How you doin’? Sheet Pan Mediterranean Crispy Chicken is a beloved Middle Eastern dish that combines a bold contrast of Mediterranean flavors thrills… bright with sumac and lemon, yet full of earthy, warming spices like cumin, cinnamon and allspice. It’s also one of those showstopping platters that, with just a little forethought, you can make on the average weeknight. It is the king of sheet-pan dinners.
 
It works best to start the marinade process early in the morning. The marinade is a simple combination of lemon juice (fresh is better), olive oil, garlic cloves and spices. There is no chopping, mincing and dicing or fussing. Six to eight hours in the marinade gives the chicken plenty of time to soak up all that flavor. When ready to cook, just toss it in the oven and then use the roasting time to prepare all the garnishes and pour a glass of wine.
 
The chicken comes out of the oven unbelievably juicy with a deep golden brown color and crispy skin. Serve it on a platter of warm (grilled or toasted) crusty bread to sop up all the flavorful pan juices. To fully enjoy, pull off hunks of the bread and fold them around the deeply aromatic chicken, crunchy toasted pine nuts and pungent red onions. It is perfection in every single bite.
 
Prep time:  15 minutes
Marinate time:  6 to 8 hours (overnight is great)
Cook time:  40 to 45 minutes
Yield:  4 servings
 
Ingredients 
2 to 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on whole chicken legs and thighs
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1-1/2 tablespoons crushed sumac
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground  black pepper
1 red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 warm loaf crust French, sourdough or rustic bread
4 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
3 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
2 fresh lemons cut into 8 lemon wedges, for serving
 
Directions

1. Using a chef’s knife, score the tops of the chicken legs and thighs diagonally, about 1-inch apart.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic cloves, sumac, cumin, cinnamon, salt, allspice, and black pepper.
3. Add in the chicken and mix to coat the chicken.
4. Add in the red onions, cover with plastic wrap, and marinate in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours or up to overnight.
5. About 30 minutes before cooking, remove the chicken from the refrigerator.
6. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
7. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and light coat with olive oil.
8. Transfer the chicken and onions to the sheet pan. Roast for 40 to 45 minutes or until the chicken is dark brown, the juices run clear, and the skin is crispy. Use an instant thermometer to check the finished internal temperature--165⁰ to 175⁰ F. on an instant-read thermometer.
9. Cut the bread into thick slices and coat with olive oil and minced garlic and toast or grill.
10. Spread the toasted bread on a serving platter, and place chicken legs and onions on top. Garnish with the pine nuts and parsley.
11. Serve hot with lemon wedges.

Store:  Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
ChefSecret:  I like to make this dish with cubed, roasted potatoes. Just place the potatoes right next to the chicken pieces and see how they absorb all the wonderful roasted jus.

Quip of the Day:  Q. What do you call a chicken who’s a little different? A. Eggs-centric!

Do you have a question or comment? Send your favorite recipes, pictures or thoughts to [email protected]. Recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, 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, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Entrees #Chicken #SheetPanIQ #MediterraneanCrispyChicken #Potato #Lemon #SheetPanDinner #2025 #QuarantineKitchen #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse
                                                              ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025

How you doin’? Peking duck is a dish from Beijing that has been prepared since the Imperial era. The meat is characterized by its thin, crispy skin, with authentic versions of the dish serving mostly the skin and little meat, sliced in front of the diners by the chef.
 
Ducks bred especially for this dish are harvested after 65 days. They are blanched, pumped (with a bicycle pump), dry hung and seasoned before being deep fried. It is a massive undertaking. My recipe cuts the time and mess down considerably. Instead of 3 days’ work you can do the home version in just a few short hours.
 
The meat is often eaten with spring onions, cucumber, and hoisin or duck sauce, with pancakes rolled around the fillings.
 
