…from the Perspectives’ KitchenHow you doin’? Get ready to wow your Valentine’s taste buds with this delicious Red Velvet Cake Roll! In the 19th century, "velvet" cake, a soft and velvety crumb cake, was introduced and served as a fancy dessert. Up to that point a coarser-crumbly cake was a much more common dessert. Around the turn of the 20th century, Devil's Food Cake was introduced, which some believe is how the Red Velvet Cake came about. The key difference between the two cakes is that Devil's Food Cake uses real chocolate and Red Velvet Cake uses less expensive cocoa. Adams Extract Co. is credited with bringing the Red Velvet Cake to kitchens across America during the Great Depression, by being one of the first to sell red food coloring and other flavor extracts. They advertised by using point-of-sale posters and tear-off recipe cards. When food ingredients were rationed in the US during World War II, bakers used boiled red beet juices to enhance the color of their cakes. Even today, I often use minced red beets in my chocolate cakes for the red hue and to retain moisture. The cake was originally made famous at New York City's famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, known as the Waldorf-Astoria Cake, however, it is widely considered a Southern recipe. Red Velvet Cake may also have roots in black culture and is sometimes considered to be a soul food in the South. The cake is often used in Juneteenth celebrations to honor the fight against slavery. Traditionally, Red Velvet Cake is iced with a French-style butter ermine icing which is very light and fluffy, but time-consuming to prepare. Cream cheese or buttercream frostings are variations that have increased in popularity and complement the cake. Similar to Hershey’s Red Velvet Cake, this cake roll recipe also calls for cocoa powder to produce a moist, chocolaty flavored cake tightly rolled into a Swiss log with rich cream cheese filling. Follow my easy step-by-step instructions below on how to make a perfect Red Velvet Cake roll from scratch to impress your friends, family, or maybe even that very special person. Prep time: 30 minutes Bake time: 12 minutes Cool time: 1 hour 30 minutes Chill time: 1 hour Yield: 1 cake (10 to 12 servings Ingredients 1/4 cup powdered sugar 4 large eggs, separated 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus 1/3 cup, divided 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons red food color (1-ounce bottle) 1/4 cup water 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 2 teaspoon powdered sugar (for dusting) 1/2 cup chocolate syrup (optional) raspberries or strawberries for garnish (optional) Directions
ChefSecret: To make the Cream Cheese Filling, beat the following ingredients together:
Quip of the Day: My relationship status? In a committed relationship with red velvet cake! ------------------------------------------- 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, 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. #Dessert #ValentinesDayDessert #Valentine #RedVelvetCakeRoll #RedVelvetCake #RedVelvet #Hersheys #Cocoa #JellyRollCake #JellyRollPan #2024 #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024
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...from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour BarHow are you doin’? Valentine’s Day is just 5 days away. Are you tired of waiting patiently for cupid to show up and shoot his love arrow? Maybe you need a little liquid courage? As the lyrics to song Love Potion #9 go: I took my troubles down to Madame Rue You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth She’s got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine Sellin’ little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine I told her that I was a flop with chicks I’ve been this way since 1956 She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign She said “What you need is Love Potion Number Nine” She bent down, turned around and gave me a wink She said “I’m gonna make it up right here in the sink” It smelled like turpentine, it looked like Indian ink I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink I didn’t know if it was day or night I started kissin’ everything in sight But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine Love Potion #9 was written in 1959, and made famous by The Clovers in 1964, 60 years ago. I am not guaranteeing that this cocktail is a love potion, because it sure didn’t smell like turpentine or look like Indian ink. I can assure you I did not have to hold my nose while I drank it. Nope this is a sweet-tart little drink, which may work on that certain somebody that needs a little nudge or two or three…. or shove. So mix it and serve it up this Valentine’s Day and give it a shot. Get it? A shot—you know like cupid with his arrows (now that’s funny!). Keep me posted on your winning results. Prep time: 5 minutes Yield: 1 cocktail Ingredients 1-1/2 ounces vodka 1/2 ounce peach schnapps 3 ounces pink grapefruit juice 1 strawberry Directions
ChefSecret: Love Potion No. 9 is a 1992 American romantic comedy film starring Tate Donovan and Sandra Bullock. The film takes its name from the 1959 hit song, "Love Potion No. 9". The story is about a love potion, which enables a person to make people of the opposite sex become completely infatuated with them by simply talking. Quip of the Day: Q. How do chefs show their love? A. They whisk you off your feet! ------------------------------------------- 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, 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. #Cocktail #HappyHour #ValentinesDay #LovePotionNo9 #Vodka #PeachSchnapps #GrapefruitJuice #Cupid #Cheers #HappyHour #2024 #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 …from the Perspectives’ KitchenThis Valentine’s Surprise Brownie Kiss Truffles recipe is easy to make and easier to love. With fudgy brownie on the outside and Hershey’s Kisses Vanilla Frosting on the inside. The candy hidden on the inside will surprise your guests and even yourself with how delicious they are. Bookmark this recipe because you can customize every batch with your favorite toppings like seasonal sprinkles, coconut flakes or chopped nuts. You can also use another flavored Kiss to make every bite a surprise. Prep time: 25 minutes Bake time: 35 minutes Cool time: 2 hours Yield: 36 truffles Ingredients 1 pan fudgy brownie from mix or your favorite brownies recipe (13 x 9 x 2-inch) 36 Hershey's Kisses Vanilla Frosting Filled Milk Chocolates 1 cup roasted finely chopped nuts of your choice, lightly toasted sweetened coconut flakes, sprinkles or nonpareils for rolling. Directions
