Don’t Forget This When Going Vegan!

This week I that did cooking lessons with a lovely woman who was trying to make her “going vegan” experience more palatable for both herself and her husband.

We prepared several dishes together.  When we were almost finished I asked her if she knew about Complementary Proteins. Back in college , (a few decades ago) I took an advanced Nutrition course where we had to either teach Nutrition to men in SRO facilities near Times Square or in a retirement building in Harlem.  My protective parents and I chose Harlem. I taught the retirees about the four food groups and complementary proteins.  Everyone (a group of 30 to 40 as I recall) thought protein had to come from more expensive sources such as beef, chicken, fish or pork.  There are others that can explain better than I, but plant proteins (except soy and possibly quinoa are incomplete).  Proteins are made of  two amino acids that “complete” with another specific amino acid that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle on the molecular level.

So, beans (like black beans) and rice complete each other.  Nuts and wheat (peanut butter sandwich) complete each other.  A whole lot cheaper than a steak, burger or whatever.  Some vegetarians forget to plan for proteins.  Plan ahead, partial proteins can not be used by the body , instead they are excreted.

Need more information, let me know if you need to get in contact with a Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist who can customize a diet with your health issues and dietary choices in mind.

I would love to hear your comments, see your likes and more.

561-676-2078 chefhelen@helenshomeooking.com to check my website http://www.helenshomecooking.com.

Based in Boca Raton, Florida

 

 

 

 

 

Vegan Cooking

Last week I received a call from a new prospect client. Barbara wanted to learn how to prepare vegan dishes so they were palatable to her and her husband.  Once she had chosen vegan way of life for her herself and her husband (retirees from New York) she was eating steamed vegetables every day.As you would expect it was BORING. They don’t like ANY spices, even black pepper was out of the question.

Like me, Barbara keeps kosher.  I told her about some dishes that came to mind: black bean soup, mejedra, veggie and tofu stir fry, brown rice, quinoa, roast vegetables, peanut butter cookies, split pea soup and vichyssoise.  Easy Peasy.

My new client wanted a hands on class.  She helped peel, slice, dice and stir. I explained how browning the vegetables slightly brings out their natural sweetness and carmelization.  It was proven successful by Barbara’s husband’s taste test of the tofu stir fry saying “hey, this is good!”.  He said the same thing about the vichyssoise (cold potato and leek soup) even before it had cooled.  Before I forget, #vegantasty, #chefhelen, #tofustirfry, #tastyvegan, #personalchefkosher, #personalchefkosher, #personalchefrecipes.

I got too busy cooking, I I find myself “in the zone” when I start cooking so unfortunately I don’t have pics to share.  Perhaps, next time I  will remember?

Next post will have recipes.  Is there anything you want to see?  Are you looking to learn how t prepare specific dishes?  I would love to help you (in the Palm Beach County, Florida area.  If not, I know Personal Chefs in other parts of the country to refer you to.

Let’s hope and pray 2017 brings us all of the health, prosperity, and more that we wish for ourselves and others

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deliciousness for Sale at the Mind Body Expo May 15th, 2016 Boca Raton

Please join me on Sunday May 15th at YMCA in Boca Raton, Florida.(rescheduled from March) I will be an exhibitor telling people about Helen’s Home Cooking and  Catering.

I will be bringing along several of my most popular gluten free desserts.   Peanut Butter Cookies, Lemon Pecan Crisps and Brownies (maybe marshmallow fluff marble) The desserts will be available for sale.  Everything is home made!

Let me know that you came because of the blog. There is a cookie in it for you.

2 kokosh made by Chef Helen (sorry not gluten free)

Why I Love to Cook for my Clients

In a world where most jobs have us as “cogs in a wheel” working for low wages, without sight of a final goal for the company or ourselves, as a Personal Chef I do everything soup to nets for each client. I find out what
Instead, as a Personal Chef I speak to people about what food means to them that would determine the choices of foods we will prepare for them. Is it simply for nourishment? Must it be a work of art for them to enjoy it? Are there specific dietary needs such as diabetic diet or salt free diet for clients that have been through heat failure or similar issues. Vegetarian or vegan is easy for me since I keep kosher I am very conscious of any indication meat, dairy and shellfish ingredients that would make a dish non-kosher or trayf.
Within the limitations of these health related issues, I find the dishes they most enjoy (or won’t go near). I am able to prepare some of my client’s favorites (and mine) with minor adjustments.
Two weeks ago I prepared one of my signature salmon dishes that normally is marinated in lime, ginger, garlic.oil and soy sauce for a salt free client. I removed the soy sauce for the recipe (I may try the liquid aminos in the future). It was delicious. The husband and wife said they never had such delicious food. I will be back in their kitchen this week to refill their fridge with the foods they most enjoy.
My most requested dishes include roast chicken, beef stew, chicken picata, baked marinated salmon. Roast vegetables, brownies, chicken matzoh ball soup, lentil soup. peanut butter cookies .and meat loaf.
People want healthy well prepared home-style dishes. They can’t believe how good this food tastes. When they tell me this, it is SOOO satisfying. Of course, making money doing what you love is pretty cool too!!
I can use the knowledge I acquired in college studying nutrition as well as the latest trending diet programs to tweak recipes and food choices to an individuals needs.

Call me, tell me what you need, or want. Chef Helen can put together weekly meals, dinners for 2, dinner parties, and of course baking. Always open to new ideas.

Call me at 561-676-2078 or email chefhelen@helenshomecooking.com so I can talk about helping you.

 

Classy Christmas Party for My Client

Last Monday, I received a call from Brian, a new client.  His caterer had a death in the family and cancelled two days before his annual Christmas party to be held in his home for 20 people. His caterer had a much fancier menu than I normally  do. He had reviewed my website and liked the sound of what I cook.

