chicken wire to structure a simple cone shape. Then, simply tuck in some moss or a few branches of greenery. Ask for some discarded branches that have been trimmed from Christmas trees at the local nursery or tree farm. Place your topiary in a large pot and wrap with twinkle lights to welcome guests to the front door. Come spring, transplant these trees in the yard with Miracle-Gro Garden Soil.

Inside
Invite guests with fragrances of the season with well-placed potpourri or bits of cut evergreens. Pair the freshly cut boughs of evergreen with holly to accentuate the celebratory atmosphere of the season. Wire them together to make a garland with florist wire or tape. Then, place on the mantle, hang over the banister or use as a centerpiece for a table. Incorporate fruit such as apples, oranges, lemons, limes or pomegranates into garlands or floral arrangements for a fresh, fruity twist.

Use elements from nature that are unexpected for a splash of creativity. Dried flowers can simply be tucked into the boughs of a Christmas tree for an extra pop of festivity. Nuts are for more than just snacking; add them to the decorating mix for a surprise. Drill holes through acorns, walnuts or pecans and string them into a woodsy garland. Do not forget to use potted plants for decorating as well. Small live herbs trimmed in topiary forms can easily add a festive feel and fragrance to your home. Potted plants also make great hostess gifts and provide a beautiful bloom all year long.

This holiday season, do not leave the beauty of the garden outside. Welcome guests indoors with bits of the outdoors as fabulous decor.

The post Garden Accents for the Holidays first appeared on The How Do Gardener.