Recipe of the Month from Cooking School’s Chef Sydney
Italian White Beans alla Vodka
Serves 4
2 tbsp (30 g) butter or olive oil
1 sweet or yellow onion, small dice
3 – 6 cloves garlic, minced or sliced thinly
½ cup (118 mL) tomato paste
Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes
¼ cup (31 g) vodka
3 ½ cups (828mL) cooked/canned white beans, rinsed and drained (such as gigante or cannellini)
½ cup (118 mL) tomato puree
⅔ cup (157 mL) heavy cream
For serving: Fresh Grated Parmesan, Fresh Basil and Toasted Bread
Instructions:
1. Place a high-walled skillet oven over medium heat and add butter or oil. When hot, add onion and season lightly. Cook gently until softened and translucent for about 5 - 8 minutes without browning, lowering the heat as needed. Add garlic and cook until aromatic for about 1 minute. Add tomato paste and lightly season again. Continue to cook for 2 – 4 minutes, stirring often, until the tomato is caramelizing and the bottom of the pot is starting to brown.
2. Carefully add the vodka to the pan to deglaze, using a wooden spoon to scrape brown bits from bottom of pan. Add beans and tomato puree, and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid is mostly absorbed for 3 – 5 minutes.
3. Gradually stir in the heavy cream. To prevent the cream from curdling, start with the cream at room temperature or slightly warmed before adding it to the hot pot. Simmer gently on low heat until thickened to your liking for about 4 - 6 minutes. Remove the pot from heat, and stir in the parmesan and herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Finally, serve with toasted bread.
Recipe of the Month from Cooking School’s Chef Brian
Beef Stroganoff
Serves 4
1.5 lbs (680 g) steak, such as top sirloin, tenderloin, or ribeye, diced large
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 - 3 tbsp (30 – 44 g) high heat cooking oil
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
16 oz (450 g) wild mushrooms, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 thyme sprigs, leaves chopped
2 tbsp (30 g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (473 mL) chicken stock
½ cup (118 mL) sour cream
1 bunch parsley, leaves chopped
For serving: toasted bread or cooked egg noodles
Instructions:
1. Place a large saute pan on high heat and add a thin layer of oil. Spread the ribeye on a large plate, pat dry with a paper towel, and season liberally with salt and fresh cracked pepper. When pan is just smoking, add half of steak and cook in 2 batches as to not overcrowd the pan. Brown on all sides, remove, and repeat with the second batch.
2. When the second batch is browned and out of the pan, discard the browned oil and add a new, thin layer of oil. When the oil is hot, add the mushrooms. Cook on high until the mushrooms are brown, stirring occasionally, and then season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat to medium, and add the shallots. Lightly season and cook the shallots until they are translucent for about 2-4 minutes. Add garlic and thyme, stirring frequently and cooking until they are fragrant for about 30 seconds.
3. Add chicken stock and use a wooden or silicone tool to scrape any brown bits from the pan. Turn heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil, then lower heat to medium and simmer. Reduce the mixture by half. Return steak and simmer 1-2 minutes until heated through; turn the pan off, and add sour cream. Stir to combine. Finally, serve over egg noodles, and sprinkle parsley on top.
Virtual Cooking School Classes
The UBS Cooking School offers free, virtual classes daily where employees can practice their cooking skills and prepare fantastic recipes designed by our onsite chefs. A few of our popular, upcoming classes are featured below:
- April 4th: Stuffed Burritos, Classic and Upgraded
- April 11th: Grandma's Passover Brisket
- April 16th: Coconut Miso Curry with Salmon & Seaweed
- April 25th: French Toast Casserole
Special Events At Our Cafe and Markets
Celebrate Culture & Cuisine with Us!
This month, in partnership with MOSAIC, we’re honoring Arab American Heritage Month and Easter with themed menus at the Café.
- Arab American Heritage Month:
- April 8th at the Chef Table: Marinated Rack of Lamb; Red Rice with Quinoa, Orange, and Pistachio; and Eggplant with Tahini and Oregano will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Easter:
- April 17th at the Chef Table: Rosemary Peppercorn Charred Lamb Chops; Roasted Baby Carrots with Leeks and Tarragon; and Sauteed Fregola with Garlic Blistered Baby Tomato and Parsley will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a month of amazing flavors, cultural appreciation, and tasty traditions. Don’t miss out - come hungry and celebrate with us!
Sustainable Recipe Demo & Sampling
Registration: Sign Up Here
Special Events at our Café & Markets
- April 12th - April 20th: Celebrating Passover
- Retail: Don’t miss out on wholesome Matzah in the Café from April 14th - April 18th!
- Global Buffet: Arak Roasted Chicken with Fennel and Clementines, Skillet Carrots and Red Onion, and Roasted Potatoes with Parsley will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on April 15th.
