The Cook's Shop

    "Cool Liquid Refreshments"
July 22, 2010 - Volume 1, Issue 10      
In This Issue
Ken's Notes
Thirst Quenchers
Blender Basics
Smart Beverage Tips
Q & A's
Cookbook Review
Three Smooth Smoothies

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Drink up Summer!
It's hot outside. Even the rising morning sun has an intensity that finds us searching for the shade. The handkerchief stays on-call for the glistening brow, and the desire for some type of thirst-quenching relief grows stronger as the day wears on. The hand seeks a tumbler of a favorite summertime drink. Three SmoothiesIt's time for some summer survival strategies -- time to stay hydrated and cooled, even if only for a moment. It's time for something cold, very cold, in fact, . . . ice cold.

IN THIS ISSUE, we celebrate summer with a focus on cool liquid refreshments. We remind you of some fantastic thirst quenchers and discuss one of our favorite summertime kitchen tools, the blender. We conclude with three smoothie recipes sure to get you started on your way to some summertime relief.

Ken's Notes:
Ken's NotesCooking classes have started! We held our first class last Monday and it was a great success. French and Italian loaves, English muffin bread, Irish soda bread and a number of toppings were made and sampled. Cooking Classes Launch! It seems that everyone had a good time with lots of back and forth discussion with the teacher and each other. As I write this we still have a few seats left for John Rossi's Pasta Class on July 26th and Emad Al-Masri's class on August 2nd. Visit www.thecooksshop.com for more details.

Shopping SpreeIf you watch WTAP or Fox TV you may have seen the ad that we did to publicize Gordon Ramsay's new program Master Chef. Go to www.wtap.com/fox and find the link to "Cooking Up Fun" and register for the drawing. On July 26th WTAP will choose 5 names at random for a supermarket sweep type run through The Cook's Shop. The winner gets to keep the merchandise they grab along with a few other nice prizes. We'd love to see one of our customers win - you only have a few days to sign up so don't delay!
Thirst Quenchers
Water comprises 55-60% of the human body. A good water balance is key to maintaining good health year-round, but especially so during hot weather where our bodies compensate for the heat by releasing moisture through our skin. Unlike food that can be stored in our bodies, water cannot be stored; it must be replenished frequently. Use these options to stay hydrated.

Water BottlesIce Cold Water- Keep ice-cold water handy. There's been a lot of recent press about bottled water vs. tap water. The jury seems to be in - tap water in a reusable container is just as good and healthy as bottled water and reduces one-use disposable packaging. Choose reusable water bottles that are BPA-free.

LemonadeMake Lemonade - A hands-down favorite, lemonade satisfies our thirsts. The combination of sour, just a little sweet, and a lot of cold, works its refreshing magic. There's no substitute for fresh-squeezed lemons when making lemonade. For 6 servings, squeeze enough lemons to make 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Make a simple syrup by heating 1 cup of sugar in 1.5 cups of water just until the sugar dissolves completely, then cool. Mix the lemon juice, simple syrup, and add 4 cups of cold water. Choose clear, tall glasses, pour over ice, and garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint.

Sweet  TeaSip Sweet Tea - The southern tradition of sweet tea has been successfully exported to all regions of the country. Like lemonade, sweet tea is based on a simple syrup of 1 cup sugar and 1.5 cups water heated until the sugar is dissolved. Steep 3 tea bags (or 4 tablespoons of loose tea in a diffuser) in 2 quarts of cold water for 30 minutes. Add the simple syrup, a squeeze of lemon, if desired, and pour over ice. Some recommend adding the smallest pinch of baking soda to the steeping tea to remove any hint of bitterness.

Blend Smoothies - Available as a premium drink in many different specialty shops, smoothies offer cool liquid refreshment and many nutritional choices. Smoothies require no formula, just the seasonal inspiration of fresh fruit and vegetables. Smoothies might include milk, yogurt, whey powder, or any number of ingredients. For pennies on the dollar, smoothies can be yours everyday at home. A blender is indispensable for smoothie making. (See the three smoothie recipes below).

