…from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour BarHow you doin’? Long Island Iced Tea is a strange cocktail. It tastes as innocent as all get out, yet it has 2-1/2 ounces of strong booze in every drink—sometimes more depending on the bartender. As other similar tales of bartender lore, Tennessee and New York feud over this boozy drink's origin. No matter which side you're on, it's a bold, but delicious, choice. The closest we’ve come to proper credit would have to be Bob "Rosebud" Butt who we think invented the Long Island Iced Tea on Long Island, in the 1970s. Maggie Lacasse, Director of Communications for Discover Long Island said he created the cocktail as part of a contest while working at the Oak Beach Inn. As we mentioned, the Long Island Iced Tea is a mix of various alcohols, lemon juice and cola. This gives the drink a sweet and tangy taste, with a kick from the alcohol. The cola also gives the drink a tea-like color and a slight bitterness, which is balanced out by the sweetness of the triple sec. You can give my recipe a mix or save the time and bother and let a professional bartender put it together behind the bar. Ingredients For the sour mix 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup granulated sugar 5 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice 3 tablespoons grapefruit juice For the cocktail 1/2 ounce gin 1/2 ounce white rum 1/2 ounce white tequila 1/2 ounce vodka 1/2 ounce triple sec 1-1/2 ounce homemade sour mix OR 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice AND 1/2 ounce simple syrup Coca Cola, to taste Directions To make the sour mix
ChefSecret: Where you can, always use fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juice. Quip of the Day: There are 5 Ps of world class bar service--Pride, Passion, Preparation, Professionalism and Presentation. ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross. Cheers! #Cocktail #HappyHour #LongIslandIcedTea #Rum #Tequila #Vodka #Gin #Cheers #2023 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023
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… from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? There is something about the magic of food in Italy that somehow makes everything tastes better. This is a recipe for Cherry Pound Cake that puts the fruit as the feature of this old family tradition. With a combination of cherries, vanilla and almonds it makes this simple cake perfect for any occasion. What could go wrong? If cherries are out of season substitute with blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or cranberries. I’ve been known to add in a 1/4 cup of chocolate chunks—you can’t go wrong with chocolate chips! Prep time: 25 minutes Bake time: 65 to 80 minutes Cool time: 30 to 45 minutes Yield: 6 to 8 servings Ingredients 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, plus 1 tablespoon (for almonds) 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup Greek yogurt (full fat) 3 large eggs (room temperature) 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1-1/4 teaspoons almond extract 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons, divided 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2-1/2 heaping cups fresh cherries, pitted (see ChefSecret) 1/4 cup sliced almonds 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, for dusting Directions
ChefSecret: Frozen cherries can be used in place of fresh. Thaw completely, squeeze in a kitchen towel to drain any excess liquid and toss in flour before adding to the batter. If using a metal loaf pan, double pan it. Quip of the Day: “If you can’t think of a word say I forgot the English word for it. That way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.” ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross. #Baking #SicilianCiliegiaCake #ItalianCherryPoundCake #Cherries #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 CHOCOLATE CHIP, OATMEAL & YOGURT MORNING CEREAL SUNDAES…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? Are you feeling sluggish, bloated and uncomfortable? Maybe you’re just full of s—t! No, really the causes of constipation are varied and can be the foods you eat or the types of foods you don’t eat. It might be one or more of the medications you take. If you are having bowel movement problems you might want to add some of the foods listed below to your diet to help you poop. You may be surprised to learn that this dreaded personal problem affects 16 out of 100 adults who deal with the symptoms of constipation regularly. This number doubles as you get older. For adults ages 60 and over, constipation is a common symptom in 33 out of 100 adults according to the National Institutes of Health. What can you do? What should you eat? Fiber is part of the solution. The first step is to increase your daily fiber intake. Most whole foods that naturally contain fiber are great choices. These foods also contain vitamins, minerals and numerous other nutrients that are beneficial to the body. According to the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the average daily intake of dietary fiber for adults should be 22 grams to 34 grams. Men, on average, require more dietary fiber than women, or between 31 and 34 grams. Most Americans, however, do not get the necessary amount, just averaging just 10 to 15 grams of fiber a day. That’s just not good enough. You need both soluble and insoluble fiber for healthy digestion. Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as whole grains and vegetables, whereas soluble fiber is found in oat bran, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils and some fruits and veggies. If your diet was previously not high in fiber, slowly incorporate fiber-rich foods so your digestive tract can get better acclimated to dietary change and avoid gastrointestinal distress or gas. Here are some of the foods that are worth adding to your daily meal plans to help stimulate digestion and keep you regular. 