…from the Perspectives’ KitchenHow you doin’? We had kind of a foodie block party last weekend where most of the people attending receive our Survival Guide. I was asked why I don’t do any recipes using Air Fryers. Here was my excuse—years back, as they were first coming on the market, we had several air fryers in our test kitchens. Some worked better than others, but honestly, I personally lost interest in them. They were just another kitchen appliance that took up counter space. We have professional restaurant convection ovens in the test kitchen that created pretty much the same recipes that we could make in a home air fryer. For this blog I decided to give it a second look at what was once a novelty. Fred van de Wiel, an inventor in the Netherlands, is credited with starting work on the modern-day air fryer in 2005 when he was looking for a healthier way to prepare leftovers or frozen French fries without drying them out. I read some sales data that claimed that the gadget is in nearly two-thirds of U.S. homes—a claim that I find hard to believe. Nevertheless, air fryers have forced manufacturers to play catch-up and introduce compatible food products to the marketplace. We have been using heat susceptors for half a century. Hot Pocket has been synonymous with the metallic crisping sleeve used to heat the cheese, meat and vegetable-filled turnover in a microwave. But the rapid growth in popularity of the air fryer has changed how many consumers warm the popular snack, leading brand owner Nestlé to ditch the sleeve altogether. These heat susceptors have all been used in microwave popcorn to get that burst of heat centered on the oil and popping corn in the bottom of the bag. Nestle claims that once you cook Hot Pockets in the air fryer, you’ll never go back. Some people claim it’s just much better and crispier. Some food processors see the future is all about the air fryer. Is it just a generational shift or is this just another kitchen appliance that will go the way of the dodo, nesting in the deep dark corner underneath the counter? The air fryer has rapidly become a force in the food industry, upending which products consumers buy and how they prepare them. Two years ago, it was claimed that the air fryer became the fourth most popular cooking device behind the stove top, microwave and oven, and that many more people have an air fryer today in their kitchen than a coffee maker—another claim that falls faint on my ears. Regardless of how I feel, Nestlé, Conagra Brands, Campbell Soup and Perdue Farms are developing an array of products just for an air fryer. An even larger number of products in stores now contain instructions on preparing them in an air fryer. In some packages, air fryer instructions are included along with microwave and/or oven instructions. Is the future of cooking going to be all about air fryer? I don’t think so. Home meal providers are still using the microwave with greater frequency, but the highest level of air fryer use is among teens and college kids. Many university students have the device in their dorm rooms (against cooking in dorm rooms policies) instead of a microwave. Most new products created for air fryers are sold in the frozen section of supermarkets. What can I cook from scratch that will give me a better product than any frozen boxed product? So, I borrowed a neighbor’s air fryer to do some testing. My chicken wing recipes cooked in a conventional oven are certainly as good as Buffalo Wild Wings. My home made pizzas can hardly be improved upon in an air fryer except warming up day old pizza. I decided to take some baby steps with Air Fryer Fish. I will get more adventuresome in future blogs. I love the classic beer-battered London-style Fish & Chips. For this blog I created a quick and easy way to make crispy fried fish and it turned out to be extra-crispy, flaky and oh so tender using with less oil and with less effort. A perfect quick and easy seafood dinner. My recipe works well with any firm, mild white fish. Haddock, pollock, cod, halibut, flounder, whiting, walleye–you get the idea. Cod is usually on the thicker side, so if you’re using a thinner fish like whiting or cooking flounder, just adjust the cook time. You'll know the fish is done when it can be flaked with a fork. Plan your meal so you can cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Overcrowding will create steam, and steam is the enemy of perfectly crispy fish. To make sure the breading sticks to the fish when you bite into it, pop the breaded pieces into the refrigerator for 10 minutes on a parchment-lined sheet tray before frying. Once the fish is chilled, if you see any spots that look wet or soaked through, sprinkle a pinch of panko on the wet spot and pat gently before frying. Most air fryers have a nonstick coating on the basket, but if you want to be extra careful, try lining the basket with air-fryer-friendly parchment paper. While Old Bay is certainly the gold standard when it comes to seafood seasoning, there's plenty of room to get creative here. Try your favorite blend of Cajun seasoning, a spicy jerk seasoning blend, or even za'atar. I love to serve this fish with a good tartar or cocktail sauce. French fries are traditional, but you can't go wrong with old southern hush puppies, vinegar coleslaw, Greek lemon potatoes, or any of the traditional side dishes for fish. Alternatively, use this fish in our fish tacos or fish taco bowls to give some added crunch. For a low carb, keto-friendly version, sub in almond flour for the AP flour and crushed pork rinds for the panko. The pork rinds will break down with a few pulses in a food processor; be sure not to grind them into a powder. If you’re looking for a gluten-free version, go for almond flour and crushed corn flakes. If there are any leftovers, they can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 to 12 minutes a batch Yield: 2 servings Ingredients 1 pound cod, cut into 4 even strips 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 large egg, beaten 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1-1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning 4 lemon wedges for serving 1/4 cup tartar sauce or the sauce of our choice, for serving Directions
