A Spoonful of Sofrito: More Restaurant Openings in NYC!

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

More Restaurant Openings in NYC!

Sofrito Lovers,

One of your New Year's resolutions should be to eat out more!  I know that flies in the face of the "save money" resolution, but yummy food is a necessity, recreation, and experience you shouldn't deny yourself ever!

Check out the Eater.com post below and try out these amazing new restaurants.  I'm happy to see they've added some Harlem, Washington Heights, and Bronx based eateries to the list-Finally, some uptown love!

Check it out and go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

Taiwanese Fried Chicken Hits Flushing — and More Openings

A weekly updated roundup of new restaurants in New York City

by Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya and Eater Staff Updated Dec 26, 2018, 2:56pm EST

December 26

Flushing: Taiwanese fried chicken spot Legend Chicken opened in a Flushing food court. It serves several chicken parts, including gizzards and necks. There are also other dishes like calamari balls, shrimp rolls, and turnip cake as well as several kinds of fries and some vegetable options such as garlic broccoli and tofu. 135-15 40th Rd.

Fort Greene: The owners of Long Island Bar opened a new cocktail bar tentatively called the Rockwell Place. 31 Rockwell Pl., between Dekalb Avenue and Fulton Street

Bayside: A small noodle shop called Noodle Box Fusion opened, serving five kinds of ramen including Taiwanese-style and Japanese-style. There’s also a small menu of appetizers and rice dishes. 43-15 Bell Blvd., near 43rd Avenue

Chelsea: New coffeeshop Yanni’s Coffee opened and serves cookies alongside coffee drinks. 96 Seventh St., near West 16th Street

Bushwick: An izakaya from former Momofuku chef Joaquin (Quino) Baca opened called Teo. The 38-seat restaurant serves Japanese dishes like aki onigiri, katsu-style fried chicken, and eggplant katsudon. 321 Starr St., near Cypress Avenue

Times Square: Farm to Burger opened in the new Aliz Hotel, serving soup, salads, and burgers including an Impossible burger and a swordfish-tuna burger. 310 West 40th St., near Eighth Avenue

Chinatown: Greek Shack is a new restaurant from the owners of now-closed Chinatown diner Cup & Saucer and serves hot sandwiches, pastries, and more in a fast-casual setting. 89 Canal St., near Eldridge Street

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Goya Maria Cookie Spread!

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

Goya Maria Cookie Spread!

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out last night's FB Live Taste Test of Goya Maria Cookie Spread!  Did I like it? Hate it?  Watch and see!  Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: How to make the best Coquito!

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

How to make the best Coquito!

Sofrito Lovers,

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Holidays!  If you've got the time and inclination to make some Coquito, a Puerto Rican coconut based nog, then check out the recipe I use below.

From MendezParadise, this recipe is easy, smart, and pretty much the standard recipe most Boricuas follow-you know there's like a million of them, right?

Check out the post below and get to steppin'!  You have Coquito to make and friends and family to impress!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho! ¡Felicidades!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Chips Ahoy Cinnamon Sugar Thins!

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

Taste Testing: Chips Ahoy Cinnamon Sugar Thins!

Sofrito Lovers,

It's time for another Tasting Video!  Check out my Chips Ahoy Cinnamon Sugar Thins review, did I like them?  Did they make me retch?  Who knows?  Only one way to find out!

Watch, laugh, and find out!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: People Try Puerto Rican Pasteles!

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

People Try Puerto Rican Pasteles!

Sofrito Lovers,

It's Navidades (Christmas time) and nothing says Navidades like Pasteles!  For those of you who've never heard of Pasteles, they're a Puerto Rican delicacy made of green banana or plantain dough filled with stewed pork or chicken, which are wrapped in a banana leaf and then boiled.  Think of them as a Caribbean tamale, but way better and not made from cornmeal.

Check out the video posted below from the brilliant creators of Pero Like and enjoy their varied reactions to Pasteles!  Great ready to laugh and learn!

