A Spoonful of Sofrito: Cuban Elena Ruz Sandwiches!

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

Cuban Elena Ruz Sandwiches!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Have you ever heard of an Elena Ruz sandwich?  Yeah, neither have I!  Apparently, this little Cuban American beauty has evaded my Cuban cuisine loving ass for the longest.

It's a Cuban or Cuban American sandwich (I can't figure out which) that is prepared by spreading cream cheese and guava or strawberry jam or jelly on toast, then adding slices of turkey.  Weird, yet tantalizing right? At first mention, the recipe sounds gross, but if you think about it, the salty, savory, and sweet combo of it all becomes quite intriguing.

Check out the video below from We are Mitú and try out the recipe for yourself!  I'm running to my local bodega tomorrow to get some guava jelly and maybe some pan sobao to make my Elena Ruz.  I'm still trying to figure out why it's called an Elena Ruz, let me know if you do!

Check it out, go taste for yourself, and Buen provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Make your own Instant noodles!

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

Make your own Instant noodles!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Instant noodles are the lifeblood of college students, bachelors, and the unskilled cook!  When I was in college, I practically lived off those delicious little packets of salt, noodles, salt, veggies, salt, and some protein...and salt.  

Okay, so it's true that those little packets are also a super unhealthy sodium bomb, but the video below teaches you how to create your own noodle soup that is healthy and full of veggies!  It's up to you whether it'll be a sodium grenade or not!  Make smart choices!  I have and it's been a delicious adventure!

Check out Serious Eats's tantalizing DIY video about making your own incredible instant noodles at home.  Honestly, this is pure genius!  Check out the link below and have fun with your soups!

Go taste for yourself and como siempre, ¡Buen Provecho!

The Food Lab: Make Your Own Just-Add-Hot-Water Instant Noodles 

(and Make Your Coworkers Jealous)

THE FOOD LAB

Unraveling the mysteries of home cooking through science.

J. KENJI LÓPEZ-ALT

Thinking back on it, I must have cooked more instant ramen than any other food in my life (with the exception, perhaps, ofchocolate chip cookies). It's what I cooked when I was home alone as a kid. It was a staple that took me through college. It's what I make for myself when I come home too tipsy to do anything but boil water and knock back some aspirin. Its potent broth has nursed me through countless hangovers.

Check out the rest of the article and video here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Tasting New Ruffles flavors!

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

Tasting New Ruffles flavors!

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out my latest Chip tasting video!  Will I like the Ruffles Flamin' Hot or the All Dressed Chips?  Which one did I hate?  Which one do I recommend?

Check out the video and then go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: The Bronx Food And Wine Festival - Hip Hop For Hunger

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

The Bronx Food And Wine Festival - Hip Hop For Hunger!

Sofrito Lovers,

Foodies are truly humanitarians!  Food festivals that double as fundraisers for food justice campaigns, food accessibility programs, and nutrition based educational campaigns are quite common! If you've got some time and are feeling generous this weekend, then check out EAT NYC's Hip Hop for Hunger; a benefit for the Food Bank of New York.  

Access to food and food security (having the ability to feed yourself and your family) is a huge issue in the Bronx!  Many people go to bed wondering if they will eat the next day or if they will have enough to feed their families for the week.  Your support could help an elderly person, large family, or single parent home have some peace of mind.

Check out the event below and go taste for yourself! Eat, drink, and donate!  ¡Buen Provecho!

Eat nYc The Bronx Food And Wine Festival

- Hip Hop For Hunger

To Benefit Food Bank For New York City

A Collaboration with Windows Of Hip Hop

---

The Bronx is home to Hip Hop, Fashion, Food, and culture but it is also home to the largest number of "Food Insecure Homes" than any other borough in our city. So This year Eat nYc will UNITE all of those facets of our borough to take a stand against hunger here in our commUNITY! This is our hometown and HUNGER is not welcomed!

We welcome you to join us as we team up with Windows of Hip Hop, September 16th, 2017, take a stand against hunger right here in our own hometown.

