hSafely stuffed

hSafely stuffed
Although it looks like equipment from AutoZone, the Roasting Wand was invented by Richard Sherwin of Lemont to safely and efficiently cook poultry with stuffing: The hollow pipe is inserted into the bird to channel the oven's heat through the cavity. It worked like a charm when the Chicago Tribune tested it with a stuffed roasted chicken: It was done in 11/2 hours, with moist meat and fluffy stuffing. The wand can be adjusted to work with any size bird, including holiday turkey. It comes with a cleanup brush and, while supplies last, a meat thermometer. It costs $18-$20 at select stores, or by mail-order: Call (800) 243-0852 or go online at surlatable.com or roastingwand.com.
Bark if you like chocolate
Good-quality chocolate teams up with a variety of flavors in Harry London's Handmade Chocolate Bark collection. Four flavors are offered, teaming milk or dark chocolate with a variety of nuts (cashew, almonds, pecans) and a peppermint-chocolate version as well. An 8-ounce package costs $10 at specialty stores.
Bubbly 'apearitif'
R.W. Knudsen's Sparkling Organic Pear Juice delivers a fruity, not-too-sweet take on nonalcoholic bubbly. The festive bottle makes it a perfect fit for holiday tables. It could make a fun mixer for cocktails and punches. A 25.4-ounce bottle costs $2-$3.50 at gourmet grocers and health food stores.
Low-carb juice drinks
A Michigan-based company is looking to appeal to people on low-carbohydrate diets with a new line of juice drinks expected to hit stores in January. Old Orchard Brands LLC says the five new drinks will have 75 percent less sugar, carbohydrates and calories than comparable juices. Flavors will be grape, apple, apple kiwi strawberry, apple cranberry and apple raspberry. "There is a growing trend in the food and beverage industry toward offering low-carb products," Michael McDonald, vice president of sales and marketing for Old Orchard, said in a statement.
The new drinks are 25 to 30 percent juice, preservative-free and sweetened with Splenda.