…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen![]() How you doin’? My new friend, Mark, owns Kiyoshi's Katsu House in Henderson, Nevada. It is a hallmark of true Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry—something you wouldn’t expect in Henderson. His curry sauce is the best I’ve had anywhere, and I have tried a bunch of them. That was the impetus of this recipe—Coconut Chicken Curry. When you think of curry, many instinctively think Indian or Thai cuisine. But curiously enough, no such word exists in the languages spoken on the subcontinent. The closest words you’ll hear are khari or caril, which usually refer to a type of sauce or gravy. The word curry likely came from a “British colonial misunderstanding.” As a result, a wide variety of saucy, spicy stews and ragouts get lumped together under the “curry” umbrella. Nomenclature aside, great curries are foods with maximum flavors and textures. In my recipe below, we have a stew that draws on some typical Indian flavors—think coconut milk, tomato, spinach, lime and fresh ginger. Of course, there’s plenty of curry powder, which here in the U.S. usually contains turmeric, fenugreek, cumin, black pepper, and cardamom. I added a splash of fish sauce for an umami note. All these spices and aromatics blend to create a sauce that turns chicken and potatoes into a rich, satisfying meal. I use jasmine rice as a base for this recipe. It’s a long-grain variety with a light, floral aroma and a soft, sticky texture. Basmati rice, another long-grain variety, is a good substitute, but it does best when it soaks for at least 30 minutes before cooking, so allow time for that in your prep. Serve the curry with naan, the leavened, oven-baked Indian flatbread, which can be used to mop up every drop of sauce. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of making your own naan, use a very fresh grilled flour tortilla or flatbread. I prefer my curries when they have been stored overnight in the refrigerator which allows the flavors of my curry to blossom even more. Any leftovers can be warmed up in the microwave for a quick lunch the next day. Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 25 to 30 minutes Yield: 4 servings Ingredients 2 cups rinsed jasmine rice 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1/2 cup small diced yellow onion 3 small, diced Yukon gold potatoes 2 tablespoons peeled and grated ginger (or 1 tablespoon dry ginger) 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves 1-1/2 tablespoon ground coriander 2 tablespoons curry powder (I prefer Penzey’s Maharajah Curry Powder) 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes with juice 1 14-oz can coconut milk 2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or 1-teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce) 2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar 5 oz spinach (thawed and drained, if frozen) 4 tablespoons toasted sweetened coconut 4 Naan bread or grilled fresh flour tortilla or flatbread (optional) Directions
ChefSecret: In India you don’t find many cooks that have curry powder in their kitchens. Some curries use up to 26 different spices to make their own curry profiles. Each dish has a different profile. I shop for most of my spices at Penzey’s Spice Company. For this recipe I used Penzey’s Maharajah Curry Powder which is sweet and rich but not hot. Use the curry powder that you prefer. Quip of the Day: My wife was furious with me when I told her I put ginger in her curry. She really loved that cat. ------------------------------------------- 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. #Entree #CoconutChickenCurry #Penzeys #Curry #Chicken #Coconut #Dinner #2023Recipes #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023
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…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen![]() How you doin’? Perspectives has worked with two companies that have “exotic” ingredients trying to go mainstream. So I decided to put them both together (along with other ingredients) because the flavors of dates and Castelvetrano olives are too outstanding to keep secret. A date is a stone fruit. It has a single seed surrounded by an outer fleshy fruit (like peaches, mangoes and olives—more on olives later). They’re grown on date palm trees, on date farms where you would normally see coconuts. Just picture a big forest of palm trees with bunches of hundreds of dates! They are the oldest cultivated fruit in civilization. Think back 50 million years and you’ll find dates according to fossilologists. Humans quickly learned about their magic in Mesopotamia and the date has remained popular in that region (Iraq, Middle East, Northern Africa) ever since. Egypt is the largest producer of dates today, followed by just about every other Middle Eastern country. There are about a million and one varieties of dates grown around the world, but in the U.S., you’ll mostly find the plump and tender Medjool Dates. There’s also the slender Deglet Noor Date, supposedly the “Queen of Dates”. The Castelvetrano olive, also known as Nocellara del Belice, is an olive varietal from the Valle del Belice region of Sicily. Famous for its mild, buttery flavor, crisp bite and meaty texture, Castelvetrano olives are popular with both hardcore olive lovers and olive-eating newbies. They are harvested young and unlike other olives, they're not cured. They're simply washed in a lye and water bath for a few weeks until the bitter flavor is removed. Divina Castelvetrano Olives (sold at Amazon) take the top spot for their meaty texture and deliciously buttery flavor, perfect for martinis, other cocktails, snacking and Chicken Marbella with Medjool Dates. Ingredients 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken legs (thighs and drumsticks attached) Kosher salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 10 ounces drained, pitted Castelvetrano olives 3 ounces capers and their brine (small size) 7 Medjool dates, pitted, cut into eighths 7 tablespoon minced garlic 2 dry bay leaves 1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves, plus more for garnish 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 tablespoon date syrup (or honey if you can’t find date syrup) Directions