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 5 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in NYC!

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

5 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in NYC!

Sofrito Lovers,

As always, Eater.com has compiled an awesome list of places to try out this weekend.  So, if you're wondering where to eat before you get "turnt up", then be my guest and check out the post below! 

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

5 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in NYC

Weekly inspiration for last-minute dining

by Eater Staff Updated Dec 14, 2018, 10:52am EST

For focaccia and gelato in the East Village on Friday: Superiority Burger is known for its tight menu of vegetarian dishes, but a strong move is to go when the tiny East Village restaurant serves a focaccia special. Tonight, chef Brooks Headley is doing just that — putting out 22 trays of bouncy, just-sweet-enough bread topped with whatever he wants. There will probably be a line, and you’ll probably have to take it out to eat on the street. But it’s phenomenal, and well worth trying at least once, though you’ll likely want to go again. 430 East Ninth St., between First and Avenue A — Serena Dai, editor

For laidback Peruvian in Long Island City: The serpentine layout of Jora offers a lounge-y vibe, with pre-Columbian pottery in niches and subtle, flattering lighting. This Peruvian restaurant also offers opulent takes on Peru’s most well-known dishes, including the national dish of aji de gallina(hen in a turmeric-laced sauce dotted with olives), and tiradito (a wonderful grouper ceviche in a sauce dubbed leche de tigre). And while there are lamb shanks and big seafood dishes, the long appetizer list offers some of Jora’s most satisfying fare. Don’t miss the pisco sour, Peru’s most famous cocktail. 47-46 11th St., at 48th Avenue, Long Island City — Robert Sietsema, senior critic

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Halo Top Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Tasting Video!

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

Halo Top Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Tasting Video!

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out my Halo Top Cookies and Cream Light Ice Cream Tasting Video!  Will I love/hate it?  Is it gross or yummy?  Watch and see!

Go taste for yourself!

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're going downtown and are looking for a chic and moderately priced place to dine, then check out the Eater.com list below!  As per usual, there aren't any uptown listings, but there selection is still pretty nice- I need to produce that uptown list for you all! It'll come out soon, I promise!

Check out the list below and go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

The Hottest Restaurants in Manhattan Right Now, December 2018

 

These places are burning up the borough by Stefanie Tuder and Serena Dai Updated Dec 6, 2018, 11:10am EST

 

 Balaboosta
611 Hudson St
New York, NY 10014

 

 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.

December adds include: TabeTomo, a tsukemen shop from an alum of popular LA restaurant Tsujita; the new, more mature version of David Chang’s icon Momofuku Noodle Bar inside the Time Warner Center; Gupshup, a colorful party spot serving Indian fare; an all-day Japanese bistro called Hall, helmed by a former staffer of Michelin-starred Kajitsu; and the humble Canal Street Market stand of Joe’s Steam Rice Roll, a Flushing dim sum favorite that has expanded to Manhattan.

For more New York dining recommendations, check out the new hotspots in Brooklyn and Queens; the Eater 38 lists the essential long-standing restaurants in town.

 

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Dominican Style Chocolate Oatmeal!

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

Dominican Style Chocolate Oatmeal!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

New York City is freezing!  And there's no better way to beat the cold then a hot cup of Dominican Style Chocolate Avena (Oatmeal).  This incredible concoction warms the mind, body, and spirit!

Check out the recipe posted below from Chef Zee Cooks, an amazing DIY cooking channel on YouTube, and learn how to make this delicious Caribbean breakfast treat!  You will love it!

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Gingerbread Cookies Tasting Video!

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

Gingerbread Cookies Tasting Video!

Sofrito Lovers,

The holidays are here and there is nothing better than holiday cookies!  Check out my Kimberly's Bake Shoppe Gingerbread Cookies Tasting video!  Watch me gobble down these amazing little chocolate dipped gingerbread men!

Go taste yourself!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Hershey Gold Carmelized Creme Peanut and Pretzel!

