Articles, activities for boomers & seniors
Joe Dormans, Executive Chef, Fellowship Community
How do you modify recipes to make sure they are healthy?
At Fellowship Community, we use fresh ingredients to boost the nutritional value of the foods we serve. We also select lean cuts of meat to prepare our recipes. Many processed foods are loaded with sodium, saturated fats, and sugar. We go to the extent of making our own salad dressings, sauces and soups.
By preparing meals “from scratch”, we have more control over the nutritional value. As an alternative to our regular entrees, we offer specialized meals for those on low sodium diets.
What are the best substitutes for sugar, salt and saturated fats?
I often substitute honey instead of white sugar in recipes. Since honey is sweeter than sugar, I can often use less. There are trace amounts of vitamins and minerals in honey that may also be beneficial for the elderly. I use different spices and herbs to replace salt. This not only reduces sodium intake but also creates more flavorful foods. Olive oil is used to replace saturated fats in most of our recipes.
What is one of your favorite recipes to make for residents?
My favorite recipe to prepare for our independent living resident restaurant is crab cakes. It’s also the residents’ favorite. Years ago I owned the Dockside restaurant and I often prepared them for our guests. QVC approached me and wanted to sell the crab cakes but I turned them down because the volume they needed was just too large for me. I’m sharing that recipe with your readers.
Why do you enjoy cooking at a continuing care retirement community?
I enjoy overseeing the culinary needs of every level of care from our independent living restaurant to personal care and nursing care residents. It is challenging to meet individual dietary restrictions and personal food preferences. It helps me be creative in developing recipes that look appetizing, taste good and meet dietary restrictions.
Villa Cafe Crab Cakes
Ingredients:
1 lb can blackfin lump crab meat
2 whole eggs
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 teaspoon fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon Old Bay
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
In bowl, wisk eggs until beaten.
Add mayo, parsley, Old Bay, bread crumbs to eggs
and mix until well incorporated.
Add crab meat and lightly toss as to not smash the crab.
Form into round balls, bake in 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.