New York City
Chinese Moon Cakes in Sunset Park
The other day I posted about the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival known as Zhōngqiū Jié which ends tomorrow, September 19th. It celebrates the harvest season and the full moon. The customary gift is known as the moon cake. Because of it’s ubiquity during the season it’s hated by many. Some view it like the fruit cake […]
It’s Moon Cake Time! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
When was the last time you presented someone with a fruitcake? It’s Zhōngqiū Jié, the Mid-Autumn Harvest festival in China. This year, the official date of the holiday is September 19th. The date changes but is always during the 8th month on the 15th day on the Chinese calendar when there is a full moon. […]
Governor’s Island Kosher Vending Machines and Other Cool Stuff
There is a first time for everything. In New York I’ve seen Kosher versions of Chinese, North Indian, South Indian, Diners, Ethiopian, and “Middle Eastern” among others. It was only a matter of time before seeing a vending machine serving all Kosher food. This machine was spotted in one of my favorite places in New […]
Food Adventure: Leske’s Bakery – Maple Frosted Bacon Doughnut Review
These are heady days for bacon, as evidenced by products like bacon mayo, lip balm, and even haute items like vodka. It’s a product beyond overexposed but people are fine with that because it’s delicious. On shows like Top Chef it always struck me as a cheap trick when contestants add bacon to just about […]
Cargamanto Colombian Stew / Frijoles Antioquenos (Vegan Version)
Summer isn’t normally stew time here on the East Coast, but with a couple of days of temps in the 70s, we took advantage. Traditionally, this stew is served as part of bandeja paisa (Paisa is the Northwestern part of Colombia. Bandeja means platter). The rest of the platter varies from rice, ground meat, steak, […]
Part 2: Interview with Louisa Shafia, Author: New Persian Kitchen + Turmeric Chicken with Sumac and Lime Recipe
This is the second half of the RoodonFood interview with author Louisa Shafia on her new book New Persian Kitchen. Post interview there is a killer recipe for Turmeric Chicken with Sumac and Lime. Here is a link to part 1 which includes a great recipe for a Sweet and Smoky Beet Burger in case […]
Part 1: An Interview with Louisa Shafia, Author of New Persian Kitchen + Smoky Beet Burger Recipe
If you’re like me, you know next to nothing about Persian cooking. Thinking of Iran, maybe politics crosses the mind, but certainly no reference points about food. Louisa Shafia aims to bridges this gap in her lovingly written book, the New Persian Kitchen. The country’s cooking she explains is partial to sweet and sour tastes […]
Valio Viola Cheese Spread (Product of Finland)
A product of Finland, Valio Viola cheese spread was another pick up during my recent run to Brighton Beach. The cheese is much thinner than say, Philly cream cheese. The flavor is mild, pleasant and just the perfect amount of tartness. It reminds me of a less rich version of Laughing Cow cheese. I […]
Arrowhead Mills Maple Buckwheat Flakes (Gluten Free)
Buckwheat cereal? That sounds odd. Maple though? Maybe we have something here. I’ve used buckwheat flour many times in baking but certainly never considered the grain for a cereal. This product from Arrowhead Mills proved my skepticism wrong. These flakes possess a stronger-than-the-average crunch. If accustomed to wheat or corn based flakes, buckwheat looks very […]
My Dad’s Cookies Chocolano Flavor (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
These My Dad’s chocolano cookies are a gluten free (also labelled wheat free/dairy free) cousin to the more famous Milano from Pepperidge Farm. These treats are an improvement however because they have the richness of a Milano but with a more delicate crunch and a slight crumbliness. The cookie is in perfect proportion to the […]
