A Spoonful of Sofrito: What To Eat For New Year's Good Luck!

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

10 Lucky Foods for the New Year!

Sofrito Lovers,

Each culture has it's own versions of Lucky Foods to eat for the New Year! Whether it's the Chinese tradition of eating long noodles for longevity or the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes for a sweet new year, cultures around the world celebrate the upcoming year with some delicious food tradition.

Check out this cool post from AFIJ, a news site online, for a cool article on Lucky foods for the New Year!  Happy New Year!  Start the new year right: Go taste some of these foods for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

What To Eat For New Year Good Luck 

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: New York’s Best Dining Neighborhoods!

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

New York’s Best Dining Neighborhoods!

Sofrito Lovers,

What is the best dining neighborhood of 2016?

I think this is an extremely difficult question to answer!  How can you possibly choose from all the amazing neighborhoods in this city? I can't answer this question! Well, the food critics from Eater.com have definite answers to this query.

As you all know, I'm a huge Eater.com fan!  I think their articles, reviews, restaurant lists, and other content is all brilliant, but I think they neglect Uptown Manhattan and the Bronx most of the time.  

If you check out their answers to the question posted above, they mostly answered: The Village, Lower East side, and Williamsburg! I think Eater.com's critics need to ride the subway past 96th St. from time to time and check out the culinary meccas we have up here!

Despite my criticism,  I still love them!  Check out the post below and read their responses and restaurant recommendations.  Read and then go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

New York’s Best Dining Neighborhoods

Williamsburg and the East Village had particularly good years

by Greg Morabito Dec 28, 2016, 10:37am EST

Photos by Daniel Krieger

 

As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, writers, and experts. This year, we asked the group eight questions running the gamut from meal of the year to top restaurant newcomers. Their answers will appear throughout the week. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. We've heard about the top standbys and the hot newcomers. Now it's time for the hottest dining neighborhoods. Please add your answers in the comments.

---

What is the best dining neighborhood of 2016?

Amanda Kludt, Eater editor-in-chief: In the eight years I've filled out this survey, my neighborhood has never had restaurants that felt all that exciting. Even with the Tarlow empire, with the Luger standby, with Saltie and St. Anselm and The Commodore and my ever-favorite Bamonte's, they never seemed to stack up to what was happening elsewhere in any given year. But now we have all of those AND Lilia AND Barano AND Carms' perfectly whimsical Mister Dips and Leuca and Llama Inn and The Four Horseman and Emmy Squared. I'm interested to see how the scene fares when its main artery — the L train — is cut off in two years.

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: New Year's Food Resolutions 2017

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

New Year's Food Resolutions 2017

  

Sofrito Lovers,

In 3 days it'll be 2017, now is the time for you to make your Food Resolutions for the new year.  You might be asking yourself, "What are food resolutions and how are they different from any other resolutions?"  The answer is simple:  Food resolutions are the indulgent, selfish, and delicious resolutions you make that you will actually keep.  They're not the bullshit meaningless promises you make like, "I'm going to the gym every day" or "I'm going to become a vegan!"  

Food Resolutions are more fun and totally indulgent.  For example, three of my resolutions are to try different cheeses, learn to cook Chinese food, and to drink a lot more alcohol.  You see?  These resolutions are far cooler and more realistic than that gym/vegan shit.

If you need some help coming up with food resolutions, then check out The Sporkful's podcast on New Year's Food Resolutions 2017.  The Sporkful is an amazing podcast hosted by Dan Pashman, of the Cooking Channel's, You're Eating it Wrong, which covers food culture and news in all it's amazing diversity.  I've become a  fan of this podcast and thought this new segment on food resolutions was awesome.

Check out this amazing podcast by clicking the link below and enjoy making your resolutions list.  Indulge yourself!  Be healthy and wise, but still be adventurous!  After you've made your list, remember to go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

The Sporkful explores the huge, fun world of food and eating that lies beyond the realm of chefs, restaurants, and recipes. It's not for foodies, it’s for eaters. Hosted by Dan Pashman of Cooking Channel's You're Eating It Wrong and the book Eat More Better. Subscribe to The Sporkful today! 

