CURATED by COLLINS VISION
Get to Know Your Doctors (and Find Something New to Enjoy)
“I read it every morning! I particularly like the opinion articles.”
– Dr. Collins
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
“This book is great for the whole family. One of my daughters had to read it for school, so it was fun to discuss it as we read it together!”
– Dr. Collins
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
“My favorite genre to read is historical fiction. I really enjoy fiction with well-researched time periods, which is what makes ‘The Alienist’ one of my favorites.”
– Dr. Rosen
The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
“These books are some of my all-time favorites. I still remember what a vivid imagination I had as I read through them as a kid. This series is a must-read!”
– Dr.Collins
Breaking Bad
A high school chemistry teacher dying of cancer teams with a former student to secure his family’s future by manufacturing and selling crystal meth. (Netflix)
Ozark
A financial adviser drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder $500 million in five years to appease a drug boss. (Netflix)
What Dr. Collins has to say: “Whenever I had a moment to relax, I found myself binge-watching one of these amazing shows.”
Fly Fishing
“It is the perfect form of relaxation for me. It involves enough physical and mental activity that you don’t think about anything else, and it has a Zen-like rhythm to it that puts your mind at ease.”
– Dr. Collins
Below are some of the local Fly-fishing spots around Florida:
The Everglades in Naples
Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island
Other water activities in Southwest Florida:
Calusa Blueway Paddleboarding Trail
“I enjoy doing anything on the water! I spend the most time on my paddleboard and I keep hoping that my dog will learn to enjoy it as much as I do.”
– Dr. Alessi
Looking for a beautiful new destination to travel to? Check out these top picks from Dr. Collins.
“Fly Fishing in the Land of the Midnight Sun”
“Anglers from all over the world look to New Zealand as the mecca of angling”
“The Finest, Most Productive Flats Fishing on the Planet”
“The places that you can catch fish on a fly rod tend to be diverse and always so beautiful.” – Dr. Collins
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The Village of Positano, nestled in the Amalfi Coast holds a special place in Dr. Alessi’s heart.
“I definitely have a case of wanderlust and will jump at any opportunity to go someplace new. I was shocked at how immediately at home I felt in the village of Positano, nestled in the Amalfi coast. The stunning dwellings become a part of the mountainous terrain overlooking the shore; the fresh, healthy fare and kindness of the locals drew me right in. I never wanted to leave and I can’t wait to go back. – Dr. Alessi
Looking for a new local restaurant to try? Here are Dr. Collins’ and Dr. Rosen’s favorites:
Harold’s
A small “Farm to Table” upscale restaurant serving creative American cuisine located in Fort Myers, FL. Check out their menu here!
“The elk tenderloin is always amazing when available. Otherwise, the seared scallops with gnocchi in a gorgonzola cream is my go-to favorite on the regular menu.”
– Dr. Collins
Salvatore’s New York Pizza
Located in Fort Myers and recommended highly by Dr. Rosen, Salvatore’s offers a variety of delicious pizza, calzones and even classic Italian house specialties. Check out their menu here!
What did Dr. Collins say when asked what his favorite home-cooked meal was?
“I know it sounds simple, but when I was a kid and my mom made
tomato soup and grilled cheese; it was so good for my hunger but also fed my soul.”
Check out the recipe below from Tasting Table:
INGREDIENTS
For the Tomato Soup:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
1 carrot, roughly chopped
1 celery stalk, roughly chopped
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
3 cups vegetable broth
3 tablespoons butter
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Thinly sliced chives, for garnish
For the Grilled Cheese:
6 slices potato bread
2 cups (4 ounces) grated Comté cheese
2 cups (4 ounces) grated Gouda cheese
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
DIRECTIONS
- Make the soup: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the chile flakes and garlic, and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes more. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and the stock. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the liquid has slightly reduced, 20 minutes.
- Using a blender, purée the soup until smooth. Return to the pot and stir in the butter until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, then keep warm until serving.
- Make the grilled cheese: On a cutting board, lay out 3 slices of bread. Divide the grated Comté and Gouda between the 3 slices and season with pepper. Top each with another slice of bread and press lightly. In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add one sandwich and top with a smaller, clean skillet to weigh it down. Cook, flipping once, until golden on both sides, 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and slice in half diagonally. Repeat this process with the remaining 2 sandwiches.
- Divide the soup between bowls and garnish with the chives. Serve immediately with the grilled cheeses on the side.
Dr. Rosen’s favorite home-cooked meal:
“ My mother cooked a lot of Italian dishes and made her own sauce with tomatoes from our garden. I miss that very much. Favorites included lasagna and eggplant parmigiana.”
Here is a recipe for homemade lasagna brought to you by allrecipes:
INGREDIENTS
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
¾ pound lean ground beef
½ cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
½ cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil leaves
½ teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided, or to taste
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
¾ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
- In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Did you know that our doctors are HUGE sports fans? Check out who our doctors are rooting for this sports season!
DR. COLLINS
College Basketball
“The Virginia Cavaliers. Still reigning national champions. It moves fast, even with Tony Bennet’s defense-first style of play. There is a passion and enthusiasm in the kids that you only get in college sports.”
NFL Football
Growing up I was a huge Washington Redskins fan, and I will always be a fan even though it has been a tough 25 years. If someone could let me know how to fire an NFL team owner, it would be much appreciated!”
DR. ALESSI
College Football
“A graduate of the University of Florida, I am a die-hard Gator fan! I try to make it up for at least one home game a year!”
NFL Football
I grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, raised by a Patriots fan and a Bills fan, and while I love both teams, when it was time to choose my home team, I picked the Tampa Bay Bucs! I’ve loved then since creamsicle colors and couldn’t have been more excited in 2003 when they finally won the Super Bowl.”
DR. ROSEN
Major League Baseball (MLB)
“Even though I moved to Florida over 20 years ago, I still follow most sports teams from my native New York. I especially follow the New York Yankees. I am very interested in sports trivia and history.”