Prep time:  45 minutes
Passive time:  1 hour 30 minutes
Cook time:  1 hour 30 minutes
Yield:  6 to 8 servings
 
Ingredients 
2 (5-1/2 pounds each) large roasting ducks, innards and wing tips removed
6 quarts of chicken broth
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon Chinese Five Spice (I prefer The Spice House 5-spice mix)
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon 5-spice seasoning
 
Directions

1. Unwrap the ducks and allow them to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
2.  With a fork, prick the skin without piercing the meat. This will allow the fat to drain off while the ducks cook.
3. Meanwhile, in a very large stock pot that can hold the 2 ducks, heat the chicken broth with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and 1 tablespoon of 5-spice seasoning until it boils.
4. Add the whole ducks very carefully and bring the stock back to a boil. If there isn’t enough stock to cover the ducks, add the hottest tap water to cover.
5. If the ducks float to the top, place a plate on top to keep them immersed.
6.  When the stock comes back to a boil, lower the heat and simmer the ducks in the stock for 45 minutes.
7. When the ducks are finished simmering, skim off enough duck fat from the top of the stock to pour a film on the bottom of a 14 X 18 X 3-inch roasting pan. This will keep the ducks from sticking when they roast.
8. Carefully take the ducks out of the stock, holding them over the pot to drain. Be careful not to break the skin.
9. Place the ducks in the roasting pan, pat the skin dry with paper towels, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon of 5-spice inside and out.
10. Allow the ducks to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the skin to dry.
11. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 500⁰ F. (Be sure your oven is very clean or it will smoke!)
12. Roast the ducks for 30 minutes until the skin starts to get crisp. The interior temperature should be a minimum of 165˚  F.
13. Remove the ducks from the oven and allow them to rest, covered with aluminum foil, for 20 minutes.
14. Carve and serve warm.

ChefSecret: This classic Chinese Five Spice mix unites the five flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory. Based on the traditional philosophy of balancing yin and yang, Chinese Five Spice complements fatty meats like pork belly, goose and older, large fatty chickens.

Quip of the Day:  I work with a Chinese guy called Kim and one time at a work function, we were having a drink, and I said to him, “Kim, do you ever get fed up with us Westerners saying that all Chinese people look the same?”  He replied, “Kim’s at the bar getting drinks, I’m his wife.”
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, 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, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.
 
#Entree #Dinner #PekingDuck #RoastDuck #TheSpiceHouse #5-Spice #HolidayRecipes # 2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
 
                                                                                   ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

How you doin? Okay, this recipe isn’t going to win a beauty contest or even the front cover of Bon Appétit or even Mad magazine—but My Conglomeration Casserole (my mother’s name) might not be pretty, but it is tasty, great for a busy-night and a kid-friendly meal. The prep time is generally limited to how fast your can opener works and how hard it is to unwrap your meat. The big bonus is that it is a complete one-pot meal!
 
The history of casseroles is long and detailed. The word "casserole" comes from the French word casse, which means "pan" or "ladle". Casseroles may have originated as communal pots shared for family meals. Early recipes involved pounding and pressing rice into a dish and filling it with a savory mixture and baking it.
 
The oldest written casserole recipe is from 1250 and is for pasta sheets layered with cheese and spices—sounds a little like lasagna. Thomas Jefferson's daughter, Mary Randolph, prepared a pasta dish like a casserole that was served at the White House, no less. Casseroles became more popular due to the introduction of oven-proof cookware and canned and boxed foods. Casseroles were a simple, quick, and inexpensive way to feed a family. Recipes for casseroles began to appear on the backs of all kinds of food packaging. Casseroles are still popular today, with recipes and ingredients that vary by kitchen and even cuisine. 
 
Prep time:  10 minutes
Cook time:  20 minutes
Yield:  4 to 6 servings:
 
Ingredients 
1 pound lean ground beef (80/20)
1 (7.25 ounce) package macaroni and cheese mix
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup whole milk
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen diced carrots
1 teaspoon seasoned salt or to taste (I prefer Lawry’s)
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
 
Directions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the fat before proceeding.
2. Stir the pasta and cheese mixture from macaroni and cheese package into beef.
3. Stir in the tomatoes, milk, peas, corn and carrots.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the macaroni is tender, about 12 minutes.
5. Season with seasoned salt.
6. Stir 1/2 of the Cheddar cheese into dish to melt.
7. Top with remaining cheese.
8. That’s it—you’re done and it’s ready to serve.

ChefSecret:  To make this recipe, I used Kraft-Macaroni and Cheese with the creamy cheese paste.

