It's All Greek For Me

Gyro- pronounced jear-ro, or yeer-o, or he-ro. If you pronouce it incorrectly, all is forgiven when said with a smile.

There is something to be said for the art of walking while eating. Or is it eating while walking? Now there are many other forms to this art which aren’t so safe, for example driving while eating. Although I have witnessed first hand - women who can eat, put on make up and text at the same time. Ok, we’ll pray for them, but lets get back to talking gryo.

In the US, gyro meat can consist of a few kinds of mystery meats that are pressed and formed. But, when in Rhodes, Greece I had the most delightful sliced, crispy and juicy shavings of meat in my gyro. I had the perfect opportunity to test my walk and chew without loosing a single drop of tzatziki on my white shirt!

My Greek gyro, was made with a warm pita, roasted and sliced mixed beef & pork, tomato, onion and topped with tzatzikisauce and fried potatoes. Other toppings may be added such as chick peas, olives, etc. depending on where the gyro is made.

This was a good snack to tie me over. My fresh Calamari and Mythos Beer awaited me at Cafe George, just down the street.

Cheers - For my Tzatziki Sauce Recipe. 

images, George Hirsch

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Power Pantry

Although it may not be time for spring cleaning in your pantry, winter is a good time to literally take inventory of how many of these power foods you have on hand, and more importantly incorporate into your daily diet. If I could offer you a magical way to stay looking younger, be healthier and feel great - wouldn't you take me up on it? OK, then here you go. They may seem obvious, but it's a good reminder. 

Almonds: good fiber, protein good for your heart. Go ahead and go nuts, it's good snack.

Apples: Vitamin C and soluble fiber and helps keep the doctor away. 

Beets: rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters; save fresh stems for salads for a double bonus. 

Blueberries: big plant compounds to prevent chronic diseases. Toss in cereal and yogurt to get your day started right.

Broccoli: missed your O.J. today? Have a portion of broccoli; it’s powerhouse of calcium, potassium, folate, fiber, Vitiams A & C.  

Red Beans: excellent source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin, and copper, low fat low cal source of protein and fiber. It makes a complete meal with steamed brown rice.

Sardines: high in omega-3’s, loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins. Enough said.

Spinach: Vit A and C folate. Good source of riboflavin, vitamin B-6, calcium iron and magnesium. Boost your immune system and keep hair and skin healthy. Seemed to work for Popeye.

Salmon: Omega-3 fatty acids, aids in keeping blood from clotting, good source of protein. Need more reason, just try this tasty recipe for Planked Salmon.

Sweet Potatoes: high in antioxidant beta-carotene which can slow the aging process. Good fiber, fat free, and under 60 calories per tuber. 

Swiss chard: a leafy green vegetable, packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes. Sorry, the DMV still requires an eye test for your drivers license, even if you eat your Swiss chard.

Turmeric: more than just a yellow color to paella, it contains anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer

Pumpkin seeds: the most nutritious part of the pumpkin; full of magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for an early death, that's good. Also helpful in the dugout during a World Series Game too.

Wheat Germ: great boost to your immune system and cardio health. Go ahead treat yourself to an ice cream topped with wheat germ, you are doing yourself good. 

Vegetable Juice: when choosing, select a low sodium version; filled with lycopene, an antioxidant that reduces heart attack and prostate cancer. 

Source: 'Recipes for a Healthy Active Life', by George Hirsch, Living it UP! TV series companion cookbook

Manhattan Rye

Rye had not been produced in New York for over 80 years, but Tuthilltown Spirits’ HUDSON MANHATTAN RYE WHISKEY signals the return of the quintessential New York Whiskey. Tuthilltown whiskeys are the only legally distilled and aged grain spirits produced in New York since Prohibition. Imagine that. It's a great story with a nostalgic return of the classic American spirit; each 92 proof bottle hand filled, capped, waxed and numbered.

Tuthilltown Spirits even distributed in Europe.

Chocolate Torta

Machines and gadgets are very important to many people, but honestly I really enjoy cooking when just a simple whisk, spoon or spatula just does the job. As is the case with the Chocolate Torta recipe from this week's episode of my TV show. Enjoy.

Mix by hand and bake. Forty-five minutes later you’ll be savoring this Italian Pastry delight!

image, Hirsch Productions

George's Chocolate Torta

Makes 12 servings 

www.chefgeorgehirsch.com | As seen on George Hirsch Living it UP! TV series

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1-1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 cup water

1/3 cup sweet butter, melted

1 egg, beaten

1 egg white, beaten into whole egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 325°. Lightly grease a 9-inch cake pan; set aside.

In small bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt; set aside.

In large bowl, combine cocoa and granulated sugar until blended. With wire whisk, beat in water, then melted butter, egg, egg white and vanilla until smooth. Add flour mixture and beat until smooth. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. On wire rack, cool for ten minutes in pan. With small spatula, loosen cake from sides of pan. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely. Place on plate and sprinkle with confectioners sugar. To serve, cut into small wedges. 

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Chocolate-Walnut Bread Pudding

OK, I agree, this is a really good recipe- thanks for your emails. I am making it on this week's episode of George Hirsch Living it UP!. I believe I also take you hot air ballooning in beautiful Sedona, Arizona. So be sure to tune in.

Chocolate-Walnut Bread Pudding Recipe

Makes 10-12 servings 

As Seen On George Hirsch Living it UP! TV series

chefgeorgehirsch.com

I like to use day-old French Bread in bread pudding because it has more flavor than the gummy white kind. Cinnamon-raisin bread, sweet rolls, even left over Irish soda bread can also be substituted for part of the bread. Puree some seasonal berries for a sauce or serve with a little vanilla sauce spiked with a wee-bit of Irish.

Directions:

3-4 cups cubed dry French bread

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1/2 cup raisins, plumped in 1 cup hot water for 5 minutes

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

4 cups milk

8 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons vanilla

1 Teaspoon nutmeg

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, butter, and beat with a whisk until well blended. Slowly pour over the bread, raisin, nut and chocolate mixture. Poke the bread so that it’s completely covered with the milk mixture and let sit for 10-15 minutes. 

Place a pan larger than the cake pan or skillet in preheated oven and place the pan holding the bead pudding inside. Immediately fill the outer pan with enough hot water so that it comes up one inch on the sides of the bread-pudding pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the water bath, reduce the temperature to 325 degrees, and bake for 25 additional minutes.

Remove the bread-pudding and allow to set for two hours before removing it from the pan.

Serve with warm fruit or vanilla sauce.