… from the Perspectives’ Kitchen ![]() How you doin’? What is New Orleans all about? New Orleans is world-renowned for its distinct music, Creole and Cajun cuisines, unique dialect, and its annual celebrations and festivals—most notably Mardi Gras… this year starting with Fat Tuesday on March 4th. The historic heart of the city is the French Quarter, known for its French and Spanish Creole architecture and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street. The city has been described as the most unique in the United States, owing in large part to its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage. New Orleans is a bustling port city on the Gulf where the mighty Mississippi river greets the commerce of the world. Founded in 1718 by French colonists, New Orleans was once the territorial capital of French Louisiana before being sold to the United States by Napoleon in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. New Orleans in 1840 was the third-most populous city in the United States, and it was the largest city in the American South from the Antebellum era until after World War II. So, what is it about New Orleans that makes it so special? It’s the excitement, the people and the great food. The food has a wonderful mix of harmonious cultures—Cajun, Creole, African, French, Native Americans (Chitimacha), British, Italian, Irish, Polish and American. Gumbo is a spicy, thick stew made with chicken, sausage, seafood, and vegetables, including okra; it is traditionally served over rice. The origins of gumbo go back to the West Africans who were brought to the colony of French Louisiana. West Africans used okra to thicken stews made with meat and shrimp. As a matter of fact, the word for ‘okra’ in West Africa is ‘ki ngombo’ and in French, it’s ‘gombo’. Over time French, Native American, Caribbean, Creole, and Cajun influences created the different varieties of gumbo: thick and thin, with or without tomatoes, with seafood, chicken, or sausage, and with or without okra. Thanks to kitchen technology—the Instant Pot—it doesn’t take long to make it. My Instant Pot Gumbo is a quintessential New Orleans dish that is hearty, satisfying, flavorful and perfect for a crowd. This all-time favorite can be made with a variety of meats and seafood. The one pictured was a light seafood gumbo made with sausage, shrimp, lobster and crawfish (more on crawfish in the ChefSecret below). It truly tastes amazing when served over rice. Prep time: 10 to 15 minutes Cook time: 20 to 25 minutes Instant Pot cook time: 4 minutes (allow 10 minutes to get up to pressure and another 10 minutes to cook the shrimp) Ingredients 1/2 pound shrimp peeled and deveined 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning or Cajun seasoning 1/2 cup olive oil + 2 Tbsp extra for sautéing 1/2 pound Andouille sausage or smoked sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite size pieces 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup diced red onions 1 cup diced green bell pepper 1 cup diced celery 2 tablespoons minced garlic 4 cups chicken broth (for seafood gumbo, I used 3 cups broth, 1 cup clam juice and 1 cup Champagne) 1 teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or, to your taste) 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon salt or to taste 2 teaspoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons lemon juice 2 bay leaves (small) or 1 large 2 cups frozen okra, sliced in thirds 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes or 2 cups freshly chopped tomatoes 1 pound uncooked whole crawfish (optional) 1/4 pound chopped lobster meat (optional) 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions (green parts only) Chopped parsley to garnish Directions
ChefSecret: Some recipes suggest cooking the roux in the Instant Pot, I don’t. My Instant Pot is prone to getting a HOT or BURN message. I recommend cooking the roux on the stovetop and adding it to the inner pot after the broth. The darker the roux, the more intense the flavor of the gumbo. Be sure not to burn the roux, so keep stirring constantly especially as it gets darker. One of the things I really love about gumbo is anything goes. For the pictured recipe I deleted the chicken and added lobster meat and crawfish as noted in the ingredient listing. The precooked crawfish were a mistake. I got all the flavor, but the meat was barely noticeable. Next time I’ll just get a half dozen or so crawfish and use them as a garnish on the top. You can also add fresh clams and crab meat for more seafood flavor. Quip of the Day: “Being trapped in a car with a talkative child is like having an insane parrot glued to your shoulder.” ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers? 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. #Entrees #Dinner #NewOrleans #BigEasy #Gumbo #InstantPotGumbo #InstantPot #FatTuesday #MardiGras2025 #MardiGras #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025