- April 23rd: Celebrating Administrative Professionals Day
- Grab & Go: Treat yourself to BlissBomb’s mini doughnuts infused with mind-blowing flavor from real fruits, nuts, juices and spices.
Premise Health Activation: Stress Awareness Month
Virtual Wellness Wednesday: Stop Waste Day
Registration: Sign Up Here In addition, join us in the café on April 30th for the special menu below:
- April 30th: Stop Food Waste Day
- Chef Table: Whole Mushroom Arancini, Carrot Skin Chutney, and Gourmet Panzanella Salad will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Take Your Kids To Work Day
- April 24th: Take Your Kids To Work Day
- Lunch Buffet: Chicken Fingers, Steamed Broccoli, and Mac & Cheese will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Grab & Go Hot Case: Hot Dog
- Grab & Go Cold Case: Watermelon Cups
Mad Libs
Join us on April 30th to play Mad Libs! Craft a hilarious story with your colleagues as you form teams together and fill in words of your choice. We will play a variety of sheets, where each team who desires can share their funny story with the rest of the group. To secure your spot, please register individually below. We will meet in the 12th Floor Lounge from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.!
Registration: Sign Up Here
Earth Month Ground Coffee Bags
It's Earth Month! All month long this April, pick up a complimentary bag of coffee grounds from our café at the Coffee Bar from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - it's a great way to cut down on waste and repurpose them for home use.
Coffee grounds are perfect for:
- Fertilizing plants – A natural boost for your garden soil
- Odor neutralizing – Absorbs unwanted smells in your fridge or trash can
- Composting – Accelerates the decomposition process
Stop by and grab a bag - let’s go green together!
Wellness Corner from Wellness Manager Maya Billig
April is here, and it brings with it the opportunity to reflect on our planet's well-being as we celebrate Earth Month. For 30 days, we’re reminded of the importance of protecting the environment and adopting sustainable practices to safeguard the planet for future generations. This month is an excellent time to reevaluate our habits, increase our environmental awareness, and take meaningful action to reduce our carbon footprint.
Earth Month is an extension of Earth Day on April 22, which has been celebrated since 1970 to promote environmental protection worldwide. During this month, individuals, businesses, and organizations alike take part in initiatives that encourage sustainability, conservation, and eco-friendly lifestyles.
There are many ways to contribute, from small daily actions to larger, long-term commitments. Start by reducing waste: opt for reusable bags, bottles, and containers, and try to minimize single-use plastics. Consider walking or biking instead of driving to reduce your carbon emissions, and recycle whenever possible. If you have a garden, planting trees and native plants can help improve air quality and support local wildlife.
April 24th is Stop Food Waste Day, a global initiative to raise awareness and take action to reduce food waste. By planning out meals, storing food properly, support food recovery programs and being mindful when dining out, we can contribute to reducing food waste.
As we celebrate Earth Month, let's commit to making sustainability a part of our everyday lives. Whether through individual efforts or collective action, every step we take toward a greener future counts. Together, we can build a world that thrives in harmony with nature.
Springing Into Sustainability
April is here, bringing with it the vibrant promise of spring and a renewed focus on sustainability! Earth Day, celebrated on April 22nd, is the perfect time to dive into eco-friendly activities that make a real difference. Fun fact: recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours! So, why not make it a goal this month to recycle more and reduce waste? You can also join local clean-up events or plant a tree to celebrate nature's beauty while contributing to a healthier planet.
Looking for more ways to make April sustainable and fun? How about creating a pollinator-friendly garden in your backyard? Not only will it attract beautiful butterflies and bees, but it also promotes biodiversity. Another easy tip: turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and you can save up to eight gallons of water daily! Engaging in these activities with family and friends adds a layer of enjoyment and spreads environmental awareness. Let's embrace the spirit of Earth Day and work towards a greener, more sustainable world together!
Look out for Earth Day events happening at your UBS location and find more ways to get involved at goto/green!
Premise Health’s Mental Health Tip Series
Practicing Peace: Practical Steps For Taking Control In Times of Stress
- Grounding Exercise: 5 Senses
- Focuses attention on present sensations to reduce feelings of distress. (Exercise adapted from Therapists Development Aid LLC)
- What are 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste?
- To view the full exercise, please click here.
- Breathing Exercise: 4-7-8 Breaths
- Reduces heartrate and improves concentration:
- Sit comfortably with both feet flat on the floor.
- Place one hand on your belly.
- Inhale through your nose for 4 counts.
- Hold your breath for 7 counts.
- Exhale though your mouth for 8 counts.
- Repeat for 4 rounds.
Feeling stuck? Let’s talk. Schedule a Behavioral Health appointment at mypremisehealth.com.