Tag Archives: upper west side

A Westside Institution

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Thank you for the well wishes everyone. The area where I’m living in Manhattan didn’t get too badly affected, and I haven’t been by midtown, downtown or the outer boroughs that were more affected. People have to plan a little more right now to get around in the city though because of traffic and the lack of subway transportation. This whole thing has gotten me to observe, more than usual, people’s relationship with nature. Nature is pretty straightforward about its relationship with us… even with basic knowledge of ecology. There’s lots of talk of this storm being a result of climate change, and this is just a taste. Here’s what I wrote on my informal blog:

Strong forces of nature can look very awe-inspiring within nature, but juxtapose its affects with manmade creations and all of a sudden it becomes disaster. Today I walked with Matilda to the park, and people were taking pictures of snapped trees. Maybe they wanted to feel more a part of the damage? I’m not sure, but I have been noticing this energy of attraction.

The attraction is also mixed with those who repel any news of the storm—viewing it as a mockery. Maybe it is silly that people react in this man vs. nature sort of way with their lost possessions, schedules and conveniences. At the same time these moments call for compassion. As a human, I know we interpret things in a spectrum of ways and express however those in our species do. To negate that makes me wonder… why does one care to be alive in their present state… as a human that is?

Fact is, right now, people are a part of it.

If you’re a home cook in the area Mealku is  coordinating delivery of prepared foods (at least 4 portions of a meal) to Red Hook Recovers.

Today’s post features one of the local markets around here: Westside Market. You can tell I appreciate food by the fact that I’m inspired by a grocery store’s trademark selection. Westside Market features an extensive selection (it takes me about 30 minutes to decide what I want to get) of “Made by Maria” dishes and spreads. They even have many vegetarian/vegan options. I always wondered who Maria was. Well, turns out that Maria is real and a part of the Zoitas family, and every family recipe that comes from her kitchen is reinvented. Last item I picked up was a sweet and warming vegetable dish with butternut squash, sweet potatoes, dried fruits, honey, and spices. The ingredient list was simple, and after trying it I attempted to recreate it with my own touch.

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Arroz Con Leche Me Quiero Casar…

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With the recent launch of my new business, Behind Foods, I’ve been contacted for various services which is so exciting–especially for my creative side! One week I got a phone call from a local charitable organization called Goddard Riverside Community Center. They have various programs for all ages, but I was asked to teach a cooking class for a group of kids in one of their summer programs. I was told their theme this summer was Cuba, so they wanted to learn how to make some traditional dishes. Excited to volunteer, I started thinking about the recipes I could make.

So last week, the day for the class finally came…

It started with nearly a push-cart full of plantains…

At first I thought I was going to be teaching a cooking class in a more lecture-style, but I was relieved and so happy to find out that the kids were going to be helping out too. A collaboration! There were about thirty kids, and they all eagerly took turns to cook in the kitchen.

After the rice was washed and the milk mixture was made, it was time to really start cooking the arroz con leche!

It was a long and slow process, and we all definitely practiced keeping our patience. It just had such a comforting aroma!

The plantains were chopped and ready for frying.

Who knows how long it would’ve taken to chop up the 24 plantains, but with the help of our trusted team the job was done, and done well!

Everyone took turns to learn different things.

There was another young chef with us that mostly managed the plantain frying operation. He definitely knew what he was doing.

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The Mom Was Back In Town

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Start the day right

My mom was in town last weekend, on a last minute trip to spend Mother’s Day with each other. It was more motivation to clean the apartment, and get all domestic making sure she’d have everything she wants. I made sure she brought her walking shoes! I was so excited to have her visit, and to share my life up here with her. Plus, she always leaves  such positive energy behind. It must be all that love she has inside.

A breakfast fit for the Queen of Mothers

A baked sweet berry omelette topped with dried orange slices, strawberries, and Greek yogurt. I think I whipped the egg white too much though, since it didn’t come out quite as fluffy as the original recipe.

It was such a lovely Mother’s Day breakfast.
My mom, a lover of salmon, is so happy that I eat fish now…

We walked to the market together, since I wanted to show her the wonderful fish selection at Citarella. Also, I’m not sure if it varies by location but the one in the Upper West Side has very knowledgable and friendly fishmongers. I made grilled chili-lime salmon, which is a little spicy, sweet, and citrusy. I also tried lime juice with balsamic vinegar and it was so delicious… I’ll have to make a dressing including those two ingredients.

I also found caperberries at the store, and added them to the accompanying salad.

While my mother was in town, my friend was shooting a music video at my place.

It was so awesome to finally see it come to life!

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The Weekend-Long Date

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A little over two years ago, my best friend and I had wedding ceremony as a symbol of our friendship. Some of you may recall the recap I shared as a testament, We Are Gathered Here Today. This weekend she made an impromptu visit to see me, and it was her first time in New York City!

It all started with a little temptation…

Next thing you know she drove through the night to get as much time as she could. Finding a great parking spot for the weekend only a couple blocks from my place was just the beginning of the lucky penny that shined over our next couple of days.

Always beautiful, even when she barely gets rest.

She had her coffee black with sugar, and then off we went to explore the city’s west side.

Awfully tall representatives

 They were having a family street fair over in Tribeca, which was a part of the Tribeca Film Festival. There were lots of kids with painted faces walking around, getting into character. We walked through Greenwich village, perusing through chocolate shops, boutiques, stationary shops. Strolled through Washington Square and made our way through Union Square…

On our way up we went to a book lover’s haven–Strand.

My friend was overwhelmed and in love all at the same time. I imagined having a weekly ritual, going there to pick up a “new” book. You can find books that are out of print, on any subject from psychology to banned titles, or even old fortune books. Eventually we headed over to Eataly–a great place to take vistors, and I wanted to check out their fresh fish selection.

Here you can find refrigerated cases of fresh, handmade pastas.

While you’re browsing the pastas you can smell the aromas of sauces cooking, and look over and you’ll find someone enjoying a delicious platter at one of the many dining areas in this establishment. It’s a large cafeteria with a market and “restaurants”. Whether you’re in the mood for a morning cappuccino, a glass of wine, beautiful pastries, gelato, cured meats, chocolates, or vegetables… you will find something. Another neat thing is that you can try things based on various regions throughout Italy!

The smell of cheese lingers through the air over in this section.

After we toured Eataly, we headed back up to my neighborhood for dinner. We had planned on going to Candle Cafe’s relatively new Upper West Side location (I feel spoiled only living a couple blocks away), but the wait was too long for our hunger to wait.

I ended up taking my date to a nearby restaurant and jazz club

Cleopatra’s Needle by night always caught my eye when walking home. It seems like a place that’s been there for a long time. I’d look in through the paneled windows, to see tables of people leaning in over wine glasses, grooving to the live jazz music that goes on every night. I also often see patrons dining alone, simply enjoying their own company. Something about this place, with its dimly lit and old-fashioned setting, is so inviting.

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