…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? My favorite lunch at China Rose (my 16,000 square foot Chinese restaurant) was Wor Wonton Soup. I love all the flavors and textures. The difference between Wonton Soup and Wor Wonton Soup is the inclusion of added protein—roasted chicken, shrimp and barbecued pork. It is no doubt a meal in itself—lunch or dinner. Now you may think with all these ingredients it must be difficult to make, but really it isn’t. When it's mealtime, you just need to add some aromatics to a pot along with a carton of low sodium broth, and bring everything to a boil. Then add the frozen wontons to make a simple, flavorful soup. I like to balance the soup with the addition of quick-cooking greens right before they are ladled out to serve. Then top each bowl off with green onions, sliced chiles, bean sprouts, cilantro or any other tender herb that will soften in the broth. As the creative cook I know you are Wor Wonton Soup is a customizable meal starter or a complete dinner that you can whip up to suit a variety of preferences and needs. The aromatic broth, tender, juicy wontons, and fresh, vibrant greens make it taste like you devoted much more time than you did. I put a bowl of fried wonton skins on the table, making it easy to add a little crunchy texture. My Wor Wonton Soup is fast and easy, making me feel like an imperial Chinese chef. Don’t be that lazy meal provider staring at an empty refrigerator… remember that your freezer holds the key to a delicious, wholesome 15-minute meal. Frozen wontons should bite-sized, versatile, tasty, and cook in less than 5 minutes. Because the fillings are fully cooked, it’s impossible to screw them up. This recipe can be easily multiplied. If you must, use the calculator on your phone or ask Siri or Alexa. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Yield: 4 to 6 serving Ingredients 1 (32-ounce) carton low-sodium chicken broth ( I prefer Swanson or private label or rich homemade stock) 2 to 3 green onions, white and light green parts sliced (about 1/4 cup), thinly sliced dark green ends reserved for garnish (separate tops and bottoms) 1 (1-inch) piece of ginger, sliced into 5 rounds 1 tablespoon minced garlic Salt, to taste (I prefer to use 2 teaspoons soy sauce) 20 mini wontons (I prefer Bibigo Korean wontons—any flavor) 8 to 12 peeled and deveined large shrimp, whole or sliced 4 to 6 thin slices of roasted or BBQ’d pork tenderloin optional ingredients (see ChefSecret) Directions
ChefSecret: This is a dinner dish to experiment and have fun with. There's no wrong way to make this quick Wor Wonton Soup. Broth base can be traditional chicken soup with simmered chopped carrots, celery and onion with a teaspoon of oyster sauce. The veggies should be simmered until they're tender. Noodles can also be added though it might a little much with the won tons. For more of a Thai-influenced soup, add Makrut lime leaves and lemongrass. If you like the flavor of hot and sour soup, add some tang with rice vinegar and stir in a whisked egg. I like the look and taste of greens in my Wor Wonton Soup like baby spinach leaves bok choy, broccolini or even shredded cabbage. Depending on what you are using, you'll have to determine when to add it. For heartier vegetables, add them while the broth is simmering. More delicate greens, like spinach leaves, can go in after the wontons have cooked. Quip of the Day: Q. What does 2,000 pounds of Chinese food weigh? A. Won ton. ------------------------------------------- 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, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, including those still suffering the effects of the recent hurricanes. Please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross. #Entrees #Soup #WorWontonSoup #WonTons #Shrimp #Veggies #Pork #HealthyNew Year #MAHA2026 #HappyNewYear #HeresTo2026 #Recipes2026 #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #ThreeSquare #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026
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…from the Perspectives’ Test Kitchen How you doin’? Sesame Salmon is the perfect quick dinner… ready in under 20 minutes, packed with Asian-inspired flavors, and made with simple pantry ingredients you already have on hand. It’s the kind of meal that delivers big on taste without keeping you stuck in the kitchen and without the stinky aroma. If you’re a fan of Honey Sesame Chicken, you’re going to fall in love with my Sesame Salmon . The sweet-savory taste of salmon, infused with sesame, transforms tender salmon into something irresistible. And the best part? This sesame salmon is baked in foil for minimal cleanup—which means more time enjoying dinner and less time cleaning up. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 to 12 minutes Yield: 2 servings: Ingredients 2 (6 to 8-ounce) skinless salmon fillets Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds (black, white, or a mix) 1 tablespoon olive oil blend Sliced green onions and a cut wedge of lime, for garnish Directions
