July Food Festival: For the cLove of Garlic

Garlic

About the Artist: Erin Robinson is one of our GP Artists. Click here to see more of her art.

EMBRACE TIP:

Pair eggs with other nutritious ingredients for a balanced dish. Serve eggs with whole grains like whole wheat bread and cook eggs with healthy sources of fat like olive oil.

Looking for more health supportive and wellness content? Check out GP Embrace

Each month, our Great Performances menus feature seasonal ingredients. It’s our way of celebrating the earth and bringing our special touch to every menu.

This month, we’ve got garlic on the brain – but not on the breath! We love adding garlic to dishes for its flavor and its health benefits. This recipe lets you enjoy garlic in a variety of ways. For the cLove of garlic, let us know what you do with it and try out these recipes.  

GARLIC CONFIT AND GARLIC INFUSED OLIVE OIL

from Katchkie Farm

Ingredients

  • 6 heads of garlic, peeled

  • 1 cup olive oil (or enough to cover garlic)

Procedure

  1. Place cloves of garlic in a small saucepot and cover with olive oil.

  2. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat and cook for 45 minutes or until garlic is tender.

  3. Transfer garlic cloves to a jar, cover with the olive oil, and cool to room temperature. The garlic confit will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks or in the freezer for a few months.

Notes

Use the oil anytime you would use oil in a savory dish such as sautéing vegetables or preparing your favorite pasta dish. You can use the garlic confit (the garlic cloves cooked in the oil) in a variety of ways from smashed on crostini, mixed into a pasta sauce, or in our popular Eggplant Meatballs.

Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY is dear to our hearts, not only because that is our local, organic farm; but because it allows us to educate children on food and where it comes from via the Sylvia Center. Katchkie Farm has recently become one of our wedding venues. 

June Food Festival: Berry Delicious Blueberries

About the Artist: Erin Robinson is one of our GP Artists. Click here to see more of her art.

EMBRACE TIP:

Pair eggs with other nutritious ingredients for a balanced dish. Serve eggs with whole grains like whole wheat bread and cook eggs with healthy sources of fat like olive oil.

Looking for more health supportive and wellness content? Check out GP Embrace

Each month, our Great Performances menus feature seasonal ingredients. It’s our way of celebrating the earth and bringing our special touch to every menu.

This month, we’re celebrating blueberries with The Plaza Hotel’s Executive Chef’s recipe for Lemon Blueberry Curd! We can’t get enough of blueberries in fruit salads, in pancakes, or just by the handful. Here, bright lemons compliment blueberries in a delicious lemon blueberry curd.

LEMON BLUEBERRY CURD

by Geoff Rudaw, Executive Chef, CPS Events at The Plaza

Ingredients

  • 4 lemons, zested

  • ¾ cup lemon juice (from zested lemons)

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 cup sugar

  • ¾ cups butter

  • 1 cup blueberries

Procedure

  1. Beat eggs and sugar together in saucepan. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter.

  2. Heat to boil over low heat while whisking until mixture thickens.

  3. Strain mixture into another saucepan and add blueberries. Cook mixture until blueberries pop and mixture turns a dark purple.

  4. Remove from heat and cool.

Notes

Try using this lemon blueberry curd to make a crepe layer cake, alternating layers of this blueberry curd with either homemade or purchased crepes. Or layer with meringue, whipped cream, and fresh berries to make a blueberry Eton mess.

Learn more about New York City’s iconic Plaza Hotel

Asparagus

About the Artist: Erin Robinson is one of our GP Artists. Click here to see more of her art.

EMBRACE TIP:

Asparagus is rich in prebiotics, a type of carbohydrate that supports our good gut bacteria and may help improve blood cholesterol and blood sugar control.

Looking for more health supportive and wellness content? Check out GP Embrace

Each month, our Great Performances menus feature seasonal ingredients. It’s our way of celebrating the earth and bringing our special touch to every menu.

This month, we’re celebrating eggs! A symbol of new life and often brightly decorated for Easter, we love eggs for their versatility and as a source of protein that’s also rich in vitamins and minerals.

TRUFFLE ASPARAGUS SOUP

By Shaquay Peacock, Venue Chef

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

  • 3 bunches asparagus, bottoms removed, chopped

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 stalks celery, chopped

  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 3 cups baby spinach

  • 1 ½ -2 quarts vegetable stock

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 tablespoon white truffle oil (plus more for garnish)

  • Salt and pepper

Procedure 

  1. In a large stockpot on medium heat add olive oil, onion, garlic and celery. Sauté for 3 minutes or until onions and garlic appear translucent.

