…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen ![]() How you doin’? If you’re bored with the same-old, same-old salads, try adding a tangy twist to your repertoire. This tangy and flavorful dressing has a smooth 'zip' to it because of nutritional yeast and garlic powder. It's a great dressing for salads of any kind. It works great as a dipping sauce as well. Anyone who is looking for something different will definitely enjoy this dressing. The best part is that it takes only minutes to make. Vegetarians will love it for its protein- packed, light, clean taste. Prep time: 10 minutes Yield: 2 cups—16 servings Ingredients 1 cup olive oil 1 cup nutritional yeast (I prefer Bragg) 2/3 cup tamari (gluten-free soy sauce; I prefer Kikkoman) 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1/2 cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons garlic powder 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme Directions
ChefSecret: The lemon juice is the key ingredient to heighten freshness and brightness of flavor. Adding a thin slice of lemon to a sandwich does the same thing. Quip of the Day: “Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds.” ------------------------------------------- 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. #SaladDressing #AsianDressing #Tamari #Bragg #CiderVinegar #VeganDressing #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023
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…from the California Kitchen![]() How you doin’? Lots of chefs are obsessed with creating new, never-before-seen cooking techniques—some of them actually very good. On the other hand, just because something is new and created by a “star” chef doesn’t mean it’s better. Before we moved our offices and test kitchen last year we dismantled our large library of cooking books—many of them were older collector’s items. These were collections of old-school recipes and cooking school techniques that worked well for hundreds of years—and the results today are still absolutely delicious. Take for example the attached recipe for a century’s old Béchamel Macaroni & Cheese. This is nothing like that blue box of Kraft Mac & Cheese which can’t hold a candle to this recipe. Béchamel sauce is the basic sauce of a creamy mac and cheese. It is a silky white sauce made from milk and thickened with butter and flour (no cheese in the basic sauce). It is one of the five “mother sauces” used in French cooking, meaning it is a base used for other, more complex sauces such as Mornay or Alfredo. Béchamel is a sauce traditionally made from a white roux (butter and flour) and warm whole milk. Béchamel may also be referred to as besciamella, besamel, or white sauce (yes, even Aunt Penny’s is a basic white sauce). Basic Béchamel sauce recipes can include salt, pepper and nutmeg as a seasoning base. Basic white sauce was the culinary invention of Duke Philippe De Mornay in the 16th century. He was the Governor of Saumur and Lord of the Plessis Marly. Béchamel Sauce is a variation of the basic white sauce of Mornay. He is also credited with being the creator of Mornay Sauce, Sauce Chasseur, Sauce Lyonnaise and Sauce Porto. One of the oldest recipes goes back a couple of centuries. It is what I consider the mother of all mac and cheese recipes. It is very simply written—start by making a basic Béchamel sauce by melting butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, then add the same amount of flour and whisk it in. Gradually add warmed milk and a pinch of salt, keep whisking constantly until the mixture starts to thicken--voila!... Béchamel. Next, add some cooked pasta (small shells, elbow, rigatoni, macaroni or penne are all good choices) to the warm Béchamel sauce, and mix in cubes of Fontina cheese and grated Parmesan. Toss everything together, then top it all off with more Parmesan, ground pepper, and a few slices of butter to make the dish simply scrumptious. You’re not done yet… as a final step of this cheesy mixture, sprinkle a handful of bread crumbs over the top and bake it in the oven until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Just because this recipe for Mac and Cheese Bake is centuries old, that doesn’t mean it has any formal measurements. Tossing around some cooked noodles in a classic Béchamel sauce and then adding a ton of cheese and butter isn’t a revolutionary idea. After all, this recipe has been around for hundred of years. Ingredients 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2-1/2 to 3 cups warm whole milk 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 3/4 cup Fontina cheese 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese 1/2 pound cooked pasta Directions To make the Béchamel sauce