Quip of the Day:  My former wife’s idea of a surprise meal was to remove all the labels off the cans.
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Do you have a question or comment?  Send your thoughts to [email protected]. 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, 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, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Entree #Casserole #GroundBeef #Veggies #OnePanDinner #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
 
                                                                             ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

How you doin’? Most families have a designated turkey-carver at Thanksgiving—and the knowledge and skill set often lives exclusively in that person’s head—that would be me. I was invited to one friend’s house for Thanksgiving asking me to be there at 10AM.  I soon realized I was invited over to cook Thanksgiving dinner including stuffing, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie.
 
But I digress… passing on the secrets of creating a holiday dinner can feel like a well-deserved rite of passage. Picture you’re at the head of the table, knife in hand, and all eyes are on you as you make your first slice into that big, beautiful turkey.
 
But the truth is, anyone can carve a turkey. (Well, anyone who can safely handle a knife.) In my turkey-carving syllabus, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, so no one at the table will know you’re a newbie—by which we mean, they’ll be blown away by your deft knife handling skills. Even if you’ve carved a turkey before but are feeling a little rusty, this guide will help you brush up on your skills.
 
A few tips from the Perspectives’ Test Kitchen before you begin:

• Make sure your knife is nice and sharp. It’ll make the whole process much easier. It is safer to cut with a shape knife than a dull one.
• If the turkey is too hot to touch when you go to carve, let it cool a few minutes longer. It’s also okay to take breaks as you carve to keep your hands comfortable.
• Removing the legs and wings from the turkey requires a bit of muscle, but don’t panic. Just take it slow and keep carefully pulling and pressing as you slice downward (watch your fingers!). The legs and wings will come off — we promise.
• Don’t toss all of the remaining bits of the turkey carcass once you’re done carving! Instead, divide them into gallon freezer bags and stash them in the ole icebox so you can make stock for all your winter soups and stews.
• And finally, consider adorning your turkey platter with garnishes, like fresh herbs, cranberries, and orange slices. That’s not really a carving tip, but it will make you look super chef-y — and your expertly carved turkey all that more impressive.

                             Here’s How to Carve a Turkey: Step-by-Step
 
Tools: You’ll need a very sharp carving knife or chef’s knife and a steel for sharpening the knives.
 
Ingredients 
1 roasted turkey any size
 
Directions

• Remove the cooked turkey from the oven and let it rest on the counter for 20 minutes. The turkey will still be quite hot, so handle it with care when carving.
• Transfer the turkey to a large cutting board with grooves, a lip or a towel to catch the juices. Position the turkey with the breast facing you and the legs facing away from you.
• To remove the legs and thighs: Pull one leg away from the body of the turkey and place your knife on the crease between the leg and the body. While continuing to pull carefully, slice down behind the thigh and along the body of the turkey.
• When you hit the joint, firmly pull and press the thigh downward until it’s loosened from the body. You might have to muscle through it a bit. Slice through any remaining meat, following the contour of the body, to fully remove the leg and thigh without breaking it. Repeat with the other leg and thigh. Set both pieces aside.
• To remove the breasts: Find the center “Y” bone, which runs along the top of the turkey’s chest. Place the blade of your knife just to one side of the “Y” bone. Slice downward and toward you, creating a deep, clean cut. Keep your knife where it is and slice downward, following along the rib cage. This will remove the breast completely while keeping the skin intact. Repeat with the remaining breast and then set both half breasts aside.
• To remove the wings: Pull one of the wings away from the body of the turkey and towards you to loosen it. You might have to muscle through it a bit. Slice through the remaining meat, while pulling, to fully remove the wing. Repeat with the other wing. Save the wings and turkey carcass for making stock, if desired.
• Place one breast on a clean cutting board. Starting from the narrowest end of the breast, on the diagonal, slice into half-inch thick pieces, being careful to keep the skin intact. Transfer all of the slices to a warm serving platter. Repeat with the other breast.
• Place one of the legs and thighs on the cutting board. Find the crease between the leg and the thigh. Slice along the leg until you find the joint where the leg bone and thigh bone are connected. Carefully slice between them, separating the leg from the thigh. Repeat with the remaining leg and thigh. Place the legs on the platter.
• On the diagonal, slice the thigh meat into half-inch pieces, just like you did with the breasts. Place the slices on the platter.
• Serve warm with turkey gravy and all your favorite sides.

