After sharing these Brazilian treats with many, and receiving a “Wow! I didn’t realize you could buy this in Westchester” I want to tell you, my friends, that there is a little Brazil right near us…and it’s got so much to offer, including Brazilian candy! But first, let’s talk food… Read More →
Happy Day-After-Thanksgiving to you, mis amigos! I just ran to the bank and the teller expressed my exact sentiment when he commented, “Ah, I’m feeling so bloated!” Well, part of the joy of the holiday is also the pain of gluttony—if we’re lucky! We’ve survived not only a sometimes- difficult… Read More →
Family friendly cocktails? Yes! After all, we want everyone to join into the holiday festivities—even those who don’t imbibe! Of course there are many was to adapt and create holiday cocktails so that there are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. I was asked to do a pre-Thanksgiving Telemundo segment for… Read More →
This, my friends, is an interesting time of year…and we’ve all got a lot going on! Now, many of you have said to me that you’re looking for something different—a little taste of variety. And so, mis queridos amigos, I bring you a salsa-meets-salad option: the Garbanzo, Roasted Pepper, and… Read More →
Photo by Ellie Miller A few years ago, I heard an interview on NPR with Nigella Lawson that changed my life. What she said is that thanks to her cooking class participants she had improved many of her recipes. This idea gave me one of those head-slapping moments. After all,... Read More →
My dear friends, I’m not just thinking about sunny flavors because it’s a rainy Friday. I’m thinking about orange margaritas to commemorate a holiday in Mexico and many other parts of the Americas that started many, many moons ago: El Día de los Muertos, The Day of the Dead. Now… Read More →
It’s a sparkly cool Friday. The sun is bright, the sky is azure, and the orange, red and yellow leaves are dancing. The colors, and coolness, are inspiring. So, this week, I’m thinking about cozy brunches, and my coconut pancakes! Actually, my friends, I have a confession: I was going… Read More →
Pumpkin + orange + ginger? Yes, my friends! These ingredients do come together to make a fun, fresh, colorful and seasonal cocktail! Let me start by saying I was not, previously, a huge fan of flavored vodkas. However , this may be the dawning of a new era! I received… Read More →
Mis queridos amigos, perhaps you’re already a big fan of totopos: those usually triangular-shaped corn-tortilla chips that offer the perfect crunchy balance to your salsas and more. Maybe you don’t know that you have choices in the field of the tortilla chips. Or perhaps you’ve been settling for one that doesn’t… Read More →
The feel of sun on my face, the sound of waves against the shore and palm leaves clapping in unison, the salt-filled air gently hugging….this is what passion fruit brings to me. There’s something about maracuya (passion fruit) that inspires the tropics which, despite my love of fall, seem to… Read More →
Yes, I love fall…but when it’s crispy blue-sky sunny outside, albeit coolish, I go through a kind of split personality thing: part of me is so excited for boot and hot soup whether, while the other part yearns to hold on to the sandals and outdoor barbecues. My solution this… Read More →
Lately I’ve been craving the Caribbean. I miss the flavors, air, and peoples of so many places ranging from Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, to Costa Rica…and dreaming of many more! Now I’m not sure what has inspired this; maybe it’s part Hispanic Heritage month, or the touch of fall… Read More →
Brunch is one of those meals that inspire many of us to wax nostalgic. In fact, it’s one of those meals that even those who didn’t necessarily “shine” in the kitchen, could prepare well. This was definitely the case in my family. Though my mother was a fabulous cook, my… Read More →
It’s Friday, and here in Westchester we can feel the delicious reaching-end-of-summer brush of fall upon us. Now don’t get me wrong, amigos; I’m a huge summer fan. But one of the exciting things about living in this area is the change of seasons. This, the change of seasons,... Read More →
Whether your dancing to it, listening to it, eating it—or making it, salsa is FUN! In fact, this morning, at dawn (while you you’re probably sleeping!), I was featured on Buenos Días Nueva York, creating—once again—my grilled peach salsa (a.k.a. my throwdown salsa!) with the lovely Elliot Saenz, as pictured… Read More →
