Yogurt is one of my favorite ingredients. Specifically, I’m a big fan of greek yogurt. It’s thick and sour and gives a wonderful consistency and savour to this salad without having to add any mayonnaise. The poached chicken breasts are infused with flavor during the cooking process with the onion, green pepper and bay leaf…
Tag: aleida arbona
Oven Roasted Okra
Okra (guingambo, kingombo, bhindi, lady fingers) is one ingredient I’ve been avoiding! I had read about its benefits, history and versatility, but what scared me the most, was their characteristic sliminess. I pride myself in that at least I try different flavors and ingredients, so when I got okra in one of my organic food…
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes are a delicious and nutritious alternative that give some traditional potato recipes a twist. When I got my sweet potatoes (batata, boniato, camote, kumara) in my organic/natural food weekly delivery box, I was a bit confused at first. In the past, I had seen my mother prepare the orange-flesh variety for Thanksgiving dinners,…
Piñón de Plátano Maduro
I want to introduce to you the “Caribbean Lasagna”! Tiers of fried ripe sweet plantain strips, picadillo (cuban style ground beef) and mozzarella that is baked until golden brown. The mix of sweet and savory is absolutely perfect! A great alternative for boat trips, picnics, feeding large groups and easy make ahead meals. It goes…
Mascarpone Cream Sauce
My Mascarpone Cream Sauce is simply the best! I don’t like to thicken pasta cream sauce with flour or cornstarch, so I find the Mascarpone is a great alternative to reach the desired creaminess adding subtle flavor. Savory, easy and quick to make. I use it for raviolis, gnocchi or penne pasta with veggies. Also,…
Eggs in a Nest
If you have been following this blog, you already know we are “boat people”. I grew up spending many weekends and vacations on my father’s boat. The freedom and liberty you feel while navigating the ocean is exhilarating as well as therapeutic. There is something about being in contact with nature, on the open water…
Arroz con Salchichas
My grandmother Ita always says an “arroz guisado” (stewed rice) is as good as the “sofrito” you make. In Puerto Rico, sofrito refers to a blend of oil, onions, garlic, aji dulce (sweet peppers), bay leaf, tomato sauce, “alcaparrado” (a blend of manzanilla olives and capers), cubanel and bell peppers, culantro (recao) and sometimes, ham,…
El Departamento de la Comida
A couple of weeks ago, my good friend Claudia told me she joined a delivery service for organic/local/ecological/artisanal foods. She sent me the website information and I decided to give it a try. To my surprise, one of the partners of the company is Olga “Bebe” Casellas, a friend from adolescence whom I haven’t seen…
Barrigas de Vieja (Pumpkin Fritters)
Barrigas de Vieja means “the belly of an old lady”, because they are flabby, soft and without a consistent shape. I know its a funny name, but these sweet pumpkin fritters are truly delicious. They are also called “tortitas de calabaza”. I grew up having these fritters sometimes as a snack or appetizer before dinner….
Three Bean Salad
Beans are a great source of protein, complex carbohydrates (the good carbs that give energy to brain and muscles) and dietary fiber. Also, beans have the “good fat” your body needs and a low glycemic index, meaning they have the ability to give you energy over a sustained period of time by slowly releasing its…