Check out The Sporkful New Year's Food Resolutions 2017

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 15 Solid Choices for New Year's Eve in NYC!

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

15 Solid Choices for New Year's Eve in NYC!

Sofrito Lovers,

Do you have New Year's Eve plans?  Where are you going to be when the ball drops?  If you don't then, check out Eater.com's 15 Solid Choices for New Year's Eve in NYC.  

As per usual, the geniuses at Eater.com have put together an awesome list of restaurants and bars where the party will be poppin'!  So, if you're in the mood for a New Year's Eve bar crawl or just want to hunker down in an amazing place, then check out the post below.

Happy Early New Year!  Have fun and be safe!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

15 Solid Choices for New Year's Eve in NYC

by Patty Diez  Dec 16, 2016, 2:06pm EST

Deciding where to ring in the New Year is not always an easy task, especially because many restaurants are closed and others offer ludicrous packages. Here to help is a list of 15 wonderful choices for awaiting 2017. You'll find everything from a camp-themed flannel party to a blow-out Italian feast. We've also mixed in a few restaurants that are serving the regular dinner menu if a prix fixe dinner is not your style.

[Restaurants are listed by geography: south to north in Manhattan, north to south in Brooklyn]

Check out the rest of this article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 25 Terrific NYC Chinese Restaurants!

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

25 Terrific NYC Chinese Restaurants!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Chinese food in NYC is quite the controversy.  Some argue that the food in China town is horrible and others say the food in Flushing is better. Die hard Brooklynites say their borough's Chinese food beats both Manhattan and Queens. It's a never ending argument for superiority and bragging rights!  It can make finding a Chinese restaurant to enjoy a deep political battle.

I love Chinese food and appreciate the amazing cuisines in all NYC's China towns (Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens)!  The amazing foodies at Eater.com have compiled a list of 25 Terrific NYC Chinese restaurants from all over the city!

I'm excited, I've never heard of most of these places.  After the holidays, I'm going to pound the pavement and check out these amazing eateries!  I hope to see you there as well!  I don't know about you, but I'm going to taste for myself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

25 Terrific NYC Chinese Restaurants

by Eater Staff Dec 22, 2016, 6:21pm EST 

Here is a list of 25 restaurants that Eater editors love.  This is not a comprehensive guide to New York City's best Chinese restaurants — there are some heavy-hitters and critical darlings that are definitely not on this list. But herein you will find over two dozen restaurants that reliably serve comforting, delicious food. You might consider going to one on Christmas, or any day after that. Collectively, the editors of Eater have been to these establishments hundreds — maybe even thousands! — of times. Please share your favorite neighborhood haunts in the comments.

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies!

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

Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

I am a huge chicken shit!  I am totally terrified of my oven.  This is why I haven't baked anything yet!

I have this weird irrational fear that my oven will explode, kill me and David, and burn the whole apartment building down.  I have no idea where this insane fears comes from, but it is there...BUT, I am going conquer this fear by facing it head on and making Christmas Cookies.

Last week, Chowhound posted an awesome tutorial for making Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies!  I'm going to watch this video on a continuous loop, until I know the steps by hear! Then, I'm going to to walk over to that hot box of death and create the most delicious Christmas Sugar cookies ever!  

As I write this, I keep repeating to myself, "The Oven won't explode" over and over.  Watch the video posted below and make your own Christmas cookies.  I am so scared...I am so scared!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Rice, Gandules, and Pork!

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

Rice, Gandules, and Pork!

My delicious Arroz con gandules con cerdo!

Sofrito Lovers,

Sunday night dinner is my jam!  Last night, I made a pretty amazing Arroz con Gandules con Cerdo (Green Pigeon Pea rice with pork) that knocked my and David's socks off!  I'm telling you, we were both left sock-less and speechless!

This yummy recipe comes from one of my favorite YouTube cooking channels, Sweets and Beyond, hosted by amazing Boricua cook Ida!  I love her channel; the tutorials are easy to follow and the meals are always delicious.

When I saw the tutorial for this recipe, I knew I had to try it for myself!  It was was a slam dunk; my bearbear David loved it!  As I've stated countless times, there's no better praise than that!  