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

Hershey Gold Caramelized Creme Peanut and Pretzel!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out my latest Facebook Live Taste Testing video!  This week I enjoyed or hated Hershey's Gold Peanuts and Pretzels!  Did I love it or leave it? Click below and find out!

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Cuban Fried Beef!

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

Cuban Fried Beef/Vaca Frita!

Sofrito Lovers,

This past weekend, I experimented with an oldie but goodie recipe for Cuban Fried Beef, AKA Vaca Frita!  It didn't come out exactly like I wanted it to, but practice makes perfect.  At least David enjoyed my weird Vaca Frita, kinda more like just fried steak, concoction.

Check out the recipe I used from Food52.com and see if you can perfect it. I'll be trying again next weekend; I'll let you know how it turned out.

Go cook and taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

Food52 Review: We loved this recipe first for its cuts-to-the-chase name (a relative of the equally vivid Cuban favorite ropa vieja, a.k.a. old clothes) and for Kayb's live(…more) --The Editors

Serves: 4

Ingredients

2pounds flank steak

2onions

1teaspoon salt

6cloves garlic

1bay leaf

1teaspoon cumin

3tablespoons chopped fresh oregano

Juice of three limes

2tablespoons neutral flavored oil

_____________________________________________

Directions:

Put about two quarts of water on to boil in a large Dutch oven. Add the bay leaf, one onion, quartered, the salt, and three of the cloves of garlic, smashed flat with the blade of a knife.

When the water boils, cringe, grit your teeth, and drop the raw flank steak in. It feels wrong. It really isn't. Boil until it's completely done, about 30 minutes.

Fish the grey chunk of flank steak out onto a cutting board. Strain the veggies out of the stock, and put it aside for future use.

When the flank steak is cool enough to handle, shred it, discarding the gristly bits and any fat.

In a bowl large enough to accommodate the shredded beef, mix the lime juice, cumin, and the remaining garlic, finely minced. Add the beef and the fresh oregano, which you have minced. Give it a few good tosses to make sure the lime juice coats the beef shreds well, and go away and leave it to marinate for an hour or so on the counter.

Peel and halve the other onion, then thinly slice it. Heat a cast iron skillet or grill pan over high heat, add the oil, and the onion slices. Stir and toss until they're starting to get translucent and a little brown in spots.

Add the beef. Stir and toss until the beef starts to get browned and crispy in spots. How browned and how crispy are up to your personal taste. Depending on how much beef you have and how large your skillet is, you may want to do this in two batches; it browns easier and more quickly if it's not crowded.

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Good Health Sweet Potato Chips!

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

Good Health Sweet Potato Chips!

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out my latest Tasting Video!  Watch me enjoy/hate Good Health Sweet Potato Chips!  Which is it?  Watch and Learn!

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Lantana Black Bean Hummus and Stacey Pita Chips!

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

Lantana Black Bean Hummus and Stacey Pita Chips!

Sofrito Lovers,

 

Check out my FB Live taste test of Lantana Black Bean Hummus with Stacey Simply Naked Pita Chips.  Did I love or hate this snack combo?  Check it out and see!

 

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Drake's Mint Creme Devil Dog Taste Test!

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

Drake's Mint Creme Devil Dog Taste Test!

Sofrito Lovers,

It's time for another Drake's Devil Dog Tasting video!  This time watch me enjoy or hate Drake's Mint Creme Devil Dogs!  Watch and see what I thought!  

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: California may be the source of the latest romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak!

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

California may be the source of the latest romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak!

Sofrito Lovers,

Stay away from Romaine Lettuce!  The recent E.Coli outbreak has been traced back to the end-of-harvest season that has come from California right now.

I hate Romaine lettuce, but I know many of you like it so beware and be wise. Check out the article/video posted two days ago on NBCnews.com and stay on top of this scary situation.

In this case, DON'T GO TASTING FOR YOURSELF! ¡Buen Provecho!

California may be the source of the latest romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak!

