It is very important not to let cooked poultry sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.  Having paid for a food poisoning bill that left my husband hospitalized a week, I can tell you food poisoning is not fun.

You have to get the Mama says, “No More Frozen Pizza!” cookbook. This is the coolest cookbook I have ever owned. This cookbook has 24 nutritious recipes that are designed for new cooks! Now, the first thing that makes this cookbook unique is that it is in the shape of an order out pizza box. It looks like a pizza. When you open the box, you will be for a surprise. I know I was! Each recipe is on paper that is shaped like a pizza (circle). You can easily go in there and grab the recipe you want. The first thing you see is a picture of a pizza. When you flip it over, there is a nice little forward about the book. Plus, there is also some advice: “All we ask is that you wipe off the recipe cards before you store them, do the dishes within one week’s time, and send a “thank you” not to whomever sent you this recipe box. Oh, and call your mother once in awhile”.
Now, each recipe card is pretty unique. There is a picture one side of the card, and all of the recipes look absolutely delicious. When you flip the card over, it tells you what the recipe is, how long it takes to make, and how many it will feed. They also have an ingredient list, how to make list (preparation), and equipment. I have to giggle that under equipment they include things like a can opener, large knife, and large frying pan with lid.

There are several awesome recipes we will trying this next week are Dad’s Special Meat Loaf, Italian Roasted Potatoes, and Southwest Chicken Soup. These easy to make recipes are perfect for new cooks (and not so new cooks) with limited time and limited budgets.

For those of you who don’t know, I love chocolate.  I often like to post about chocolate.  I recently found out that chocolate is actually good for me.  Did you know . . . .

6 squares of dark organic chocolate taken at one time with a glass of red wine monthly helps with anti wrinkle assistance or

4 squares of organic milk chocolate 4-5 times a week helps with osteoporosis or

4 squares of dark organic chocolate helps with memory loss?

To quote the site:

The Chocolate Therapist also includes a brief history of chocolate, instructions on “how to eat chocolate properly,” chocolate recipes, an appendix with information on the glycemic index and weight loss, websites on where to find healthy chocolate, sugar-free chocolate, Gelt chocolate, international chocolates and much more. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll be happier, healthier and eating chocolate guilt free every day.

Now, this makes the perfect Christmas gift for any chocolate lover you know (including yourself), because not only do you get The Chocolate Therapist Book, but you get the chocolate too (and the chocolate is excellent)!  Who can resist that?  I love the next time someone asks why I am eating chocolate, I can show them the studies showing how good it is for me and hopefully whip out some of the chocolate trivia I have learned (like did you know that the higher quality of chocolate, the louder it snaps when you break it?).

All events are in Chicago unless noted:

Latin Cuisine - Macy’s is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Latin and Spanish cuisine with area chefs.  It is free on Friday and Oct. 1 at 111 N State St.  Please call 312-781-4884 for more information.

Autumn Cooking - Jeff Muldrow is teaching an autumn cooking class. $65.  Friday at 6:30 pm at Va Pensiero, 1566 Oak Ave, Evanston.  Please call 847-475-7779 for reservations and more information.

Kids Can Cook - Kids from 7 - 11 years old can learn to make dinner in a hands-on cooking class.  $40.  6-9 pm on Friday at Sunset Foods, 835 S Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest.  Please call 312-752-2206 to register.

Sweet Treats - Learn to cook pies and tarts with Joy Shields.  $40.  7 pm Tuesday night at Beverly’s Pantry, 1907 W 103rd St.  Please call 773-238-8550 to register.

European Adventures - Dominick Kwentus is teaching a 4 week course that cover Italian, Spanish, French, and German cuisine.  $192 for nonresidents and $160 for residents.  This will be held Oct. 1 - 22 at 6:30 pm at The Depot, 401 Thatcher Ave., River Forest Park District.  Please call 708-366-6660 for more information.

Mastering risotto - Daniel Tucker shows you how to make the perfect risotto.  $10.  Oct. 2 at 6 pm at Room 21, 2110 S. Wabash Ave.  Please call 312-328-1198 to register.

Teaching organics - The Organic School Project is hosting a benefit and silect auction supporting its outreach services.  $50.  Oct. 2 at 6 pm at The Golden Triangle, 330 N Clark St.  Please call 312-924-0195 for tickets and more information.

Pizza - Learn to make artisan pizza dough with Jonathon Fox.  $30.  Oct 4th at 11 am at 59 W. Grand Ave.  Please call 312-329-0400 to register.

Halloween Fun - Susan Maddox is teachinga hands on Halloween and Spooky Treats Class for ages 8 and older.  $45.  Oct. 5 from 10 am - 1 am at Le Titi de Paris, 1015 W Dundee Rd., Arlington Heights.  Please call 847-506-0222 to register.

Most cookie doughs can be prepared in advance, covered airtight, and refrigerated for a week.