A Spoonful of Sofrito: Besides Barbecue: NYC’s Other Smoking Traditions!

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

Besides Barbeque: NYC's other smoking traditions.

Sofrito Lovers,

If you love smoked, well seasoned, and downright delicious food, then read Robert Sietsema's newest article on NYC's smoking traditions on Eater.com. 

The never-ending diversity of culinary traditions and cooking styles in NYC is truly staggering!  The article below lists an incredible array of non-American cuisines, whose smoking traditions are truly delicious.  Not all smoked foods have to be drenched in BBQ sauce! Go out there and try them all!

After reading the article, run, don't walk, to the closest restaurant on the list and get your grub on!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

Besides Barbecue: NYC’s Other Smoking Traditions

Critic Robert Sietsema takes a look at the city's non-barbecue smoked dishes

by Robert Sietsema, June 15, 2016

Photos by Robert Sietsema

In the days before barbecue became ubiquitous in New York City, ‘cue lovers had to content themselves with other international traditions of smoking meat, poultry, and fish. Aficionados quickly discovered that many of these culinary practices — coming from such widespread places as Jamaica, Brazil, India, Central Asia, and China — were every bit as satisfying as American barbecue. Here are some examples, with favorite places to get them:

Sichuan Tea-Smoked Duck — Tea-smoked duck is a complicated Sichuan recipe that progressively sees the waterfowl marinated in a solution that usually contains wine, camphor, garlic, ginger, and other flavors, patted dry, smoked over tea leaves and stems in a covered wok, then further steamed and fried. Though the smoking only takes 15 or so minutes, the bird tastes miraculously smoky. Grain House, 249-11 Northern Blvd, Queens, (718) 229-8788

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 19 Things You Should NEVER Do With Chopsticks!

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

19 Things you should NEVER do with Chopsticks!

Sofrito Lovers,

Part of being an international foodie is learning the etiquette and eating customs of various cultures.  This is no easy feat, but when you have YouTube on your side you can do anything!

The video posted below comes from YouTube sensations Dan Chen and Mike Chen, two best friends who host a channel called Double Chen.  On their channel they talk about Asian culture, music and, of course, cuisine.  Hilarious, educational, and down right delicious, these guys are an amazing resource for all things Asian.  I highly encourage you to check out this interesting and entertaining channel; the food alone will have you hooked.

The video posted below is titled, "19 things you should NEVER do with chopsticks"; I'm proud to say that I knew a lot of theses facts.  In High school, I had a Chinese girlfriend who gave me a crash course on Chinese dining etiquette before I had dinner with her parents.  I had no idea there were so many rules and regulations when it came to dining.  I think I prepared harder for meeting her parents than I did my SATs. 

Watch the video below and learn something new!  You'll never point at anyone with chopsticks or lick them clean again!  ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Puerto Rican White Bean Soup!

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

Puerto Rican White Bean Soup!

Sofrito Lovers,

I had a rough weekend and I'm sick as a dog.  I need some sopita (soup) to soothe the achiness, clear the congestion, and warm up my bones.  In order to ensure a speedy recovery, I decided to visit Yvonne Chinea's amazing YouTube Channel, which is chock full of amazing recipes for soups, stews, and other goodies.

I've decided to make her Sopa de Habichuelas Blancas (White Bean Soup) in hopes that it'll bring back some life to this infirmed old body.  As you can see, I get really dramatic when I'm sick.

Check out this awesome recipe and ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: How to make McDonald's breakfast...healthy and good.

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

How to make McDonald's breakfast...healthy and good.

Sofrito Lovers,

I hate fast food.  It's gross, an insult to food, and just lame.  The idea of eating fast food breakfasts, which are notorious for being hyper processed and chemically enhanced, churns my stomach and nauseates me! 

Recently, my friend and fellow foodie Rafaelito sent me this video from HellthyJunkfood as joke.  At first, I was appalled, but when I watched the video, I couldn't believe how cool it was.  These recipes for homemade fast food contain actual spices, vegetables, and delicious proteins.