“It’s not that there are more outbreaks. It’s that we are identifying more outbreaks,” FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb says.

Nov. 21, 2018 / 2:37 PM EST

By Maggie Fox

California may be the source of romaine lettuce blamed in an outbreak of E. coli infections that has made 32 people sick in 11 states and Canada, the head of the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have cautioned people not to eat romaine lettuce while they investigate the outbreak. It’s very similar to an outbreak of E. coli that killed one person and made at least 25 people ill last year, FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said. That outbreak was traced to leafy green vegetables but not to romaine lettuce specifically.

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Puerto Rican style seasoned Turkey with Mofongo Stuffing!

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

Puerto Rican style seasoned Turkey with Mofongo Stuffing!

Sofrito Lovers,

Thanksgiving/Turkey Day is this Thursday!  If you're looking for a new recipe for your bird, then try out this amazing DIY for a Pavochon- a Puerto Rican style Turkey!

Brought to you by Sweets and Beyond, this recipe for Pavochon is incredible, it's my go-to when I roast up my own turkey or chicken!

Check it out!  Go cook and then taste for yourself!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Tasting Drake's Fudge Dipped Devil Dogs!

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

Tasting Drake's Fudge Dipped Devil Dogs!

Sofrito Lovers,

Did you know that Drake's sells Fudge Dipped Devil Dogs?  I know right!  Sounds incredible, doesn't it?  Check out my Facebook Live Tasting video below as I taste this amazing new dessert!  

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 4 Healthy Chicken Recipes For Weight Loss!

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

4 Healthy Chicken Recipes For Weight Loss!

Sofrito Lovers,

Chicken...God's gift to the taste buds!  But, if you're looking to lose weight before the holidays (weirdo), then you'll love this DIY recipe compilation video from TheSeriousFitness titled,  "4 Healthy Chicken Recipes for Weight Loss."

Honestly, I can't wait to cook the Chicken Tomato vegetable Soup this weekend! And the recipe for the Chicken Salad with Fruit looks amazing-I know David will love that one!

Check out the post below and go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: PopChips Potato Sea Salt & Vinegar!

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

PopChips Potato Sea Salt & Vinegar!

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out my latest chip tasting video!  Will I like PopChips Potato Sea Salt & Vinegar?  Watch and learn!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 21 Hit Harlem Restaurants to Try!

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

21 Hit Harlem Restaurants to Try!

Sofrito Lovers,

Whether I live in the Bronx, D.C, or Maryland, I am and will always be a proud Harlem Boy!  And it's because of that pride, love, and loyalty that I share the article below with you, my wonderful Sofrito Lovers!

For far too long, Harlem has been ignored by the foodie community and articles below-and blogs like mine-help expand the minds and broaden the palettes of those who don't recognize Harlem for the culinary treasure it is!

Check out Eater.com's 21 Hit Harlem Restaurants to Try and fall in love with NYC's uptown culinary kingdom-I promise, you will love it!

Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

21 Hit Harlem Restaurants to Try
From the soul food the neighborhood has become known for to Michelin-starred sushi 

 

by Dana Givens Jul 31, 2018, 4:19pm EDT 

 

Harlem is a neighborhood that reflects the diversity of New York City, and its restaurants follow suit — food from Ethiopia, Mexico, Japan, Jamaica, Somalia, and more are all represented. On this list of stand-out restaurants of Harlem, find everything from the soul food the neighborhood has become known for to Michelin-starred sushi.

 

Check out the rest of the article here!

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: 4 Easy Meals To Start Cooking!

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

4 Easy Meals To Start Cooking!

Sofrito Lovers,

As you should all know, I'm a weekend Top Chef, but I know that most weekdays we all need to cook a little sum-sum!  If I have to cook, then it must be something that I can prepare and cook under half an hour.  

After a long day at work, I am not the one to marinate meat, chop a ton of vegetables, or any of that other jazz!  That's why these quick, simple, and easy Tasty recipes work so well for me!  

