Friday, February 2, 2018

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Whole Foods Unleashes Its Cheaper Concept

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

Whole Foods Unleashes Its Cheaper Concept in Fort Greene Today.


Sofrito Lovers,

Do you know why they call it Whole Foods?  Because you'll spend your Whole Check buying your groceries.  It's a corny old joke, but not too far from true until now.  It turns out the mega-millionaires who own the illustrious chain have opened a new cheaper locale in Brooklyn called Whole Foods 365.  According to the article below, these offshoot stores are more affordable and are making their east coast debut in the BK!

Check out the article below from Eater.com for more deets.   You health nuts will be happy to hear about the vegan cafe and juice spot on their cafe level.

Honestly, I don't think I'll going to Fort Greene to check it out any time soon, but if you do, then drop me a line and let me know what you think.

Go see and taste for your self.  ¡Buen provecho!



Whole Foods Unleashes Its Cheaper Concept in Fort Greene Today

There’s a cafe level with a vegan burger chain and outposts of Orwasher’s and Juice Press by Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya and Stefanie Tuder Jan 31, 2018, 10:16am EST 


 
Whole Foods Market 365, an offshoot of Whole Foods that offers lower prices, makes its East Coast debut today with the grand opening of its new location in Fort Greene. The 30,000-square-foot space is located at 292 Ashland Pl. at Lafayette Avenue, and not only has cheaper prices but also has a cafe level with four restaurant concepts, including a popular West Coast vegan burger chain and a homegrown bakery.

On the cafe level, vegan fast food chain Next Level Burger — think of it kind of like By Chloe, but less extra — uses Beyond Burger, the “bleeding” plant-based product that’s supposed to mimic beef with beet juice acting as the blood. All the other burger chain standbys, like fries and shakes, come in organic vegan form.

There’s also a new outpost of New York essential bakery Orwasher’s, selling breads, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and coffees. Downstairs, Roberta’s and Hot Bread Kitchen also sell their bready wares. Juice Press gets a location here, too, along with a self-serve beer, cider, and wine bar with a lot of local beverages.

Whole Foods 365 first opened in Los Angeles in 2016 and has expanded to Ohio, Oregon, and Texas since then. The market was created to appeal to millennials, since a common criticism was that it was inaccessibly expensive.

Whole Foods 365 is now open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the cafe level starting to serve breakfast at 7 a.m., and will on opening day donate five percent of net sales to the Fort Greene Park Conservancy.
 

Thursday, February 1, 2018

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Sticky Garlic Pork Chops - Food Wishes!

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

Sticky Garlic Pork Chops - Food Wishes!


Sofrito Lovers,

If Chuletas (pork chops) had a fan club I would join and run for president.  I love me some chops and nothing pleases me more than to find a new way to prepare these beauties!  

On one of my usual searches through the culinary school called YouTube, I discovered this incredible recipe, on FoodWishes, for Sticky Garlic Pork Chops.  I watched this 8 minute revelation and was instantly hooked.  I'm definitely going to try to cook this recipe; it looks so delicious! I'll let you know how it turns out.  If you try it as well, then share and let me know it turned out!

Watch, cook, and taste for yourself! ¡Buen Provecho!


 

Monday, January 29, 2018

A Spoonful of Sofrito: NYC Winter Wine Festival!

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

NYC Winter Wine Festival!


Sofrito Lovers,

I made a promise to a friend that I would promote one of her favorite food and wine festival on my blog, so here it is: NYC Winter Wine Festival!

I'm not the biggest wine connoisseur, but I must admit that from time to time a nice dry White Wine or fruity red wine can be quite satisfying.  According to Jennie, this festival is an amazing opportunity for wine lovers and wine novices (like me) to sample a variety of wines from all over the world.  

She also mentioned that the plentiful and almost never ending hor d'oeuvres are INCREDIBLE!  Okay, now I'm sold!  Hope to see you there!  Mark your calendars: Saturday, March 10th, 2018 NYC Winter Wine Festival!

Don't take my word for it or Jennie's, go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen provecho!


NYC Winter Wine Festival

 
Named by Thrillist as one of the “17 Things You Have to Do in Winter in New York City.”

New York Wine Events is pleased to invite you to the NYC Winter Wine Festival, our largest tasting of the year with hundreds of wines. Join us at The PlayStation Theater in Times Square on Saturday, March 10, 2018 as we savor wines from all over the world, delicious food and amazing music.

See photos and videos from past events.
 
ABOUT THE 2018 NYC WINTER WINE FESTIVAL:

Discover what satisfied attendees already know: New York Wine Events produces world class wine festivals!

New York Wine Events is transforming Times Square’s PlayStation Theater into an indoor vineyard. Attendees will taste world class wine, delicious light hors d’oeuvres and artisanal snacks.