It's about making actual food versions of that MickeyDee's garbage; I was totally impressed!  Watch the video and see for yourself!  You can make homemade versions of that trash that won't mutate your genes or give you IBS!  I'm totally down!  Watch it, cook it, and ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Asian Food Carts near Columbia University

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

Asian Food Carts near Columbia University 

Sofrito Lovers,

I am weary of street meat, sidewalk fare, and food trucks.  It's not that I'm some foodie snob that turns his nose up at the thought of a good ol' hotdog from the corner.  It's the fact that some street food has resulted in epic bouts of diarrhea and other intestinal issues.  

Getting ill has made me cautious and distrustful of street food.  Now don't get me wrong, there are amazing food carts and trucks throughout New York City.  I've read about them and have timidly partaken of the delicious food.  It's a matter of knowing where to go.  

The article posted below from Eater.com highly recommends the Asian food trucks near Columbia University.  I've never tried any of the food from these trucks and carts, but I trust the Eater.com folks implicitly; they haven't let me down yet! 

After reading the article, I find myself  intrigued by the Korean cart and Thai cart! I'm definitely making a trip down to the Harlem/Columbia University area to try some yummy food.  I'm still bringing my Pepto with me though! 

See you there!  ¡Buen Provecho!

A Tour of Columbia University’s Asian Food Carts
Eater's senior critic samples dishes from six Ivy League carts

 

 

 by Robert Sietsema, June 6, 2016

 Mid-morning every weekday, six carts (fewer on weekends) pull up just north of the main gates of Columbia University and line up on the cobbles under the leafy trees. They linger until around 8 p.m. in a parade of delectability. Four of the carts present a generally northern Chinese bill of fare — cherry picking dishes diners may recognize from Spicy Village and Xi’an Famous Foods — with a few southern Chinese and Taiwanese standards thrown in. The other two carts are Korean and Thai. Working our way from south to north along Broadway starting at 116th Street, here are the carts and some highlights of their menus.

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Chocolate Cherry Sundaes!

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

Chocolate Cherry Sundaes!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Chocolate Cherry Sundaes are a piece of heaven on Earth!  Posted on Hot for Food on Sunday June 5th, Chocolate Cherry Sundaes are a delicious and decadent vegan dessert treat made using Silk Almond drink, fruit, and raw Cacoa powder!

Hot for Food is a vegan YouTube channel that teaches you how to prepare delicious vegan recipes.  Yes, you read correctly: Delicious Vegan Recipes!  I know that those words don't always go together, but in the case of some of the desserts they hack, it's honestly true.  Their smoothies and other desserts are amazing; they aren't bland or "diet" tasting at all.  You know they must be good, if a diehard omnivore fatass like me likes them!

Check out the video posted below!  The Chocolate Cherry Sundae is really interesting because it's part shake and smoothie!  The flavors are naturally sweet, light, and delicious.

It's time for you to give it a try!  If I can do it, then you can too!  Blend it, taste it, and ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Delicious French food in Harlem!

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

Maison Harlem: Delicious French food in Harlem!

Sofrito Lovers,

Maison Harlem is located on the corner of W. 127th St. and St. Nicholas Avenue and its trendy atmosphere and wonderful wait staff make for a fun and relaxing dining experience.  But, what really makes Maison amazing is the delicious fare.

I love their Ratatouille; a stewed vegetable dish with eggplant, garlic, squash, peppers, and other Spring vegetables.  The vegetables are cooked to perfection and the flavor is amazing.

Their Couscous Royale (stewed chicken, lamb, and vegetables on a bed of couscous) is absolutely DELICIOUS! I love how well the couscous and piquant sauce pair together. The couscous tones down the sauce's spice and adds an earthy flavor to the dish.  

The chicken and lamb are always soft and tasty; the vegetables compliment the sauce and add a lot of depth to the dish.  

Maison Harlem is one of Harlem's best kept secrets.  The food is out of this world, but don't take my word for it, go and taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!