  2. Add asparagus and thyme and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. Pour in vegetable stock and season with salt and pepper. Cook uncovered on a medium-low simmer for 20 minutes or until all vegetables are tender.

  4. Once vegetables are tender, add cream, spinach and truffle oil. Remove from heat and blend using an immersion blender until smooth.

  5. Adjust seasoning and divide into bowls, drizzle with oil, and serve hot.

Crispy Thai style fried egg garnished with red birdseye chilies and green scallions

EMBRACE TIP:

One egg contains 27% of the choline we need in a day. Choline is an essential nutrient involved in the regulation of memory, mood, muscle function and more.

Looking for more health supportive and wellness content? Check out GP Embrace

Each month, our Great Performances menus feature seasonal ingredients. It’s our way of celebrating the earth and bringing our special touch to every menu.

This month, we’re celebrating eggs with a bonus recipe! These fried eggs feature a crispy bottom and is garnished with some oyster sauce, scallions and chilies. Delicious on its own, on ride or noodles, or any way you imagine. Oscar taps into his Peruvian heritage recommends eating them with Chaufa, a Peruvian fried rice with Chinese origins.

THAI STYLE FRIED EGG (KAI DAO)

by Oscar Seguin, Saucier

Servings: 2-4

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil

  • 4 large free-range egg

  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce

  • 2 scallions, finely sliced

  • 1-2 red bird’s eye chilies, finely sliced

Procedure

  1. Heat oil in a hot wok until the surface seems to shimmer. Crack eggs into the hot oil for 2 minutes.

  2. Reduce heat to moderate allowing the underside of the egg to become firm and crisp. Carefully slide a spatula under the eggs and lift out the wok, then pour off the oil.

  3. Return eggs to wok to for a minute to crisp further.

  4. Remove eggs from wok drain off any excess oil before plating.

  5. Drizzle eggs with oyster sauce and garnish with pepper shallots and chilies.

COOKING WITH GREAT PERFORMANCES: EGGS

A Culinary Egg-Venture with Chef Georgette

We love the versatility of eggs! We’re highlighting eggs for dinner in our latest cooking series led by Chef Georgette Farkas. Chef Georgette shares some of her favorite egg dishes influenced by her childhood summers spent in the south of France, years studying in Switzerland at the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, and her culinary experience in the kitchens of Roger Vergé’s Moulin de Mougins, Alain Ducasse’s Louis XV in Monte Carlo and with Daniel Boulud while he was executive Chef at New York’s Hotel Plaza Athenée.

Mediterranean flavors emerge in most of her cooking which ranges from comforting home-style dishes with a few more formal restaurant-style touches thrown in.

Chef Georgette will take you through each dish, discussing its origins and her inspiration, demonstrating various cooking techniques, and sharing tips for improvising using local, seasonal ingredients.

About the Classes

Who Can Join: All ages and skill levels are welcome to join the class! For any children joining, an adult must also participate.

Cost: $30 per seat (the class fee is per Zoom seat – you can have as many people in your kitchen as you like)

Class Length: 60 minutes

What you’ll need: Before each class, we’ll send you our prep packet. Each packet contains a shopping list, recipe, pre-work, and any additional information you’ll need.

Each class is fully interactive! Be prepared to turn on your camera if you’d like and feel free to ask questions as you work alongside our Chef Instructor.

We’ll send the password protected Zoom link 30-minutes before the class. Please login to the Zoom as early as 10 minutes before the start time—late attendees may not be admitted.

CULINARY EGG-VENTURE CLASS DETAILS

Week 1

Green Tortilla Española

Wednesday, May 5 | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | $20

Chef Georgette Farkas’ take on a classic Spanish omelette includes Swiss chard, leeks, onion and Parmesan cheese. You’ll practice your knife skills as you prepare the vegetables for the tortilla as well as how to substitute your favorite farm-fresh produce.

Week 2

Eggs and Crispy Chorizo Piperade

Wednesday, May 12 | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | $20

We’re going back to Chef Georgette Farkas’ childhood and memories of her mother preparing this traditional Basque Country dish. In Chef Georgette’s version, eggs are nestled into the prepared vegetables and chorizo then baked in the oven until done.

