A Spoonful of Sofrito: 24 Better Things To Do With Chicken Breasts

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

24 Better Things To Do With Chicken Breasts

Sofrito Lovers,

The skinless boneless chicken breast is an amazing thing.  It's versatility and adaptability is probably unmatched amongst the proteins.  Yet, we tend to just pan cook it and add it to whatever side dishes we prepare.  NO!  No more of the same old, same old; we need to up the game!

The geniuses at ChowHound have put together a list of, "24 Better things to do with Chicken Breasts" that will revolutionize the art of Chicken Breast preparation.  After having clicked my way through the list, I'm inspired by a few of the alfredo dishes, the Mushroom and chicken potpie, and the deli style chicken sandwich.  One of these dishes will be made this weekend!

If you're a weekend chef, like me, or if you're over the chicken breasts doldrums, then check out Chowhound's article and get creative.  It's chicken breasts, so you know it'll always be yummy!  

Read it, cook something, and taste it yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

24 Better Things To Do With Chicken Breasts

Nothing wrong with this, but ...

We all have them in our freezers: the ever-versatile, boneless, skinless chicken breast. But even with such a universal dinner staple, it can be easy to fall into a recipe rut: a balsamic marinade, a mustard glaze, a piccata, a marsala (not that there's anything wrong with those!). But if you're looking for something different to do with those chicken breasts (and why not?) start here ...

Click here for the rest of the article!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: The 38 Essential New York Restaurants, Spring 2016

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

The 38 Essential New York Restaurants, Spring 2016

  

Sofrito Lovers,

Eater.com has published the latest version of their amazing Eater 38 list!  Just in time for the weekend (or the rest of your Spring Break!), now you can plan out a few dates, brunches, or romantic dinners.

As much as I adore the list, I'm annoyed that the only restaurant above 95th St. in Manhattan is The Cecil.  There are tons of amazing eateries in Harlem, Washington Heights, East Harlem, Inwood and the Bronx to choose from!  I'm planning on reaching out to Eater.com and start recommending some uptown eateries for them to explore!

Hopefully, the next version of the Eater 38 will have some uptown spots for those of us who can't always trek all the way to Brooklyn or Queens!  I have faith they'll respond well to the suggestions!

Read and then go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

The 38 Essential New York Restaurants, Spring 2016

Eater Staff on Apr 5, 2016, 1:20p 

It's time to update the Eater 38, your answer and ours to any question that begins, "Can you recommend a restaurant?" This highly elite group covers the entire city, spans myriad cuisines, and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs, save for those occasions when you absolutely must spend half a paycheck. Every quarter, we add pertinent restaurants that were omitted, have newly become eligible (restaurants must be open at least six months), or have stepped up their game.

Click here for the rest of the article!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Katz's Cut a $17M Deal With Luxury Developers To Stay In LES

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

Katz's Cut a $17M Deal With Luxury Developers To Stay In LES

Sofrito Lovers,

For months, Katz's Deli was on the verge of being lost to developers, but according to the Eater.com article below one of NYC's most historical culinary landmarks has been saved.

Gentrification is carving its way through various NYC neighborhoods-the Lower Eastside is no exception.  Various developers have been closing mom 'n' pop businesses left and right; Katz's was almost one of those institutions.  I won't get into the details of what happened because the article explains the matter better than I could.  

Thankfully, we still have a Katz's Deli, if you haven't had their incredible sandwiches before, then get down there immediately!

Check out the article below for more information on Katz's survival.  Read and then go downtown and get the best pastrami sandwich in NYC!  ¡Buen Provecho!

Katz's Cut a $17M Deal With Luxury Developers To Stay In LES

by Serena Dai Apr 25, 2016

The business sold its air rights and neighboring lots

Katz's Deli guaranteed its stay on East Houston Street partly by cutting a deal with developers to sell its air rights and neighboring lots for $17 million, according to a report from the Times. The nearly 130-year-old family-owned deli sold air rights and two properties by the iconic 205 East Houston St. location so that developers could erect an 11-story condo building next door. "So many people in the city have a story and a connection to this place," Katz's owner Jake Dells tells the Times. "To me personally, preserving it was the most important thing."

