The Capital District YMCA is pleased to introduce another contributor to our website. Starting in July, you can visit CDYMCA.org to find healthy recipes from Chef Mike Cohen, from Chez Mike's Restaurant in East Greenbush. This month's recipe comes just in time for a long weekend.
Here is a great summer recipe that is easy to make,
delicious, and very healthy. It can be
eaten plain, or used in many other ways:
Add chilled seafood for a nice appetizer or lunch, or even blend with extra virgin olive oil for a
delicious gazpacho vinaigrette to dress salads or grilled chicken. The key is to use fresh vegetables, and eat
within one day. If you like, you can
make a lot, and freeze it airtight for another time. This way the gazpacho doesn’t loose its
vibrancy.
Summer Gazpacho
Tomatoes(romas are best, but whatever looks freshest) 2#
Cucumbers, peeled 1#
Small beet 1
Jalapeno 1 (more if you like it spicy)
Red bell pepper 2
Garlic cloves 2
Cilantro leaves, ½ bunch
½ Cup kosher salt
Juice of 2 limes
1- Roughly chop first 7 ingredients, mix with salt in a large bowl, let sit for 1 hour.
2- There are three options for blending the vegetables: Juicer-this will give you the finest texture, resulting in the thinnest soup. Blender- this will be slightly chunkier. Food processor- chunkiest texture, for a more rustic appeal. All are good, so go with what equipment you have or what you prefer.
About Chez Mike
Chef Michael is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with exceptional
restaurant experience.
After graduating in 1999, he worked for 2 years in Atlanta, GA at the 4
Diamond/5 Star Seeger’s Restaurant. It was there, under the tutelage of world
renowned Chef Gunther Seeger, that Chef Mike learned the art of simple, fresh,
seasonal cooking. Later, Mike worked at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York
City. At the Four Seasons, Chef Mike learned the extreme importance of going
out of your way to ensure guest satisfaction.
Finally, Mike decided to move up to the Capital City area to marry his long
time love and inspiration, Michele. His most notable job was as Executive Chef
of Lipperas at the Chatham House in Columbia County. There, the Lippera family
allowed Chef Mike to demonstrate his ability to transform the Chatham House into
a premiere dining destination. During his tenure as Executive Chef, the Chatham
House received many accolades including, Times Union 3 1/2 Stars, Best Entree
Capital City Area 2005, and Columbia County’s Best New Restaurant among others.
Chef Michael Cohen has also been noted in Hudson Valley and Dinnerware
Magazines. Most recently, he has made several appearances as guest on Carmine’s
Restaurant T.V. Show.
Michele Cohen is also a Culinary Institute of America graduate. Upon
graduation in 1999, she chose a career in foodservice management. Michele
worked for such establishments as Harvard Business School and Fidelity at the
World Trade Center, both in Boston, MA.
Since settling back into the Albany area with Mike, she has worked various
positions at Provence and is now with J&S Watkins Homebaked Desserts. It is
here that Michele excels at the fine, from scratch creations they offer.
Happily married, Michele and Mike, currently reside in East Greenbush,
excited to be serving the community in which they live.