Ancient Feast

 Scholars from the University of Pennsylvania Archeology Museum found King Midas!  As the artifacts in his tomb in central Turkey were studied, the researchers realized that no one washed the dishes after the funeral feast.  Remains were analyzed.  With the help of a chef, they determined that mourners ate lentil and lamb stew (along with something similar to pita bread), and drank something that seemed to be a cross between ale and mead. If you want to try these dishes for yourself, use the link below.  Near the top of the page, click Feast Recipes.  Yes, Midas really lived.  And, now you can eat like a king!

http://www.penn.museum/sites/Midas/served.shtml

(I guess they didn't feast on left-overs like we're doing with our turkey!)

Thanksgiving Food Safety

Alice has put a lot of good information on foods and nutrition on the Lancaster County Extension web site.  Here is an example.

 Thanksgiving Food Preparation Tips- 2010

  

 

Alice Henneman, MS, RD, UNL Extension in Lancaster Co.

"Heap high the board with plenteous cheer and gather 
to the feast, And toast the sturdy Pilgrim band whose 
courage never ceased."
~Alice W. Brotherton

Thanksgiving is a special time for giving thanks and focusing on
family and friends. If you're hosting or thinking about hosting
a Thanksgiving meal at your house, the following links may
be helpful.

NOTE: Turkey meat will be safely cooked when the 
internal temperature reaches 165° F; however, 
the meat may still be slightly pink. Some people 
prefer cooking turkey to a higher temperature 
(whole turkey to 180°F in the innermost part of 
the thigh; turkey breasts to 170° F in the 
thickest part) for meat that is more well done.

 

Quick links to specific sections

1. Planning ahead for Thanksgiving Day
2. Where to call for help on Thanksgiving Day
3. How to prepare a turkey
4. Food safety questions
5. Carving a turkey
6. How to make turkey gravy
7. Stuffing
8. Pumpkin pie & other desserts (includes egg safety)
9. Tips for traveling safely with Thanksgiving foods
10. Recipes for leftover turkey
11. Preparing meats other than turkey
12. Kids' Corner (T-giving coloring sheets, games, jokes)

Where to Call for Help on Thanksgiving

Toll-free USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline
The hotline will be staffed with food safety specialists on  
Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time 
to answer your turkey questions.
For food safety questions year round, you may speak with 
a food safety specialist — in English or Spanish — 
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays.

Call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at:
1-888-MPHotline
1-888-674-6854
Or send an Email to: mphotline.fsis@usda.gov 

Have a Blueberry

A 4-year-old was coloring a picture while I was talking to her mother one day last week.  The little girl asked her mom if she could color the glass blue.  Mom replied that there is probably some blue thing to drink.  I said it would likely have blueberry juice in it, and asked the little girl if she knew what blueberries look like.  She said no, so I described them to her, ending by commenting that they are yummy.  She asked me if I had any, and I said, "Yes, at home."  The response:  "You have to give them to me!  It's called sharing."