Launch Floats
- Bring soda fountain pleasures to your family and guests. Drop a scoop of ice cream into a glass of fizzy soda, and add a straw. Soda fountain glasses complete the picture. Rediscover float classics such as root beer with vanilla ice cream, a brown cow, (root beer with chocolate ice cream), or orange soda with vanilla ice cream.Root Beer FLoat

Crush Slushies
- Like a smoothie, a slush can take many forms, but is always marked by shaved or crushed ice. Somewhere between solid and liquid, a slush accepts flavors easily. Concentrate your flavor choices if your ice cubes are made of water. Or to control dilution, freeze half your mix into ice cubes keeping the other half as liquid. Use a blender to make slushies, never a food processor (see Q & A below).

Craft Sparkling Sodas - Fizzy bubbles offer special refreshment. There's something about the carbonation that tickles the mouth in an invigorating way. Effervescence comes from the gas, carbon dioxide, being injected into liquid. The carbon dioxide gas is stored under pressure. Once the pressure is released, the CO2 bubbles form and levitate.

Blender Basics
On the summertime kitchen counter, (next to the ice cream maker), is our blender. In less than sixty seconds, a blender creates cold relief in all flavors and styles; it's an indispensible tool for summer. Becoming comfortable and adept with your blender is accomplished easily with a few of these tips and tricks:

Blender and FruitBlenders Need Liquid- To operate, a blender needs liquid to create the tornadic motion that forces food chunks to come into contact with the whirring blades. Use 1/2 - 1 cup of liquid to get things moving.

Blenders Crush Ice - Use a blender (or a ice crushing machine) to crush ice. Fill the carafe two-thirds full of ice, add about 1 cup of liquid, and let the blades work their magic.

Always Use a Cover - You only need to forget this step once. The blender blades effectively move liquid and food very fast. The lid keeps all the contents safely inside the carafe. Remove the center cap insert to add ingredients during blending.

Blender Safety - As with any appliance, take proper safety precautions. Position the blender securely, check the assembly, always use the lid, and NEVER poke at the food in the carafe with a utensil while the blades are whirring.

Year-Round Usefulness -- Of course, a blender's usefulness extends all year long in soup and sauce making, on-the-go breakfasts, and a host of other tasks.

Choosing Blender Features - A good blender will perform well and last for many years. Today's blenders are more powerful and durable than older units - it may be time to update your appliance. Consider these features when choosing a blender:
Carafe Size - Choose a blender whose jar size matches your needs. Blenders are available from 42 - 56 ounces. Remember, blenders are so fast that it is easy to do multiple batches in succession; you may not need the largest size.
Inside of a  BlenderComfortable Controls- Blender operations may be designed with a dial, touchpad, or buttons. Practice operating the controls to see that their operation is comfortable for you.
Non-skid Base - Blenders with "non-skid feet" will help keep the appliance in place during use while protecting your countertops.
Multiple Speeds - A variety of blender speeds are helpful when matching the tool to the task. However, a blender with dozens of speeds is not necessarily superior to a blender with just a few choices. Professional bar blenders are content with only "low" and "high" speeds.
Durable Motor - The blender's power comes from a durable motor. Check the warranty available for the unit.
Ease of Cleaning - To be used frequently, an appliance must be easy to clean. Practice disassembling and reassembling the blender to ensure that it is a comfortable process for you.Margaritaville

Specialized Blending Machines - Cousins to the standard blender, these appliances are also workhorses in the kitchen:

Professional Bar Blenders - These blenders are built with durability and frequent use in mind. They often have only two speeds, high and low. The bases are quite sturdy, the cap doubles as a one-ounce measure, and the carafe is thick and strong.

Margaritaville - Billed as a "frozen concoction machine," and not just for margaritas, this appliance shaves ice and blends ingredients in one easy cycle. Add ice to the top reservoir, ingredients in the receiving jar, and press a button.
Smart Summer Beverage Tips
Tip #1: For a quick and simple temporary clean up, rinse the blender's jar. With about a half cup of water, "blend" at high speed for a few seconds. Rinse again. Any food residue is dislodged in the churning and can be rinsed away. Thoroughly clean the assembly when finished for the day.slush

Tip #2:
One of our favorite ways to eat watermelon is as a watermelon slush. Place equal parts seeded watermelon chunks and ice cubes in a blender, add a teaspoon or two of sugar, and blend. Garnish with a wedge of watermelon.

