A Spoonful of Sofrito: Dave Arnold's Cocktail Science Bible

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

Dave Arnold's Cocktail Science Bible

 

Sofrito Lovers,

This summer I plan on becoming an awesome mixologist!  My plan is to read a few amazing mixology books like, Liquid Intelligence, The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail and start making some refreshing beverages!

Recently, I've become intrigued by the science, art, and sheer creativity of mixology.  I think creating delicious drinks that perfectly compliment someone's meal is an amazing gift.   

My friend Rodrigo-an up and coming bartender- highly recommended Liquid Intelligence; he said it's great starter book for amateur mixologists.

Honestly, I'm looking down the barrel of a stressful summer and I think I might have to start drinking (responsibly) to help take the edge off, might as well be an amazing cocktail!

Check out Liquid Intelligence here on Amazon!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Mexican Hot Chocolate Popsicles

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

Mexican Hot Chocolate Popsicles

Sofrito Lovers,

Here are some facts:

Fact #1: Mexican hot Chocolate is amazing!  The spicy, sweet, and decadent flavor is a unique treat most people are unaware of and must try at once.

Fact #2:  When you freeze Mexican Hot chocolate and create popsicles they will be the most amazing frozen treats you'll ever taste.

Fact #3:  When I made these pops, I ate all 6 in one seating.

Fact #4:  If you make these pops you'll thank me!

You've read the facts, now it's time to get into the kitchen and make some pops! Watch, freeze, and taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Men Taste test "Girly Drinks!"

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

Men Taste test "Girly Drinks!"

Sofrito Lovers,

The notion that alcoholic drinks are gender specific is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of.  This "Beer is for boys and Cosmos are for girls" mentality makes absolutely no sense!  We should all be able to enjoy whatever alcoholic beverage we choose without fear of judgement or humiliation. 

We don't do this with food.  We don't say "Burgers are for boys and grilled cheeses are for girls" so why do we have these ridiculous notions about alcohol. Is it the drink itself?  Is it the glass it's served in?  I don't get it.

The geniuses at BuzzFeedVideo decided to have men taste test "girly" drinks and get their honest reactions.  I found their take on gendered drinks really interesting.  Only by acknowledging this nonsense can we end it.

Check out the video below!  It'll be enlightening!  Watch it and go drink a fruity slushy drink with a little umbrella inside!  ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Star Wars Ramen

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

Star Wars Ramen: May the 4th be with your Ramen Bowl!

Sofrito Lovers,

You all know that I'm a diehard foodie, but what you don't know is that I'm also a SciFi geek.  I love all things Star Trek, Dr. Who, Earth Final Conflict, Battlestar Galactica, and Star Wars!  That's why when I came across this recipe for Star Wars Ramen, from Food and Wine, I had to post it.

I haven't prepared this dish yet, but I can't wait too!  The geeky fanboy in me is totally chomping at the bit to get that Storm-trooper mold so I can bite their heads off!

May the food be with you; I'm  sorry for the horrible pun!  Make it, taste it, and ¡Buen Provecho!

MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOUR RAMEN BOWL

BY JENN FUJIKAWA | MAY 02 2016

Reposted from Food and Wine

May the 4th is Star Wars day, a day to celebrate the movies and fandom by using the Force to bring a little more Star Wars into your life.

Use your Jedi mind tricks to add subtle Star Wars elements to your meal. This stormtrooper boiled egg makes it’s presence known in the noodle bowl, but with the fastest chopsticks in the galaxy you’re sure to come out ahead. May the 4th be with you!

Stormtrooper Noodle Bowl

Ingredients:

1 egg

Stormtrooper Boiled Egg Shaper

Soup:

1 serving Udon noodles

1 cup dashi

2 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon mirin

Toppings:

3 slices BBQ Pork

2 slices Kamaboko

Edamame

Fried Nori Chips

Place the egg in a saucepan and cover the egg about 1 inch of water.

Bring the water to a boil then turn off the heat. Cover with a lid, and let sit undisturbed for 12 minutes.