1. Water One of the critical fluids required by the body. Water accounts for more than two-thirds of your body's weight and plays an essential role in regular body functions. From keeping you hydrated and lubricating joints to regulating body temperature and ridding the body of waste, water is necessary for the human body to survive. It's especially important in helping relieve constipation and keeping you regular. Your daily water intake depends on several factors including age, activity level, and gender. A good standard to help prevent constipation is about 15-1/2 cups daily for men and 11-1/2 cups daily for women. It can go up from here depending on the amount of time you're exercising or if you’re sweating a lot. A good thing to remember, poop is made up mostly of water! 2. Flax Seeds A rich source of polyunsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acid and soluble fibers, flax seeds are tiny but mighty seeds that provide numerous health benefits, including relief from constipation. A tablespoon of ground flax seeds contains eight percent of the Daily Value (DV) of dietary fiber. It's also a source of iron, potassium, and magnesium, as well as B-vitamins and carotenoids like lutein. For flaxseeds to be beneficial to your body and bowel movements, ground flax seeds are much better at providing nutrients than whole ones, which often pass undigested through the digestive tract. 3. Oatmeal When it comes to your bowels, there's no better way to start the day than with a cup of oatmeal, which contains four grams or 16 percent of the Daily Value of dietary fiber. Oatmeal is a bonus food that contains both soluble and insoluble fiber which helps bulk up the weight and size of your stool, making it easier to pass. Studies have shown that soluble fibers may lower levels of the "bad" LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream and help reduce the risk of heart disease. And that's not all. Oats are a surprisingly great source of protein, offering 5.9 grams or 12 percent of the Daily Value of protein and contain high amounts of iron, magnesium, and zinc. 4. Pears Rich in minerals, specifically potassium and magnesium, which are necessary for muscle contraction and cellular signaling, fresh pears are also a great source of dietary fiber. A single, medium-sized pear offers as much as six grams of fiber. Pears are best consumed with their skins, as they contain several flavonoids that reduce blood glucose levels and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. They are also high in pectin, a soluble fiber that offers prebiotic properties to the human gut. So, no matter the variety, whether it's Anjou, Bartlett or Bosc, adding pears to your diet can help get things moving again. 5. Coffee Known for being a good source of antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid, a cup of caffeine-rich coffee not only helps fight inflammation and reduces the risk of cardiovascular and liver diseases, but it also helps you with your bowel movements—about 30 percent of people find relief when drinking coffee. It gets things moving, and some people even claim this effect from decaf. If you're suffering from irregular poops, brewing yourself a fresh cup of joe just might be the solution for you. However, moderation is key. A study found that while modest caffeine consumption resulted in a decrease in constipation and incidence of colorectal cancer, frequent use had the opposite effect. This is likely related to the dehydrating effects of a high-caffeine diet. 6. Nuts Go nuts! Almonds, pecans and peanuts are all excellent sources of soluble fiber, which the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends eating for children that are dealing with constipation. Adults can benefit from this recommendation, too, as a 200-calorie serving of pecans offers 11 percent of the Daily Value of dietary fiber, as well as five percent of the Daily Value of protein and a lot of minerals and vitamins. In addition to keeping you regular, adding nuts to your diet may help lower the incidence of type 2 diabetes, prevent weight gain, and increase your overall lifespan. They're also a great source of antioxidants like tocopherols, which may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Best of all, nuts are delicious. 7. Legumes From a vegetarian pantry staple to a budget-friendly meal option, the versatility of legumes knows no bounds. Comprised of beans, peanuts, lentils and peas, legumes are not only beneficial for their fiber and protein content but are also low in fat and have a low glycemic index, making them a suitable dietary addition for patients with diabetes. And, when it comes to helping you poop regularly, beans are what's best. Beans are another food that contains that winning combination of soluble and insoluble fiber. These fibers are great for feeding gut bacteria, stimulating digestion and soaking up water as it moves through the body, helping to bulk up your stool and prevent constipation. 8. Prunes Prunes or dry plums provide approximately seven grams of dietary fiber per 100-gram serving. They're also rich in minerals like magnesium, as well as vitamins A, E, and K, which help in everything from muscle contraction and blood clotting to boosting immunity and vision. Researchers published in Clinical Nutrition found that prunes help maintain healthy bowel functions, especially for people with low-fiber diets and infrequent stool habits. Prune juice makes an especially good choice for pregnant women suffering from constipation who may not have much of an appetite. Sorbitol, which is a sugar alcohol typically found in diabetes-friendly sweeteners, naturally occurs in prunes, which is also a stimulate to your bowels. Prunes help to stimulate digestion by helping to move water into the large intestine." 9. Whole Grains Switching from refined grains like white rice to whole ones, such as brown rice, is one of the best ways to help you poop more frequently. The United States Department of Agriculture explains that adding whole grains to your diet can help prevent the occurrence of certain chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Whole grains like whole-wheat pasta, barley and whole-grain breads are not only high in dietary fiber but are also a good source of B vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate, as well as minerals like selenium and iron that help develop the body's immune system and muscles. 