Check out the post below and learn how to prepare a simple pan pizza on your stovetop or some delicious sauteed cilantro chicken tacos.  Watch and then go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Filipino Fast Food finally here/JOLLIBEE FINALLY OPENS!

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

Filipino Fast Food finally here/JOLLIBEE FINALLY OPENS!

Sofrito Lovers,

The long awaited Filipino Fast Food Sensation Jollibee finally opened this past weekend!  According to the Eater.com article below, people waited 20 hours on line just to partake of the delicious Chicken Joy, Filipino style Spaghetti, and Palabok Fiesta!  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you must run as fast as you can to Jollibee and try their amazing menu.  

As much as I detest fast food, I can't help but love that spicy succulent chicken, that amazingly sweet and savory Spaghetti, and that utterly delicious Palabok Fiesta (thin noodles with shrimp, veggies, and other goodies). 

Jollibee is world famous for their menu and is considered the mega juggernaut of the Filipino fast food world-McDonald's can't take them down!  Jollibee's isn't very well known on the East Coast, but neither was Panda Express and now they're all over the New York City!  The Jollibee invasion has begun and I'm excited!

Check out the article below and treat yourself to some Jollibee at Times Square!  I cannot wait to go down town!

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

Hardcore Fans Camped Out for Filipino Icon Jollibee’s Manhattan Opening

 
The first two in line got there 20 hours early for a taste of the Filipino fast food by Stefanie Tuder@stefanietuder Oct 29, 2018, 4:16pm EDT 

Photography and reporting by Rico Cruz

Despite the wind and rain of Saturday’s Nor’easter, devoted Jollibee fans were lined up for hours to score the first taste of the Filipino chain’s fried chicken and peach mango pies in Manhattan.

As only the second location in NYC out of 1,300 locations worldwide — the fast food brand is akin to McDonald’s in the Philippines — people predictably crowded before the doors flung open at 8 a.m. It didn’t hurt that the Times Square outpost, at 609 Eighth Ave. between West 39th and West 40th streets, handed out free Chickenjoy — fried chicken with gravy and rice — for a year to the first 40 customers.

But beyond freebies, the store’s opening signified more to some. “Obviously there are other Jollibees in the area. But having it in the heart of Manhattan is pretty special for Filipinos who live here,” Paolo Bautista, 26, said. “It’s another way Filipino culture is expanding in the U.S.”

Check out the rest of the article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: How to Make Candy Corn Haters Change Their Mind!

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

How to Make Candy Corn Haters Change Their Mind!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Halloween is almost upon us and if you're like me this holiday is all about the delicious and amazing candy-except Candy Corn!  I, along with many others, can't stand those cloyingly sweet and disgusting little neon colored niblets of over processed sugar!  The very thought of that garbage is nauseating!

Apparently, the good folks at Chowhound are trying their best to convince us that we can all learn to appreciate candy corn if we incorporate it into desserts, alcohol, and other confections- yeah, right!  Good fuckin' luck!

Check out the post below and see if your attitude and appetite for candy corn changes...mine sure didn't!  Go read and taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

How to Make Candy Corn Haters Change Their Mind By Toniann Pasqueralle | Published on Thursday, October 25, 2018

Halloween is quite possibly my favorite time of the year, but one thing always puts a damper on the holiday spirit, and that is the great candy corn debate. The nation is so divided over whether candy corn is the greatest thing since sliced bread or an absolute abomination. Personally, I am writing as an avid hater of candy corn. I think only serial killers eat candy corn, and why a person would choose candy corn over literally any other candy that’s on sale at Walgreens is beyond me. But, in an ironic yet unsurprising turn of events, it’s become my civic duty to teach candy corn haters how to warm up to the stuff. Turns out, there are ways of incorporating candy corn (and candy corn flavors) into baked goods and cocktails--and marrying candy corn with other flavors doesn’t taste so bad after all. So keep an open mind, and together we’ll go on the journey to actually liking candy corn…maybe.

Check out the rest of the article here!