- Event: Eat nYc The Bronx Food And Wine Festival - Hip Hop For Hunger

- Date: September 16, 2017

- Time Check - in time 4:30 pm - 8:30pm

- Location: The Andrew Freedman Mansion aka Hip Hop Mansion

HOSTS - Hip hop legends Melle Mel, Hip Hop Legend Grand Master Caz, The Culinary Ambassador of The Bronx Baron Ambrosia

Live Performances, Fashion show, Live Auction and more...

Event indoor /outdoor - Guest will be Greeted on The Lawn with Cocktails, Fashion show, live performances, Live Auction by Hunt Auctioneers. Onsite Cooking Demos outdoors on the massive sprawling lawn of The Andrew Freedman Mansion and inside the mansions Grand Ballrooms will feature samples of Food /beverages/ and promotional products from the local restaurants, wineries, distilleries breweries, bakeries and local businesses

Every $1 Donated to Food Bank For New York creates 5 meals to be given to those in need - we need your help!

No One Should Go Hungry! Contact Eat nYc The Bronx Food And Wine Festival at Eatnyc2015@gmail.com or call us at 347 621 4365

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Smartfood Popcorn Tasting Video

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

Smartfood Popcorn Tasting Video!

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out my latest Tasting Video!  Will I like Smartfood's newest popcorn flavors?  Which did I love?  Which one made my gag?  Watch and find out!

And as always, go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Cuban Tamal Casserole

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

Cuban Tamal Casserole!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

As you all should know by now, I'm a weekend Top Chef!  During the week, I eat what's available, edible, and affordable, but on the weekend I become a fuckin' Puerto Rican Wolfgang Puck.  I cook up a storm that would leave Gordon Ramsey humbled, quiet, and respectful!  

This weekend, I'm making the delicacy pictured above!  This Goya recipe is a variation on the traditional Cuban Tamal, but in casserole form!  Cuban tamales, like all tamales and pasteles, are a time consuming and arduous process to prepare, but the recipe posted below makes this delicious dish far easier to enjoy!  

No more wrapping, steaming, and waiting an eternity to enjoy a delicious tamal, now you can make it on a stove top in a quarter of the time!

I think David, the Corn meal King, will love it!  Check out the recipe below and give it a try!  I'll let you know what I think!  Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

Tamal en Cazuela – Cuban Tamal Casserole

 

In Cuba, tamales are made by mixing savory cornmeal dough with tender pork, then stuffing into corn husks, rolling, tying and steaming before serving. In this stovetop variation, the pork, cornmeal and traditional seasonings are cooked together in a pot until thick, and then ladled into bowls for serving. The results: All of the delicious flavor of traditional Cuban tamales … but no wrapping and steaming required! 

Check out the recipe here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 13 Excellent Things to Eat, Drink, and Do in New York City This September!

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

13 Excellent Things to Eat, Drink, and Do in New York City This September!

Originally from Grub Street! Flatiron lunch spot Verde is now open for dinner. Photo: Melissa Hom

Sofrito Lovers,

I've fallen in love with this amazing food blog called Grub Street and I couldn't wait to share the amazing article posted below! 

Written by Chris Crowley, he shares with us an amazing listing of activities that every foodie, up-and-coming foodie, and wannabe foodie should try out this September. 

Socially conscious and adventurous, this article encourages us to step out and embrace the various food cultures of this great metropolis and to just plain have fun!

Check out the article below and challenge yourself to try 1 of these amazing 13 foodie challenges! Go taste for yourself...and have fun! ¡Buen Provecho!

13 Excellent Things to Eat, Drink, and Do in New York City This September

By Chris Crowley

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Flatiron lunch spot Verde is now open for dinner. Photo: Melissa Hom

Every month in New York, there’s a bewildering number of new dishes to eat, drinks to imbibe, and food-themed events to attend. Often, the hardest part is just figuring out what’s really worth your limited time. So Grub kicks off each month with a curated collection of dishes, drinks, and events that should absolutely be on your agenda. Make your plans now.

Check out the rest of the article here!