ChefSecret: My go-to sauce for this salmon is a quick homemade teriyaki sauce. Mix together equal parts soy sauce and maple syrup or honey, add some Sambal oelek for heat and simmer it until thickened. Watch those calories by just using a drizzle of olive oil. Serve this salmon atop a green salad, over or with rice, or even in lettuce as a lettuce wrap. Also, be sure to dispose of any sesame seeds left on the plate; do not return them to the storage container. ------------------------------------------- Quip of the Day: Q. Why did the chef break up with the sesame salmon? A. Because they kept leaving too much "fishy business" in the kitchen! ------------------------------------------- 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. We have hundreds of archived Covid Era recipes which you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, including those still suffering the effects of the recent hurricanes. Please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross. #Entrees #SesameSalmon #Salmon #HealthyNew Year #MAHA2026 #HappyNewYear #HeresTo2026 #Recipes2026 #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #ThreeSquare #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026 …from the Perspectives’ Holiday Kitchen How you doin’? My drunken shrimp are large, crispy, and spicy cooked in a beer-based sauce. It’s a perfect Asian entrée that is simple to make at home… even with oven frying. This was one of the most popular shrimp entrees at China Rose… my Chinese dinner house concept. Use the largest shrimp you can find and allow about an hour to make sure everything is cooked properly. Crispy beer battered shrimp are made by coating large, peeled shrimp in a light batter made from flour, cornstarch, and beer, then "frying" them until golden brown. This method creates a crunchy exterior while keeping the shrimp tender and juicy inside. Prep time: 40 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Yield: Servings: 6 Ingredients For the crispy shrimp Nonstick oil spray (I prefer PAM original) 2 large eggs 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons beer 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 4 tablespoons water 2 pounds large peeled and deveined shrimp, tail left intact 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs Directions To make the crispy shrimp
ChefSecret: The trick to making my crispy shrimp taste like they were deep fried is a spray of oil (PAM) before going in the oven. Trust me and try it! ------------------------------------------- Ingredients For the stir-fry sauce 2 tablespoons peanut oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 6 tablespoons chopped garlic 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, or to taste 3/4 cup beer 1/4 cup ketchup 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon water 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 3 chopped green onions Directions
Quip of the Day: Q. Where do shrimp go when they need money? A. The prawn shop! ------------------------------------------- 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 #CrispyBeerBatteredShrimp #DrunkenShrimp #Beer #Shrimp #PankoBreadcrumbs #NYEveDinner #HappyNewYear #HeresTo2026 #HolidayRecipes #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? The first time I ever had “blackened” anything was at Paul Prudhomme’s K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen in the 1970’s. He cooked up a blackened white fish in a hot cast iron skillet that was so hot the fish floated above the bottom of the pan. If you’ve only ever had blackened seafood in a restaurant, get ready to raise your dinner game. My quick-cooking, flavor-packed New Orleans-Style Blackened Shrimp delivers bold Cajun spice and a satisfying blackened char in just 20 minutes. The Cajun magic comes from my homemade blackening seasoning blend. Mixing your own blend lets you control the heat, dial in the depth of flavor and skip the extra salt or additives often found in store-bought versions. Whether you pile the shrimp onto tacos, toss them in a salad, or serve them over grits or rice, this recipe is an easy win for any night of the week. Cook the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Shrimp that cooks too closely together will