Category: Small swigs

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) creeps into every crevice of life, fear looms about if AI will surpass human dominance. Society’s giants have weighed in cautioning researchers and inventors. And, Ted talks abound on both sides of the debate. Once when I was giving a public talk in Netherlands, I was heckled by a small group: an animated exchange ensued with the moderator (in a language foreign to me; hence the hecklers really failed to agitate me). I surmise that they were staunch luddites worried about AI elbowing humans out of the way. I only wish AI was that “intelligent”. Then AI could plough through all the data and demystify cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s. Then we, the mere mortals, could follow through with inventing deliverable cures.

You may be surprised to learn that AI has already made inroads into the kitchen with cookbooks authored by computer programs. Occasionally at the cafeteria, at my place of work, we are presented with dishes designed by a computer program (executed by our intrepid resident Chef). While the results are commendable, I hesitate to endorse the creativity of AI. What could impress me, you ask. Let me give you two food inventions of this century that came out of human intelligence: GABA rice and aquafaba. The former is a technique of cooking nutritious rice and the latter is a mind-blowing egg-white substitute (no, it’s not one of those protein isolates). If AI generated an idea even 10 notches below the brilliance of these, I will concede in a heart-beat.

Before I get back to the core of this posting, I would be remiss if I do not reiterate the significance and role AI in modern society. As mind-numbing tasks are being handed over to AI, like suggesting your next favorite movie, or automatically organizing your photos, or vacuuming your floor, it will be long long time before it can get stunningly creative.

Now to aquafaba, the amazing ingredient. My friends had raved about Pisco Sour, a frothy Peruvian cocktail, but I always hung back when I saw egg whites go into the cocktail shaker. When I learned that aquafaba (bean water) is an excellent substitute for egg whites, I followed a classic Pisco Sour recipe with the substitute. The result was brilliant! Enjoy. [Also check out the aquafaba version of Ayurvedic Shot]

Special tools:.

Vitamix Aer or a cocktail shaker.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Pisco + 1 oz aquafaba [see below] + 1 oz fresh lemon juice + ¾ ounce simple syrup + 2-3 ice cubes
• few drops of Grapefruit bitters

Method

Mix all the ingredients, except bitters, in a cocktail shaker or the Vitamix Aer. Pour the frothy drink into a glass and splash 2-3 drops of bitters (serves 1).

Notes, hints, tips:

1. You can make the aquafaba yourself as below or simply use the liquid from canned garbanzo. Make sure it is unsalted.
2. Pisco is a strong Peruvian brandy, made from white grapes. You could use 2 oz per serving for a stronger version.
3. Simple syrup: Dissolve equal amount, by volume, of sugar and water, in a microwavable cup. Nuke for 30 secs and stir. Cool.
4. Homemade Aquafaba: Soak 2 cups garbanzo beans overnight. Add water (about 1 cm only above the layer of beans). Bring to a boil, then turn down heat to low simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. [Check after 1 hour with a bite-test and decide if it needs more cooking.] Remove the cooked beans—these should be still holding their shape—with a slotted spoon. Do not mash the beans into the water. Thicken the water on heat for another 15 mins. This makes about 3 ½ oz of aquafaba (see picture below). You could cool it in the fridge. Do not be alarmed to see it gel (like aspic). See pictures below for possibly different consistencies that you may get at different runs (left & center).
   The cooked garbanzo can be used for other recipes- hummus, chole, falafal etc.

I adapt this from Thrive’s health shot. It was such a hit with friends, family, acquaintances over the last holiday season, that I feel obliged to share my version with all. The haldi (turmeric) and sonth (dried ginger) components make it unmistakably Ayurvedic. I love the taste, first and foremost; then I am equanimous, as a yogini, after.

It’s the season for apple cider and the few intrepid winter farmers’ markets grab your attention with this. So it was only fitting that I incorporate this into the shot; something like Temperate meets Tropics. Enjoy and embrace the yogi(ni) in you!

Special tools:

Blender.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (8 oz) apple cider (serves 2)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder (or fermented turmeric powder) + 1 tsp ginger powder (sonth) + dash of sea salt + pinch of ground black pepper
• 3 cubes of frozen tender coconut water (or just ice cubes)

Method

Blend all the ingredients in your powerful blender for 45 seconds or so.
Serve immediately.

Notes, hints, tips:

1. To make coconut water ice-cubes: Pour coconut water into freezing trays. It freezes in about 2 hours in the freezer. Then remove th cubes and place in a container in the freezer. Use as required.
2. Sonth is dried ginger. It is not the same as fresh ginger: it has a deeper flavor and taste, almost medicinal. Ginger powder in your supermarket is indeed sonth (fresh ginger is not amenable to powdering).
3. Both turmeric and ginger powder do not technically dissolve in a liquid medium; the high velocity rotation of the blender blade helps in the “emulsification”, in addition to the froth.
4. Instead of the 1 cup apple cider, you can use –1 cup tender coconut water + 1 tbsp honey + 1 tsp apple cider vinegar– (as in Thrive’s health shot).
5. Warm Shot: For a comforting warm shot, nuke the cider with the same ingredients (skip the ice cubes) in the microwave for a minute or so.
6. Frothy Shot (aquafaba): To the recipe add 2 oz (use a bartender’s jigger, for convenience) aquafaba. Run in the emulsifier.

A powerful blender is an incredible tool. I even saw on youtube it pulverizes concrete! Not kidding.  Amazingly some ingredients taste even better when reduced to molecules. Here the powerful blades crush the almonds and the ice into a frappe consistency (or thinner) with a pleasing froth. Makes me wonder what other bewitching tchotchke lies round the corner.

I realize that we are responsible for the consequences of what we eat. In that vein I have convinced myself that the dark chocolate coated almonds with a hint of turbinado sugar and sea salt (from none other than Trader Joe’s) is one of the harmless munchies. Inspired by the classical Italian affogato, I use these Trader Joe’s almonds with espresso for a 2-minute frappuccino. A dash of liqueur celebrates the holidays.  Serves two in a dainty Cocktail or an Old Fashioned glass; but just one in a Highball glass. Enjoy!

Special tools:

Blender.

Ingredients

• 1 shot of espresso (15 gm coffee beans/30 gm shot)
• 10-12 almonds coated with dark chocolate, salt and turbinado sugar
• a splash of Cacao (or Coffee) liqueur
• 1/2 cup milk (or almond milk)
• few ice cubes

Method

Blend all the ingredients in the blender and let it run for 30 secs or more. Serve immediately, with a few almonds on the side.

Notes, hints, tips:

1. I used the fancy Dutch Strietman to extract the shot, but the humble stove-top Italian Espresso maker is as spectacular.
   
2. You can also use drip coffee or French Pressed. Freeze the coffee to make iced cubes in the recipe.
3. If you cannot find the chocolate coated almonds, then used almonds + cacao powder + dash of  (Sicilian) sea salt.
   
4. I show the liqueur I use below, but feel free to skip this for  a non-alcoholic, morning version.