ChefSecret: Don’t forget to have a bottle of Malt Vinegar on hand for truly authentic London-style fish & chips. Quip of the Day: Did you hear what they named the newest fish & chip shop in town? The New Cod on The Block! ------------------------------------------- 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. #Entree #Dinner #Fish&Chips #AirFryer #Cod #Haddock #Perch #TartarSauce #CocktailSauce #MaltVinegar #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024
0 Comments
…from the Perspectives’ KitchenHow you doin’? When I’m in a pinch for time, I make something with shrimp. For all its quick-cooking ease, shrimp always makes any meal a bit special. This skillet recipe is no exception. It finishes with its dark red glaze, slivers of green onion, and wheels of charred Meyer lemon. It is a gourmet dish with rustic flavor back notes… the shrimp tastes amazing with a wonderful texture (if you don’t overcook them) that just might replace buffalo wings for happy hour. It’s the charred Meyer lemons that make this dish such a standout and while they may seem like a fancy ingredient, making them is as simple as sliding halved lemons under the broiler for 10 to 15 minutes. That little bit of concentrated heat imparts so much depth of flavor and sweet complexity… it’s one of my favorite kitchen techniques. Once the juice from the charred lemons marries with the other ingredients, wonderful things happen. The honey and sambal oelek, brightened by the citrus notes, make a sweet-savory glaze that clings to the shrimp and creates a delightfully crunchy, sticky caramelized exterior. Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Ingredients 1-1/2 pounds extra jumbo shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/4 cup honey 3 charred Meyer lemons, divided 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce 3 tablespoons minced garlic 2 teaspoons sambal oelek 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 2 tablespoons minced green onion bottoms, plus more sliced tops for garnish Optional: Serve with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables on the side. Directions
ChefSecret: The sturdy glaze helps the shrimp hold up well for day-after bowls, salads, and tacos. Slice those leftover lemons into julienned strips and use them to add a bit of extra punch to your leftovers. Can’t find Meyer lemons? Just use 1 regular lemon and 1 lime. Quip of the Day: Q. What do you call a store where you negotiate for off-the-book shrimp transactions? A. Prawn Shop ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? 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, 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 #MeyerLemonHoneyShrimp #Shrimp #MeyerLemon #Honey #Dinner #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 …from the Perspectives’ KitchenHow you doin’? I did have a drink or three while making these, so I could enjoy them as the food gods intended, which is slightly drunk. At least that's the main theory of how this dish got its name. The other theory for its name is because at one point it was made with wine—but that's not as funny! I always love it when there's some sort of controversy regarding the origins of a recipe's name, and this amazing Drunken Noodles dish fits the bill. One theory is that this spicy, sweet and very savory bowl of noodles was invented by drunk people, for drunk people. As someone who has enjoyed the occasional late night bowl of noodles to "soak up the alcohol," this origin story makes a lot of sense. It might be unscientific, but it does seem to help. The other story, which isn't nearly as interesting, theorizes that at one time wine was used in the sauce. I mean, that's barely a story. And if that were the case, why did they stop using wine? So, I'm team drunk customer, although it's most likely to be a combination of the two. The good news is that none of this really matters, since regardless of how "Pad Kee Mao" got its name, it is one of the easiest, and most delicious noodle dishes from China Rose. No matter what size or thickness Asian noodle you're using, simply soak them in hot water until they are very flexible, but not too soft. Do not use boiling water as many recipes suggest. I find that makes them soften too quickly, and they tend to get sticky and starchy, which I don't want to happen until they're in the sauce. Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Additional time: 10 minutes Yield: 4 servings: Ingredients A glass of your wine, spirits or bubbly of your choice (for you, not the recipe) 8 ounces dried rice noodles 1/4 cup oyster sauce 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 2 tablespoons cold water 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 1 cup shallots, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons thinly sliced bird's eye chiles 4 tablespoons minced garlic 1 pound jumbo shrimp (16-20), peeled and deveined—tail on 1 pound Chinese broccoli, sliced, stems and leaves separated 4 thinly sliced green onions 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves Directions