Check out Ida's channel, Sweets and Beyond, and subscribe to her channel!  I know You'll love her channel as much as I do! Watch, cook, and taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: FreakinRican Pasteles de Guineo

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

FreakinRican Pasteles de guineo!

Sofrito Lovers,

The holidays are upon us and for many Caribbean Latinos this a time for us to make PASTELES!

Pasteles are a gift God gave us that we happily share with the world!  Pasteles look like Mexican Tamales, but are made from either green banana, plantain, or Yucca dough and are filled with any type of stewed meat (traditionally pork) and veggies.  Pasteles are the perfect example of our cultural culinary fusion; they were created by combining Taino, African, and Spanish cooking styles and ingredients together.

Wrapped in a banana leaf, they're boiled for about an hour and, then served as a side dish or on their own.  Usually, they're made during Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter time as a special holiday treat, but you can eat them year round.  

Making Pasteles is a serious process!  Many Caribbean Latinos have fond memories of waking up early to be a part of an all day assembly line of family making these delicious suckers!

In order to inspire you to make your own pasteles, I've posted an incredible Pastel tutorial below by Derrick Lopez, the host of the FreakinRican restaurant channel!  I love Derrick's tutorials; they're quick and easy to follow!  I consider him one of the best YouTube Culinary instructors online...plus, he's really handsome, so watching him cook is an all around treat! 

Check out Derrick's amazing tutorial below and subscribe to his channel for more content!  Watch, make those pasteles, and taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Try Our World Snack Box!

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

Try Our World Snack Box!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Three weeks ago, I decided to give myself an early birthday gift and subscribed to a monthly snack box series called, Try Our World. Try our World sends its subscribers a monthly package full of incredible international treats, goodies, and candies.  You can choose from several different subscription boxes of all different sizes with all types of treats.  I chose the basic $20 a month box, which contains 6-8 delectable snacks for me to enjoy!

Yesterday, I received my first box and I can't believe how delicious the treats have been!  My box came with 7 goodies and a few description cards with information on the content and how to order more.

I haven't sampled the entire box yet, but the Japanese Pineapple gummy cakes were incredible!

The South African Toffee was chewy, delicious, and decadent!

 

The Canadian (not so exotic, I know) maple cookies were a sweet blessing from the great White North! They were rich, moist, and tasty!

Let me be clear, I'm not a sponsored consumer or anything like that!  I'm just a customer that loves this product and thinks you will too!  Check out the website and treat yourself to a subscription, better yet, get one for a foodie friend you love for the holidays.  He or She will love it!  YOU NEED TO TASTE THIS FOR YOURSELF!  ¡Buen provecho!

Try Our World Website

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Latino Pea Soup Recipe!

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

Latino Pea Soup Recipe

Sofrito Lovers,

For Sunday night dinner, I made a caldero of Latino style Whole Green Pea Soup! The inspiration for this meal came from watching a cooking tutorial from this amazing YouTuber named  Evelyn Dominguez.  I love Evelyn's videos, her recipes are incredible!  Please check out her channel!

Quick, simple, and delicious, this was the perfect meal for a cold and snowy night in Washington Heights.  Winter is here and it's time for some hearty and tasty soups to warm our bones and soothe our souls!  Evelyn's soup recipe helped fight the chill!  As always my litmus test of success is if my partner David liked it...HE DID!

Check out Evelyn's tutorial below!  Watch, cook, and taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 15 NYC Restaurants to Visit on Christmas or Christmas Eve.

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

15 NYC Restaurants to Visit on Christmas or Christmas Eve!

Sofrito Lovers,

If you're in the mood to eat out for the holidays, then you'll find today's post, from Eater.com, extremely helpful! Find the right holiday dinner venue can be hard, but as usual, the good people at Eater.com have created an amazing list of eateries that will help you usher in the holiday season with style and delicious eats!

If I decide to go out on Christmas Eve, then I'm trying Chef Tom Colicchio's Fowler & Wells or Joh Frasser's Narcissa.

