A Spoonful of Sofrito: Delicious 15-Minute Or Less Meals

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

15-Minute Or Less Recipes

Sofrito Lovers,

Who doesn't love a quick, delicious, and inexpensive meal?  As an amateur cook, I love learning quick recipes that don't require many ingredients and are easily prepared.  There's nothing more satisfying than mastering that type of recipe and adding it to your repertoire.

The Chowhound article posted below features 16 recipes that will take you 15 minutes or less.  Whether you're a dessert junkie, spice fanatic, or soup lover, you'll find two or three selections to satisfy your particular tastes.

After reviewing the list,  I'm planning on preparing the Grasshopper Milkshake, Quick Chicken Pho, and Sauteed Broccoli rabe.  I'm also intrigued by the banana chocolate crepes and the Orange Julius Smoothie, as well!

Do yourself a favor and check out the article below; it'll save you time, money, and will taste amazing!  Read, cook, and ¡Buen Provecho!

Cilantro-Ginger Halibut

Fish is an animal protein that doesn't need much cooking at all. Plus, they're often too delicate to mess with much anyway. You're only working for 15 minutes to make this light, healthy cilantro-ginger halibut recipe. Make your food processor do its job and chop way faster than you can to make a bright, fresh, flavor-packed sauce that enlivens the delicate white fish. Full disclosure: Plan for about 10 more minutes while you let things blend and cook. We think you'll deal.

Click here for the rest of the article

A Spoonful of Sofrito: There’s a Scientific Reason Why Indian Food Is So Delicious!

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

There's a Scientific reason why Indian Food is so Delicious!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

I love Indian food with an undying and unyielding passion!  Two of my favorite restaurants in NYC are Indian eateries-The Jackson Diner in Queens and Polash in El Barrio.  Why do I love it so much?  Easy!  Indian food is complex, rich, and delicious.  It combines sweet, savory, and spicy elements together to create flavor profiles that are delicious and extremely satisfying.

According to the Munchies article posted below, Indian cuisine is unique with spice pairings that aren't found in other cuisines.  The preparation of Indian food is also one of a kind as well.

I won't give away any more details, you should read the article below.  It's an interesting read and very informative.  Read it, go have some Indian food, and ¡Buen Provecho!

There’s a Scientific Reason Why Indian Food Is So Delicious!

By

Hilary Pollack

March 3, 2015

Never Miss A Story

 

When I die, bury me inside a vat of saag paneer. Indian food is categorically delicious: its flavors are complex, oscillating between sweet, savory, and spicy; its textures meld creamy sauces with doughy breads and tender meat and vegetables to make the slop of dreams. It’s a divine synthesis that is aromatic and sophisticated without being bougie. Hell, you can get a better-than-decent plate of it for nary more than the cost of a deli sandwich.

Click here for the rest of the article!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: People Try Cuban food for the first time!

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

 

 People Try Cuban food for the first time!

 

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Once again, I share an another tasting video with you! I'm obsessed with Buzzfeed's tasting videos because they offer insight into the American perspective on food.  I love it when they have a diverse group of people tasting an "exotic" cuisine, because of the cultural comparisons people make.

Comparing a different type of cuisine to one you're more familiar with instills a sense of curiosity and open-mindedness that allows you to enjoy something new.

I loved the video posted below because Cuban food is considered "foreign" and "uncommon" by many people, yet is essentially similar to most cuisines.  Many of the participants went into this tasting with preconceived notions that were delightfully dashed; there's nothing cooler, than seeing people's attitudes change and minds open.

Enjoy!  Watch it, go taste something new, and ¡Buen Provecho!

 

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: How to use up Herbs

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

How to use up Herbs

Sofrito Lovers,

Cilantro, Parsley, Dill, Rosemary, and Chiles! These are only a few of the amazing herbs that give flavor, dimension, and tantalizing aromas to the dishes we all prepare.

As an amateur cook, learning to use herbs and spices has truly been an incredible and worthwhile scholarship.  The article posted below, from Chowhound, features a list of mouth-watering recipes that are made with different types of herbs; these recipes highlight each of their unique and bold flavors.

I'm planning on preparing a few of these recipes for myself this week!  The various pestos, guacamole, and the roasted rosemary walnuts have caught my eye; I'll let you know how they taste.