Week 3

Eggs en Cocotte Forstière

Wednesday, May 19 | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | $20

A trip to France wouldn’t be complete without Eggs en Cocotte, or baked eggs. Red wine, earthy mushrooms, and sweet shallots make a memorable dish.

Week 4

Chilled Asparagus, Poached Eggs, Tarragon Mayonnaise

Wednesday, May 26 | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | $20

Nothing says spring more than asparagus with soft poached eggs and a decadent mayonnaise. In our final week, we’re learning two techniques: poaching eggs and emulsification. Chef Georgette breaks it down for you so it won’t break on you!

HOW TO REGISTER

Register for the class by clicking the button below.

Once you register for a class, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the recipe packet and additional information.

Each spring I consider the proximity of the Easter and Passover holidays and the ways in which their two cultures intersect in the life of our city. Surely there are dishes that could grace both the Easter and Passover tables. This year the holidays fall from early to mid-April, when the new season’s vegetables have yet to be harvested. Yet, we are none the less hungry for a change in tone. I’m offering a trio of vegetable dishes that are a feast all their own. While they would also make delicious accompaniments to a roasted side of salmon, a chicken, or even a paschal lamb. I begin with asparagus and eggs, as I can’t imagine a spring menu without this classic pairing and harbingers of the season. The bright, bold pink of the red beet and pearl couscous salad is as pretty as any easter frock. Finally, the sweet roasted carrots offer a bridge between winter and spring and have a hint of the tzimmes that traditionally graces many a Passover dinner.

RECIPE: RED BEET PEARL COUSCOUS SALAD

Serves 4-6

If we eat first with our eyes, then this dish’s festive pink tones will surely delight. The sweet and sour pomegranate molasses vinaigrette brightens the vegetables, while the cucumber’s crunch contrasts nicely with the tender beets and couscous pearls.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 Tbsp pomegranate molasses
  • 4.5 Tbsp sherry vinegar
  • ¾ cup + 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • ¾ to 1lbs red beets
  • 4 to 6 oz yellow beets, poached and peeled
  • 1.5 cups pearl couscous
  • 1 whole English cucumber, seeded, cubed
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • Small bunch watercress or other cress variety
  • ¼ cup pistachio, toasted, coarsely chopped OPTIONAL
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure

  1. To prepare the vinaigrette, combine pomegranate molasses, sherry vinegar and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil to emulsify. Season to taste.
  2. Poach beets in salted boiling water until tender, drain and peel.
  3. Cook pearl couscous in boiling salted water until al dente, approximately 6 to 7 minutes. Drain well and toss in approximately one tablespoon olive oil to coat the couscous.
  4. Turn about a quarter of the poached red beet into pulp using a plane zester or the smallest holes on a grater. You will need approximately half a cup. Toss the red beet pulp into the drained couscous and add approximately ¼ cup of the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Cut remaining poached beets as desired, whether thinly sliced or cubed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss cubed cucumber in lemon juice.
  6. From here, the presentation is a matter of your own creative preference. You may choose to toss everything together and serve in a salad bowl. Alternatively, serve the red beet couscous on a shallow platter and place the vegetables around it. If you choose the latter route, drizzle some dressing over the vegetables and serve remaining dressing on the side. If desired, sprinkle chopped pistachio over the vegetables. It is best not to mix the toasted pistachio into the couscous, as the nuts would loose their crunch. Garnish with watercress sprigs.
Chris Harkness Egg Strata Recipe

About the Artist: Erin Robinson is one of our GP Artists. Click here to see more of her art.

EMBRACE TIP:

Pair eggs with other nutritious ingredients for a balanced dish. Serve eggs with whole grains like whole wheat bread and cook eggs with healthy sources of fat like olive oil.

Looking for more health supportive and wellness content? Check out GP Embrace

Each month, our Great Performances menus feature seasonal ingredients. It’s our way of celebrating the earth and bringing our special touch to every menu.

This month, we’re celebrating eggs with this gorgeous zucchini and sage strata recipe. We love eggs as an incredibly versatile source of protein, rich in vitamins and minerals. It’s also a great cooking aid as it can leaven dishes, add a silky quality to drinks, and brings ingredients together.

ZUCCHINI AND SAGE STRATA

by Chris Harkness, Food and Beverage Director

Servings: 2-4

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs

  • 2 thick slices of day-old bread, large dice

  • ½ cup zucchini, large dice

  • ½ cup sweet onions, diced.

  • ¼ cup green pepper, diced.