Participating wine importers and wineries source their selections from the world’s finest grape growing regions in France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, California, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Portugal, Japan, Austria and Germany.
 

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Tipping is Racist!

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

Tipping is Racist!

Sofrito Lovers,

After watching this video, I have a newfound respect for our servers and the hard work they do to receive bullshit money.  I've heard that the history of tipping was based on racism, but never the full history until now!

Watch, learn, and dig deep next time you visit your favorite eateries.  Go taste for yourself! ¡Buen provecho!

Thursday, January 18, 2018

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Ramen chef review instant Ramen!

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

Ramen chef review instant Ramen!


Sofrito Lovers,

I have a love/hate relationship with instant Ramen.  Sometimes, I can't stand those disgusting plastic covered salt bombs, but occasionally I break down and buy a few just to have around the house.  

Unfortunately, I can't always visit one my favorite Ramen restaurants when I get the craving, therefore I must rely on those heart attack causing sodium grenades to satisfy my noodle slurping needs. 

Not all instant Ramens are bad, some are even delicious-if you dress it up with some veggies, protein, and sesame oil.  A few days ago, I saw this cool video on BuzzfeedVideo, which featured a Ramen chef tasting and rating different instant Ramens.  Impressed and slightly curious, I knew I had to share with you.  He actually inspired me to try some new Ramen flavors...God help my sodium levels!

Watch it and then go taste or slurp for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!

PS: If you get to urge to enjoy some delicious ramen, then go to Tampopo Ramen in Washington Height!  I'm writing a review about it and I'm sure you'll love it!



Wednesday, January 17, 2018

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Matriarch Behind Puerto Rican Mainstay Casa Adela Dies at 81

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

Matriarch Behind Puerto Rican Mainstay Casa Adela Dies at 81!

  
Sofrito Lovers,

A Puerto Rican food Goddess has returned to heaven.  Doña Adela Fargas, owner of the INCREDIBLE Casa Adela in the Lower East side, made her transition to the great Fonda in the sky over the weekend.  Doña Adela leaves behind a forty year legacy of amazing food and thousands of adoring fans from all over the world.  She will be missed!

I loved Doña Adela, she was sweet, funny, witty, and brilliant.  She loved to talk about food, politics, and dished out some seriously sage advice.  Our city has lost a giant!  We Boricua foodies stand on her great shoulders.

Please read the article below from Eater.com and scroll down to see the information for her viewing.  And, make sure to get a meal at Casa Adela!
 

Matriarch Behind Puerto Rican Mainstay Casa Adela Dies at 81
 
Adela Fargas was known for her Puerto Rican fare and friendly demeanor!
by Serena Dai Jan 16, 2018, 9:18am EST



Adela Fargas Photo via Casa Adela

The always-present matriarch behind Alphabet City mainstay Casa Adela has died, according to the Puerto Rican restaurant. Adela Fargas — long a fixture in the East Village and LES — was 81.

A memorial with a slew of candles and flowers has already popped up outside the restaurant, which has been open for more than 40 years at 66 Avenue C, according to EV Grieve. Hundreds of comments also poured out over social media, noting memories of both her presence in the Puerto Rican community and the way she perfected the spices of a rotisserie chicken.

Casa Adela, open since 1976, became a pillar in the neighborhood under Fargas. It’s known for that rotisserie chicken, as well as Puerto Rican classics like mofongo and pernil asado. Celebrities like actress Rosario Dawson have visited the restaurant, but many locals and Puerto Rican immigrants visited for Fargas herself, whose friendly demeanor and welcoming presence made them feel like they were eating grandma’s home cooking at the restaurant.

The restaurant, run by her family, remains open. A viewing for Fargas will be held on Friday, January 19th. 





Tuesday, January 16, 2018

A Spoonful of Sofrito: Healthy versions of unhealthy snacks!

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

Healthy versions of unhealthy snacks!


Sofrito Lovers,

It's January 16th and by now many of our healthy eating and exercise resolutions have probably gone by the wayside!  But, not all is lost, there's more than enough time to start over. 

Unhealthy foods can have a powerful hold on us and old habits die hard, but it can be done.  Sometimes switching out our unhealthy snacks with healthier versions can be the motivating factor we need to get back into the exercise grind.

Check out these amazing Healthy versions of unhealthy snacks from Tasty.  Now you can reward yourself with some Greek yogurt/peanut butter ice cream after you've run a few miles on the treadmill.  You can enjoy some baked Buffalo wings before you do the Elliptical.  It's all bout being flexible, creative, and open minded.

Get back to the gym, track, or wherever you do your workout and get sweating, then go taste for yourself.  ¡Buen provecho!