Blue Cooks: orange

Make Something New Every Day

This blog is inspired by all those who love to cook, whether experienced or not, and who continue to experiment with new ideas & ingredients, and best of all, share their passion with others.

The first entries are recipes prepared by the students of Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy in Oakland, CA. Fifteen students with varying cooking experience participated in my weekly workshop (via Tutorpedia), and successfully prepared various meals, snacks, and baked goods as part of an after-school program.

Along with the recipes from that class, I will continue to add new seasonal items, spanning every genre of the culinary world, as well as a helpful list of links to recipes, instructional videos, and places to shop and volunteer in your area.

Feel free to ask me questions and share your recipes and ideas as well. I look forward to cooking with you.

April 30, 2016

MARGS

I'll spare you my usual rhetoric, and get right to business, because MARGS.

For those who despise the usual mixers out there, here are a few simple steps to achieving what I consider, the perfect margarita.

All you need is orange simple syrup, tequila, limes, and salt. And ice. Don't forget the ice.

Orange Simple Syrup

3C water

1.5C sugar

Zest from 3 organic oranges

Dissolve the sugar in the water in a pot, gently stirring as it comes to a boil. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the zest (just the orange part - the white pith is very bitter) into the water. Allow the mixture to come to a roaring boil for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool at room temperature for at least an hour. Remove the zest, transfer the syrup to a jar (or old tequila bottle), and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

MARGS

This is a ratio I like. You may like yours sweeter or limier, so proceed as desired, and keep trying til you get it just right (work, work, work).

About equal parts of tequila and syrup (but just a smidge more tequila)

A pinch of kosher salt

Juice from one medium lime

Shake well in a cocktail shaker full of ice, pour, drink, repeat.

Note: I like to add a splash of seltzer to my margs. It's quite refreshing, and can help sustain daytime drinking.

¡Salud!

March 6, 2015

Anti-Inflammatory Orange Avocado Chia Smoothie

Not trying to take credit for this one. Just sharing a tasty smoothie that has a lot of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients, like turmeric, ginger, spinach, oranges and coconut water.

Next time you go to Trader Joe's, add these ingredients to your cart (I'm pretty sure you can find everything you need at TJ's):

Baby Spinach
Oranges
Avocados
Ginger
Chia Seeds
Coconut Water
Cinnamon
Turmeric Powder

Here's the link to the recipe (it's very simple - just easier to link here), as well as good info on how the ingredients can help reduce and prevent inflammation in your body.

The ingredients in this recipe are well-balanced, resulting in a pleasant, creamy green smoothie with natural sweetness (I don't even add honey). To ensure the chia seeds get pulverized, run your blender for a good minute (maybe less if you use a Vitamix).

Enjoy!