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…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen![]() How you doin’? Instant Pot Mongolian Beef is a delicious dish made with flank steak with a dark flavorful sauce. The beef is tender, and the sauce is thick and rich… perfect to serve over rice. Legend has it that when the Mongol Empire was at its peak, almost 1,000 years ago, it was Genghis Khan and his army that gave us what we now know as Mongolian Beef. At the end of a long hard day of battle, the Mongols would make a large fire and use their shields as grills, as the Mongols believed that food should never be cooked directly on fire. With a freshly slaughtered cow or yak, they would use their swords to turn the meat and even eat with. They had brought along garlic and onions on their battles to help season and flavor the meat, along with a special sweet sauce that only the Mongols knew how to make. We know this is just a ‘legend’, but it’s a lot more fun than the actual truth behind Mongolian Beef (spoiler alert, it doesn’t come from Mongolia, neither does Mongolian BBQ). Regardless of the origin, it’s still one of the top selling dishes in Chinese restaurants. Mongolian beef is a dish from Taiwan consisting of sliced beef, commonly paired with scallions or mixed vegetables and is not particularly spicy. As noted above, Mongolian Beef is often served over steamed rice or in the US, over crispy fried cellophane noodles. It is one of those staple dishes in American Chinese restaurants. Despite its name, the dish has nothing to do with Mongolian cuisine. For some reason Mongolian beef is among the meat dishes developed in Taiwan where Mongolian barbecue restaurants first appeared… beef grilled over basins of charcoal or gas-fired grills. None of the ingredients or the preparation methods are drawn from traditional Mongolian cuisine but from basic Chinese-American cuisine. A variation—Mongolian lamb—substitutes the beef with lamb (same ingredients and prep and cooking times). Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Yield: 6 servings Ingredients 3 tablespoons corn starch 2 pounds flank steak, cut across the grain in 1-inch wide strips 2 tablespoons cooking oil, canola, peanut, other neutral oil 8 cloves garlic, pressed 1 tablespoon ginger, minced (or 3 teaspoons powdered) 3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons rice wine (mirin), or sherry or rice wine vinegar 3 teaspoons toasted sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, (or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper) 3/4 cup water, divided 5 green onions, chopped in 1-inch pieces 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds To thicken the sauce 2 tablespoons corn starch 2 tablespoons cold water Directions
ChefSecret: A lot of dishes in China had Mongolian in the name, but they were in no way related to Mongolian culture. So Mongolian beef is nothing more than a Taiwanese stir-fry! Quip of the Day: 不怕慢,就怕站 (bù pà màn, jiù pà zhàn) ------------------------------------------- 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. #Entrees #Dinner #MongolianBeef #Beef #FlankSteak #InstantPotMongolianBeef #InstantPot #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen![]() How you doin’? Sometimes when I’m preparing dinner for many people, every one of my burners is occupied and both my ovens are stuffed. I’ve run out of room! What’s an overly ambitious chef to do? Get out the Instant Pot and plug it in. With my handy-dandy Instant Pot I can both cook and hold while everything else is occupied. A large bowl of classic mashed potatoes makes any meal a little better. I hate to admit it, but my mother came from a long line of mashed potato and cranberry forgetters when preparing a large meal. A familiar cry heard each Thanksgiving was, “Where are the mashed potatoes!” This could mean one of three things:
This always bummed me and everyone else out. I mean, we’re talking mashed potatoes here! What could be more important to a holiday or even a family dinner? So, I set out to change my family’s mashed potato legacy. Thankfully, it was pretty easy. My secret to great mashed potatoes—the Instant Pot. Instant Pot mashed is seriously good. And thanks to the “keep warm” setting, you never have to worry about serving cold mashers. Now, if only you can get the gravy right! Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Yield: 8 servings Ingredients 1-1/2 cups water 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk, warmed 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 teaspoons kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper (optional) To keep warm 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature 3 tablespoons half-and-half or whole milk Serving options 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter Directions
ChefSecret: Mom used to forget the gravy, too. I have a second 6-quart Instant Pot just for the giblet gravy. The only thing I have to be concerned about is tripping a breaker! Storage: Leftover mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Quip of the Day: Q. What did the angry potato say during an argument? A. You better be careful or I’ll mash you! ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers? 