Tip #3: 
Invest in summer drinkware that fits your lifestyle. Tall beverage glasses, 16 ounces in size, are perfect for drinks destined to be served with ice cubes, or for seasonal smoothies. Purposely "misappropriate" specialty glassware for some funky, fun presentations.

Tip #5:
Help young, inspired entrepreneurs who bravely set up lemonade stands by buying a glass or two and wishing them good luck.

Melting Ice CubesTip #4:
Turn any leftover morning coffee into ice cubes. Blend the "coffee cubes" with milk and sugar, (or sweetened condensed milk), for an iced coffee slush. If you choose, add a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup, and you have Iced Mocha.


Tip #6:
For crystal-clear ice cubes, use mineral-free, distilled water; this will prevent little white specks from appearing. Boiling the water prior to freezing will release any air bubbles that might also cloud the cube during freezing

Q & A's
QandAQ: Can ice cubes become stale?
A:
Most certainly yes! An off-tasting ice cube can affect the drink's flavor disproportionately. Ice, like any food in the freezer, picks up odors from surface dehydration and reformation of condensation crystals. Keep ice cubes covered or packaged; use quickly or replace with fresh ice periodically.

Q: Can a food processor be used to make crushed ice drinks?
A:
No. Ice will damage a food processor's blade edge and may scratch the workbowl. Use a blender or a specific ice-crushing machine. Web Logo

Q: How can I keep my drinks from becoming diluted and watery tasting?
A:
The taste strength of beverages can be maintained in several ways: (1) If serving the drink over ice, mix at a more concentrated level, (2) Make ice cubes out of the beverage, e.g., lemonade ice cubes for lemonade, (3) Use a pitcher with an ice core that efficiently imparts maximum chill without any dilution.

Q: Are sports drinks necessary for summer hydration?
A:
For most of us, any water-based drink is adequate for hydration. Sports drinks have a small amount of sugar and a few essential salts. The sugar provides instant energy without overwhelming the body with too much sugar at once. The salts help the body absorb and retain fluids while replacing essential elements lost through sweating.

 Cookbook Review
BookThe Blender Bible by Andrew Chase and Nicole Young. Published by Robert Rose, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Copyright 2005.

While our current emphasis is on the blender as a summertime tool, this cookbook provides the blender a ubiquitous role in the kitchen year-round. Showcasing more than 500 recipes, this cookbook expands the blender's role with chapters on Appetizers and Condiments, Soups, Entrées, Side Dishes, Drinks, and Cocktails. A special 80-page chapter on baby food is perfect for young parents and grandparents; it's helpfully organized by the baby's age. The recipes are streamlined for taste and speed - a few ingredients combined efficiently. The authors highlight the distinct features of blenders noting that a food processor just can't do everything that a blender can do, and vice versa. If your blender has been relegated to the back of the cupboard, the combination of this book and summertime will have it front and center in your kitchen in a short time.

Three Cool Drinks

Grape Blueberry FizzFizz
View & Print

Blueberries combine with Concord grape juice in this smoothie spiked with sparkling water and vanilla yogurt. Both blueberries and grapes are known for their high antioxidant values. The rich, natural purple color was surpassed only by its taste. Healthy never tasted so good!



Nectarine Dream
Nectarine Dream

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Just in time for nectarine (or peach) season, this smoothie delivers a healthy dose of fruit. Along with the nectarines, bananas and strawberries meld their flavors together in a milk base. Almond milk, soy milk, or rice milk would be equally delicious in this concoction.



Cucumber Mint Yogurt  Smoothie
Cucumber Yogurt Smoothi
e
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This smoothie reminded us of tzatziki sauce in its flavor. Based on the tangy taste of plain yogurt, cucumbers, mint, sparkling water, and ice cubes are blended together. (We added a pinch of salt and a couple splashes of hot sauce, too!). Totally refreshing without any overdone sweetness.


Recipes from The Blender Bible by Andrew Chase and Nicole Young. Published by Robert Rose, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Copyright 2005. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

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Pour your favorite thirst quencher, put your feet up, relax, and stay cool!
Dagmar & Ken

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