  • 1 teaspoon sage leaves, chiffonade

  • ¼ teaspoon oregano leaves

  • 2 tablespoon butter

  • ¼ cup olive oil

  • Salt and pepper

Procedure

  1. Preheat oven to 375˚F

  2. Pre-heat a 9-inch sauté pan and add the butter and olive oil. Once melted, add the sage and oregano to the pan and when they “sizzle” add the zucchini and sauté until the zucchini browns on one side

  3. Add bread, onions, and peppers and cook until everything starts to sweat.

  4. Whip the eggs in a bowl, season and add a little cold water, and stir. Pour the eggs over the ingredients in the pan and stir once with a rubber spatula. Place the pan in the oven uncovered and cook until firm, about 15 minutes.

About the Artist: Erin Robinson is one of our GP Artists. Click here to see more of her art.

EMBRACE TIP:

Kimchi is a Korean dish made by fermenting cabbage with other ingredients including chili powder and garlic. Eating fermented foods like kimchi is beneficial for gut health.

Looking for more health supportive and wellness content? Check out GP Embrace

Each month, our Great Performances menus feature seasonal ingredients. It’s our way of celebrating the earth and bringing our special touch to every menu.

This month, we’re celebrating cabbage transformed into one of our favorite dishes, kimchi. You can purchase kimchi at your local Asian grocery store or you can even make your own (click here to make this kimchi recipe from Katchkie Farm).

KIMCHI FRIED RICE

by Aya Mohamed, Chef de Cuisine, Venues

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cold, leftover rice

  • 2 cups kimchi, roughly chopped; reserve some kimchi juice

  • 1 small onion, medium dice

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

  • 2 tsp vegetable oil

Optional

  • 1 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

  • ½ cup thinly sliced scallion

Procedure

  1. Heat a wok or large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add vegetable oil and when it shimmers, add onions and garlic, sautéing until aromatic. Add chopped kimchi and mix well.

  2. Add leftover rice and combine well. Once mixed in, add reserved kimchi juice, sesame oil, and soy sauce and combine well.

  3. Garnish with thinly sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

Note

Serve with a fried egg, or add spam, braised pork belly, or even bacon for extra umami.

FEBRUARY FOOD FESTIVAL: OUR HEARTS BEET FOR YOU

Each month, our Great Performances menus feature seasonal ingredients. It’s our way of celebrating the earth and bringing our special touch to every menu.

BEET TZATZIKI

by Emilia Sochovka, Registered Dietician Nutritionist

Looking for a dish that pops? When you add grated beets to tzatziki, it turns hot pink! This protein-rich Greek yogurt dip will surely get a lot of attention on the table. Serve with veggie sticks and slices of whole wheat pita.

Beet Tzatziki Recipe

About the Artist: Erin Robinson is one of our GP Artists. Click here to see more of her art.

INGREDIENTS

PROCEDURE

  • 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt

  • 1/2 lemon, juiced

  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1/4 English cucumber, grated

  • 3 beets, cooked and grated (wear gloves)

  • Olive oil

  • Salt and pepper

  1. In a separate bowl, squeeze the water out of the grated cucumber. You can also grate the cucumber into a strainer, salt it, and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse lightly and squeeze dry.

  2. Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, dill and garlic.

  3. Add the prepared cucumber and grated beets into the bowl with the yogurt. Mix to combine well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with a drizzle of olive oil and an extra sprig of dill.

More Recipes

YULEIMA

Music Producer

Yelitza (my twin sister) and I work with Linda Briceño aka Ella Bric, a two-time Latin Grammy winner and the first woman to win as Producer of the Year. When the quarantine started we thought that our block needed a little help at the 7 pm clap for essential workers. So one day, after coming back from delivering meals for the elderly, with the help of a friend, we set up the speakers in a window and asked Ella to play her trumpet while Yelitza played the tambourine and I played the maracas from the street. Well, the neighbors loved our mini-concert so much that one day became three months. Every day at 7 pm “La trompeta de Harlem” came out and played for 10 minutes. First by herself, but later with many well-known musicians that wanted to join the cause.

People came in from all over Harlem, the Upper West Side, Long Ilsand City and even New Jersey. They came out from their windows, their balconies, fire escapes, and some of them stayed in their cars while many were on the street.

We were featured on the local news, on Univision, CNN, on an AT&T commercial, and on the first documentary for YouTube Originals called “Aislados”.

On October 16th at 7 pm, Ella Bric will be played at the Lincoln Center: Gold Sessions at the Hearst Plaza.