Drain and immediately peel the egg while still hot. Place the peeled egg inside the egg shaper, locking to close, then immerse into an ice bath to cool.

Once the egg is cool, keep in the fridge until ready to use.

Prep the udon noodles according to package. Rinse, do not drain.

In a saucepan bring the dashi, soy sauce and mirin to a boil. Pour the hot broth over the noodles in a bowl and add toppings of BBQ pork, kamaboko, edamame, fried nori chips and the Stormtrooper egg to serve.

Jenn Fujikawa is a lifestyle and food writer. Follow her Twitter @justjenn and Instagram@justjennrecipes for recipes, DIYs and lots and lots of Star Wars treats.

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Americans Try Native American Food For The First Time!

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

Americans Try Native American Food for the First Time!

Sofrito Lovers,

Have you ever tasted Native American food?  Many Native American cuisines aren't as popular as they should be, but many of the ingredients, spices, and herbs we use every day were first used by Native peoples.  

Any dishes made with corn, potatoes, tomatoes, certain types of beans, and squashes have Native American influences, but when it comes to actual Native American cuisine most of us are unexposed.

The brilliant minds behind BuzzFeedVideo decided to dedicate one of their tasting videos to Native American food.  The reactions are so honest, affirmative, and inspiring.  It makes me want to run out and try Frybread and Wild Rice salad; I'm going to look up some recipes!

Check out the video posted below!  Watch it, enjoy, and taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: New Mexican Restaurant in Harlem/Hamilton Heights

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

New Mexican Restaurant in Harlem/Hamilton Heights

Sofrito Lovers,

According to Eater.com, a new Mexican restaurant, named Oso, just opened across the street from where I grew up.  Oso-Spanish for Bear- features Mexican street food inspired by one of the owner's travels through Mexico City.

I'm excited!  For the past few years, my area of Harlem, more often referred to as Hamilton Heights now, has experienced a restaurant renaissance with incredible eateries opening up all over Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway. Some of my favorites are: The Grange, which features New American Cusine; The Clove, delicious Indian/Pakistani cuisine; and Grill on the Hill, a gastropub with awesome modern American cuisine.  

Oso is the latest in this burgeoning food revolution.  I haven't been there yet, but I'll be visiting my Mami this weekend; I guess I'll be treating her to some fish tacos and octopus tostadas.  I'll let you know how she liked it!

Check out Eater.com's article on Oso below!  Read it and then go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

Three Willow Road Vets Open Oso in Hamilton Heights Tonight

by Patty Diez May 4, 2016, 3:53p @pattydiez

Tamales, tostadas, and more

Tonight, Matthew Trebek and Nodar Mosiashvili are opening Oso — their Mexican restaurant just off the City College campus.

Click here for the rest of the article

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Incredible Breakfasts around the world!

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

Incredible Breakfasts around the world!

[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

  

Sofrito Lovers, 

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!  That tired, corny, and over used line has been slammed down our throats for years.  Honestly, I prefer breakfast for lunch or dinner!  Yes, I'm the type that prefers his pancakes or waffles with Fried Chicken and his egg omelets with rice and beans.

Unfortunately, I'm a  Diabetic so I have to eat breakfast to keep my blood sugar stable.  Lately, I've taken it upon myself to research different breakfasts food around the world and discovered a brand new selection of dishes that could make me an excited morning eater!

The article posted below, from Seriouseats.com, features incredible breakfast food from all over the world.  Reading the article has sparked my interest in PREPARING some of these incredible dishes!  I think that Arepa con huevo, Irish fry up, and Shrimp and Grits might make a cameo in my kitchen some time soon!  Let's see what happens!

Read the article and enjoy your Captain Crunch (groan!)!  ¡Buen Provecho!

It's Always Morning Somewhere: My Favorite Breakfasts Around the World 

J. Kenji López-Alt

Pho ga. [Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt] 

A couple of months ago, while on vacation on the internet-free deck of a small boat in the Galápagos, my wife, my sister, and I started playing the old "If you were shipwrecked on one of these islands and had nothing but marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies to munch on for the rest of your life, what breakfast would you miss most?" game

Click here for the rest of the article