Friday, July 22, 2016

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Refreshing Watermelon Juice

A Spoonful of Sofrito: A Pinch of advice that will add a lot of flavor to your life.

Refreshing Watermelon Juice


Sofrito Lovers,

Tomorrow is supposed to be hotter than the surface of the sun!  If you're like me-with an errands list down to the floor-than you'll be outside braving the heat and disgusting humidity!  You'll probably need some delicious hydration to keep you moving.  Posted below is a tutorial on how to make a tangy watermelon juice, that is healthy, hydrating, and easy to make.

This recipe, from Cheerful Syanu, is quick, but does require some advance preparation-remember to refrigerate the watermelon before making the juice.  Other than that, it' an amazing cool beverage to beat the heat!  Make it and taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!



 



Thursday, July 21, 2016

A Spoonful of Sofrito: New York City's 30 Most Iconic Dishes!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: A Pinch of advice that will add a lot of flavor to your life.

New York City's 30 Most Iconic Dishes!



Sofrito Lovers,

Recently, Eater.com published an article titled, "New York City's 30 most Iconic Dishes", a list of 30 dishes that allegedly have made NYC's culinary scene the one to beat!  As I reviewed the list, I realized that I've barely sampled the incredible dishes on this list-I was shocked! Am I really the foodie, I think I am?

This has truly been a rude awakening!  I consider this a culinary/foodie call to action! This article has become my new "To Do" list!  I make this vow: By the end of the year, I'm going to have tasted all of these iconic dishes!  I'm going to blog about each dish and let you know what I think of them!

I'll be following up on this soon!  Mark my words!  I will taste all thirty by the end of December!  Read this awesome article and go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

New York City's 30 Most Iconic Dishes

By
 You could spend a full year eating out every night and still never try all of the great food that New York City has to offer. But if you want a taste of classic NYC, and the dishes that shaped the current dining scene, here's a starter kit. These 30 dishes have all achieved legend status. Some are very old, while a few were created in the last five years. Some are expensive, while others can be obtained for pocket change. All of them are worth trying once if you want a taste of what makes this the most exciting dining city in the world. 



Wednesday, July 20, 2016

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Cuban Sandwiches/Cubanitos

A Spoonful of Sofrito: A Pinch of advice that will add a lot of flavor to your life.

Cuban Sandwiches/Cubanitos!


Sofrito Lovers,

When I was a kid my father would take to the "Flor de Broadway" bakery/coffee shop/sandwich place on W. 139th St. and Broadway so we could enjoy their delicious Cuban treats.

My father would order Cuban style espressos with a Croqueta de jamon (Ham croquette) and he would treat me either to a lemonade with a croqueta or a delicious Cubanito sandwich.  For the unenlightened, a Cubanito sandwich is an amazing work of sandwich art, that combines roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles with either butter, mojo, mustard or mayo.  It's made with pan de agua o de manteca (Water or Butter bread) and pressed flat on a sandwich press; these days people are using panini presses, which I don't like.  These sandwiches can be found in almost any Caribbean Latino neighborhood with a myriad of variations.

Being a self proclaimed Cubanito conosuir, I've traveled throughout our fair city tasting Cubanitos anywhere I could find them.  I've loved and despised many, but the best are made at home!  

The article posted below, from Serious Eats, features a great recipe for a Cubanito, which I plan on making this weekend!  I'll let you know how it turns out!  But, don't wait for my post to see how it turns out!  Make your own! Read it, make it, and taste for yourself.  ¡Buen Provecho!

Cuban Sandwiches Recipe

 
 
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When Past You gives Present You leftover Cuban roast pork, first you drink a toast to Past You for the generosity and forethought (a mojito is both thematically and gustatorily appropriate), then you pay it forward by making a Cubano sandwich for Future You.




Tuesday, July 19, 2016

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Southern Smothered Chicken!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: A Pinch of advice that will add a lot of flavor to your life.

Southern Smothered Chicken!


Sofrito Lovers,

This weekend, I took a big step in my career as an amateur cook: I STARTED COOKING SOUL FOOD!  Since I started cooking as a hobby, I've been wanting to learn how to cook my favorite Soul Food recipes and with one dish I have started this journey towards becoming a Soul Food Kung Fu Master-the pride has made me delirious!

This weekend, I decided it was time to learn so I looked up a  recipe on YouTube and came across IheartRecipes, an awesome Channel hosted by this disembodied chef/master/amazing/incredible young woman named Rosie!  Her instructions were clear and easy to follow; her website with the written recipes were also a  huge help!

After some preparation and patience, I cooked an amazing Southern Style Smothered Chicken, that made by finicky bear, David, lick his lips in pleasure.  I got a ton of gravy flavored kisses that night!  Gracias Rosie!

Folks, check out IHeartRecipes, start cooking, and taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!