Click here for the rest of the article!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Pizza Flavored Cream Cheese

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

Pizza Flavored Cream Cheese

Sofrito Lovers,

Innovation and invention are the difference between a mediocre cook and a brilliant one.  Being able to combine ingredients, especially disparate ones, together to create an amazing meal, condiment, or beverage is truly a unique and rare gift.

Posted below is a recipe for Pizza flavored Cream Cheese from Tasty Food, another one of my favorite YouTube Channels, which I think is pure brilliance.

I admire the mind that decided to mix cream cheese with classic Italian seasonings together to create an amazing snack or breakfast condiment; it's simplicity is what makes it sheer genius.  It's truly amazing and will liven up your plain morning bagel!  Try it on an onion and garlic bagel and I guarantee it will change your life.  

Who knew something as innocuous as cream cheese could give you some pep in your step?  Some culinary genius did and I profusely thank him or her!

Watch the video, make the cream cheese, and ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Delicious 15-Minute Or Less Meals

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

15-Minute Or Less Recipes

Sofrito Lovers,

Who doesn't love a quick, delicious, and inexpensive meal?  As an amateur cook, I love learning quick recipes that don't require many ingredients and are easily prepared.  There's nothing more satisfying than mastering that type of recipe and adding it to your repertoire.

The Chowhound article posted below features 16 recipes that will take you 15 minutes or less.  Whether you're a dessert junkie, spice fanatic, or soup lover, you'll find two or three selections to satisfy your particular tastes.

After reviewing the list,  I'm planning on preparing the Grasshopper Milkshake, Quick Chicken Pho, and Sauteed Broccoli rabe.  I'm also intrigued by the banana chocolate crepes and the Orange Julius Smoothie, as well!

Do yourself a favor and check out the article below; it'll save you time, money, and will taste amazing!  Read, cook, and ¡Buen Provecho!

Cilantro-Ginger Halibut

Fish is an animal protein that doesn't need much cooking at all. Plus, they're often too delicate to mess with much anyway. You're only working for 15 minutes to make this light, healthy cilantro-ginger halibut recipe. Make your food processor do its job and chop way faster than you can to make a bright, fresh, flavor-packed sauce that enlivens the delicate white fish. Full disclosure: Plan for about 10 more minutes while you let things blend and cook. We think you'll deal.

Click here for the rest of the article

A Spoonful of Sofrito: There’s a Scientific Reason Why Indian Food Is So Delicious!

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

There's a Scientific reason why Indian Food is so Delicious!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

I love Indian food with an undying and unyielding passion!  Two of my favorite restaurants in NYC are Indian eateries-The Jackson Diner in Queens and Polash in El Barrio.  Why do I love it so much?  Easy!  Indian food is complex, rich, and delicious.  It combines sweet, savory, and spicy elements together to create flavor profiles that are delicious and extremely satisfying.

According to the Munchies article posted below, Indian cuisine is unique with spice pairings that aren't found in other cuisines.  The preparation of Indian food is also one of a kind as well.

I won't give away any more details, you should read the article below.  It's an interesting read and very informative.  Read it, go have some Indian food, and ¡Buen Provecho!

There’s a Scientific Reason Why Indian Food Is So Delicious!

By

Hilary Pollack

March 3, 2015

Never Miss A Story

 

When I die, bury me inside a vat of saag paneer. Indian food is categorically delicious: its flavors are complex, oscillating between sweet, savory, and spicy; its textures meld creamy sauces with doughy breads and tender meat and vegetables to make the slop of dreams. It’s a divine synthesis that is aromatic and sophisticated without being bougie. Hell, you can get a better-than-decent plate of it for nary more than the cost of a deli sandwich.

Click here for the rest of the article!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: People Try Cuban food for the first time!

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

 

 People Try Cuban food for the first time!

 

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Once again, I share an another tasting video with you! I'm obsessed with Buzzfeed's tasting videos because they offer insight into the American perspective on food.  I love it when they have a diverse group of people tasting an "exotic" cuisine, because of the cultural comparisons people make.

Comparing a different type of cuisine to one you're more familiar with instills a sense of curiosity and open-mindedness that allows you to enjoy something new.

I loved the video posted below because Cuban food is considered "foreign" and "uncommon" by many people, yet is essentially similar to most cuisines.  Many of the participants went into this tasting with preconceived notions that were delightfully dashed; there's nothing cooler, than seeing people's attitudes change and minds open.

Enjoy!  Watch it, go taste something new, and ¡Buen Provecho!