A Spoonful of Sofrito: Holiday Puerto Rican Rice/Arroz con Gandules!

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

Holiday Puerto Rican Rice/Arroz con Gandules!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

It's Navidades (Christmas) and nothing says the holidays are here like a nice steaming caldero of Arroz con gandules (Rice with green pigeon peas)!  For some reason, arroz con gandules is always served for the holidays and most special occasions!  It's the seminal party rice, no celebration is complete with out it!

Arroz con gandules is the perfect side to your turkey, pernil, duck, or lamb!  If you've never tried it, then you must make it this year's special holiday side!  I know your family will love it!

Check out Chef Daisy Martinez's recipe posted below!  She's awesome!  I love how simple, easy to follow, and fun her cooking tutorials are, I guarentee you'll love it too!

Happy Holidays and go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Making Puerto Rican Coquito (kinda like egg nog)!

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

Making Puerto Rican Coquito (kinda like egg nog)!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

We Boricuas celebrate Navidades (Christmas) with rich, creamy, and rummy Coquito!  This incredible concoction blends coconut milk, cinnamon, condensed milk, RUM, and other ingredients into a delicious holiday beverage.

Egg nog, hot toddies, and all those other holidays beverages can't hold a candle to coquito.  I've never met anyone who didn't like it!

Check out the DIY cooking tutorial from FreakinRican's cooking channel on YouTube.  I love this recipe; it's simple and fast!  

Have fun these holidays!  Treat yourself and make some coquito!  Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: ‘The Chew’ Cast Addresses Mario Batali Allegations!

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

‘The Chew’ Cast Addresses Mario Batali Allegations!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

The  food world's dirty little secret is starting to come to light.  The amount of sexual harassment and sexism that many women and men face in their professional settings is staggering. 

 

The kitchen, break room, cafeteria, and all other restaurant and food related spaces should be safe spaces where creativity, fun, and enjoyment abound, not harassment and misconduct. I hope more women and men stand up and demand that the people who've created these unsafe working environments are finally held accountable for their actions. 

Check out Eater.com's article on the recent allegations against Mario Batali!

‘The Chew’ Cast Addresses Mario Batali Allegations

 

 

From left: ‘The Chew’ cast members Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, and Michael SymonABC

 

ABC removed Batali from the show following revelations of his alleged sexual misconduct by Chris Fuhrmeister@ccfuhr Dec 12, 2017, 3:51pm EST

Following an Eater NY report detailing decades of alleged sexual misconduct by Mario Batali, ABC removed the celebrity chef from his role as a host on the network’s daytime talk show, The Chew. On Tuesday, co-hosts Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, and Michael Symon addressed Batali’s absence. Their statement aired at the beginning of the episode and was subsequently posted to The Chew’s social media channels.

 

Check out the rest of the article here!

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Fast Food Recipes You Can Make At Home!

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

Fast Food Recipes You Can Make At Home!

Sofrito Lovers,

As you all know, I'm the enemy of all homogenized, processed, genetically altered, and mechanically rendered fast food!  But, when I came across this video on Tasty I was very intrigued!  Is it possible to make fast food at home and actually use meat, veggies, and real ingredients instead of the chemically treated garbage they use?  Yes, you can!  

Check out the post below and learn how to make some of your fast food favorites!  Imagine, KFC chicken that wasn't made in some factory 20 years ago...and made with actual chicken!  WOW!  Enjoy!  Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: The Hottest Restaurants in Manhattan Right Now!

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

The Hottest Restaurants in Manhattan Right Now!

Sofrito Lovers,

If you still haven't planned out your weekend, then check out the post below from Eater.com and choose a few restaurants to visit!  Foodie adventures are always fun!  I do it all the time!

Although I'm bummed out by the lack of uptown selections, I will say some of the spots they chose to highlight downtown are pretty cool. I'm a long time fan of Public Kitchen (East Village) and Sorbillo Pizza (East Village); I encourage folks to check them out!

More and more, I'm realizing that I need to create my own Uptown lists for you guys!  I'm going to start working on it this weekend!  Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

The Hottest Restaurants in Manhattan Right Now, December 2017

These places are burning up the borough

 

by Eater Staff Updated at Dec 7, 2017, 9:53am EST

Eater editors get asked one question more than any other: Where should I eat right now? NYC dining obsessives want to know what’s new, what’s hot, and what is going to be the next big hit in the greatest dining city on earth. So here it is, a guide to the hottest restaurants in Manhattan this month. 

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Tacos are better than people!

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

Tacos are better than people!

Sofrito Lovers,

There's nothing more to say!  Tacos are better than people!  Read the rationale above!  It's all true!

If you're interested in learning how to make real Mexican tacos (basically the opposite of Taco Bell tacos), then check out this recipe below!  It's easy, fun, and really delicious!  And it's what I'm making for dinner this weekend!

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Coquito Masters Finals!

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

Coquito Masters Finals!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

It's that time of the year! Yes, folks, the New York Coquito Masters competition is on!  For those of you that don't know, Coquito is a Puerto Rican holiday beverage made with condensed milk, evaporated milk, rum, coconut cream, cinnamon, and copious amounts of rum!  It's like American eggnog, except WAY better!

Every year, the International Coquito Federation hosts the Coquito Masters competition (I refer to it as the Coquito Olympics) to see who makes the best coquito in NYC!  The flavors, preparation, and creativity that go into this competition is no joke!  The competitors go in!

If you love delicious holiday beverages, rum, or coconut cream based drinks, this competition is for you!  Come out on Dec. 16th and enjoy this delicious competition!  Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

Description:

Come be a tasting judge at the 2017 Coquito Masters Finals where finalists from around the state compete for the title of NYS Couqito Master. Coquito is the tradtional Puerto Rican holiday drink that is made with coconut, sweetened condensed milk, spices and rum! Sometimes referred to is as a Puerto Rican egg nog, but it is so much more! Join the celebration to kick the holidays with a Caribbean flare and taste award winning coquitos. Vote for the winner and pick the NYS Coquito Master! Can Queen Rosemary Colon pull off of a three-peat win?? There is also a special Fusion Flavor competition as well. Find a coquito that you want to purchase come to the Coquito Marqueta the next day as well!

Check out the Eventbrite page here!