A Pasta Dish for Fall!

“Pasta Day” comes once a year on October 17. It is here and in Boca Grove fashion we are going to celebrate the best way we know how with a fall pasta recipe from our Executive Chef Dominick Laudia. Grab a bowl and get ready to feel the warmth with Chef’s “Orecchiette Pasta with Kale and Roasted Butternut Squash”.

 

For the Pasta:

1 oz.                                      Olive Oil

1 cup                                     Onions, Julienne

1 tsp.                                     Garlic, Chopped

1 lb.                                       Kale, Chopped

2 cups                                   Vegetable Stock

2 cups                                   Heavy Cream

¼ lb.                                       Butter

2 tbls.                                    Sage, Chopped

3 cups                                   Roasted Butternut Squash, Diced and Blanched

2 cups                                   Cannellini Beans

2 each                                   Roasted Red Pepper, Cut in Strips

1 lb.                                       Orecchiette Pasta, Cooked Al Dente

1 cup                                     Parmesan Cheese, Grated

As needed                          Fresh Ground Pepper

 

Method:

In a sauce pan heat the olive oil and add the onions.

Saute until caramelized.

Add garlic and kale.

Saute until tender.

Add stock and simmer.

Add heavy cream and allow to reduce to half.

Whisk in butter.

Add sage, butternut squash, cannellini beans, roasted peppers and pasta, toss to heat.

Place in serving bowls and top with cheese and additional peppers.

 

Enjoy this dish today, all season long or for those special “Meatless Monday” night dinners.

“Sweating Saturday” is Ready for Summer, Part 4.

The whole body has been worked separately at this point, so now what? For our final installment of tips for getting fit for summer from Boca Grove Fitness Director David Schlueter, we have some moves that work the whole body. Feel the burn!

 

1. Turkish Getup: Start by laying on your back with one arm extended in the air (with or without a kettle ball weight). Using your abs and your legs get yourself up to standing position then back down to the laying position. This exercise may sound easy, but it is not! It works your legs, core and arms. Aim to do 5 on each side.

   

   

   

2. Plank: Position yourself on your forearms, hands and toes (like in a push up position but on your forearms). Hold in this position for 30 seconds to a minute. This is an all-around exercise that works your abs, back, glutes and hamstrings.
3. Plank and Row: In a push-up position while holding weights in your hands alternate pulling the weights off the ground in a rowing motion. This exercise works everything the plank exercise does, except it also adds lats and biceps. Do 12 sets (a set is a row on each side).
   

   
4. Squat and Row: Using the cables and weight on a machine or using a resistance band, pull back as far as possible. Go into a squat position and, upon standing row back with your arms. This will work your quads, hamstrings, lats and biceps. The goal is to do 15 reps if you are using weights. If you are not using weights do the exercise based on a time, like 30 seconds or a minute.
   

   

 

You have now spent four weeks getting in tip top shape. You are ready to go suit shopping and show the beach/pool crowd all your hard work. Keep it up and be proud. You did good and your body thanks you.

 

Tips to Keep Your New Year Resolutions This Year.

Every year we make our New Year Resolutions. Some we keep and some never make it past January 31^st. This year let’s make a resolution to keep our resolutions with these 11 easy ways to make them stick from Forbes.com.

1. Keep a resolutions chart.

This method may be a blast from the past, but it could be worth a shot. Old can be new again. The concept is to make yourself accountable by each day having to check off boxes in the chart for things completed. A low tech way to effectively get the job done.

 

2. Use the 10 minute rule.

Resolutions by nature can become overwhelming before they even begin. Use the 10-minute rule to break the resolutions in to manageable portions of time. Take the time to write down any resolution-related tasks that can be done in 10 minutes or less such as cleaning off the kitchen counter, making a phone call, doing a quick set of crunches or push-ups, or anything small that can fit into the time frame.

 

3. Make it something you love.

Instead of making all your resolutions something you dread, make some that are fun. You can keep the regular “eat healthier” and “exercise more”, but add in something that you have always wanted to do but just never had the time to do. Have you wanted to learn how to scuba dive or paint? Maybe host more dinner parties or read more books? Make this year the year you resolve to do that one, or two things you would be happy to add to your life.

 

4. Set up mobile reminders.

Most web-based calendars allow you to set up recurring events by reminding you via an e-mail or text thus making it a little harder to “forget” those little tasks as you are alerted on your phone. If a web calendar won’t work for you then find an app for your phone that can. Just make sure the reminder is in a form that it will get your attention and not be ignored.

 

5. Break it into steps.

If you happen to make a large resolution, break it into smaller steps so that you don’t get overwhelmed and it becomes doable. For instance, you want to organize your whole house. Make it easier to accomplish by breaking it in to different rooms each month. Maybe your resolution is to lose 20 pounds – set your goals at 5 pound increments by certain periods of time so you don’t feel defeated before you start.

 

6. Create visual reminders.

Posting notes in places you will see or placing necessary items in spots that you won’t miss can help you accomplish your resolution, especially if it is a new habit you are trying to start. For example, if you are trying to start a regular gym routine, leave a note on your nightstand to pack your gym clothes or leave the gym bag at the front door so you don’t leave without it in the morning.

 

7. Join a group.

A sure fire way to keep a resolution is by joining a group. The group gives you a social atmosphere and a firm time commitment that make it hard to not keep. If there isn’t a group that fits your resolution, then start your own group with friends that will keep everyone interested and on track. You want to craft more or read more, start your own craft group or book club to help keep those resolutions intact.