Check out the post below and start planning your Christmas Eve out as soon as possible!  Happy Holiday Planning! Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

15 NYC Restaurants to Visit on Christmas or Christmas Eve

by Patty Diez  Dec 7, 2016, 5:00pm EST

[Fowler & Wells] Nick Solares

While many restaurants are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there are still plenty of good options for those who prefer to leave the cooking to someone else. Here is a guide to 15 great New York restaurants that will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This map includes restaurants serving everything from a classic Christmas goose to roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.

[Restaurants are listed by geography: south to north in Manhattan, north to south in Brooklyn]

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 9 British Dishes Everyone Should Try

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

9 British Dishes Everyone Should Try

 

Sofrito Lovers,

There's this horrible stereotype that British food is boring or that it's disgusting.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  British cuisine is incredibly unique, tasty, and brilliant!

Just to offset people's preconceived notions, I've posted this wonderful video from Anglophenia that highlights 9 quintessentially British delicious dishes!  Take a look and unlearn those ridiculous stereotypes! 

After you've watched the video, click the link below for some places in NYC to try out British treats and snack!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

 

If you're in the mood to try some British snacks, then try out these amazing eateries here in NYC! 10 Places to stock up on British goods in NYC!

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Serious Eats Gift Guide for food lovers!

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

Serious Eats Gift Guide for food lovers!

Sofrito Lovers,

Gift giving is one of my favorite traditions this holiday season!  Shopping, gift-wrapping, writing cards, and watching people open my gifts gives me immeasurable pleasure! That's why I keep posting Holiday gift ideas for your foodie friends!  I want to spread the love of gift giving to all my Sofrito Lovers!

Check out SeriousEats Holiday Gift Section and get inspired! Maybe that foodie in your life needs new knives, a digital food scale, or some nice sauteeing pans. Happy Shopping!  Happy Gift giving! Get him or her something nice for me!  Go shop for your foodie friend, I'm sure they'll love what you get them!

Serious Eats Holiday Gift Giving Ideas

   

Check out more gifts here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Union Square Holiday Market

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

Union Square Holiday Market

Sofrito Lovers,

The holidays are upon us and I'm sure many of us are using our weekends to do some holiday shopping!  One of my favorite go-to shop spots is the Union Square Holiday Market!

It may not seem like it at first, but the market has amazing food, beverages, and "foodie" gifts!  If you've got a foodie in your life, then take a walk through the market and buy him/her some nice new plates, fresh spices, amazing teas, artisanal doughnuts, incredible sea salt samples, or a "Make your own Beer" set.

Trust me, your friend will love the wonderful gifts you can purchase at the market! Go see for yourself! Make sure to taste some of the market fare-those doughnuts will change your life!  ¡Buen Provecho!  Happy Holiday Shopping!

Photo Credit: Brian Hoffsis/Photo Has Been Edited

December: Some say it’s the most wonderful month of the year, especially if you live or are visiting New York City. Besides Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree and ice skating rink and the infinite shopping and eating destinations, there are some amazing events going on in the City that Never Sleeps. If you are looking to do more than relax at home with family and hit up the same old bar scene with friends, we’ve lined up the following 11 events and markets involving wine, food, spirits, and craft beers that you won’t want to miss (10 in New York City and 1 in North Jersey).

Union Square Holiday Market

Through December 24th – Weekdays: 11am to 8pm; Saturdays: 10am to 8pm; Sundays: 11am to 7pm; Closed Thanksgiving – FREE! Union Square Park, Manhattan

The Union Square Holiday Market is the New York destination for an intimate and enjoyable holiday shopping experience. Allow yourself the time to slow down and wander through the holly-lined aisles, and connect with the artisans from near and far who are selling their wares and sharing their stories. It’s a delightful place to get swept up in the festive spirit. Featuring an array of warm and indulgent food and beverage, from Dognhnuttery, Brooklyn Brew Shop, Bar Suzette Creperie, Momofuku Milk Bar and many more shops.

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Adults Retry Foods They Hated As Kids!

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

Adults Retry Foods They Hated As Kids

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Tasting videos give me life!  I love watching people experience food; their reactions can be hilarious!  For today's post, I've embedded a video from BuzzFeedVideo which features adults eating foods they hated as children.  It's priceless!  We all disliked certain foods as children, but how many of us have tried them as adults?  As we grow, our preferences and palates can change drastically.  Maybe those Black eyed peas taste better now.  You never know, Broccoli might be your new favorite veggie!