ChefSecret: Get creative, try different cheeses or add breadcrumbs as a topping. I add a tablespoon of bleu cheese for a sharper flavor. You can use different shapes of pasta or add some extra spices to amp up the flavor. And don’t forget to butter or spray Pam on your baking dish or you’ll be using elbow grease to remove the baked-on cheese . Quip of the Day: “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of being part of a major historical event.” ------------------------------------------- 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. In this New Year, seek out the good in people and avoid conflict. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America. #Entrees #BechamelSauce #MotherSauces #Mac&Cheese #Pasta #Noodles #ComfortFood #Cheese #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2022 …from the California Kitchen ![]() How you doin’? I was always under the impression that Peanut Sauce originated in Thailand where it is used as a multi-purpose condiment. But actually, it’s an international favorite, maybe one of the first to stretch across Europe, North America and Asia. Introduced from Mexico by Portuguese and Spanish merchants in the 16th century, peanuts found a place within Indonesian cuisine in a popular sauce. Peanuts thrived in the tropical environment of Southeast Asia, and today, they can be found roasted and chopped finely, topping a variety of dishes and in marinades and dipping sauces. Peanut sauces reached the peak of sophistication in Indonesia, with the delicate balance of taste achieved from various ingredients according to each recipe of peanut sauce; fried peanuts, gula jawa (palm sugar), garlic, shallot, ginger, tamarind, lemon juice, lemongrass, salt, chili, pepper, and sweet soy sauce all ground together and mixed with water to achieve the right texture (in this recipe I use peanut butter). The secret to good peanut sauce is to make it not too thick and not too watery. Indonesian peanut sauce tends to be less sweet than the Thai version (which is a hybrid adaptation). Gado-gado is eaten with peanut sauce throughout Indonesia showcasing the delicate balance of sweet, spicy and sour. Satays are commonly served with peanut sauce. However, satay doesn't actually mean peanut sauce. Southeast Asia’s favorite street food snack is a plate of skewered, grilled meat (pork, beef or chicken) with an infinite variety of sauces. This Peanut Sauce Recipe is my Thai version, because I first learned to make it at the cooking school at the Oriental Bangkok Hotel. It can be used as a dipping sauce or a salad dressing, and can be used on peanut noodles, a drizzle on pizza or with chicken satay. Ingredients 1/2 cup peanut butter natural, unsweetened 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten free) 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or better yet palm sugar if you can find it) 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (or to taste) 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 3 garlic cloves pressed or grated 1 tablespoon ginger root grated 2-4 tablespoons warm water Directions
ChefSecret: My preference is for unsweetened peanut butter. If you use some commercial brands of peanut butter that include sugar, the sauce may turn out too sweet. Try reducing the sugar to 1 tablespoon—taste and adjust. Covid-19 Quip of the Day: “Have you ever found yourself in the ‘What can I do with a pound of green beans and chocolate cake mix? I think I’m at that stage of needing to go grocery shopping." ------------------------------------------- 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 and positive, stay well and safe and be kind to others. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading. #Sauces #PeanutSauce #Peanuts #ThaiPeanutSauce #Satay #NPB #NationalPeanutBoard #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2021 The Cinco de Mayo Collection ![]() How you doin’? You may not have thought a whole lot about it, but tacos are a cool food. Now, I’m not talking about the Taco Bell style although I still go back to the “Bell” on occasion. I’m talking about marinated charred steak tacos folded up in homemade-style warm corn tortillas with a Mexican-style, homemade charred salsa. I decided to use Chef Roy Choi’s signature carne asada marinade, which makes the meat impressively flavorful and aromatic. It is a combination of spices and herbs—garlic, scallions, ancho chile powder, jalapeños, fresh cilantro, beer, kiwifruit, mirin and plenty of citrus flavors. It’s not a hot marinade, but it is full flavored and smoky—you can barely taste the heat. The steak tastes bright, fresh, tangy and is perfect for tacos. Making the marinade is no big deal, just take all the ingredients and buzz them together in your blender. The marinated steak chars up beautifully on the grill, and you can smell all the different ingredients of the marinade as it cooks. I like to take the steak and wrap a nice piece in a toasted corn tortilla with pickled onions, radishes, cilantro, lime, my