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.

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Latinos Don't Do Basic Food: Pupusas

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

Latinos Don't Do Basic Food: Pupusas

Sofrito Lovers,

On my list of humanity's greatest inventions, Pupusas place third after the internet and Twinkies!

Pupusas are an incredible Salvadoran treat made from corn flour that has been pressed into a pancake shape and filled with meat, cheese, beans, or rice. I started my love affair and obsession with pupusas when I lived in Washington D.C. for college.  The Latino community there is primarily Salvadoran/Central American, therefore the pupusa reigns supreme! 

I remember the Pupuserias (where pupusas are made and sold) were always packed with people, from all backgrounds, waiting anxiously for a hot and steamy pupusa fresh off the grill!

When I saw the "Latinos don't do basic foods" video posted below, I immediately realized that I need to learn how to make my own pupusas!  I looked up a pupusa making video tutorial on Latinaish and now I'm getting my grocery list together!  This is officially Pupusa Weekend!  

Check out the videos below and get cooking!  Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Siggi Icelandic Skyr/Yogurt Tasting Video

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

Siggi Icelandic Skyr/Yogurt Tasting Video!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Check out my latest healthy snack tasting video!  This week I try Siggi's Icelandic Skyr/yogurt!  Will I like it?  Will it gross me out?  Can I handle all this healthy snack food?  Watch and find out, then go out and taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Town Feast in El Barrio!

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

Town Feast in El Barrio!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Communal cooking is an ancient art form that has been found in almost every culture in the world.  The act of preparing food together for the community binds and bonds us in a very intimate way.  It's a way of building trust, love, and good health collectively; it's something we've moved far away from.  These days, we prefer to eat alone, while on our phones and completely divorced from the outside world.  I marvel at the staff lunch rooms, where people are in deep "cell phone" and not in deep conversation-how sad, sick, and discouraging!

Food is about sharing, tasting, and talking.  And cooking together is an amazing experience.  The act of sharing the preparation of a meal makes it taste ten times better!

Posted below is an Eventbrite for a Town Feast in El Barrio on Tuesday Sept. 20th at 6:30pm sponsored by The Community Supported Kitchen.  I encourage people to attend, bring a veggie, a protein, a grain, or whatever and share with your new found friends and community.

It may seem odd to be cooking and alongside strangers, but as the night progresses those unknown strangers become your friends and maybe one day family!  Give it a try!  Go cook, talk, socialize, and taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

 

Community Supported Kitchen 

Organizer of Town Feast: Celebrating The Passing Of Seasons With A Shared Meal

 
Organizer Facebook Profile CommunitySupportedKitchen
Community Supported Kitchen (CSK), is a collaborative dinner project. Members share the cost of local, seasonal, whole foods then share the work of creating meals made from scratch.

Check the eventbrite invite here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Jamaican Beef Veggie Soup

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

Jamaican Beef Veggie Soup!

Sofrito Lovers,

Despite the warm weather, this weekend was all about soup for me!  I was seriously jonesing for a delicious bowl of soupy goodness and decided to cook an amazing Beef and Vegetable soup from my favorite Carribean YouTube channel, Cooklikeajamaican.

The soup was delicious; it was creamy, rich, and spicy!  I loved how all the veggies came together with the beefy and starchy broth!  David loved it as well; truly the highest praise!  I highly recommend you prepare this one pot wonder; I guarantee you'll love it!

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!