release moisture and steam instead of getting crispy, flavorful, browned edges. Also, try not to move the shrimp during cooking. The more you move it, the more liquid it will release. You can even kick it all up a notch or two by making New Orleans-Style Blackened Shrimp on the grill (Texas-style) by preheating a gas grill to high (450°F to 500°F). Prepare the shrimp by threading the seasoned shrimp onto 9 to 10 (10-inch) metal or soaked wooden skewers, and place on well-oiled grates. Grill uncovered and undisturbed, until the shrimp are charred and opaque, only about 2 minutes per side. Serve my spiced shrimp as an appetizer with your favorite aioli, over buttered rice, or tucked into a sandwich for a flavorful Cajun lunch. Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 4 to 5 minutes Yield: 4 to 6 servings Ingredients 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 2 teaspoons minced garlic cloves 1 teaspoon grated lemon or lime zest 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1-1/2 pounds large (21/25 count) peeled and deveined raw shrimp, patted dry 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 8 lemon or lime wedges, for serving Directions
ChefSecret: Make the spice mix ahead. The spice mix can hold for up to one month in an airtight container. Quip of the Day: An elderly Rabbi and an elderly Priest are good friends in the retirement home. One day the priest asks, "So tell me, Benjamin, be honest now, have you ever had bacon?" The old rabbi sighs and leans back, "Ashamedly yes. One day, in my youth, I gave into temptation and had bacon wrapped shrimp with cheese sauce.” Now tell me Sean, be honest now, have you ever had sex?" The old priest sighs, leans back and says, "For my sins, yes. Once, in my youth, I gave into temptation and had a one night stand with my housekeeper." The Rabbi leans in closer, "It's better than bacon, isn't it?" ------------------------------------------- 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 #BlackenedShrimp #NewOrleansStyle #PaulPrudhomme #BlackeningSpices #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? My Bang Bang Shrimp & Broccoli is creamy, crispy, savory, spicy and sweet, all at the same time. It will blow your mind! I first tasted Bang Bang Shrimp at The Cheesecake Factory. More recently, I tried it at Bone Fish Grill at Town Square in Las Vegas. It is one of the more popular menu items at the restaurant. According to the restaurant's menu, it’s just crispy fried shrimp tossed in a signature creamy, spicy sauce. My recipe replicates the appetizer's crispy, decadent, spicy deliciousness with the addition of roasted broccoli. It’s probably not the first vegetable you think of when you’re looking for an exciting entrée, however, this recipe will change your perception of all that. It’s shrimp and broccoli as you’ve never tasted it before. This name and flavors are from a popular street food in Bangkok, Thailand. The Bang Bang essence is from the explosive chili flavors. The balanced sweet and spicy sauce made the jump from shellfish to lots of other foods—from potatoes to cauliflower to chicken fingers, and more! I love to serve this dish over rice with a squeeze of lime and even some shredded toasted coconut. The Bang Bang sauce also works well with grilled chicken, crispy beef or pork. Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Yield: 4 servings Ingredients For the broccoli 1 pound broccoli florets 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Up to 1 teaspoon chili flakes (to the spice level of your choosing) 2 tablespoons sliced green onion tops, for garnish 2 tablespoons store-bought fried onions (I prefer French’s brand) For the fried shrimp 1/2 cup cornstarch, or as needed 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp oil for frying For the Bang Bang sauce 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce 2 teaspoons sriracha (or your favorite hot sauce) Kosher salt, to taste Directions To make broccoli
