…from the Holiday Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? My Sour Cream Streusel Cake is perfect for the upcoming year-end holidays. It is rich in maple flavor with cinnamon and nutmeg spices in both the crumble topping and the cake. The brown butter gives an extra boost of flavor and richness. Brown butter is cooked butter that adds a better, bolder flavor to food. A stick of unsalted butter melts, then simmers removing most of the water, changing into a fragrant and silky brown liquid. As soon as the foam subsides, the milk solids darken and fall to the bottom of the pan, indicating you've hit the sweet spot called brown butter. Prep time: 20 minutes Bake time: 45 to 50 minutes Cool time: 30 minutes Yield: 10 servings+ Ingredients For the browned butter 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter For the streusel topping 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon maple extract For the coffee cake 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 large room temperature eggs 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 1 cup room temperature sour cream 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon maple extract 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda Directions Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side. To brown the butter
ChefSecret: Brown butter can be used for many other foods to add richness and flavor. Try drizzling brown butter over just-cooked chicken or fish or still-warm polenta or risotto. It’s also yummy on mashed potatoes. ------------------------------------------- Quip of the Day: Cake and coffee—the brew-tiful duo. ------------------------------------------- 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/perspectives-on-food ------------------------------------------- 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 #Dessert #Thanksgiving #HolidayCoffeeCake #SourCreamStreuselCoffeeCake #ThanksgivingMorningCoffee Cake #HappyThanksgiving #HolidayRecipes #Thanksgiving Recipes #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025
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…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? Here are flavors to die for—toasted pecan loaf and brown butter glaze… the perfect finishing touch for this easy stir-and-bake pecan loaf. My quick bread has everything you want: a velvety crumb studded with buttery pecans and a brown butter glaze that offers a subtle nuttiness, complementing the dark brown sugar in the loaf itself. It’s sweet, but not overly so, making it a good fit for breakfast, a brunch treat or even a great dinner dessert, toasted and topped with a scoop of ice cream or dollop of freshly whipped cream. Prep time: 30 minutes Bake time: 1 hour 10 minutes+ Cool time: 3 hours Yield: 8 servings Ingredients For the bread 1 cup unsalted butter No stick baking spray 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1 large room temperature egg yolk 3/4 cup room temperature sour cream 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1-1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup lightly toasted rough chopped pecans, divided Brown butter glaze (see recipe below) For the glaze 2 tablespoons brown butter 1 cup sifted powdered sugar 1 tablespoon sour cream 1 tablespoon water, plus a little more, if necessary Directions To make the bread
ChefSecret: If using a metal loaf pan, double up on the pan to prevent the bottom from getting too dark. ------------------------------------------- Quip of the Day: A Blonde was down on her luck. In order to raise some money, she decided to kidnap a kid and hold him for ransom. She went to the playground, grabbed a kid, took him behind a tree and told him, "I've kidnapped you." She then wrote a note saying, "I've kidnapped your kid. Tomorrow morning put $10,000 in a paper bag and put it under the pecan tree next to the slide on the Northside of the playground. Signed, A Blonde.” The Blonde then pinned the note to the kid's shirt and sent him home to show it to his parents. The next morning the blonde checked and sure enough, a paper bag was sitting beneath the pecan tree. The Blonde opened up the bag and found the $10,000 with a note that said, "How could you do this to a fellow Blonde?" ------------------------------------------- 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/perspectives-on-food 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 #Dessert #QuickBread #ButterPecanNuttyQuickBread #ButterPecan #BrownButter #BrunchBreads #BreakfastBreads #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? If you’re one of those people who have shied away from making crêpes because they seemed too fussy, listen up! Once you try them, you’ll realize that they’re actually very easy to make. In fact, you can whip them up in 15 minutes or so. They taste just like fancy restaurant quality crepes with that wonderful light, airy texture, like the inside of a popover, and the delicate, eggy flavor that makes them perfect for both savory and sweet fillings. In my recipe, I’ve filled them with a very simple filling of Meyer lemon and whipped ricotta cheese. It’s so creamy and light, it tastes decadent. I love it (and my friends and family do, too), but all the fun of crêpes is in the customization—you can fill them with whatever you want! Prep Time: 10 minutes Chill Time: 1 hour (or up to 1 day) Cook & Serve Time: 5 minutes per pan Yield: 8 servings Ingredients For the crêpes 3 large eggs 1 cup cold whole milk 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup cold water 3 tablespoons clarified unsalted butter, cooled 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract 1 teaspoon Meyer lemon zest Directions