10. Fermented Beverages Foods naturally rich in probiotics, such as kombucha and kefir, host helpful bacteria that help improve gut health and the process of digestion, making it easier to pass stools. Kefir, a fermented milk beverage, contains both bacterial and fungal species and helps restore the balance of bacterial cultures in the digestive tract. Not eating enough fiber and not drinking enough water are some of the most common causes of constipation. Taking certain medications (such as Prozac or opioids) and even antibiotics can lead to problems in digestion. Recent studies have shown that probiotics such as kefir can help soften stools, making them easier to pass. Starting your day with Morning Cereal Sundaes makes Jack and Jill a regular guy and gal. Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal & Yogurt Morning Cereal Sundaes Prep Time: 5 minutes Chill Time: 8 hours (overnight) Yield: 1 serving Ingredients 1 container (5.3 oz.) Greek yogurt, any flavor 1/4 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats 1 teaspoon chia seeds 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips Stir-ins (see ideas below) Directions
ChefSecret: Add any desired stir-ins like fresh berries, toasted or raw nuts (almonds are best), bananas, mango, papaya, orange segments, preserved lemon, pomegranate, etc. Quip of the Day: Poop jokes aren't my favorite jokes. But they're a solid #2. ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Do you want to share a with our readers? Send your favorite recipes, pictures or thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. Recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross. #Breakfast #Oatmeal #Cereal #Yogurt #Constipation #Fiber #FoodsThatRelieveConstipation #Prunes #Coffee #WholeGrains #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? There is a new French bakery and café that opened just down the street from where I live. The ladies who own the place are from Lyon. They barely speak English but have wonderful genuine French recipes. Their French almond cream is to die for. I can tell you conversing with them strains my high school French, but I was able to capture this recipe for saving stale bread—it’s called a Bostock. It is a non-discriminating recipe, whether you bake bread from scratch or source from local bakeries or the grocery store. It’s short of amazing how quickly last night’s leftover stale bread which was destined for bread crumbs and croutons is turned into something that puts French Toast for breakfast to shame. Yes, even those sad, day-old croissants that lost their flaky texture can be converted into something magnificent even, better than the original. Leave it to the French to figure out how to take a breadstuff past its prime and elevate it to cult status. Likely originating in bakeries trying to get rid of second-day stale bread, this process of adding a sugar syrup and re-baking with an almond cream topping is a genius way to make almost any stale baked bread rise to perfection again! While traditionally made with thick slabs of bread like sweet brioche, the technique can be used with great success with almost any plain or sweet bread. Ingredients 4 thick slices of stale bread 1 cup granulated sugar 2 cups water 7 ounces almond paste (not marzipan) 2 large eggs 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste 1/2 cup raw slivered almonds Sliced fruit (optional) 1/4 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar (optional) Directions
ChefSecret: If you have a lot of bread left, prepped Bostock can be frozen uncovered in a single layer on a sheet pan and then stashed in freezer bags. Bake straight from frozen, increasing the baking time by a couple of minutes. Any leftover baked Bostock is a great addition to bread pudding. Quip of the Day: Baking is cheaper than therapy. ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross. #Baking #SweetAlmondBostock #Almonds #Bostock #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 …from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour Bar How you doin”? If you are helping to get ready for an after Easter service brunch, my Wicked Wabbit recipe is so easy and refreshing. Sooo, Ready, Set, Get the punch bowl! Almost everyone wants to know what’s in this benign tasting yet wicked punch, and where they can get the recipe! Well, here it is. I originally got it from a bartender who dubbed it as the “3-2-1-1” punch, as this is the ratio of ingredients. Here are the not so secret 3-2-1-1 ingredients that are easy to get and easy to transport to the party location. You can use Simply Raspberry Lemonade as the base flavor. Simply Lemonade has the perfect flavor for this recipe and is the best option. The best part is, set aside a shelf in the frig where you can have all the ingredients for brunch punch cooling until after church—then just pour them all together, in the punch bowl over some large chunks of ice. Look at the ChefSecret for a kid’s non-alcohol version below. Prep time: Allow 10 minutes--that’s all folks Yield: 30 4-ounce servings Ingredients 1 59-ounce bottle raspberry lemonade, Simply brand 34 ounces ginger ale 1 750 ml bottle Bombay Sapphire Gin 24 ounces club soda Garnish with raspberries, mint leaves and lemon slices Directions
ChefSecret: Make it a bit less wicked for young people by leaving out the gin. It’s still a great punch without the wicked buzz. Quip of the Day: What do rabbits say before they eat? “Lettuce pray.” ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well and stay safe. To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross. #Cocktail #HappyHour #WickedWabbitBrunchPunch #EasterPunch #Gin #BombaySapphire #GingerAle #RaspberryLemonade #Cheers #2023 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 |
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