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Cooking clean: A reliable energy source can help create nutritious meals

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(Family Features) With many people focused on achieving a cleaner and healthier lifestyle, taking actionable steps such as recycling, using less hot water and eating nutritious foods can help lower your carbon footprint. Another step for a clean lifestyle: cooking with an environmentally friendly, clean energy source like propane.

Propane is already powering more than 12 million homes with reliable energy people can count on. Plus, gas-powered cooktops are preferred by 96% of professional chefs, including nutritionist and chef Dean Sheremet of “My Kitchen Rules,” who partnered with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) to educate homeowners on the benefits of cooking with gas.

“There is a lot of misinformation about cooking with gas in the news,” Sheremet said. “It’s important to remember, the act of cooking itself impacts indoor air quality, regardless of the energy that powers the stove. Having a qualified technician install and perform regular service for the stove, maintaining proper ventilation using a hood or opening doors or windows and following common sense safety measures can ensure the safe use of any stove.”

Because ventilation when cooking is key, it’s important to note that cooking with propane results in lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than electric cooking, on average. That’s because more than 60% of electricity production comes from natural gas or coal generation plants, which release more CO2 emissions as part of the generation process.

Beyond the environmental benefits, propane-powered cooking appliances provide convenience, modern design and performance in kitchens, allowing home chefs to prepare healthy meals for their families in a short amount of time. Sheremet values the efficiency of a propane cooktop when creating nutritious meals like Skirt Steak with Salsa Verde and Spaghetti and Clams, which can be whipped up in minutes using a clean energy source.

“Chefs, and parents like me, prefer gas for a variety of reasons,” Sheremet said. “My son, Atlas, is often in the kitchen when I’m cooking, and we know sometimes kids don’t listen when we tell them to not touch a pan or the stove. Propane cooktops allow for greater control of heat levels and their instant flame turnoff capabilities help them cool faster than traditional electric stoves, which can remain dangerously hot for a period after they have been turned off.”

Learn more about cooking with propane and find recipes from Sheremet at Propane.com/ChefDean.

Do’s and Don’ts of Cooking with Gas

Cooking with a reliable and environmentally clean energy source like propane can take your home chef skills to the next level. However, there are steps to take to ensure safety while maximizing the benefits of cooking with your gas range.

Do:

  • Follow the manufacturer’s installation and operating instructions.
  • Keep pot handles turned inward to protect against accidents like knocking the pot off the stove or little ones reaching for the handles.
  • Keep the range surface clean.
  • Keep flammable materials away from burner flames.

Don’t:

  • Do not cover the oven bottom with foil as it can restrict air circulation.
  • Never use gas ranges for space heating.
  • Do not allow children to turn burner control knobs.

Do not leave food unattended on the cooktop.

Spaghetti and Clams

Recipe courtesy of chef Dean Sheremet on behalf of PERC

  • Salt
  • 8-12 littleneck or other small clams in shell, scrubbed
  • 1/4 pound spaghetti noodles
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2-1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 dried red chile pepper
  • 1/3 cup vermouth or white wine
  • 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
  1. Bring large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Soak clams in cold water.
  2. Add spaghetti to boiling water and cook until slightly underdone. In large saucepan over medium-low heat, add olive oil, garlic and chile pepper. Saute gently, reducing heat, if necessary, so garlic does not brown.
  3. Add vermouth and clams; cover. Clams should open in about 2 minutes. Add hot drained pasta, cover and shake pot gently. Simmer 1-2 minutes until spaghetti is cooked to taste.
  4. Discard unopened clams. Add half the parsley and shake pan to distribute evenly. Transfer to plate or bowl and sprinkle with remaining parsley.

