I have not written in quite some time. It's near a year I believe.  But  I wanted to get back by sharing some really wonderful things going on in NYC.

For many areas of the city, that do no have access to fresh foods sources, being able to find fresh veg. and fruits can mean having to travel outside of your community.  The Department of Agriculture for the City of New York has found ways to help these communities by providing green markets but also, you can buy fresh produce directly from local farms, for 12 dollars with the food box program. Anyone can participate , including folks on Food Stamps.  Please do check out the link below on this program.

They also have several other great programs to read about and learn aswell.

share. http://www.grownyc.org/greenmarketco/foodbox

#nyc #food #localfarms #organic #agriculture #foodstamps

Holiday Cooking - "A comer pasteles, a comer lechon"

I love to cook! The holidays are no exception.  However, this year, so far, I have been blessed enough to not have to be in the kitchen.   But now that Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought of some of those wonderful cultural specific traditions I grew up loving from my Puerto Rican heritage.  Not at all forgetting, the dancing all night long, drinking and listening to family and friends tell jokes.  Many that I didn't understand because I was a kid!  But I loved hearing everyone laugh until it hurt. Then get up and dance when a good Merengue or Salsa came on.    So out of nostalgia, I thought I would include some of the foods the whole community talks about until they fall over, stuffed!  Hell even el Grand Combo de Puerto Rico (legendary Salsa band), wrote an entire song dedicated to eating during the holidays.

I included different websites to check out.   Just to give you heads up,  Pasteles, take a long time to prepare.  They can be made days ahead.   I also included how to make traditional American Eggnog from scratch as well.  Have a great Holiday!

COCONUT RICE AND PIGEON PEAS:
 http://www.goya.com/english/recipes/rice-with-pigeon-peas-and-coconut
 http://www.food.com/recipe/puerto-rico-style-pigeon-pea-rice-477306

PASTELS:   http://boricua.com/comida/pasteles-de-masa-pasteles-recipe

PERNIL (roasted pork shoulder):   http://www.food.com/recipe-finder/all/pernirl















 
COQUITO (Puerto Rican Eggnog made with
Coconut Milk):
http://www.hispanickitchen.com/profiles/blogs/coquito-puertorriqueno
http://coquitorecipe.com/






American EGGNOG:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/holiday-eggnog-recipe#slide-1 

D'AMORE WINEBAR & CAFFE

118 EAST 116TH STREET 

NEW YORK, NY 10029 

646-678-3681

http://www.damorewinebar.com/


Its called Cafe D'Amore in East Harlem and it delivers. 

A few weeks ago, I walked in to have lunch, I was deciding previously, before settling on D'Amore, to grab a quick lunch. However, my day started horribly and I was feeling rather low.  I figures a little laughter, a glass of wine and some chatting may help lift my spirits. Cafe D'Amore is always a pleasure to visit. The hosts, Rafael and Luigi are always welcoming, funny, polite and just good folks.
       So I decide, Cafe D'Amore could only be a good thing and was it.    It was quite simple. I ordered the Basil Marscapone Cheesecake. (Homemade), Basil Marscapone? oh,  Yes, I must try.  It came with a small bit of Nutella.   The host puts it in front of me and says, "you know chocolate makes people happy because it releases endorphins" or something like this.  I was surprised that he could see that I was sad, even though I giggled and smiled as I normally do. (If  you know me, you know I am a walking corn ball with a little bit of sass).
       I was kinda shy about it.  So I said, "oh well, I guess you can see how I feel."  Well, he went on, "look you can't eat it yet, hold on".  So , I sat there, waiting to see what else was coming to join this desert.  Lady fingers. " Ohhh" I said, "Wait!" he said, "there is more."
Now, my eyebrows are up and expressing a real curiosity, as to what else will accompany my Basil Marscapone Cheesecake. I mean dag, this must be like a serious process.
 Anyway, he served, Espresso.  Now, I am...ooooohhing, "espresso". "WAIT!" he says, stopping me again.  "UGG!!" Come on!   Luigi begins,  "This is how you eat it. You take the lady finger and dip it quickly in the cafe and then in the chocolate and then you eat it. You must dip it quickly in the espresso because the lady finger will melt. It is so delicious and it will make you so happy.  Chocolate is wonderful to make you feel better."
       Here I am sitting at this cafe, feeling like a dam kid.  Mr. Luigi was so kind, which was really what I was hungry for.  A little kindness,  at that moment, was so greatly appreciated,  that I held back the tears and I said, "look if I start to cry, its not biggie folks, its just what it is."  It was a simple little thing, that someone else didn't get, but I got to be treated with a little tenderness. I told him. "Luigi, you always make me feel like a little girl in a candy store. EVERY TIME I come in!"  I smiled a silly smile...and well, Cafe D'Amore doesn't just serve lovely light Italian meals, Brunch on the weekend and homemade deserts.  What they are serving is Love,  to their customers and community with  a few chuckles and genuine sincerity.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner [1/3]

If you have ever wondered how did we come to the Breakfast we enjoy today (Bacon, Eggs, Cereals).. here is wonderful documentary on the subject.

