A Spoonful of Sofrito: Chowhound's Food Trends of 2018!

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

Chowhound's Food Trends of 2018!

Sofrito Lovers,

The culinary world is chock full of trends and fads!  Whether it's putting kale in everything or eating copious amounts of Korean BBQ, our foodie culture is always experimenting and exploring new ways to satiate our appetites and curiosities!  

Chowhound, one of my favorite foodie blog sites, has published this awesome little article predicting 2018's new food trends.  Turns out veggies and vegan meats are going to be all the rage in the upcoming year!  Check out the article posted below and see if you agree!

Read up, then go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

 

A Sneak Peek at the Food Trends of 2018

 By Emily Murawski December 27, 2017

 

 

 

2018, change looks good on you! And lucky it does, because the new year is going to be all about change, according to Andrew Freeman, CEO of restaurant and hospitality consulting firm, af&co—so much so that the company’s 2018 Hospitality Trend Report is entitled “Change is the New Black.” While we’ll be seeing some food and restaurant trends that feel familiar (you may recognize a few from our 2017 article about trends that will stick around), these will be gaining traction, and taking some twists and turns!

Check out the rest of this article here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Ichiba Ramen Union Square!

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

Mini-Review: Ichiba Ramen 

Union Square!

Sofrito Lovers,

It's brick out there!  If you're one of those commuters that has to brave this cold to get to work, move around the city, or whatever, then I've a got an awesome suggestion for escaping the cold: Ichiban Ramen!

Ichiban Ramen is an amazing medium-sized ramen shop on University Place off of Union Square!  The service is wonderful and the clientele is a cross section of New York City!

The menu's focus is primarily on their delicious ramens, but there are appetizers, rice dishes, buns, and a few other goodies to choose from.  Check out the rest of their menu here!

I live and breathe for their Shio Ramen, because it's rich, warm, and full of deliciously fatty braised pork belly.  Usually, I order the grilled corn, Enoki mushrooms, and a side of Kimchi for additional yumminess!

I'm also a huge fan of their pork Gyoza (dumplings).  They're small, savory, and delicious.  They're the perfect little appetizer before you chow down on your soup!

Next time you're near Union Square check out Ichiba Ramen!  I'm sure you'll love it, but don't take my word for it, go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Champurrado – A Mexican Thick Hot Chocolate.

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

Champurrado – A Mexican Thick Hot Chocolate!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

It's fudging cold!  The cold temps in NYC right now are record breaking and when it's this cold, then it's time for some yummy hot beverages!

Normally, I hate tea, coffee, and hot chocolate because they have a diarrhetic effect on me, but for some reason Mexican Champurrado sits well!  For those of you who don't know, Champurrado is a delicious hot chocolate drink made from corn flour, Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, and cane sugar.  

It's rich, thick, and has a unique earthy flavor.  Maybe, it's the corn flour that keeps me from pooping, I don't know, but whatever it is, I can stomach it and enjoy it thoroughly!

Check out the recipe for Champurrado, from myhumblekitchen.com, below and make yourself a cup of this amazing drink!  ¡Que viva Mexico! Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

How to make Champurrado – A Mexican Thick Hot Chocolate
by Mely | Nov 14, 2012 | 66 comments

Written by Mely of Mexico In My Kitchen

Chocolate has been called the “drink of the Gods”, and the Mexican History books will narrate how it was given to the soldiers to give strength, and how it was a drink reserved for the priests and the wealthy. Even Hernán Cortés wrote to King Carlos I of Spain telling him that he had found a “drink that builds up resistance and fights fatigue.”

 

Check out the recipe here!

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Sliders 10 Ways!

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

Sliders 10 Ways!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

The holidays are amazing and the food is always the stand out delight, but I'm pretty much over it already.  Don't get me wrong, I love the pernil, turkey, ham, and all the amazing sides, but I could use a break from all the holiday fare.

When I came across this Tasty video for sliders, I nearly back flipped!  Some simple, yet delicious sliders sound AMAZING right now!  Check out this video and salivate at the Chicken Parmesan Sliders, BBQ Chicken Sliders, and the Buffalo chicken sliders!  

I'm going to try out a few of these today!  Maybe, I'll use some leftover pernil and create my own Boricua sliders!  Score!

Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!

Sliders 10 Ways-YouTube

 https://youtu.be/s-Ub38YwpAA

 

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Holiday Puerto Rican Rice/Arroz con Gandules!

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

Holiday Puerto Rican Rice/Arroz con Gandules!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

It's Navidades (Christmas) and nothing says the holidays are here like a nice steaming caldero of Arroz con gandules (Rice with green pigeon peas)!  For some reason, arroz con gandules is always served for the holidays and most special occasions!  It's the seminal party rice, no celebration is complete with out it!

Arroz con gandules is the perfect side to your turkey, pernil, duck, or lamb!  If you've never tried it, then you must make it this year's special holiday side!  I know your family will love it!

Check out Chef Daisy Martinez's recipe posted below!  She's awesome!  I love how simple, easy to follow, and fun her cooking tutorials are, I guarentee you'll love it too!

Happy Holidays and go taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Making Puerto Rican Coquito (kinda like egg nog)!

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

Making Puerto Rican Coquito (kinda like egg nog)!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

We Boricuas celebrate Navidades (Christmas) with rich, creamy, and rummy Coquito!  This incredible concoction blends coconut milk, cinnamon, condensed milk, RUM, and other ingredients into a delicious holiday beverage.

Egg nog, hot toddies, and all those other holidays beverages can't hold a candle to coquito.  I've never met anyone who didn't like it!

Check out the DIY cooking tutorial from FreakinRican's cooking channel on YouTube.  I love this recipe; it's simple and fast!  

Have fun these holidays!  Treat yourself and make some coquito!  Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

 

 

A Spoonful of Sofrito: ‘The Chew’ Cast Addresses Mario Batali Allegations!

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

‘The Chew’ Cast Addresses Mario Batali Allegations!

 

Sofrito Lovers,

The  food world's dirty little secret is starting to come to light.  The amount of sexual harassment and sexism that many women and men face in their professional settings is staggering. 

 

The kitchen, break room, cafeteria, and all other restaurant and food related spaces should be safe spaces where creativity, fun, and enjoyment abound, not harassment and misconduct. I hope more women and men stand up and demand that the people who've created these unsafe working environments are finally held accountable for their actions. 

Check out Eater.com's article on the recent allegations against Mario Batali!

‘The Chew’ Cast Addresses Mario Batali Allegations

 

 

From left: ‘The Chew’ cast members Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, and Michael SymonABC

 

ABC removed Batali from the show following revelations of his alleged sexual misconduct by Chris Fuhrmeister@ccfuhr Dec 12, 2017, 3:51pm EST

Following an Eater NY report detailing decades of alleged sexual misconduct by Mario Batali, ABC removed the celebrity chef from his role as a host on the network’s daytime talk show, The Chew. On Tuesday, co-hosts Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, and Michael Symon addressed Batali’s absence. Their statement aired at the beginning of the episode and was subsequently posted to The Chew’s social media channels.

 

Check out the rest of the article here!