Some of us grow and some stay mired in hate!  Who knows how, when, and why things change?  Check out this video; its funny and informative.  Go out there and try those Brussel sprouts again!  Give that cheese another taste!  Challenge yourself and see how your culinary world can expand!  Have fun!  Go taste something you hated again!  ¡Buen Provecho!

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Talenti Tasting Video #3

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

Talenti Tasting Video #3

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out my latest Talenti Tasting Video!  I taste tested Talenti's Roman Raspberry...Did I like it?  Was it delicious or was it a tart tasting cold mess?

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

A Spoonful of Sofrito: ‘Healthful’ Restaurant Miss Paradis

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

‘Healthful’ Restaurant Miss Paradis Will Have A Giant Chrome Apple on Its Head

 

 Sofrito Lovers,

If you're a salad loving, cold-pressed juice drinking, veggie-head, then you're in for a treat because long awaited restaurant, Miss Paradis, opens this week.

I don't know much about this place, but I've heard about its impending debut for some time, mostly over Eater.com, where the article below was originally posted.

Topped with a  funky chrome apple, this restaurant's debut has been long awaited (5 years, I think) by the Soho Foodie glitterati and their hipster cousins in the West Village and Brooklyn. I'm not sure if I'll get to visit Miss Paradis this weekend or not, but if I do I'll let you all know what I think!

I'll be sure to take tons of pictures with my vintage camera and other assorted hipster gear...yeah, right!

Check out the article below and go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

‘Healthful’ Restaurant Miss Paradis Will Have A Giant Chrome Apple on Its Head

The restaurant’s designed by the eccentric Philippe Starck

by Serena Dai Nov 28, 2016, 3:48pm EST 

A rendering of Miss Paradis's planned apple sculpture, to debut in a few weeks

Miss Paradis

 

Mediterranean-influenced restaurant Miss Paradis — a project from longtime French fast casual health food restaurateurs — will be debuting this Thursday after close to five years in production. Claude Louzon and his daughter Julie are opening the all-day restaurant at 47 Prince Street, at Mulberry Street, with famously eccentric designer Philippe Starck, who designed the 120-seat, bi-level space. It's his touches that people walking through Soho will likely notice first.

Check out the rest of this article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Cheesy Tomato Pasta Dish!

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

Cheesy Tomato Pasta Dish!

Sofrito Lovers,

As you all know, I'm a weekend Amateur Top Chef and this weekend I outdid myself.  Combining two recipes, I created my own Cheesy Tomato Pasta dish for my Bearbear, David!

Now, don't get me wrong, I know that I'm not the first person to combine two recipes together or to add cheese to tomato sauce, but my recipe is pretty kick ass! My partner David loves pasta dishes, so I decided to experiment and created a dinner he called, "Delicious!"  High praise indeed from Mr. Finicky!

Check out my recipe below! Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

Cheesy Tomato Pasta Dish

Ingredients:

1 Box of Rotelle Pasta

1 Packet of Ground Beef

1/2 Packet of Mushrooms

1 Medium Onion

1 Small Green pepper

½ Packet of cherry/grape tomatoes

1 Cup of Shredded Mozzarella

½-2/3 cup of Ricotta Cheese

1 16 oz can of Crushed Tomatoes

1 Small pasta sauce jar

Seasoning:

1 Tsp. of Salt

1 Tsp. Oregano

1 Tsp. Onion powder

1 Tsp. Garlic powder

1 Tsp. Basil powder

½ Tsp. of Black pepper

¼ Tsp. of Red pepper flakes

Directions:

Prepare the pasta per the box’s instructions and

add to sauce after it's cooked.

Brown Meat on medium high heat. 

Once brown add seasonings and veggies.

Once the veggies are translucent, then add

the crushed tomatoes and pasta sauce and bring to a boil.

Cover, lower heat to medium, and let cook about 10-15 minutes.

Uncover the sauce and add the ricotta cheese and

mix until the sauce is slightly pink.

Add Mozzarella cheese and mix until melted.