New Waves..The Bronx

The Bronx, like the rest of the city is going through changes. Specifically in the South and West Bronx which are still,  predominately Latino and Black. But gentrification and the intense need for affordable housing in New York City,  is bringing in alot of diversity.  I am finding myself shopping for Asian produce and condiments etc. in the West Bronx.  
There are things I can't find in Chinatown or Jasmart.

I also walk by a Halal meat markets, middle eastern food shops, Mexican and Vietnamse resturants.  I see several Indian families, African, Asian, as well as Eastern Europeans in these communities.  These new faces, makes me think, this must have been how things began places like, Jamica, Queens.  Queens for folks who don't know,  is the most densely diverse Borough in the City of New York.  Take the 7 Train to the last stop of Jamica (for example) and you will walk out on to a platform, with so many diverse, dialects and languages, its amazing.  It will baffel you.   I don't know how in the world the MTA (Public Transportiaton) doesn't have signs up and announcements in at least, the 3 most common languages in this area of the city alone.
  As I look at the Bronx today, I can see another potential Queens in the brewing. Along with a touch of Brooklyns Artistic, well to do, vibe in the South Bronx, Mott Haven area.  And most important to me, is the amazing foods, they bring with them.  I will be writing about these awesome adventures. Stay tuned.

A few little gems

I have been meaning to write about some of the cool resturants I have had the opportunity to enjoy in the city.  I will be bringing this section  of my blog "A Few Little Gems" once a month.



PONTY BISTRO in Gramercy
218 Third Ave
Btwn. 18th and 19th street
NYC
www.pontybistro.com



A great little bistro that mixes the  French Mediterranean and African influences and culture of the two chefs.  The food is just delicious.  I mean, they have Duck Confit Omelets for Brunch, for crying out loud!   I have yet to taste anything that was bad, the services is great. They are very attentive and the cocktails are tasty too.  They have 2 for 1 happy hour cocktails. It is small place but you will love it.  Great for Dates, night out with the ladies and small birthday parties.



LIDO in Harlem
2168 Fredrick Douglas Blvd. (at 117 street)
www.lidoharlem.com/




This place truly is a little gem in Harlem. I have known about it for over a year now.   Its known for its crazy bottomless mimosas brunches but outside of that, its also has an amazing dinners and cocktails menu.    The cocktails are, so far, the best I have had on the Golden Mile of restaurants on Fredrick Douglas.  A few things about LIDO, when you walk in, you immediatley feel, like your downtown. The atmosphere, just makes you feel as if your not in Harlem. Not that there is anything wrong with the World Famous Harlem, but sometimes you want to get away. Get a lovely meal out of the neighborhood. Except you don't have to leave it.  Second thing about LIDO is that the menu sounds good, but then you have your meal and its EVEN BETTER!   The  its also a lovely space to met up with friends or date.


MAIALINO in Grammercy
 2 Lexington Avenue
 Grammercy Park Hotel
 http://www.maialinonyc.com/




Really lovely Italian Trattoria at Grammercy Park Hotel.  They are alwasy busy for Brunch (which is sooo good like everything else).  They make whole pigs and cure their own bacon btw.  The services is wonderful.  They also have a private room that fits 20 for parties.  You have to be aware that they get booked months in advance  for that big dinner/party room.  So plan ahead.



ASTOR ROW CAFE
404 Lenox Ave
New York, New York
Harlem




Great little spot to have a cup of coffee, study, have a meeting, do some work, have a little meal.  The staff is really friendly.  The spot is really laid back and open.  Its also cool that they have a DJ on Sunday and Tuesdays.

