A Spoonful of Sofrito: 60 Cheap Eats Destinations You Should Know About in NYC!

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

60 Cheap Eats Destinations You Should Know About in NYC!

Sofrito Lovers,

Robert Sietsema, of Eater.com, has put together another incredible list of Cheap Eats throughout NYC!  I've eaten (and loved) about 40-something of them!  If you're looking to have a great meal this weekend, then check out the list, find a spot, and have an amazing meal.

I recommend Equatoriano in Harlem, Cafe la Mercato in the Bronx, Casa Adela in Loisaida, and KoKo Wings in Harlem.  As always, I encourage you to go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

60 Cheap Eats Destinations You Should Know About in NYC

By Robert Sietsema Sep 23, 2016, 4:45pm

As restaurant prices continue to soar, finding a cheap restaurant meal becomes more of a priority. And if the inexpensive feed is not only delicious but also interesting, and maybe even outside your previous dining experience, all the better. 

From time to time, I post about cheap restaurantsI’ve stumbled on in the five boroughs and adjacent metropolitan areas, devoting a paragraph or two to each and making a few menu recommendations. Here is a collection of those restaurants, listed by location, beginning with Lower Manhattan.

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Sun Chip Tasting Video

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

Sun Chip Harvest Cheddar Tasting Video

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out my Sun Chip Harvest Cheddar tasting video from Facebook!  Will I like the chips?  Are they good?  Check it out and then go taste for yourself!¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Cheap Sushi reviews!

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

Cheap Sushi reviews!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

The second I saw the video posted below, I knew I had to re-post it here.  Many people I know love to eat cheap sushi from 7 Eleven, Trader Joe's, and other convenient stores; that stuff just grosses me out.

Don't get me wrong-I LOVE SUSHI!  Real Sushi from a restaurant, where it was freshly prepared and seasoned to perfection.  Sushi is a delicate art form crafted by chefs that have studied the art for years.  They use the freshest and most amazing ingredients and prepare it for you right then and there!  The idea that prepackaged sushi is made in a factory and then delivered by the ton in the back of a truck is both insulting and disgusting.

I'm not being a snob, it just scares me.  Sushi can be touchy and if it's prepared improperly or insufficiently refrigerated, then you'll get really sick.  I don't think convenient stores and huge supermarket chains have the best conditions for such a delicate cuisine.  Whenever I visit these stores, I look at the sushi and get really concerned; it always looks weird or funky!

Check out the BuzzfeedVideo below and look at the facial expressions of the master chef!  It's priceless!  I wonder how bad his diarrhea was afterwards!  This time: don't taste for yourself and if you do be careful!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Dominican Food NYC!

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

Dominican Food NYC!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Dominican food is incredibly underrated and underappreciated!  If you've never had Mangú con salami frito for breakfast, then you haven't lived!  Dominican fare merges African, Taino, Spanish, and Middle Eastern culinary influences together to form a unique and truly delicious Caribbean cuisine. 

Unfortunately, Dominican food in NYC isn't always prepared properly.  Too often, we're served greasy, salty, and overcooked versions of dishes that are a pathetic shadow of the real dishes they're trying to replicate.  

In order to stimulate your appetite and curiosity, I've posted a video from PeroLike titled, "Latinos Try Dominican Food for the first time."  It's informative, hilarious, and shows you the response well prepared Dominican food generates. 

If this post has put you in the mood for good Dominican food, then visit Malecon in Washington Heights!  Check out their website for directions!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Pasta a la David with Veggies!

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

Pasta a la David with Veggies!

Sofrito Lovers,

Last night, I made my BearBear David his favorite dish, Pasta a La David, but with few a veggie surprises.

Pasta a la David is a dish I invented for him because he loves pasta and how I prepare it.  The dish consists of any type of pasta with marinara sauce cooked with grape or cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and chopped onions.  The ground beef is seasoned with Italian spices, salt, and pepper and sauteed with the veggies.

Last night, I added some zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.  David hates veggies, but will eat them in pasta sauce, so I decided to push the envelope and get him to like something green and good for him.  Luckily, he loved it; he had two servings!

Feeling proud and kind of braggadocious, I've decided to share the recipe below; I hope you enjoy!  Taste it for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

Pasta a la David with Veggies

Ingredients:

1 Box of Barilla Penne

1 Packet of ground beef with no fat

1 Tbsp of olive oil

1 Jar of Barilla Marinara

1 small jar of marinara for extra moisture

Vegetables:

1 Zucchini diced/chopped

Chopped mushrooms

Half cut grape or cherry tomatoes

1 Medium Chopped onion

Seasoning:

½ cup of Parmigiano-Romano grated cheese

1 Tsp of Dry Oregano

1 Tsp of  Garlic powder

1 Tsp of Onion powder

1Tsp of Basil

1 Tsp of Black Pepper

1 Tsp of Salt

¼ Tsp of Red Toasted pepper flakes

Directions:

Cook penne as per box ingredients.

Heat olive oil under medium high heat and brown ground beef.

Once the beef has almost cooked through add all the dry spices and mix.

Add all the chopped veggies and mix in the pan.  Sautee for 5 minutes or so.

Add 1 jar of Barilla sauce and mix and cook until small boil.

Cover pan, lower heat to medium-low, and cook for 10-15 minutes.

Once the sauce is done, pour onto penne and mix.

Add a few ounces of the small jar of marinara and cheese and mix and cook for 2-3 minutes.