ChefSecret: The longer you marinate the chicken, the mellower the flavor will be. Quip of the Day: A guy sits down at the bar and orders a Martini with two olives. The bartender gives him the drink, he takes out the two olives, puts them aside on a napkin, drinks the martini, asks for another. By the fourth Martini with two olives, the bartender asks the man "I don't mind, but I gotta ask....why do you ask for a Martini with two olives, then take the two olives out of it?" the man replies "My wife sent me to the store for a jar of olives but the store was closed."------------------------------------------- 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. #Entrees #Chicken #Dates #MedjoolDates #DegletNoor #CastelvetranoOlives #Dinner #2023 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen![]() How you doin’? I don’t know about you but when summer comes, I like to keep meals (indoors or outdoors) simple and safe as possible. Whether you’re hosting a feast or a family dinner, here is a bowl recipe for every type of spring or summer celebration—my favorite Chicken, Black Beans and Veggies Bowls–which just happen to be red, white, blue and delicious! I’ve included my most flavorful no-soak black beans recipe which is a great base for a perfect plant-based foundation to any epic bowl! If you want to cut the cooking time down by hours you can use canned black beans that have been drained and washed. Veggie-filled summer bowls make the perfect presentation for a DIY feast and might just very well be the easiest meal to serve at just about any celebration. Because so many of the ingredients like beans, salsas and toppings can be made in advance of the gathering, there is no need to light the stove. Summer is when fresh produce is at its peak of freshness! The sky is the limit with your toppings, and you should totally reach for it. Think fresh salsa, guacamole and fresh roasted corn. There are almost as many dietary preferences and restrictions these days at a party as there are guests! You can make the dietary equation easier on yourself with a DIY, a la carte bowl bar where guests can help themselves to all that is good and good for them. The recipe below can feed a crowd with minimal effort and can be made well in advance of your gathering. Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 3 hours Yield: 6 servings Ingredients For the black beans 1 pound dried black beans rinsed, picked through any small debris removed 1/4 of a red onion, rough chopped 2 bay leaves 3 sprigs cilantro 1 sprig oregano 3 cloves garlic smashed; peel removed 1- 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt For the roasted veggies 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 bell peppers, thinly sliced 1 white onion, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic minced 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt For the bowl 6 cups cooked rice of your choice 1/4 cup roasted corn 12 cherry tomatoes cut in half 1/4 cup slice bottled jalapeños 1/2 cup diced jicama 1/4 diced Oaxaca cheese 1 cup leftover rotisserie or roasted chicken Fresh-made salsa and guacamole 1/2 cup tortilla strips Directions To make the black beans
ChefSecret: Cooked beans can be stored tightly covered in the fridge for 4 to 5 days or can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Quip of the Day: “What did the tortilla chip say to the avocado when the veggie bowl was empty? Answer: “We’ve hit guac bottom!” ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? 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. #Bowls #Chicken #Veggies #BlackBeans #Rice #Guacamole #Entrees #Lunch #Dinner #OaxacaCheese #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen ![]() How you doin’? One of the best dishes served at my China Rose restaurant were our Lettuce Wraps bursting with complex Asian flavors. They are delicious and a great idea for entertaining or a family-style meal. I know this is a pretty bold claim but China Rose Beef or Chicken Lettuce Wraps that you can make at home are far better than those served in most Chinese restaurants. It may be bold, but it’s true! This Lettuce Wrap recipe is one that took a lot of sweat and tears working at Sea World (the restaurant not the park) in Hong Kong. So, here is the best of my years of trial and error, and lots of taste-testing, to get it just right. To serve, allow each guest to spoon a portion of the meat mixture into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the like a burrito and enjoy! Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Yield: 6 to 8 servings Ingredients 16 Boston Bibb or butter lettuce leaves 1 tablespoon peanut cooking oil 1 pound lean ground beef or ground chicken 1 large onion, chopped 1/4 cup hoisin sauce 3 tablespoons minced garlic 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar 2 teaspoons minced pickled ginger (red ginger, if you can find it) 1 dash Asian chili pepper sauce, or to taste (Optional) 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped 1-1/2 cup chopped green onions (tops and bottoms) 2 teaspoons Asian roasted (dark) sesame oil Directions
ChefSecret: To add a little crunch and make this this dish very special, add 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts. Quip of the Day: Why is lettuce the most loving vegetable? Because it’s got heart and a head. -------------------------------------------------- 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. #Entrees #Appetizers #LettuceWraps #ChinaRose #AsianBurrito #2023 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen![]() How you doin’? I first discovered Casita del Campo when I was working at ABC Television—the older studio at Prospect and Talmage in LA. It was a place the production team and I went to enjoy a south-of-the-border, deliciously authentic Mexican meal—between dress rehearsals and show tapings for General Hospital. It was a place to go lift our spirits and delight our senses for a very reasonable price. Casita del Campo opened in 1962. This was a real West Side Story. The founder, Rudy del Campo had a successful dance career on Broadway and in Las Vegas. He was one of the Sharks in the film version of West Side Story. After the movie, he decided to open the restaurant. It was very modest at first, but over the years has grown to be a delightful Southern California oasis in what has become the uber-hot Silverlake area. At Casita del Campo you can find all your Mexican favorites—mine happens to be Enchiladas Suizas—two chicken enchiladas topped with green tomatillo sauce and melted Jack cheese topped with sour cream and guacamole. One great thing about Casita del Campo is the recipes never change—they taste today the same way they did when I first visited the restaurant years ago. Now you can make a similar dish at home. Serve 2 enchiladas on a plate and surround them with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes. Top with guacamole and sour cream. Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Yield: 6 servings / 9 x 13-inch baking dish Ingredients 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (you can use leftovers or store-bought) 1 cup sour cream 1 (10-ounce) can green chile enchilada sauce, divided (I prefer Las Palmas brand) 1/2 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 1 pinch ground black pepper 1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying tortilla 12 (5 inch) corn tortillas 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese Directions
ChefSecret: It’s a bit more work and a little messy but for more flavorful enchiladas, I dip the fried tortillas into a shallow dish of green sauce before filling. Quip of the Day: “Here’s a thought for you… Save business cards of people you don’t like. If you ever hit a parked car, just write, “Sorry” on the back and leave it on the windshield." 😂 ------------------------------------------- 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. #Entrees #EnchiladasSuizas #CasitaDelCampo #Silverlake #LasPalmas #ChickenEnchiladas #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 |
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