This list has inspired me to get into the kitchen and get creative; I hope it does the same for you!  Read it, cook it, and ¡Buen Provecho!

Easy Basil Pesto

One of the easiest, most useful things you can do when you have leftover fresh herbs is to make a pesto. This easy pesto recipe calls for basil leaves, but you can make pesto with any fresh green herb or even leafy greens, from mint and parsley to watercress and spinach. This classic basil pesto also includes Parmigiano Reggiano, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil. Once made, you can use it to top everything from pasta to eggs. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to three days, or store it in the freezer for as long as a month. Your pesto could be a lifesaver for weeknight dinners.A perfect pesto recipe has as many uses as it does variations. This basic basil version can brighten up any number of things, from grilled corn to scrambled eggs, or use it as a pizza sauce, like on our asparagus and goat cheese grilled pizza.... Read More

Check out the rest of this article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Sofrito Magazine on Vimeo

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

Sofrito Magazine on Vimeo

Sofrito Lovers,

I'm ecstatically proud to announce that my editor and friend Nelson Gonzalez Gonzalez, editor-in-chief of Sofrito Magazine, was featured on Hunter College's Center for Puerto Rican Studies Vimeo series called, "Puerto Rican Voices."

In this episode, Nelson discusses his life-long love of Latino cuisine and how that commitment to food culture inspired him to publish Sofrito Magazine.

I'm proud of Nelson and all of his accomplishments; it has been my honor to play a small part in the evolution of this fun, interesting, and beautiful work of art called Sofrito Magazine.

Nelson was one of the first people to encourage my own blogging and has featured my restaurant reviews in Sofrito Magazine since its inception.  His support has been invaluable; no one deserves this honor more than him!

Enjoy this video, subscribe to Sofrito Magazine, try those recipes, and as always, ¡Buen Provecho!

Sofrito Magazine from Center for Puerto Rican Studies on Vimeo.

A Spoonful of Sofrito: ALL ONE 50 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.

50 Cheap Eats Destination you should know about in NYC!

Sofrito Lovers,

The weekend is coming up and like many New Yorkers I'm trying to decide where to eat!  As per usual, the geniuses at Eater.com have compiled a list of Cheap Eats destinations that has made my research all the more easier.

Eater.com's lists are always extensive, interesting, and appetizing!  Ranging from the Brooklyn to the Bronx, these eateries feature delicious diverse cuisines at moderate and affordable prices.  What could be better?

If you're planning an exciting weekend out on the town, then you'll definitely want to check out the list below.  I've got my eye on Red Bowl Noodle Shop in Chinatown and Landin Mac & Cheese in the Bronx!  I'll let you know if they're good or not!  Have a delicious weekend!

Read it, go and taste it, and ¡Buen Provecho!

50 Cheap Eats Destinations You Should Know About in NYC

Robert Sietsema on Apr 14, 2016, 5:38p

[Jerk chicken from People's choice. All photos by Robert Sietsema]

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 restaurants I’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.

For the rest of the list, click here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: The Naked Fridge

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

The Naked Fridge

 

Sofrito Lovers,

Food shows on YouTube are amazing!  I've started watching this new series, "The Naked Fridge", on Sub-Zero and Wolf Channel, which offers helpful hints on buying fresh food and maintaining its freshness at home.

It may seem boring or stupid to watch a show about food shopping, but it's really a useful and helpful series.  I know it's not your usual YouTube selection of prank videos, parodies, and make up tutorials, but it's just as good.

It's fascinating because the tips are logical and, most importantly, work.  For example, I went shopping for some veggies and fruits the other day and remembered what I learned from the first episode: The freshest fruit is always on the bottom of every pile.  When I got to the produce aisle, I dug around the bottom of the fruit piles and found the BEST fruit!  

Chef Garth didn't steer me wrong; I've found that all the other advice is just as good!  You'll thank me when you aren't throwing away rotten or tasteless produce!

Watch the episode posted below, test out the advice and ¡Buen provecho!

 The Naked Fridge

Published on Apr 7, 2016

Sub-Zero Chef Garth Blackburn takes a look in homeowner Jan's refrigerator, and he offers tips on how to buy fresh food and keep it fresh in this episode of The Naked Fridge.