I called on a friend who had assisted me on other large jobs and together we met with the client.  I had explained that all cooking , except for possible baking must be done in his home.  together we decided on the following menu.

• mushroom canapes
• mini quiche
• eggplant appetizers with ricotta and tomato
• Butterflied lamb with a Greek yogurt sauce
• Oriental Marinated Red Snapper
• Veal Marsala
• Jasmine Rice
• String Beans Amondine
• Potato Latkes with homemade apple sauce and sour cream
• Brownies
• Apple Crisp with Homemade Whipped Cream
• Peanut Butter Cookies
• Mini Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato

I got so many many compliments from his delightful guests.  With the assistance of Jay as server, Josh as bartender and his housekeeper Daisy keeping all the dishes washed we kept the food flowing and the guests happy.

When would you like our team to put a dinner like this for you and your friends.  Please, more than two days notice!!

We can do smaller or larger parties , dinner parties, dinner for two, and our ever-present weekly cooking for families, singles and retirees.

 

Call Chef Helen at 561-676-2078

chefhelen@helenshomecooking.com or http://www.helenshomecooking.com

for more information or to schedule a free consultation.

 

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Comfort Foods

As a Personal Chef I talk to people about food. Most importantly I speak with my current and future clients about how food makes them feel.  Food is emotionally charged. Some people had bad experiences, being forced to eat poorly prepared vegetables growing up that made them forever avoid healthy choices and add to their poor nutrition and poor health.

My goal is to turn that around for people.  I talk to the potential client , preferably in their home.  I find out what they eat and WHY.  I am no therapist but giving people roast cauliflower or roast beets that are good enough to snack on has been the beginning of changing people’s lives.

I learn about their cultural food choices.  while with my background as an Ashkenazic Jew, brisket and Pflaumen kuchen top my list as do my mother’s spritz cookies (recipes another time) for an Italian it my be meatballs and spaghetti or Lasagna.  I find your comfort foods, your dietary needs (are you allergic to a specific food? are you kosher (my specialty!!) supposed to lower your fat or salt  or do you just HATE peanut butter like I do?) .

I figure out the menu with your help.  I shop for all ingredients on the way to your home and cook everything there.

Since my focus is kosher clients, by using the clients equipment I don’t have questions about anything getting mixed up.

561-676-2078 helen@helenshomecooking.com

Chef Helen Gottesman

 

 

 

Potato Latkes Hannukah is Coming Book Your Date Now Before It’s Taken Hannukah’s Coming Soon. Book Y our Date Nowour Dinner Plans Now Before We Are Full!

http://forms.aweber.com/form/16/373053016.htm  Click here if you want to get on our mailing list for cooking and recipe tips

 

Chanukah or is it Hannukah?  The holiday name is translated from the Hebrew which means dedication. Many schoolchildren know the story of the small unadulterated oil found in THE temple in Jerusalem after it was mostly destroyed by the Syrian Greeks.  The oil lasted for 8 days rather than a single expected day, long enough for a rider to get a replacement from another city. The oil is central to the dishes we eat for Chanukah , everything deep fried,  (OK, so we skip healthy for one night) .

Many Jewish Holidays seem to be we were few , we beat the big army: Now, we can live as Jews!  Let’s eat.

Since the story of the Hasmoneans beating the Greek army involves the miracle of the small vial of oil that had hat been defiled by the Greeks lasting 8 days.(Long enough for a rider to get another replacement supply for the Temple in Jerusalem). We now celebrate with foods fried in oil.  Typical foods involve latkes (potato pancakes) (recipe to follow) and sufganiyot an Israeli jelly doughnut that puts  Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme to shame (By the way , I love Dunkin Donuts).  By the way, this recipe is kosher, Gluten-Free, vegan and delicious! Perfect for celiac sufferers who avoid this recipe because it is usually made with flour.

Remember, you don’t have to be Jewish to like or make Potato Latkes.

Preparing the latkes (and Potato kugel)#latke #kugel this way keeps you from having a  grey potato dish which I always found unappetizing. #sufganiyot #oilChanukah #oilHanukah

Potato Latkes for Chanukah or anytime

Enough for 3 to 4 people

2 Large White Potatoes, peeled

1 peeled onion

salt

1 egg

Mild flavored Vegetable oil such as safflower or corn

Grate the short side of  the Potatoes against the larger spaced sides of a box grater into a bowl of ice water. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes which gives the potato starch time to set in the water.  Squeeze the water out by handfuls of potato into a second bowl until most potato is gone from first bowl. Grate onion into drained potatoes and add salt and pepper. Pour off the water slowly from first bowl, leaving some more grated potato and the natural potato starch. When you have all the water poured off, add it to the second bowl and mix well.

Fill frying pan with 1 1/2 inches of oil an d heat.  add potato mixture by the soup spoon into the hot oil.  Give the latkes about 2 minutes to turn golden brown and flip them , til brown on the second side.  then, place on paper towl line plain to drain off excess oil. Keep going with all potato mixture.

For me, there is nothing better than latkes topped with apple sauce.  Pthers recommend sour cream with chives.

Variation  If latkes are too boring, grate in either a little carrot, zucchini or some fresh chopped parsley although I am a purist myself

No time to fuss, call on your chef in Florida , Helen thttp://forms.aweber.com/form/16/373053016.htmo make this and other holiday favorites for you in your kitchen

 Please join my email list for more information, recipes and cooking tips and  contests.

http://forms.aweber.com/form/16/373053016.htm

helen@helenshomecooking.com

561-676-2078 http://www.helenshomecooking.com

When can we schedule your free consultation, either over the phone or in your home?