Kids Try New Year's Traditions from Around the World

Kids Try New Year's Traditions from Around the World

Sofrito Lovers,

If you think about it, a lot of our New Year's traditions involve food!  We eat grapes and plates of black eyed peas for good luck or toast with wine or champagne to a year of health, wealth and good tidings.  Depending on the country and culture, food can be the foundation upon which a new year of prosperity is built.

End the decade off right with a nice laugh!  Watch these adorable little kiddies, from HiHo Kids, try a few delicious international New Year's food traditions!  It's heart warming, hilarious, and really interesting!

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

23 Celebratory Places to Eat on New Year’s Eve in NYC!

23 Celebratory Places to Eat on New Year’s Eve in NYC

Jean Schwarzwalder/Eater
Sofrito Lovers,
If you’re looking for a restaurant to celebrate the incoming New Year or just looking for a spot to have dinner before you get lit at your friend’s party then check out the Eater.com list below!
Disclaimer: I swear I don’t work for Eater.com!
I’m just a huge fan and love sharing their work...a lot!  They’ve got good lists and I feel compelled to share them far and wide!  
Back to the point, if you’re New Year’s plans aren’t set in stone yet, then maybe you should consider one of these eateries!  Start the New Year Right with good food and good company!  Maybe that special someone you’ve been looking for all year long is waiting there for you!  
Happy Early New Year!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

23 Celebratory Places to Eat on New Year’s Eve in NYC


by Lorelei Yang and Alexandra IlyashovUpdated Dec 19, 2019, 9:00am EST

There’s no occasion so fraught with needlessly pricey cover charges, Uber surging, and dining indecision as New Year’s Eve. Whether it’s a no-expense-spared meal or a festive-but-not-too-fancy evening on the docket, this list has it all. Here are 23 worthwhile options for ushering in 2020 on a full stomach.

Check out the rest of the post here:https://ny.eater.com/maps/best-new-years-eve-restaurants-nyc

Can A Dominican Make Better Coquito Than A Puerto Rican?

Can A Dominican Make Better Coquito Than A Puerto Rican?

Sofrito Lovers,

The folks at Pero Like are amazing!  Despite the fact that their channel isn't food related per se, it's ever present and often entertaining AF! 

The video posted below is hilarious, informative, and an interesting study on Coquito, a traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink.  It's like eggnog, except it's a thousand times better- We Boricuas aren't known for our humility!

Can a Dominican make better Coquito than a Puerto Rican?  Check out the video below and enjoy this epic battle! 

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

30 Top Chinese Restaurants in NYC!

Sofrito Lovers,

The geniuses at Eater.com have compiled an amazing list of 30 Chinese restaurants in NYC that we all must try out!

As you all know, I’m a huge fan of Eater’s compilations!  I  do wish they included more Uptown eateries, but for the most part their lists are often spot on!  I'm excited to see that three of my Favorite restaurants are included on the list: Hunan Slurp, Dian Kitchen, and Hao Noodle!

It’s the holidays, so treat yourself, pick a place and go have an incredible meal!  I’m sure you’ll love it.

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho! 

30 Top Chinese Restaurants in NYC

Standout soup dumplings, tacky hand-pulled noodles, mouth-numbing Sichuan, and other regional fare

Dec. 23, 2019, 12:19pm EST

New York City is experiencing a Chinese food renaissance. Never before have the city’s offerings been so diverse; not only are multiple regions represented, but price points range, too. There are fast-casual spots like Xi’an Famous Foods, and there’s ambitious pan-regional fine dining like Atlas Kitchen. And where restaurateurs once needed to cater to Western tastes, many of today’s New York Chinese restaurants don’t have to so in order to survive.

For the rest of the article go here:

https://ny.eater.com/maps/nyc-best-chinese-restaurants-noodles-dumplings-chinatown-midtown

Holiday Caribbean Sorrel

Holiday Caribbean Sorrel

Sofrito Lovers,

If you want to spice up your Holiday celebration, then you must try an amazing Caribbean Holiday favorite called Sorrel!  