ChefSecret: You can mix up your flavor of Kisses and the crumbles coating the outside of your truffle to suit any holiday or celebration or just your own whims. Storage: Store truffles in a closed container in your refrigerator for up to 7 days. Quip of the Day: Let’s seal our love with a Hershey’s Kiss. ------------------------------------------- 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, 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. #ValentinesSurprise #BrownieKissTruffles #Hershey #BrownieTruffles #HappyValentinesDay #2024 #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 … from the Perspectives’ Holiday Happy Hour BarHow you doin’? Something tells me that you are scheming about New Year's Eve right now. You're plotting out a damn good time, and you want to know if there's something you can do with champagne besides drink it by the fluteful. The answer is YES! There is quite a lot you can do with champagne besides the obvious. There are any number of champagne cocktails that you can create to fit the mood. The following champagne cocktail recipe—or sparkling wine recipe (we’re not sticklers to the rules) will help you celebrate the victories big and small. Starting a new year is certainly a win, but so is meeting up with your mom for brunch or making bubbly cocktails for a game night with friends. There's no occasion too small for a champagne-and-something. When in doubt, use a dry brut champagne. And point the cork away from your loved ones' eyes and faces. Picture this for your New Years festivities—Flutes of Champagne cocktails are passed out by the armful on New Year’s Eve, but a more interesting flute is one with the addition of aromatic bitters and a sugar cube. This champagne cocktail—The Original Champagne Cocktail—twists the traditional just the right amount. Ingredients 1 sugar cube 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters Brut Champagne Fresh lemon twist Directions
ChefSecret: I like to use La Perruche rough cut cubes of pure cane golden brown sugar which are appreciated by foodies for their traditional shape and authentic taste. La Perruche origins date back to the 19th century in Nantes (then a major port for agricultural commodities from the Americas); they are a renowned producer of premium sugar. Quip of the Day: I’m gonna order a pizza from Dominos five minutes before the new year and when they arrive, I will say, “I ordered this a year ago!” Then I’ll get it free. ------------------------------------------- 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, 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. Wishing you all a Fantastically Happy New Year! #Cocktail #HappyHour #Champagne #ChampagneCocktail #AngosturaBitters #LaPerruce #SugarCube #HappyNewYear #Cheers#Holidays2023 #2023 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 From the Perspectives’ Holiday Happy Hour BarHow you doin’? I want to talk about Eggnog—not the store bought stuff—the eggnog you make yourself. It’s really not that hard. Eggnog is a holiday staple that has been gracing glasses for centuries. It’s made of eggs, cream, sugar, spice and a spirit, but within that definition lies a lot of room for experimentation. Eggnog can be consumed hot or cold. Some people make it with bourbon, some with rum, while others choose cognac or sherry or a combination of spirits. Many recipes suggest shaking the ingredients with ice, while others treat the drink more like a baked good, enlisting bowls, whisks and spatulas to whip and combine eggs. There’s not one right way to make Eggnog, but if you’re going to follow someone’s lead, you might as well follow my lead—I’ve been doing this for years. My Eggnog recipe features a split between bourbon and spiced rum. The ingredients are simple—spirits, eggs, sugar, milk and cream—but the procedure requires a few steps. Egg whites and yolks are separated and mixed with the other ingredients, then eventually combined, yielding a fluffy, richer version of the drink. Make a batch for the holidays as a sweet and creamy treat for yourself and your guests. This recipe yields 12 servings, so once the punch bowl is filled, set out cups and a ladle, and then sit back and relax. Your job is done. Prep time: allow 20 minutes Yield: 12 servings Ingredients 6 large, pasteurized eggs, separated (you can buy pasteurized eggs in most grocery stores, or you do it yourself—see the ChefSecret below) 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided 8 ounces bourbon 4 ounces spiced rum 1 quart whole milk 1 pint heavy cream Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick Directions
RAW EGG WARNING Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of food-borne illness. ChefSecret: How to Pasteurize Eggs
Quip of the Day: Q. Why are Christians boycotting eggnog this year? A. They heard that if you drink it, you become eggnostic. ------------------------------------------- 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, 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 #FestiveEggnog #Eggnog #Bourbon #Rum #MerryChristmas #HappyNewYear #Cheers#Holidays2023 #2023 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 |
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