BUTTERBALL TURKEY BREAST AND COOKING FOR THE HOILDAYS

 I thought I would re-port my Butterball Turkey Breast since I can't mess this up. A few weeks ago my husband came home to find a smokey kitchen and a pan of burnt ground beef. I got sidetracked trying to find a battery for my timer.  My lesson, never leave the kitchen while cooking. I didn't hear the meat cooking but I did hear the BUZZ of the smoke detector. I wish I would have taken a picture of the pan. As they say it was priceless. I think I'll let my husband cook from now on.

I don't cook much at all but one thing I like to cook is Butterball turkey breast. I've served them to my family for about eight years. I remember buying the breast with bone in and it was more than I wanted to deal with. Most of the time I pull the netting off and cook it frozen. Yesterday I cooked it thawed with the netting which stuck to the skin. I thought this isn't good for us with low vision so I called Butterball and they were very helpful. The woman I talked to said she cooks this often. She suggested pulling the netting away from the thawed meat to it won't stick and putting oil and seasoning on it. I'm going to try that method next time. The way I roast it is with olive oil and Shapley's seasoning with is a local seasoning from Mississippi. This is an affordable meal at $10 for the turkey. I've listed their instructions below with their contact information. 

 Thaw in Refrigerator (not at room temperature)

• Place unopened roast on a tray in refrigerator for 1 1/2 to 2 days, or until thawed.
• To thaw more quickly, place unopened roast in cold tap water for 3 to 5 hours. Change water every 30 minutes to keep turkey cold.
• When thawed, keep in refrigerator until ready to cook.

Prepare Roast

• Remove clear plastic netting and package. Refrigerate gravy packet until ready to use. Leave string netting on roast. Drain juices and lightly pat with paper towels.
• Lift string netting and shift position on roast to make removal easier after cooking.
• Cover roast with no-stick cooking spray. Additional basting is not necessary.

Visit our How-to section to learn the best methods for cooking your turkey.

Slow-Cooker Instructions:

• Place THAWED roast, skin side up, flat in 8” diameter slow-cooker.
• Add 1/2 cup water.
• Cover, cook on low 7-1/2 hours to internal temperature of 170 degrees as measured with a meat thermometer.
• After 4 hours, check temperature at center, ends and near top for food safety. Turkey must reach 140 degrees within 4 hours.

Microwave:

• Place THAWED roast in microwave on a shallow microwave-safe tray.

• Microwave at 30% power for 30 minutes, turn roast over. Microwave an additional 20 – 30 minutes on 30% power.

• Remove from oven, wrap in foil, let stand 10 minutes.

• Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Temperature in center of roast should be 165 – 170 degrees. If roast is not done, continue cooking on 30% power checking temperature every 5 minutes.

• Remove netting and slice.

NOTE: Microwave ovens can vary due to wattage, age and line voltage. Time can also vary due to initial temperature of product, size and shape of product, standing time. It is important to test for doneness using a meat thermometer.

1-800-BUTTERBALL (800-288-8372)
Weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time)

HOTELS AND MOTELS

Well we just came home from yet another weekend of soccer.  We went to a tournament out of town. We arrived at our hotel at 1:30 am so there were only a few parking spots left. We parked and headed to our motel room (doors facing the outside) on the second floor. I stepped ont the metal stairs and stool on the landing. Was I drunk or was the floor slanted. No the concrete was slanted to the left or outside. I guess this for drainage. I walked from the original building to the addition. I could tell it was an addition because the floor slopped down like the pitch of the roof-line. Finally I made it to our room. It was a nice clean motel. We left early the next morning for the field but first we grabbed breakfast in the crowned breakfast area. Man were was my cane. I quickly got out of there before I bumped into someone.Later that night we dressed and walked to dinner. I managed ok it was still daylight. Going home was a little tricky with the traffic but my husband helped. When I took a shower that night I noticed the tub was shallow which meant there was a tall step down without a handrail to the floor. I friend arrived the morning after we did and she got a first floor poolside room. To make thing easier I told my husband next time we stay at a hotel or motel we are going to request a room to fit my needs which maybe the handicap room. I would hate to fall again like I did a month ago. Two other weird things that happened were in the parking lot at the game I had the car door open and it started to move. I looked up and someone was backing into the next spot and rubbed our door. At the restaurant I went to the restroom and while I was in the stall the panel next to me moved. Both insistence were on my right/blind side. The panel had come loose. I went and showed the waitress the door so management could address the issue. In this day and time they could get sued over this if someone was hurt as a result. All in all it was a good weekend with soccer and friends.
 

DON'T FALL

I'm so grateful to have only fallen a few times without major injury. I have friend with MS who has vision loss from her illness. She has broken a few bones. I have posted some helpful tips to you won't fall.

As people age, falling is an increasing health hazard. The danger is increased further by impaired vision. However, simple and inexpensive adaptations to one’s home can greatly reduce the chance of falling.

For example:
• Don’t store things in high places that require
use of a step stool.
• Apply non-skid surfaces to tubs and showers.
• Arrange furniture to make wide, clear paths.
• Limit clutter.
• Do not use furniture with wheels.
• Install clap-on/clap-off switches for adjusting
lights while seated.
• Exercise regularly to improve strength and
balance.

The above suggestions come from a video series titled “Preventing Falls by Adapting Your Home” made available by the American Foundation for the Blind.

To view the series, visit www.afb.org/seniors/falls.

Lifeglow
November - December 2009; Vol. 26, No. 6