Ingredients For the ricotta filling 1 cup whole milk ricotta 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice 1 teaspoon Meyer lemon zest 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, plus more for dusting Directions
ChefSecret: If Meyer lemons are not available, substitute with fresh orange zest and orange juice. Quip of the Day: Did you hear about the crepe convention? It was a flipping success! ------------------------------------------- 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/perspectives-on-food ------------------------------------------- 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. #Breakfast #Brunch #Dessert #MeyerLemon-RicottaCrepes #Crepes #DessertCrepes #BrunchCrepes #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? It’s holiday time and people all over the U.S. are preparing for Easter dinner. What is it going to be this year?... turkey, roast beef or a Spiral-Cut Ham? Personally, I’m a big fan of Honey Baked Hams (they are not a sponsor of this blog). I’ve never had a clunker from this company, but honestly, it’s not that complicated to make your own… and undoubtedly less expensive. If you’re wondering how to cook a spiral ham—read along—here’s everything you need to know! Cooking a copycat Honey Baked Spiral Ham is so easy that it practically cooks itself. Everyone will love your efforts for this popular Easter dinner served up with whipped or scalloped potatoes and green beans. Spiral-Cut hams come fully cooked, all you have to do is heat and serve. What could be easier? Spiral-Cut Hams are typically between 8 and 11 pounds and, as I said, are fully cooked (make sure your package says pre-cooked). This means when cooking ham, heat it all the way through. The best way to do this is to cook it at a moderate temperature so the outside doesn’t dry out before the inside is heated through. To cook a spiral ham without it drying out make sure you use a meat thermometer to reach 140° F and do not overcook it. I usually remove it around 135°F and keep an eye on the thermometer to ensure it reaches 140°F. It will continue to cook for a bit after you remove it from the oven. Depending on the size allow 12-15 minutes per pound at 325° F. I have cooked Spiral-Cut Hams both with and without covering it with foil. Uncovered will give a slightly crisper exterior and need a longer cooking time. Cooking covered will be shorter cooking time with an undeveloped crisp exterior. My preferred way to cook is to keep it covered with foil and then remove the foil once the glaze is added for the last 20 minutes or so. If your ham is done early, remove it from the oven and let it cool a little, so it doesn’t keep cooking beyond the desired temperature. Once slightly cooled, cover with foil and don’t carve until ready to serve. By the way, no two hams are shaped the same and the shape of your ham can affect cooking time. A larger rounder ham may need a little extra cooking time compared to a flatter shaped ham. If you’re glazing your ham, it should be added at the end, so it doesn’t burn. I don’t use the glaze that comes with my ham; I opt for an easy homemade glaze. See ChefSecret below. Simply brush it on during the last 20 minutes. I sometimes turn the oven up or give it a broil for a couple of minutes to make the glaze good and sticky. Spiral hams are made by one continuous cut from one end to the other and come apart very easily whether they are served warm or cold. A typical serving is about 6 ounces per person, so an 8-pound ham will yield about 20 servings. But who can eat just one slice? This easy baked ham is moist, tender and delicious inside while the outside is brushed with a brown sugar glaze and caramelized for a hint of sweetness. I serve this baked ham for special occasions (like Easter and Christmas) but it’s simple enough to make any time of year! ChefSecret: Brown Sugar-Honey Glaze for Spiral-Cut Ham Baking a ham is not hard, you just need to watch the temperature to make sure it heats through without over cooking. Adding a brown sugar glaze to baked ham takes it to the next level without being overly sweet. Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours – check your thermometer Yield: 20 servings Ingredients 8 to 10-pound bone-in smoked ham (with water added) 1-1/2 cups packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup clover honey Directions
ChefSecret: You can make the ham up to 2 hours ahead; tent with foil and serve at room temperature. Quip of the Day: One Easter, a father was teaching his son to drive when out of nowhere a rabbit jumped on the road. Slamming on the brakes, the son said, "I nearly ruined Easter. I almost ran over the Easter Bunny." His father replied, "It's okay son—you missed it by a hare." ------------------------------------------- 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/perspectives-on-food ------------------------------------------- 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 #EasterDinner #HoneyBakedHam #SpiralHam #EasterSundayDinner #Dinner #HolidayDinner #PerspectivesOnFood #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? Back in January of 2023, dear reader, I introduced you to Miss Swander, the “Cafeteria Lady” from Beverly Hills High. She made a mean casserole, and she was a hell of a baker, too. She turned out this coffee cake twice a week. Nothing is better than getting a slab of this coffee cake at a morning break… except maybe her cinnamon rolls that she made the other 3 days of the week. You could always grab a slab of this style coffee cake at the