ChefSecret: Any noodle or pasta can be used. Any hot pepper will work, or you can use sweet pepper and make up the difference with red pepper flakes. Regular basil will work, but Thai basil is preferred. Quip of the Day: My favorite Chinese food place was closed for the holidays, but there was a sign that said they would wok from home. ------------------------------------------- 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. #Entree #RosiesDrunkenNoodles #Shrimp #PadKeeMao #AsianNoodles #JumboShrimp #BirdsEyeChiles #Dinner #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 …from the Perspectives’ KitchenHow you doin’? My weekly personal grocery bill has gone up nearly $75/week in the last year. That’s a big hit due to the continual rise in inflation. One of our restaurants opened under similar circumstance many years ago—higher prices are restaurant killers. The success of Fanny’s Fish Market wasn’t about whole pieces of fish filets, jumbo shrimp and lobster tails. Fanny’s Fish Market was all about seafood infused sauces and meals. Our seafood sauce over a variety of pastas or salads mixed with bits and pieces gave plenty of rich seafood flavor at far lower costs. Seafood enhanced soups and chowders served in extra-large bowls with large slices of hot, cheesy garlic bread offered full meals at bargain prices. Fanny’s opened on the pier at Foster City Estuary. It was an immediate success—profitable the first month it opened. With the restaurants’ healthy variety and reasonable prices you could (and many did) come in 3 or 4 times a week. Here’s my home version of Fanny’s famous Sea Creature House Salad. The secret to our soups, salads and pasta dishes is a great thick piece of cheesy-buttered, toasted, crusty garlic bread. Prep time: 15 minutes Rest time: 5 mins Yield: 4 personal salads / 1/2 cup dressing Ingredients For the dressing 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (see recipe below) 1 tablespoon crushed garlic 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese For the salad 2 (5 ounce) packages American salad mix (lettuce blend with other seasonal ingredients) 3/4 cup sliced pitted black olives 3/4 cup thinly sliced red pickled pepperoncini 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion or pickled red onion 2 plum tomatoes, sliced 1/4 cup sliced and quartered cucumber 1/2 cup warm garlic seasoned croutons 1/3 cup “baby” cooked shrimp—71-count (tiny sea creatures) Directions
ChefSecret: You don’t have to buy a special spice mix to make it Italian. You probably have all the ingredients in your own spice cabinet. Feel free to adjust the ratio of spices and the yield to make whatever size of batch you would like to your taste. You’ll find this spice mix works with hundreds of other recipes from soups to pasta, grilled meat and marinades. Ed’s Special Italian Seasoning Blend 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon dried marjoram 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary 1/2 teaspoon dried sage Whisk all seasonings together in a bowl until combined. Better yet process through a spice grinder for a few seconds. Use immediately or store in a sealed container. Quip of the Day: My doctor recently asked if anyone in my family suffered from mental illness and I said, "No, we all seem to enjoy it." ------------------------------------------- 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. #Entree #Salad #ShrimpSalad #FannysFishMarket #SeaCreatureSalad #BayShrimp #BabyShrimp #Lunch #Dinner #2023Recipes #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 …from the Perspectives’ KitchenHow you doin’? Shrimp and straight pesto seems like a bit of overkill, given how strong the flavor of pesto is. Personally, I love pesto, but even for me, straight pesto can seem a little too much for the delicate flavor of shrimp. I like to blend my pesto with a creamy base, mixing the basil flavor with an Alfredo-style sauce. My easy Creamy Pesto Shrimp & Linguine recipe is a quick 20 minute meal with a sublime sauce that’s full of flavor. A dish that’s lovely enough for a fancy dinner party, but perfect for a busy weeknight family meal! Prep time: 20 minutes Plus 10 minutes (see pesto recipe below) Cook time: 15 minutes Yield: 4 servings Ingredients 1 pound linguine pasta 1/3 cup unsalted butter 2 cups heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 to 1/3 cup pesto, to your taste (see recipe below) 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined Directions
ChefSecret: This recipe is also great when made with roasted chicken or crabmeat instead of shrimp. Classic Pesto A Classic Pesto is made with fresh basil leaves (stems removed), olive oil, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. Some people use walnuts or almonds instead of pine nuts because they’re cheaper--don’t do this. Some people use spinach or parsley instead of basil leaves--don’t do this either. When in doubt, just follow the friggin’ recipe. This recipe differs from other preparations with the addition of red pepper flakes for an extra layer of flavor. You can add a little more Parmesan to the Pesto to your taste if you like. Prep time: 10 minutes Ingredients 3 cups packed fresh basil leaves 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup pine nuts 5 cloves garlic, or to taste 2 teaspoons lemon juice, or more to taste (optional) 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Directions
ChefSecret: To store and keep it green longer, drizzle a little lemon juice over the top of the leftover pesto, cover and refrigerate. It will keep it fresh looking for 3 to 4 days. Quip of the Day: Q. What kind of pasta do they eat in Antarctica? A. Penguine. ------------------------------------------- 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. #Entrees #CreamyPestoShrimpLinguine #Pesto #Basil #PineNuts #OliveOil #Linguine #2023 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023 |
For over 4 decades collaboration and vision have been the cornerstones of our approach to developing innovative solutions. We fuel innovation, uncover opportunities, discover trends and embrace sustainability, turning imaginative ideas into profitable realities. Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
|