Ethiopian Delight

Ethiopian Delight

I mistakenly removed this blog. Forgive me.  I also noticed that Yelp now has made it easier to find Ethiopian restaurants on their site, since I first posted.  So here is a link to YELP with details of directions etc. to these places in the city 

It has been toooooo long since last I have posted. I am currently working on a number of projects. However, I want to get back into the swing of things and write about my current obsession. I'm having or have been, for the last few months, a lustful obsession with Ethiopian food. I dream of Injera, the stable bread that accompanies all dishes. ( It resembles crepes but has a softer fuller and slightly tangy taste.) I dream of the collared greens , the split peas and oh the lamb, the beef tartar and chicken. As I have obsessed with this wonderful food from East Africa.  I have put up a link to Wikipedia if your not familiar with this very aromatic and spicy food.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_food

I have had Ethiopian in DC, Maryland, Philly and New York City.  I don't think you could ever go wrong with Ethiopian food.  If you like spicy and very aromatic foods that is. Its always delicious and great to have with others.  Having that said, there are some places that knock your socks off and others that are good but are more geared for the American palate.   Here are my take on the places in NYC.  I am aware that there are a few more places for me to try and will be reporting back on those. But, for now, these are the best places I have tried in the City. Bati and Queen of Sheba where the best.  Hands down, out of all the resturants I have tried period.  That includes, DUKEM in Washington DC btw.  DUKEM is considered the best Ethiopian resturant in DC, but I did not taste that when I was there.  But I like to give places a second chance so I plan to revist.  There was two more places I tried last time I was in DC but, I did not take down their information.  But I also know, that the food was good but not good enough for me to remember.  :(

NEW YORK CITY

BATI 
Ft. Green, Brooklyn

 747 Fulton Street,
 (Between Elliott Pl & Portland Ave)
 Brooklyn, NY 11217 
T. 718.797.9696

www.batikitchen.com

So Far best I have in the city.  Queen of Sheba was my world until I tasted Bati.  It was really close but Bati won hands down.  Only issue they don't give you enough food as compared to most other Ethiopian restaurants I have  been too.  But it still slap your mama good!

QUEEN OF SHEEBA
Hells Kitchen

650 10th Avenue

btwn. 45 & 46th Street

NY,NY 10036

http://www.shebanyc.com/

Great food.  It gets really busy during the weekend.  The food also seems to be even richer and more delicious on the weekends too.  So get a reservation!  Considered the best in the city and they ain't lying, but for me Bati, was  even better.

The Following Places, are all good but the Majority are geared towards the American palate.  

MESKEREM

Greenwich Village

124 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012

(212) 777-8111

MESKEl

Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West

468 W 47th St
New York, NY 10036

(212) 399-1949

Massawa

Morning Side Heights

1239 Amsterdam Ave
(between 120th St & 121st St)
New York, NY 10027
Neighborhood: Morningside Heights

(212) 663-0505

http://www.massawanyc.com/

Loved the Honey Wine I had there. They serve both Eritrean and Ethiopian.   

ZOMA

Harlem

2084 Frederick Douglass Blvd
New York, NY 10026

(212) 662-0620

http://www.zomanyc.com/

Zoma has a great interior and a friendly atmosphere.   Cash and American Express only.

AWASH

East Village

338 E 6th St
New York, NY 10003

(212) 982-9589

http://www.yelp.com/biz/awash-new-york-6

ABYSSINIA ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT

Harlem

268 W 135th St
New York, NY 10030

(212) 281-2673

http://www.yelp.com/c/nyc/ethiopian

Small little place on 135 street between Fredrick Douglas and Adam Clayton Powell. You can take the 2, B, C train there.   Lovely owners and staff.  You can also buy Injera (bread for your meals) there as well.  

WASHINGTON DC

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant

Washington DC

1114-1118 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor

(202) 667-8735

http://www.dukemrestaurant.com

Thanksgiving Turkey

The Holidays are here!  So is one version of my Thanksgiving Turkey.  Since I had already practiced it earlier this year,  I had an idea as to how to work with a 15 pound bird.   I did not need to soak the bird overnight in a marinated or as its called BRINING the bird.  (Here is a video on the subject of Brining : http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/turkey-brining-secrets/866.html)

I defrosted the bird, cleaned it seasoned it lightly, moisturized it and then wrapped it in bacon and stuffed it with Italian sausages, nuts, brea, fennel.. well you get the idea. I roasted the bird for several hours on low heat.  The end results were amazing.  Served it with roasted Parsnips and Potato puree.

The drippings were reduced in oranges and cognac.  I then put the sauce over the breast and other parts of the bird.  Then I divided up the bird and delivered food to all of my friends who were working.  the eve of thanksgiving and the day after.   Received great reviews.

I also want to mention, please take out time this holiday to give back to those  in you community that are in need this holiday.  The holidays can be very hard on folks on so many fronts and giving to someone who can really use your friendship or your ear or some clothes or food can be good for them and your heart as well.