 

8. Make it automatic.

Technology can turn out to be your friend when it comes to keeping resolutions. If your goal is to cut your energy bill this year, then install a thermostat that can be controlled and programmed from the device or from your phone. If you are trying to save money for that dream trip, then set up a savings account so the money is automatically deposited into the account every paycheck making it easier to save and for you to keep your resolution.

 

9. Make it pleasant.

If your resolution is about going to the gym, then make it easier on yourself by having cute shoes you can’t wait to put on. If organizing the house is the top item on the list, buy yourself cute bins or a label maker to make you excited to organize. Whatever it may be, treat yourself so that you can’t wait to get your resolution going and keep going throughout the year.

 

10. Garner support from loved ones.

It is always easier to accomplish a goal when you have the support of loved ones. A gentle nudge or reminder, celebrating with you when a goal has been met, or just giving all around support from family members or friends can help you keep your resolution. However, keep anyone who tends to be judgmental or pessimistic out of your support system – their negativity will not help you succeed.

 

11. Limit yourself to one goal.

Setting too many resolutions can cause failure right off the start. Try and narrow your list down to one goal to start off. When you accomplish one then you can start another. Multitasking can be harder on the best of days, and too many resolutions can cause failure before you even get started. Set your sights on one to start and once you succeed – reward yourself greatly.

 

New Year Resolutions can be seen as frightening. Keep these easy tips at hand when making your list and you will have a better chance of resolution success.

“Sangria Day” is Here! Let’s Celebrate with a Holiday-Style Sangria Recipe!

This year “Sangria Day” has fallen on the December Sunday before Christmas and we have a Cranberry Sangria recipe from myrecipes.com just for you. Make up a pitcher and enjoy it all week to help you survive the days up to Christmas.

 

Cranberry Sangria Ingredients:

2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 (750-milliliter) bottle fruity red wine

½ cup brandy

1 cup fresh orange juice

Garnishes: fresh cranberries; orange, lemon and lime slices

 

Method:

Bring the first 3 ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes or until cranberries pop. Pour mixture through a wire-mesh strainer into a bowl, using the back of a spoon to squeeze out juice. Discard solids.

 

Transfer cranberry mixture to a large pitcher. Stir in wine, brandy and orange juice. Chill 2 hours. Serve over ice; garnish with cranberries and fruit slices, if desired.

 

A tip for your Sangria – add the garnish to the pitcher and to let it marinate in the liquid while it’s chilling in the fridge. This allows the fruit to add its juices to the mixture to add more flavor.

Enjoy your Sangria this week, whether it be a glass at night or by the pitcher.

FREE! Mouth Watering Memorial Day Recipe for Grilled Skirt Steak with Corn Avocado Tomato Relish By Award Winning Chef, Dominick Laudia, at Boca Grove Golf and Tennis Club, Boca Raton, Fla.

Treat your family and friends to a delicious Memorial Day dish, that’s sure to have everyone complimenting you on your great cooking skills! This recipe is brought to you by Executive Chef, Dominick Laudia, CED, AAC, of Boca Grove Golf and Tennis Club, a premier country club in Boca Raton, Fla. Chef Laudia was honored with both the 2014 Chef Professionalism of the Year and Martha Ambrosio Lifetime Achievement awards from the American Culinary Federation’s Palm Beach County Chapter.

Ladies and Gentlemen, get ready to START YOUR GRILLS! Enjoy a delicious Memorial Day weekend!

 Grilled Skirt Steak

With Corn Avocado Tomato Relish
Potato Planks

Serves 6

For the Steak

3 Lbs              Skirt Steak

2 oz                Honey

4 oz                Dijon Mustard

4 oz                Soy Sauce

2 tbls              Ginger

4 tbls              Garlic

2 oz                Oil

Method: Marinate Steak for 2 hours, Place on Hot grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side

For the Relish

2 each            Corn on the cob, grilled and removed from the cob

1 each            Avocado, diced

1 each            Tomato, seeds removed, diced

1 each            Lemon, juice and zest

1 each            Lime, juiced and zest

4 tbls              Olive oil

As needed      Salt

As needed      Black pepper

1 tbls              Chive, Minced

Method: Combine all ingredients, chill

For the Potato Planks

3 each           Potato, sliced in length, skin on

2 oz               Oil

As needed      Salt and Pepper

3 tbls             Olive oil

3 tbls             Chive, Minced

Method: Brush planks with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on hot grill till soft. Drizzle with olive oil and chive

Season Closing Event: Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Boca Grove Style!

Calling all Members! Don’t miss the Season’s Closing Event, “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” on Saturday, April 11.

The event will start at 7:00 pm poolside, with your favorite cocktails at your friendly neighborhood “dive.” Then the journey begins! Travel across the USA sampling the tastiest cuisine each region has to offer. You can even grab a dance along the way to your next stop with pre-show entertainment. The night will be highlighted by a concert featuring the heart-stopping, hand-clapping, knee-slapping music and harmonies of Savannah Jack, Nashville’s newest musical sensation! Don’t miss out on this special night of Food, Fun and Festivities! For more information, to make reservations and to purchase tickets, members should call Marcia at ext. 137.

Boca Grove is a prestigious, members only golf and country club in Boca Raton, focusing on an uncompromising dedication to service and excellence. A boutique-style residential community and recreational oasis in the heart of Boca Raton, Boca Grove is recognized as one of South Florida’s most affluent communities. Understated elegance in an intimate setting is the key to what makes Boca Grove the epitome of superior living, and where members Cherish the Lifestyle.