Skirt Steak with Salsa Verde

Recipe courtesy of chef Dean Sheremet on behalf of PERC

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 thinly sliced scallions
  • 3 tablespoons capers, drained and roughly chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided
  • 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, divided
  • 1/4 cup pistachios
  • 1 romaine heart
  • 1 radicchio
  • 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
  1. Whisk olive oil, vinegar, scallions, capers, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour about 1/3 of dressing (about 1/3cup) over steak and turn to coat.
  2. Add parsley and 1 tablespoon mint to reserved dressing; stir and set aside until ready to use. Cover and refrigerate steak 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
  3. In small saute pan over medium heat, toast pistachios, tossing often, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
  4. Set grill to medium-high heat or heat grill pan on stovetop over medium-high heat. Grill steak about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and rest 10 minutes.
  5. Cut romaine hearts lengthwise into quarters. Arrange romaine and radicchio in layers on large platter, leaving room on one side for steak. Sprinkle with goat cheese, pistachios and remaining mint.
  6. Slice steak into 3-inch pieces then slice against grain to cut steak into wide strips. Add sliced steak to platter. Drizzle reserved dressing on romaine and steak.


SOURCE:
Propane Education & Research Council

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Create showstopping holiday meals with recipes featuring premium pork

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(Family Features) If you’re wondering what to serve for a delightful holiday meal, look no further than pork – a perfect match for festive menus as it’s easy to prepare, versatile, budget-friendly and pairs well with seasonal ingredients.

With flavorful, mouthwatering recipes like Apple Cider Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin and Stuffing-Filled Pork Chops, Coleman All Natural Meats offers trusted premium pork sourced from American farmers who humanely raise livestock with no antibiotics ever and no added hormones. All its pork is made of Heritage Breed Duroc, which is known for its tenderness, superior marbling, juiciness and flavor.

These elevated, seasonal pork recipes offer a delicious and unexpected twist your friends and family will love at your next holiday gathering.

For more recipe inspiration, visit ColemanNatural.com.

Apple Cider Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin

Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cook time: 45-60 minutes
Servings: 6

  • 1 Coleman Pork Loin (4 pounds)
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Glaze:

  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar glaze
  • 6 tablespoons whole grain mustard
  • 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon minced rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon minced sage
  • 1 teaspoon minced thyme
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4-6 sliced apples
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F and line sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Remove pork from packaging and pat dry with paper towel. Season all sides with salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. To make glaze: In bowl, whisk apple cider vinegar glaze, mustard, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, sage, thyme and garlic. Add salt and pepper, to taste. In steady stream, slowly add olive oil to emulsify while whisking.
  4. In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sear pork loin 2-3 minutes on each side.
  5. Move pork to lined baking sheet and brush on about half the glaze. Roast 30 minutes.
  6. Remove pork from oven and spread sliced apples around pork loin. Brush remaining glaze over pork and apples. Bake 20-30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 150 F.
  7. Let pork loin rest at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Stuffing-Filled Pork Chops

Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cook time: 30-45 minutes
Servings: 6

Stuffing:

  • 1 small box biscuit mix
  • 1 stick butter
  • 2-3 stalks finely diced celery
  • 1 finely diced onion
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1-2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 bag cornbread stuffing mix
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 6 Coleman Natural bone-in or boneless pork chops
  • oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced sage
  • 1 teaspoon minced thyme
  • 1 teaspoon minced rosemary
  1. To make stuffing: Bake biscuits according to package directions 1 day ahead. Dry biscuits will absorb more broth.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  3. In skillet, melt butter then add celery and onions. Saute until onions are translucent then add poultry seasoning and half the broth. Set aside to cool.
  4. In bowl, combine stuffing mix, crumbled biscuits and eggs.
  5. Add onion mix to bowl and mix well. Add leftover broth if mixture is too dry. Set aside.
  6. Slit each chop on rounded side, cutting almost through to bone, to create deep pockets for stuffing.
  7. Season chops with garlic, sage, thyme and rosemary. Fill each chop with stuffing mixture. Use toothpicks to keep chops closed.
  8. Preheat skillet with oil over medium-high heat and sear each chop 2-3 minutes on each side.
  9. Once chops are seared, add remaining stuffing to pan, cover with foil and bake 30-45 minutes until chops reach 140 F in center. Remove foil for last 10 minutes to brown top of stuffing, if desired.


SOURCE:
Coleman Natural Foods

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Transform holiday leftovers into vibrant, flavorful meals

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(Family Features) Once your holiday feast comes to pass, you’re almost certain to find your refrigerator stuffed with leftovers. However, that doesn’t mean you want to eat the same meal again and again in the days that follow.