Made from hibiscus flowers, various spices, and served cold, this delicious holiday drink finds its origins in West Africa and was brought over to the Caribbean by the TransAtlantic Slave Trade.

Known by many names, such as Sorrel in Jamaica or Agua de Jamaica in the Latinx Caribbean, this delicious spicy red punch will sure to please your friends and families!

Check out the recipe below from African Bites: https://www.africanbites.com/sorrel-juice/

Sorrel Drink - a  spiced up floral drink, that will keep you going from now till the holiday season. Refreshingly good!

Course Drink

Cuisine Caribbean

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 5 -6

Calories 122 kcal

Author Immaculate Bites

Ingredients

• 10 cups water or more adjust to taste
• ¼ cup chopped ginger
• 2 cups dried red sorrel buds
• 8-10 cracked pimentos
• 1 lime chopped
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Oranges sliced optional
• Rum to taste optional

Simple syrup (sub with honey or sweetener)

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl bring to a boil 2 cups water and sugar. Simmer until sugar has dissolved. Allow cooling
2. Place sorrel in a large bowl, together with ginger, lime, pimentos (all spice and cinnamon stick. Heat up water in a kettle, pot or microwave, until it boils.
3. Gently pour boiled water to the bowl of Let steep about 45 minutes or more. You may refrigerate overnight in the fridge for a more potent flavor.
4. When ready to serve sieve ingredients, with fine sieve and discard all particles. Reserve drink
5. Add simple syrup as needed, together with rum according to preference and orange slices.
6. Serve with ice.

Recipe Notes

1. These petals are becoming increasing available that I can easily get them at most major and whole food markets, depending on the neighborhood store. My bet is most International Markets do carry them- African, Caribbean, Hispanic and some Asian markets. The Dried version is just as good as the fresh ones. 
2. This is a just a guide, you may add more or less flavoring, water to suit your needs, make it work for you , there is no formula for it.

Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest

Chinatown and Little Italy Food Festival

 

 

Sofrito Lovers,

If you're unsure about what to do this weekend (other than Holiday shopping) you should check out the Chinatown and Little Italy Food Festival tomorrow.

Boasting some amazing fare (homemade mozzarella balls and authentic Chinese dumplings) this amazing festival bridges the incredible undervalued, and often underestimated, culinary treasures in both neighborhoods.

You won't see me there this weekend, because I'm going to California tonight, but go and have fun for me.

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

 Chinatown and Little Italy Food Festival

About this Activity The maze of narrow and chaotic streets that make up Chinatown and Little Italy are often intimidating and unknown to both visitors and locals alike. Join a walking tour led by an animated and friendly guide to learn more about these neighborhoods through fascinating historical stories and culinary delights. On this walking food tour, you'll visit seven different locations, while sampling food, culture and history. Enjoy a scrumptious cannoli one minute, and be headed to devour dumplings the next. Visiting everything from NYC staples to family-owned shops, hidden gems, and historic landmarks, you'll be engulfed in a food experience to remember.

Your tasting menu may include:
Homemade mozzarella paired with prosciutto
Imported Italian cheeses
An authentic Sicilian pastry, cannoli
A tasty Italian surprise
Sit-down to Authentic Chinese meal
Authentic Chinese dumplings

A traditional Chinese pastry Note: All food tastings are included. This tour is recommended for ages 10 and up. Tastings are subject to change without notice. Exact meeting location provided upon ticket purchase. Please make note of any dietary restrictions or food allergies in the "Special Requests" section when placing your booking. The tour will do its best to accommodate your food requests (this includes vegetarian substitutions if necessary).

 

For more event information

New Mexico Style Breakfast Burritos in Brooklyn!

New Mexico Style Breakfast Burritos in Brooklyn!

Sofrito Lovers,

Brooklyn continues to be a foodie hot spot and mecca of amazing fare!  According to the geniuses at Eater.com, New Mexican Style Breakfast Burritos are now in Brooklyn and we are all better for it!