Last Saturday—as many of you know—I had the pleasure of competing in a Throwdown with the lovely and talented chef, and dear friend, Maria Reina! It was there that I enjoyed an amazing lime and cucumber cooler—a kind of lime/lemonade with cucumbers. As Maria’s sous chef and hubby said, “this… Read More →
Not only does today mark the middle of August, it’s also National Rum Day! Well, whether or not you knew, why not think about celebrating? Here are four options for you: Here’s the first rum drink in the foreground, and peach salsa with chips in the background! 1) Last night we played… Read More →
Latin Twist blogger Arlen Gargagliano is going into our Small Bites Throwdown with her peach salsa recipe. “I’m always looking for a balance of flavors and textures — and a feast for the eyes as well as the palate,” she says “This salsa, part grilled and part fresh, combines some… Read More →
This salsa screams summer, says Latin Twist blogger Arlen Gargagliano. “It’s perfect for eating with chips, spooning atop your favorite grilled fish and shrimp, or some sautéed fresh greens! AND it’s so versatile: you can adapt it depending on your yearning for more heat (more jalapeño, for example) or the… Read More →
Last Sunday I had the privilege of stopping by the Tuckahoe Farmers’ Market, took one look at the peaches, and had one thought: peach sangría! Now, my friends, as I’ve mentioned to you before, the sky’s the limit with sangría; you have so many options. But for me, local fruit… Read More →
One drink that shouts summertime refreshment is the mojito! After all, many of you have told me about your gardens being prolific in the mint production areas; mojitos are one way to use that mint! Photo by Dan Goldberg for Latin Grill But, my friends, there’s more than one way… Read More →
Photo by Ellie Miller, from Calypso Coolers, by Arlen Gargagliano My relationship with papaya is still evolving. I’ve always enjoyed the tropical-sometimes-musky-flavors that this orange- fruit has to offer for a long time, and in many incarnations. (I remember when I was pregnant with my kids, my papaya-eating friends told… Read More →
The lure of the Caribbean (and yes, Central America) is—at least for me—always present in one form or another. Hence my inspiration in this Friday’s drink: The Belize Cocktail. Pineapple juice, coconut, and rum have always made a beautiful combo. This cocktail is no exception. And what better way to… Read More →
I know what you’re thinking. How can you grill a salad? Okay mis amigos, maybe you’re not thinking that, but let’s face it: grilling and salad may not usually star together. (Can I say that unusual is the new usual?) I also know that many of you, like me, are… Read More →
Limonada, lemonade, is synonymous with summer! The fun thing about drinks like lemonade is that, and my friends you’ve heard me say this before, the sky’s the limit! After all, all you need to make any fabulous drink is a combination of fresh and tasty ingredients; lemonade is an easy… Read More →
A few weeks ago, I wrote about adding a Brazilian twist to a traditionally-Cuban drink: the mojito. (You can read that one, here!) Now I’m back with a new one: The Brazilian Champagne Cocktail! Meus queridos amigos, my dear friends (in Portuguese!), I’m still doing the Brazilian twist thing. This… Read More →
Maybe it’s this gorgeous weather we’re having, or maybe it’s just that I’ve become re-enamored with marinades + grilling. Well, whatever the reason is, mis queridos amigos, grilled shrimp has been on my mind! So I have to tell you the story of this grilled shrimp with a cilantro… Read More →
Tapas are not typical Father’s Day fare; most dads seem to yearn for something a bit more hearty. Well, mis queridos amigos, pernil, Puerto Rican-style roast por shoulder, certainly fits the bill! This recipe is one that guarantees a fabulously fragrant, juicy, and tasty one! (Sorry veggie dads; this one… Read More →
Did you ever savor a sip of something that was so aromatic and tasty, that you closed your eyes to taste it better? (Please, mis queridos amigos, I can’t be the only one who shuts her eyes to taste better!) Okay, so yesterday I had the supreme pleasure of trying… Read More →
Mis queridos amigos, it’s a ssssssteamy day here in New York, and here’s the big question for you: Is it too early to start sipping sangría? Here’s my answer: Of course as far as drinks, the sky’s the limit (I know, I use that a lot, but I mean it!).... Read More →