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. Looking for something specific? Check out the search feature to make it easier to navigate through our blogs. ------------------------------------------- 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. #SideDishes #MashedPotatoes #InstantPot #InstantPotMashedPotatoes #2025Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen![]() How you doin’? The lowly lentil is a legume that has been sustaining man and woman for thousands of years. Although they are relatively inexpensive, lentils are very nutritious, filling and more importantly, arguably the most flavorful of all the legumes. Lentils grow in pods that contain either one or two lentil seeds. Sometimes smaller than the tip of a pencil eraser, lentils can be round, oval or heart-shaped disks. Known as dal or dahl in India, lentils are dried after harvesting and may be sold whole or split into halves, with the brown and green varieties being the best at retaining their shape after cooking. When halved, dried lentils resemble their split pea cousins. Lentils originated in the Near East or Mediterranean areas and have been a source of sustenance since prehistoric times. They are the oldest pulse crop known to man and one of the earliest domesticated crops. Lentil artifacts have been found on archeological digs on the banks of the Euphrates River dating back to 8,000 B.C. and there is evidence of the Egyptians, Romans and Hebrews eating this legume. Lentils are also mentioned several times in the Bible; one example is in the book of Genesis and the story of a hungry Esau, who gave up his birthright for a bowl of crimson lentils and a loaf of bread. Lentils have been a necessity for people struggling with food insecurity or a delicacy for members of the upper class. While those Catholics who could not afford fish during the season of Lent substituted lentils, lentils graced the tables of peasants and kings alike as a tasty and plentiful source of protein. In Greece, this legume was favored by low-income communities while in Egypt it was fed to royalty. Go figure. Today, there are hundreds of varieties of lentils, with as many as 50 or more cultivated for food. They come in a variety of colors, with red, brown, and green being the most popular. Lentils have an earthy, nutty flavor, and some varieties lend a slight peppery touch to the palate. Even though it is still quite hot in many areas, this special after Labor Day soup is perfect for the upcoming fall season and is a particular favorite of Joan’s. Using an Instant Pot, this delightful soup can be on your table in about 30 minutes. Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 27 minutes Total time: 32 minutes Yield: 6 servings Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup diced Vidalia onions (sweet onion) 1 cup diced purple onions 1 cup diced carrots 2 cups diced celery 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1-1/2 cups green lentils rinsed and picked over for rocks (or red color for a little excitement if you prefer) 32 ounces beef broth (or use vegetable broth for vegetarian version) 2 cups water 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon ground thyme 2 bay leaves 2 tablespoons tomato paste Directions
ChefSecrets:
Quip of the Day: Q. How do you address an audience full of dried seeds? A. "Ladies and lentil-men...." ------------------------------------------- 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. #Soup #Entree #InstantPotRecipe #InstantPotLentilSoup #Lentils #VidaliaOnions #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 ... from the Perspectives’ Kitchen ![]() How you doin’? It’s not hard to be green especially if it’s key lime green—Key Lime Pie. Key lime pie is an American dessert consisting of a graham-cracker or chocolate wafer crust, an egg custard (primarily egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and key lime juice) and a topping of either whipped cream or meringue. The sweet and tart pie originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 19th century. The use of canned sweetened condensed milk is an essential ingredient because fresh milk and refrigeration were uncommon in the isolated Florida Keys until the 1930s. There are numerous variations of the dessert, and a nontraditional twist is the chocolate-dipped key lime pie sold on a stick in Key West. Key Lime Pie—named the official pie of Florida in 2006—is found in restaurants throughout the Florida Keys although the same cannot be said of the tart key limes. The small yellowish orbs have not been commercially grown in the Keys in decades, mostly because of damaging hurricanes and citrus canker, a plant disease. I use a hybrid Key Lime found in mesh bags in the produce section of upscale stores. Though the limes are still occasionally grown privately, even in backyards, many pies are made with imported Key Limes or pasteurized bottled juice. Prep time: 30 minutes (include baking the crust) Instant Pot cooking time: 30 minutes Natural release time: 15 minutes Cool time: 2 hours Chill time: 3 hours Yield: 1 9-inch pie serves 5 to 6 people Ingredients For the pie crust 1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 20 crackers) 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled For the key lime pie filling 1 tablespoon key lime zest 1/2 cup key lime juice 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 4 large egg yolks 2 tablespoons cornstarch For the key lime pie topping 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup sour cream 1/2 tablespoon key lime zest for garnish Directions To make the crust
Quip of the Day: “When you’re dead you don’t know you’re dead… all of the pain is felt by others. The same happens when you’re stupid.” ------------------------------------------- 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. #Baking #InstantPot #KeyLimePie #KeyLimes #KeyWest #2024Recipes #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 |
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