ChefSecret:  Another way to cook a turkey is the spatchcock method which makes  the juiciest, crispiest roast turkey cooked in a fraction of the time it usually takes to cook a whole turkey. If you've never tried it, spatchcocking is easier than you might think! By removing the backbone and flattening out the bird, you'll reduce cooking time and make carving a whole lot easier, too! Once you try it, you might never go back.

Quip of the Day:  Q. Did you hear about the turkey that plays baseball?  A. It covers first baste.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. 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, 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, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.
 
#Entree #TurkeyCarving #HowToCarveATurkey #ThanksgivingRecipes #2024Recipes #HappyThanksgiving #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
 
                                                                                ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

How you doin’? Thailand is a beautiful country populated with beautiful people. It is one of my favorite vacation places. There is so much to do (and buy) in Bangkok. I love the day flea markets for fun things and crafts and the night markets for great street foods.
 
I usually stay in one of the up-market hotels in Bangkok for a couple of days and then I love going to one of the outer islands for a laid-back vacation. Rayavadee Resort, on the edge of Krabi's National Marine Park at the heart of the stunning Phranang , perfectly blends lush foliage, limestone cliffs, white sand beaches and the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea.
 
The resort's award-winning architecture and tropical landscapes were inspired by the  atmosphere of a southern Thai village. Rayavadee's beautiful two-story pavilions and beachfront villas are spread over 26 acres of coconut groves, their spacious interiors and décor providing unsurpassed comfort. This is where I first discovered Thai Street Food Chicken Meatball Salad.
 
Filled with traditional Thai flavors like garlic, lemongrass, fish sauce, and cilantro, this dish is a little bit like eating a spring roll with peanut sauce—but in salad form. I like making this fresh, flavorful meal ahead of time and eating it on busy nights. Just keep the lettuce and sauce separate and assemble it all when it’s time to eat. Prepping it ahead of time makes it a great option for warmer nights, too. What a great way to have a satisfying meal without having to turn on the oven.
 
Prep time:  20 minutes
Chill time: 15 minutes
Cook time:  12 minutes
Assemble time: 10
Yield:  4 servings
 
Ingredients 
1 pound ground dark meat chicken
1 large egg
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon minced lemongrass
1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
1 tablespoon granulated sugar or palm sugar
1 tablespoon grated garlic, divided
2 teaspoons  grated ginger, divided
2 teaspoons minced Thai chili
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon tamari or light soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon sambal oelek
1 head butter lettuce, rinsed and roughly chopped
1 grated carrot
1/2 thinly sliced English cucumber
 
Directions
To make the meatballs

1. In a large bowl, add the ground chicken, egg, panko, cilantro, lemongrass, fish sauce, sugar, 2 teaspoons of garlic, 1 teaspoon of ginger and the minced Thai chili. Mix with a rubber spatula until well combined.
2. Form the mixture into 8 4-ounce balls and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
3. Refrigerate the formed meat balls for 15 minutes.
4. In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the meatballs, turning them occasionally, until they are well browned and register 165º on an instant-read thermometer, about 8 minutes. Set them aside.

To make the dressing and assemble the salad

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, 3 tablespoons of water, the tamari, brown sugar, rice vinegar, lime juice, sambal, remaining 2 teaspoons garlic and 2 teaspoons ginger until smooth.
2. In a large serving bowl, toss together the butter lettuce, grated carrot and cucumber slices.
3. Top with the chicken meatballs and drizzle with peanut dressing.
4. เพลิดเพลิน. Enjoy.

ChefSecret:  Try a different protein by substituting chopped shrimp for ground chicken.

Quip of the Day:  My African American friend hooked up with a girl from Thailand...
It was strictly a black-Thai affair.
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Do you have a question or comment?  Send your thoughts to [email protected]. 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, 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, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.
#Entree #ChickenMeatballSalad #PeanutButter #ThaiMarkets #Bangoko #Krabi #Rayaveedee #NationalPeanutBoard #NPB #Dinner #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
 
                                                                                ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024