The star of many seasonal celebrations, turkey can be reused in a variety of post-holiday dishes to cut down on food waste and create fresh new meals your whole family can enjoy. Featuring a unique blend of 100% natural chili peppers, lime and sea salt, Tajín pairs perfectly with turkey, making it a go-to for creative leftovers.

Gone are the days of simply reheating turkey and stuffing or making a turkey sandwich. Instead, reinvent your holiday extras through fresh takes on classic dishes like this comforting Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie or spicy Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos.

For more holiday recipe inspiration, visit tajin.com/us.

Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie

Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

Biscuits:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Turkey Pot Pie Filling:

  • 1/2 cup turkey fat
  • 1 1/2 cups diced onion
  • 1 1/2 cups diced carrots
  • 1 1/2 cups diced celery
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
  • 1 tablespoon diamond crystal coarse salt
  • 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
  • 8 cups cold turkey stock
  • Tajín Clasico Seasoning, to taste (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 6 cups leftover cooked turkey, chopped
  1. To make biscuits: In mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cream of tartar.
  2. Grate butter and mix with dry ingredients.
  3. Carefully add buttermilk and mix until incorporated.
  4. Fold over 5-6 times, roll out and cut into 10-12 rounds.
  5. Place cut biscuits on floured surface.
  6. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  7. To make turkey pot pie filling: Preheat oven to 375 F.
  8. Heat large pot over high heat and add turkey fat.
  9. Add onions, carrots, celery, bay leaf, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper; gently sweat.
  10. Add 1/2 cup flour and cook 2-3 minutes.
  11. Add turkey stock 2 cups at a time, allowing to thicken before adding more.
  12. In bowl, mix remaining flour with turkey.
  13. Add turkey pot, bring to simmer until thickened.
  14. Add seasoning, to taste.
  15. Add pot pie filling to casserole dish and gently place biscuits closely together on top.
  16. Brush biscuits with melted butter and bake 25-30 minutes.
  17. Remove from oven and cool 10-15 minutes before serving.

Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos

Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 (2-3 tacos each)

  • 4-6 garlic cloves, peeled and separated
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup fresh bitter orange juice or fresh lime juice with fresh orange juice combo
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Tajín Clasico Seasoning
  • 1 cup leftover turkey, shredded
  • 1 cup duck fat, ghee or high smoke point oil of choice
  • 4-6 tortillas

Toppings (optional):

  • pico de gallo
  • pickled onions
  • cilantro
  • pomegranate seeds
  • avocado
  1. With mortar and pestle, crush together garlic cloves and salt, make paste and place in medium bowl.
  2. Stir in juice, olive oil and seasoning.
  3. Fold mojo into shredded turkey meat.
  4. In large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat, melt duck fat and wait until it forms a wave. Add turkey, in batches, stirring often, until meat turns light golden brown, then lower heat to medium. Turn off heat.
  5. Heat up tortillas, place turkey carnitas on top and add pico de gallo, pickled onions, cilantro, pomegranate seeds or avocado as desired.

Note: Once browned in duck fat, carnitas can be stored in the fat overnight and reheated over low heat to melt fat and warm carnitas.


SOURCE:
Tajín

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Punch up your holiday beverage menu

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(Culinary.net) This time of year is all about food and sweet desserts, but don’t forget to quench guests’ thirst with a seasonal sip. This Christmas Cranberry Punch offers a slightly less sweet take on traditional punch so you can add a touch of tart to the beverage cart. Visit Culinary.net to find more delicious holiday recipe ideas.

Christmas Cranberry Punch

  • 1 package fresh cranberries
  • 1 can pineapple chunks
  • 3-4 rosemary twigs
  • 6 cans lemon-lime soda, divided
  • 64 ounces cranberry juice
  • 20 ounces orange pineapple juice
  • 1 orange
  1. The night before, place four cranberries, two pineapple chunks and a few rosemary sprigs in each hole of silicone muffin pan or ice tray. Cover with 1 can lemon-lime soda and freeze.
  2. Chill remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice overnight.
  3. In punch bowl, mix remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice. Slice orange into 5-6 slices. Add lemon-lime soda ice cubes, handful of cranberries and orange slices. Serve.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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