Check out the article below then run to The Awkward Scone and enjoy some innovative, creative, and delicious burritos!  After my California vacation, I plan on making my way to Bushwick for my first New Mexican style Burrito of the year!

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

A Pedigreed Pastry Chef Turns to New Mexico-Style Breakfast Burritos at Bushwick Cafe
 

The Awkward Scone has gone from popular pop-up to a full-fledged cafe by Tanay Warerkar@TanayWarerkar Dec 16, 2019, 3:43pm EST

 The New Mexican-style breakfast burritos at the Awkward Scone. 

Eric See/Awkward Scone

New Mexico-style burritos — known for their addition of New Mexico chiles and shredded potatoes — are a rarity in New York City. But chef Eric See, who’s worked under esteemed pastry chefs like Karen DeMasco, is hoping to change that with his new restaurant the Awkward Scone Cafe, an expansion of a three-year pop-up.

At the airy and plant-filled, 16-seat cafe, See makes three kinds of breakfast burritos: one with chorizo, New Mexican red chile, white cheddar, scrambled eggs, and hash browns; another with all the same ingredients except for New Mexican green chile and bacon; and a third, vegan option with refried Navajo pinto beans, chipotle salsa, New Mexican green chile, and hash browns.

The green chile also finds its way into several dishes at the Awkward Scone, including the namesake scone that’s also topped with cheddar, as well as a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, served on a chile-infused housemade brioche.

Check out the rest of this article here!

Japanese Shrimp Fried Rice Mukbang!

Japanese Shrimp Fried Rice Mukbang!

Sofrito Lovers, 

Watch me enjoy some delicious Japanese style Breaded Shrimp Fried Rice from Flame Hibachi in the Bronx. 

Was it as yummy as it looks?  Maybe...watch and see!

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

Holiday Wing Festival NYC!

Holiday Wing Festival NYC!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Do you love Chicken Wings?  Hell yeah, you do!  If you love wings like I do, then join us at the Holiday WingFest at 306 E. 49th St. from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.  

This festival will feature an impressive assortment of delicious wings, a wing eating contest, and various prizes and raffles!

It's going to be an exciting time!  If you need more information then go to Chasepapi.com and buy your tickets ASAP!

See you this weekend!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

How to make a Puerto Rican Pernil (Roasted Pork Shoulder)!

How to make a Puerto Rican Pernil (Roasted Pork Shoulder)!

Sofrito Lovers,

It's time! Yes, Sofrito Lovers, it's time all of us learned how to make a yummy Pernil (Puerto Rican style Roasted Pork Shoulder) for Christmas!  I know that Christmas (Navidades) is 24 days away, but that gives us enough time to master this most sacred of all recipes.

Are you intimidated? Because I know I am!  Pernils are nothing to be trifled with!  They're a high-risk venture, with tons of pressure, expectations, and judgment attached.  If that pernil isn't succulent, covered in a delicious crispy cuero (hide), or seasoned to perfection, then you might as well turn in your Puerto Rican card and move to Antarctica with the penguins.

Join me Sofrito Lovers, together we can conquer this summit.  United we will roast the most delicious of pernils.  Check out the recipe below from We are Mitu and let's start on our practice pernils- yes,  we will need to make a few before Navidades.

Watch, cook, and taste!  The journey to perfect pork has begun with this one simple step.  Go taste, and cook, for yourself!

¡Buen Provecho!

Eating like BLOVESLIFE/Chicken Challenge

Eating like BLOVESLIFE/Chicken Challenge

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out the last installment of my “Eating Like” Series: Eating like BLOVESLIFE! 

This mukbang is in honor of the extraordinary Queen of Mukbangs, BLOVESLIFE! It’s also my take of her Chicken Challenge! Enjoy!

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

Healthy And Hearty Soups That Will Fill You Up!

Healthy And Hearty Soups That Will Fill You Up!

