True to My Roots

Due to a positively warranted situation, I have recently been spending a great deal of time in Bushwick, Brooklyn, the OTHER Puerto Rican salvation. 

In lieu of my temporary residence here, I decided to make a Boricua-inspired dish for my boyfriend Rubin and I. Needless to say, it was DELISH!

Featured below: 

Fried Plantains "Tostones"

Barbecued Short Pork Ribs

Sauteed Peppered Spinach and Baby Bella Mushrooms

Still think the plantains are bananas? Are you not able to understand the difference between the two? NO WORRIES! Please see this youtube video for help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAkz2hbmSSU

The basis of this dish is to be true to the heritage of my boyfriend and I, and prepare a well-portioned, flavorful meal. 

For more information regarding "Puerto Rican Cuisine", check out these helpful links:
http://www.topuertorico.org/culture/foodrink.shtml
http://www.elboricua.com/recipes.html


Cheers!

3 Tastes in 3 Days

Day 1: Japanese Curry done right.
GO GO Curry! in Midtown, Manhattan

www.gogocurryusa-ny.com

My Simple Review: Quick service, Good Food, Great Prices, Close Quarters.
Take Aways: Although it is established in a very small "hole-in-the-wall", Go Go Curry! brings the Japanese Curry punch with all it's vigor. One

What was ordered: 
1 small and 1 medium Katsu (Pork) Curry with a boiled egg.
Perfect meal for a night full of libations and merriment!

Day 2: Indian Surprise.
Candle Cafe in Upper East Side, Manhattan

http://www.candlecafe.com/

My Simple Review: A simple and friendly Restaurant in the Upper East Side that caters to the following: Vegan, Vegetarian-friendly, Health food, Smoothies/Juice Bar, Local/Organic.
Take Aways: I was impressed with the variety of choices on the menu in which were available. Flavorful, beautifully presented plates, Pricey (I guess it was alright seeing as it was located in the Upper East Side),

What was ordered: 
Vegetarian Indian Plate & a Hot Green Tea w/ Agave Nectar

Day 3: Thai. Always a good choice.
Lemongrass Grill in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

My Simple Review: Good service, Good Food, Good Atmosphere!
Take Aways: Large portions, awkward pop music playing, beautiful simple decor,

What was ordered:
Thai Fried Rice (w/ pineapple, tomatoes, onions, mixed peas, egg and Mock Duck

Pad Thai Rice Noodles (stir-fried with dried bean curd, bean sprouts, egg, Chinese chive and sweet & sour turnip, topped with fresh toasted peanut and Duck

To close:

If you are HUNGRY, health-conscious and weighing-heavy at the pockets, go to: CANDLE CAFE
If you are HUNGRY and are want some fried-goodness for a low price, go to: GO GO CURRY!
If you are unsure what to have, but are HUNGRY and are feeling adventurous and want to indulge in the wonderful tastes of Thailand, go to: LEMONGRASS GRILL

Cheers! and happy eating!

Scrum-didly-umptious!

::ring, ring ring:: Dinner time!!!

This masterpiece, I call:

The Meaty Macaroni and Cheese Surprise!

To start, I boil Elbow Macaroni in chicken stock, then strain. I then transported the Macaroni to a glass casserole dish and layer in slices of Monterrey Cheese, alfredo sauce and italian breadcrumbs. Bake in oven on 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 mins (or until the sauteed veges & beef are cooked).  

In a separate pan, I sauteed center-cut bacon, beef cubes, white button mushrooms, and broccoli in a black pepper seasoned extra virgin olive oil. 

Serve with barbecue sauce (the flavor of your choice) ontop of the beef, and place in a beautiful dish of your choice, I decided on a porcelain decorated bowl.

Enjoy! 

And for dessert:

The Peanut Butter & Blue-Jelly Sandwich

Simply add fresh sliced blueberries to your PB&J sandwich to add flavor, daily fruit serving (vitamins), and excitement! 

I hope this thread was helpful, inviting and inspiring! 

Cheers!

Time to Re-route

For those of you who have been following me, I thank you.
I feel it is time for me to re-route and have 2 separate pages, or blogs if you will, to imitate my passions in life: sharing the images of things I find the most full of beauty and inspiring others through sustainable, healthy food choices.

You can find my image-based site here: http://thelacefiles.tumblr.com/

Continue on generating time to this food-based blog and you will NOT be disappointed (or you will, but that's your prerogative I guess).

Cheers!