Chef Tim Says....

For the next week I'll be taking time off from the Dr. Gourmet Newsletter. We are putting the finishing touches on enhancements to My eatTHISdiet, and we're really excited about the upgrades that are in store. You asked and we listened to what is needed to make this work even better for you.

In the mean time we'll be running some of my favorite columns from the past.

I hope that you have a happy and a safe holiday.

Eat well, eat healthy, enjoy life!

Timothy S. Harlan, M.D.
Dr. Gourmet

Poultry Safety

Unfortunately, in this day and age you have to be very careful when handling poultry. The estimates by the CDC of contamination with bacteria are of real concern.

Use the freshest turkey possible. If there is any odd odor don't use it. Don't let it stand out on the counter or put it in water to thaw if it is frozen. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Rinse the turkey thoroughly in cold water prior to preparing it. Only cut it on a plastic cutting board and wash the cutting board, your hands, and your knives in soapy water as soon as you are finished. This reduces the risk of spreading the bacteria to other foods.

Cooking thoroughly is the key to good handling. Use a small instant thermometer to check for the right temperatures. Whole turkey should reach 180°F in the thigh or 170°F in the breast. The recommendation is similar for pieces of cut turkey.

Try My eatTHISdiet!

My eatTHISdiet is Dr. Gourmet's newest version of his popular diet plan. This free and easy to use meal planner can help you create two-week meal plans for your entire family. It'll even make use of the leftovers!

Use it to lose weight or just eat healthier with Dr. Gourmet's delicious and healthy recipes. On Coumadin®? Lactose intolerant? Have GERD / acid reflux? My eatTHISdiet will create a plan for you, too! Get started on My eatTHISdiet.

Support the New Orleans Firefighters

The New Orleans Firefighters Look Hot 2008 Calendar makes a great gift! For only $20.00 you'll be helping to buy new station house uniforms for the firefighters of New Orleans, most of whom lost everything in Hurricane Katrina.

Hand on Heart

Dr. Harlan's latest cookbook, Hand on Heart, includes several of the recipes from drgourmet.com, plus a few that were developed specifically for the book, like Banoffee Pie! More on what's inside.