Sofrito Lovers,

The colder it gets the more I crave soup!  There's nothing better than a hot steaming bowl of delicious protein, veggies, and flavorful broth when the chill in the air has sunken into your bones.

The amazing Chefs at Tasty have prepared another soup DIY video with recipes that will tantalize your taste buds.  Check out the video below and prepare one of these scrumptious soups.  
I can't wait to make the Veggie Stew with red wine or the Veggie Dumpling soup-I’m going to add some shredded chicken to that one.  I'll let you know what David and I think!

Have fun cooking!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

Vegan Christmas Market

Vegan Christmas Market

Sofrito Lovers,

Never let it be said that I don't support Vegan food culture, events, or Vegan artisanry!  I might be a die-hard life-long carnivore, but my blog will always service my Vegan family!

Check out the post below and have fun at the Vegan Christmas Market! The market will feature vegan food, products, and other goodies!  Make your way down to the Market on Saturday, November 30th and buy your beloved Vegan friend or family member something they will love for Christmas!

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!  

The Vegan Christmas Market is a quintessential Holiday fair for vegans and veg-curious shoppers.

Sat, Nov 30, 2019, 11:00 AM –

Sun, Dec 1, 2019, 5:00 PM EST

Add to Calendar

Location

342 W 37th St

New York, NY 10018

Open to the general public, the Vegan Christmas Market features a curated group of vendors offering a wide range of vegan products. All made without animal exploitation, attendees will find among these products pastries, chocolate treats, cosmetic products, artisanal soaps, clothing, and more.

The Vegan Christmas Market was created to encourage the public to shop in a manner that underlines the essence of the Holidays, which is a celebration of peace, love and compassion for all beings, humans as well as animals.

The 2019 Vegan Christmas Market will take place in New York, Montreal and Toronto.

LOCATION:

NYC : 342 W 37th Street, New York, NY 10018

TICKETS: General or VIP

General Admission : FREE access to both days

Saturday Nov. 30, 2019 : 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday Dec. 1, 2019 : 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

VIP Tickets : $8 (plus eventbrite & processing fees)

VIP tickets include a gift vegan beanie 

1 classic style knit beanie with cuff, in black color, embroidered with leaf logo. The Shanti Beanie is vegan, warm, designed and ethically Made in Canada. Limited edition by VEGAGOOZ. PETA approved. Unisex. One Size. Reg. value $27. 100% Acrylic.

Plus you will also get :

- Access to both days + 1 hour of advance shopping time from 10 a.m. on Saturday Nov. 30th.

Saturday Nov. 30, 2019 : 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday Dec. 1, 2019 : 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- Automatic enrollment in our VIP prize draws (Winners will be notified before Nov. 30th, and must pick up their prize during opening hours of the Vegan Christmas Market.)

- Exclusive promotions or discounts by some vendors.

********************************************************

Limited quantity. Maximum two (2) VIP tickets per attendee.

OUR REFUND & EXCHANGE POLICY

All sales final, non-exchangeable and non-refundable. VIP ticket purchases are refundable only in the event that the Market organizers cancel the event, or if the gift item is unavailable.

Check out the Eventbrite here!

Eating Vietnamese Food/Eating like "Eat with Kim!"

Eating Vietnamese Food/Eating like "Eat with Kim!"

Sofrito Lovers.

Watch the latest installment of my “Eating Like...” series! This week, I’m eating like “Eat with Kim,” an amazing Vietnamese Mukbanger you must check out!

In honor of her channel, I’m eating Pho (Beef Noodle Soup)and a Pork Chop Banh Mi sandwich!

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

Cuban Turkey Picadillo Cooking Video!

Cuban Turkey Picadillo Cooking Video!

Sofrito Lovers,

Here is my first cooking DIY ever! Watch me prepare a Cuban style Turkey Picadillo-a spiced ground meat dish made with veggies and tomato sauce.  If I do say so for myself, it came out pretty delicious!  My partner, and BearBear, David loved it too!

Watch and learn to make this amazing meal!

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!