Original Farmer’s Market on Fairfax or at Royal Bakery on La Cienega Boulevard where it was sold by the pound. Miss Swander claimed that this was her grandmother’s secret recipe that she made every Sunday for breakfast. While my recipe is reminiscent of a pound cake, this deliciously moist and buttery coffee cake is anything but dry! Between the cinnamon swirl layer and the generous amount of streusel topping, every bite is a perfect combination of flavor and texture. You can whip up this easy and affordable morning cake without having to make a special trip to the bakery. Today's is National Coffee Cake Day... whip this up to celebrate! Prep time: 25 minutes Bake time: 40 minutes Additional time: 30 minutes Yield: 12 serving / 1 9 X 13-inch coffee cake Ingredients For the cinnamon layer 3/4 cup dark brown sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon For the streusel topping 1 cup dark brown sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter (not melted) For the cake 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1-1/2 cups granulated (white) sugar 1 cup softened unsalted butter 3 large eggs 3/4 cup whole milk 8 ounces sour cream 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. 2. Lightly grease a 9 X 13-inch baking dish; set aside. To make the cinnamon layer 3. Stir the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon together in a small bowl until well combined; set aside. To make the streusel topping 4. Combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. 5. Add the butter and almond extract; stir with a fork until mixture is crumbly; set aside. To make the cake 6. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. 7. Beat the sugar and butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl. 8. Turn the mixer on low speed and beat in the eggs until well blended. 9. Gradually mix in the flour mixture and milk. 10. Add sour cream and vanilla and beat for 30 seconds. 11. Pour 1/2 of the batter into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon layer over the batter, then pour the remaining batter over top. 12. Spread the chunky streusel topping evenly over the cake, pressing very lightly so it adheres to the batter. 13. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. 14. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before serving, about 30 minutes. ChefSecret: Coffee cake is so called not because it has coffee as an ingredient, but because it is intended to be enjoyed with coffee. Quip of the Day: Why did the coffee cake kill himself? Because his life was so crumby! ------------------------------------------- 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/perspectives-on-food ------------------------------------------- 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 #Dessert #NationalCoffeeCakeDay #CoffeeCake #Streusel #Breakfast #Brunch #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Choclatique Kitchen How you doin’? When you own your own chocolate company you get to “play” around with all sorts of recipes that use chocolate. Joan and I used to own the premium chocolate company, Choclatique, and we were always creating new concoctions with chocolate… so many, in fact, that I wrote the book on chocolate desserts… Choclatique--150 Simply Elegant Desserts. As the Chocolate Doctor, I made a crushed cacao and salt coated prime rib, s’mores pizza, cocoa braised short ribs and Mexican Chocolate Oatmeal. Believe it or not they all tasted great! My mother was of the generation that if you didn’t have a good hot meal to start off the day, it wouldn’t be a good day. There was no room for Tony the Tiger or Snap, Crackle or Pop in our house. My brother and I were destined to have a hot cereal breakfast every weekday morning. I was never that fond of hot cereal. I guess the Cream of Wheat was better than most, but hot gloppy oatmeal was the worst. I discovered in my preteen days that chocolate helps the oats go down. I started by spilling a little bit of my stronger than normal hot chocolate in the bowl of oatmeal and mixing it up really well to get the chocolate flavor. Then I started to sneak in some chocolate chips that melted into the mix. Then I graduated to this recipe to start everybody’s day in the pink or chocolate brown. Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Yield: 2 servings Ingredients 1 cup old-fashioned oats (I prefer Quaker Oats) 2 cups milk, divided (you can use any kind of milk) 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (salt enhances the flavor of chocolate) 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or honey) 1/4 cup grated dark chocolate, save a little for topping 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Topping of choice Directions
ChefSecret: You can accelerate the cooking time of the oats significantly by using 1- or 3-minute oats. After all, it isn’t about the quality of the oats, but the quality of the chocolate. Quip of the Day: The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nuns wrote a note and posted it on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of fresh oatmeal raisin cookies. A child added a handwritten note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples." ------------------------------------------- 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/perspectives-on-food. ---------------------------------- 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 #MexicanChocolateOatmeal #ChocolateOatmeal #Oats #Breakfast #B'fast #HotCereal #QuakerOats #PerspectivesOnFood #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 |
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