I love turkey as much as the next person, but sometimes when I’m entertaining I want to show off my cooking chops. We all get into that culinary holiday rut of turkey, ham and beef roasts. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with those! But there are other entrees that are delicious, unique and could become your new holiday tradition. These are featured in my book, The Age Beautifully Cookbook.
Pork shoulder is pretty tough, so I like to start this dish the night before and let it cook slowly overnight. This method will tenderize any tough cut of meat. The balsamic sauce can be made at the last minute. This is a perfect dish for a buffet dinner.
Pork has protein and lysine for building muscle, bone, and blood, and phosphorous for nerve and muscle function. Annatto (achiote) seeds have a very bioavailable form of vitamin E, which helps lower cholesterol and protects the skin from the aging effects of ultraviolet radiation. They also contain carotenoids for healthy eyes.
Ingredients
Serves 10-12
5 lbs. pork shoulder
2 Tbs. rock salt or salt substitute
½ cup Annatto Water
Balsamic sauce
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1½ Tbs. low-sodium soy or tamari sauce
1 Tbs. olive oil
½ Tbs. maple syrup
2 tsp. minced garlic (optional)
¼ tsp. rock salt
⅛ tsp. black pepper
Annatto Water
½ cup annatto or achiote seeds (whole, not ground)
½ cup warm water
Procedure
FoodTrients
Disease Prevention – Reduces risk factors for common degenerative and age-related diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Beauty – Promotes vibrant skin and hair and keeps eyes healthy.
Strength – Builds strength for bones, muscles and joints. Increases bone density, builds and repairs tissue.
Salmon is truly a superfood and it makes a nice, light holiday entrée. This anti-aging recipe is delicious year round. The salmon is poached, which keeps it moist. I favor wild-caught salmon from Alaska.
Salmon has heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, which can also help your brain function better and beautify your skin by reducing cellular inflammation that can lead to skin aging. Ginger and garlic add additional anti-inflammatory power. Apricots have carotenoids, which contain lots of antioxidant power and offer protection against cancer and heart disease.
Ingredients
Serves 2
2 fillets (about 1 lb.) fresh salmon, skin on or off
2 cups water
¼ cup. miso paste
3 Tbs. minced or grated ginger
2 Tbs. crushed garlic
1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 Tbs. honey
½ cup chopped dried apricots, soaked in warm water for 1 hour and strained
Salt or salt substitute and freshly ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup sliced green onions, as garnish
Procedure
FoodTrients
Anti-inflammatory – Reduces the inflammation process in cells, tissues and blood vessels, helping to slow aging and lowering the risk of long-term disease.
Mind – improves mood, memory and focus.
Beauty – Promotes vibrant skin and hair and keeps eyes healthy.
If you’re having a more intimate celebration, this dish makes a stunning presentation!
I like to eat game meats like squab because they’re sure to be free-range and organic. If you don’t have a local source for the squab, you can use two small Cornish hens or 1 large organic or free-range chicken instead. You can use store-bought chicken broth instead of homemade.
Squab, Cornish hen, and chicken have protein and lysine for building muscle, bone, and blood, phosphorous for nerve and muscle function, and B12 for healthy brain and heart. Red rice boasts anthocyanins, the same phytochemicals that make grapes and olives so good for your heart.
Ingredients
Serves 2-4
2 fresh squabs, skin on
2 Tbs. olive oil
Marinade
4 Tbs. low-sodium soy or tamari sauce
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs. Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. sea salt
Dash of white pepper
Stuffing
4 Tbs. olive oil, divided in half
¼ cup diced white onion
½ cup diced turkey bacon
1 cup red or wild rice
4 whole bay leaves
2 tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. white pepper
2½ cups Chicken Stock
3 Tbs. tomato paste
¼ cup diced red bell pepper
¼ cup diced green bell pepper
Procedure
FoodTrients
Mind – improves mood, memory and focus.
Strength –Builds strength for bones, muscles and joints. Increases bone density, builds and repairs tissue.