ChefSecret: Coating the Bang Bang Shrimp in cornstarch before frying will give you that wonderfully crispy texture. ------------------------------------------- Quip of the Day: Sad moment today when I ran over a box of shrimp. Road krill. ------------------------------------------- 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 #BangBangShrimpBroccoli #ShrimpBroccoli #PerspectivesOnFood #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? I first met Ralph Rubio at one of his restaurants in the San Diego area. It was love at first bite--Fish Taco and me. It was everything I crave… lots of great flavor thrills and wonderful, crunchy textures. I wanted to make these at home, but I don’t like to fry fish at home. I thought about it and it’s possible the air fryer was invented just so I could fry fish at home. It turns breaded fish fillets into something wondrous—perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside. You could just go ahead and eat them as fish sticks, but you’d be missing out because they are so very good in these tacos! Here we’ve combined them with a crunchy, mildly spicy slaw and a lime crema. Despite the awesomeness of the fish, the crema nearly steals the show. It’s creamy smooth, full of cilantro, bursting with lime flavor—and so deeply satisfying as a condiment that everyone will be asking for the recipe (and here it is). My tacos have Friday night on the patio written all over them. Put out some chips and guacamole, a small pitcher of grit margaritas and, BOOM!, you have a happy hour like no other. Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Yield: Serves: 4 (2 tacos each person) Ingredients For the slaw 2 cups finely shredded cabbage 1 cup rough chopped cilantro 1/4 cup julienne-cut red onion 1 thin sliced Anaheim chili 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Salt and pepper to taste For the lime crema 3/4 cup sour cream 3 tablespoons mayo Zest of one lime Juice of one lime 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro Salt to taste For the fish tacos 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons salt, plus more for seasoning breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon mild chili powder 1 tablespoon cumin 3 large eggs 1/2 cup whole milk 2 cups panko breadcrumbs 1-1/2 pounds fresh cod fillets Cooking oil spray Corn tortillas Directions To make the slaw
To make the lime crema
To make the fish filets
ChefSecret: You can easily substitute the sour cream and mayonnaise with 1 cup of plain unsweetened yogurt for a tarter favor. Quip of the Day: Wanna know something real cool? Taco Cat spelled backward is Taco Cat. ------------------------------------------- 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 #Lunch #Dinner #FishTacos #Rubios #Pollack #Halibut #Cod #MexicanCrema #OriginalFishTaco #Baja #Cerveza #Cheers #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen How you doin’? Are you a salmon lover? Salmon is such a delicate fish. It only takes a minute from perfectly cooked flaky and moist to overcooked and dry. Salmon can be cooked on an outdoor or indoor grill—even on a George Foreman double grill (God rest his soul). It can also be cooked in a sauté pan or in the oven on a sheet pan when you’re cooking for the family or a crowd. Salmon can be easy to cook or a bit temperamental. Here are a few things to consider before getting started. It easy to skip the grill and still get great flavor. My favorite way to cook salmon is on a sheet pan in the oven. I like to cook it hot and fast—start by setting your oven to 500°F and put a foil lined baking sheet into the oven while it preheats. This is the same method we use in busy hotels. There are three prep-ahead components to make this easy dish even easier. Start the night before by washing and trimming the vegetables. At the same time make the marinade and pickled salad. Do this to allow for an organized quick assembly the day of cooking. Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 8 to 12 minutes Yield: 4 servings Ingredients 18 ounces trimmed asparagus 12 ounces sugar snap peas with the stem end removed 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon dark miso 2 tablespoons low-salt soy sauce 1 tablespoon roasted sesame oil 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided 1 teaspoon lime zest 4 x 4-1/2-oz skin on salmon fillets, scaled, pin-bones removed 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 1 carrot 2 spring onions 4 radishes 4 sprigs of fresh mint sea salt black pepper Directions
ChefSecret: The salmon itself doesn’t need much time to soak in the marinade before it’s cooked—it just needs 20 minutes at the most. The flavor will permeate the fish and make it delicious; any longer is overkill and will diminish the delicate flavor of the fish. Use any vegetables of your choice that cook pretty quickly such as cherry tomatoes, and lemon or lime circles also add flavor and color. Quip of the Day: Why do fish always know how much they weigh? They have their own built in set of scales. ------------------------------------------- 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 #Seafood #Salmon #Dinner #SheetPanMisoSalmon #SheetPanDinner #PerspectivesOnFood #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025 |
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