Charred Salsa, hot sauce and maybe a little queso fresco—any favorite taco toppings will work, especially with a frosty cerveza on the side. Prep time: 10 minutes Marinade time: 1 hour minimum Cook time: 10 minutes Yield: 4 servings Ingredients 6 to 8 large, peeled garlic cloves 1/4 large peeled yellow onion, chopped 3 thick scallions trimmed and roughly chopped into 2” pieces 1/4 cup ancho chile powder 2 jalapeño peppers, stem removed 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro 3/4 cup lager beer 1 orange—juice and grated zest 2 limes—juice and grated zest 1 kiwifruit, peeled 1/4 cup mirin Asian rice wine 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar 2 pounds skirt steak Olive oil, for brushing grill Corn tortillas Your favorite taco toppings, for serving Salsa (see recipe below) Directions
Charred Tomato Salsa Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Cool time: 30 minutes Yield: roughly 3 cups Ingredients 4 medium (about 1 pound) plum tomatoes 2 jalapeño peppers, stems, seeds and seams removed 2 garlic cloves 1/2 white onion, cut into 4 wedges 1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon tequila Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Taco and tortilla chips, for serving Directions
Covid-19 Quip of the Day: “Husbands are the best people to share secrets with. They’ll never tell anyone anything because they aren’t even listening.” ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers? 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 and positive, stay well and safe and be kind to others. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading. #Entrees #Beef #CarneAsada #Tacos #CincoDeMayo #Salsa #Tortillas #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2021 … from the California Kitchen![]() How you doin’? Do you think of yourself as a burger aficionado? If you do, you know the secret of a great burger is the proper ratio of bread to meat. My favorite burger has the perfect balance—having the beef, condiments, and bun in all the right proportions. The people who develop products at McDonald’s, In & Out, Wendy’s know that a perfect burger must be fantastic in all its particulars! And they sell millions of them every day. It starts with a great meat block—usually 80% lean ground beef. The 20% fat makes all the difference in a hot skillet allowing the burger patties to caramelize on the outside and still stay juicy on the inside (as long as you don’t flatten them with a spatula). Then comes the just the right amount of toppings! I like American cheese on my burger because it’s a creamy smooth and meltier than other cheeses. Then what are you going to do for condiments? Ketchup, mustard? Not on my watch! I make a tangy secret burger sauce (recipe below) to keep things moist and flavorful. I top it with a split piece of crisp, salty, smoky bacon. Some people would argue, you need your five-a-day for produce—that’s why I add well-chilled shredded lettuce and a very thin slice of tomato. I like a nice soft bun, not too dense, not too doughy. You just want enough bun to hold everything together, but not so much that it dominates the burger. Likewise, you don’t want to have too much burger that overtakes and sogs out the bun. You want the burger and bun to be at peace with each other. It should smoosh down a little and meld with the burger, cheese, and toppings, creating the perfect bite and burger. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Yield: 4 burgers Ingredients 1 pound ground beef (80/20) Salt, to taste Black pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon peanut oil 8 slices cheese of your choice 4 soft burger buns 2 tablespoons butter 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce 4 slices of tomato 4 slices cooked crisp bacon Burger sauce (recipe below) Directions
Not-So Secret Sauce Ingredients 1-1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons roasted red pepper, rough chopped 2 tablespoons dill relish 6 shakes Tabasco sauce 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon liquid hickory smoke (Wright’s brand) 2 tablespoons chopped parsley Salt, to taste Black pepper, to taste Directions
ChefSecret: We’ve made our burgers double-decker because it’s fun, but this recipe works great with a slightly thicker single burger, too. Covid-19 Quip of the Day: Covid-19 quick and easy self-testing-- I tried this test and it truly works!
Do you have a question or comment? Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers? 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—that’s the American way. If you have a little extra in your pocket to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading. #Entrees #Burger #DoubleBurger #Cheeseburger #SecretSauce #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2021 |
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